The Timeless Appeal of Cast Iron Cooking
Cast iron skillets are a staple in kitchens where tradition meets modern life. They're prized for their durability and versatility by home cooks and culinary enthusiasts. Today, we dive into the world of cast iron cooking, covering its benefits, how to make it non-stick, seasoning tips, culinary uses, and answering the question: Can cast iron go in the oven?
Why Cast Iron Is So Popular
There’s a special kind of magic in a well-seasoned cast iron skillet. It brings back memories of family meals, offers the promise of lasting through generations, and guarantees perfectly cooked food thanks to its even heat distribution. The more you use and season it, the better its natural, chemical-free non-stick surface gets.
How to Season Cast Iron
Achieving a non-stick surface on cast iron cookware is a crucial aspect of its maintenance, revolving around the process of proper seasoning. Begin this essential routine by thoroughly cleaning your skillet using warm, soapy water, ensuring that any residue or moisture is completely eliminated by drying it well. Next, take a small amount of vegetable oil or melted shortening and gently coat the entire surface of the cookware, including both the interior and exterior, with a thin, even layer. This is a pivotal step as it prepares the skillet for the seasoning process.
Once coated, place the skillet upside-down in a preheated oven set at 375°F. This orientation is important as it allows any excess oil to drip away, resulting in an even coat. Place a piece of aluminum foil or a baking sheet below the skillet to catch any oil drips, preventing any mess in your oven. Let the cookware bake for about an hour, during which the oil polymerizes, forming a hardened, protective layer over the metal.
This process not only seasons the skillet, enhancing its non-stick qualities, but also significantly contributes to its overall durability. Over time, with repeated seasoning and regular use, your cast iron skillet will develop a naturally non-stick surface that improves with age, making it ideal for a wide range of cooking tasks. This method is a testament to the enduring quality of cast iron and its ability to become more efficient and user-friendly with proper care.
Cast Iron for Creative Cooking
A cast iron skillet is an incredibly versatile kitchen tool, perfect for cooking a wide variety of dishes across all meals of the day—not just breakfast, but also for preparing delicious lunches, sumptuous dinners, and even for baking delectable treats. It’s ideal for making crispy bacon that sizzles to perfection, fluffy pancakes that melt in your mouth, hearty stews filled with rich flavors, and steaks cooked to just the right level of doneness. Its remarkable ability to transition seamlessly from stovetop to oven opens up a whole new world of culinary possibilities, allowing you to bake artisan bread with a crunchy crust, deep-dish pizzas with gooey cheese and robust toppings, and comforting casseroles that become the highlight of any meal. The even heat distribution and retention properties of cast iron ensure that every dish is cooked evenly, enhancing flavors and textures in a way that no other cookware can.
Is Cast Iron Oven-Safe?
Yes, cast iron can safely be used in the oven. Its material is durable and withstands high temperatures well. Just make sure any skillet parts, like handles or knobs, are also oven-safe. Most bare cast iron skillets can handle temperatures far beyond most cooking requirements.
Taking Care of Cast Iron
To ensure your cast iron remains in pristine condition, it's crucial to clean it properly after each use. This involves using hot water and a soft brush or sponge to gently remove any food particles, while strictly avoiding soap as it can strip away the pan's valuable seasoning. After washing, it's essential to dry the skillet thoroughly to prevent rust from forming. Taking an extra step, lightly coat the pan with a thin layer of oil before storing it away; this helps maintain the seasoning and protect the surface. Adhering to these care guidelines can make your cast iron skillet a durable kitchen staple, capable of being passed down through generations.
Conclusion
The cast iron skillet is a link to the past, a tool for modern cooking, and a reminder to enjoy the process of making food. It’s not just cookware; it’s a vessel for memories, a source of culinary creativity, and a testament to the value of tradition in our fast-paced world. Whether you're an experienced cook or just starting, cast iron offers a unique cooking experience, blending history, functionality, and flavor.
Some of our favorite cast iron products!
If you're interested in some of my favorite cast iron products that we use on a daily basis and absolutely LOVE here they are:
Cast Iron Dutch Oven
We use this Dutch oven for deep frying, making soups/stews, sautéing veggies, making jam, sourdough baking, this is the perfect all around kitchen tool!
12 inch Cast Iron Skillet with Lid
We use this for pretty much everything else. Cooking eggs, making pancakes, frying up meat, tossing in the oven to broil the tops of meals... its amazing!
Pizza Cast Iron Skillet
Now this cast iron skillet can be used for more than pizza, that's just what we use it for the most. This can be used to make homemade tortilla shells too!
