5 Must-Know Tips for Cooking with a Cast Iron Skillet JOANNA MEDALLA , JUNE 17, 2016 / 57546 10
A cast iron skillet may look out of place in a modern, high-tech kitchen but it definitely is a homestead staple. This heavy, clunky cookware is inexpensive and nearly indestructible, it can cook about anything, and, when ‘seasoned’ properly, is the original non-stick material. What more could a homesteader ask for?
5 Must-Know Tips for Cooking with a Cast Iron Skillet
5 Must-Know Tips for Cooking with a Cast Iron Skillet
If you’re a beginner homesteader, using this unconventional cookware may pose a wee bit of a challenge. But fear not, we have five tips for you to make cooking with a cast iron skillet easier!
5 Must-Know Tips for Cooking with a Cast Iron Skillet
Tip 1. Seasoning Your Cast Iron Skillet
Seasoning Your Cast Iron Skillet | 5 Must-Know Tips for Cooking with a Cast Iron Skillet
image via thefrugalpantry
Using a new cast iron skillet can be aggravating especially if you’re a first timer; however, if you season it properly, cooking in an iron skillet is a breeze. Seasoning a cast iron skillet means that you slather it with a thin layer of shortening or oil and stick it in a preheated 400 to 500 degree oven for a couple of hours. Iron is a very porous material which means that the thin layer of oil will fill in the pores so that air, bacteria and food you cook with does not fill it and ruin the metal.
Tip 2. Cooking
Cooking | 5 Must-Know Tips for Cooking with a Cast Iron Skillet image via healthstartsinthekitchen
When using your cast iron cookware, preheat it first before putting in your ingredients. Cook over low heat as too much heat can crack a cast iron. If you’re frying eggs or pancakes, make sure to melt the lard or oil first. Like any other non-stick cookware, it is best not to use metal utensils.
Tip 3. Scraping off the Stubborn Bits
Scraping off the Stubborn Bits | 5 Must-Know Tips for Cooking with a Cast Iron Skillet image via aspicyperspective
Deal with stubborn bits of food by pouring 1 coup of coarse kosher salt into the still-warm skillet. Use a folded kitchen towel or a non-abrasive cloth to scour. Discard salt and food bits, and rinse the skillet with hot water. Use cleaning process to finish.
Pioneer Settler @PioneerSettler
Check out these amazing cast iron #skillet #recipes pioneersettler.com/20- cast-iron-skillet-recipes/ … 6:08 PM - 19 May 2015
Tip 4. Cleaning
Cleaning | 5 Must-Know Tips for Cooking with a Cast Iron Skillet image via dinnerseries
Cleaning a new cast iron skillet can be a real chore. But once you get the hang of it and when it’s already ‘seasoned’, cast iron is as easy to care for as any other non-stick cookware.
Do not pour cold water over a hot skillet, this will cause your cookware to crack. After cooking, allow it to cool off before washing it.
Use soap and water to clean your skillet before seasoning it. After that, never use soap again. NEVER. Use hot water to wash your skillet and wipe out your pan with a non-abrasive cloth to clean, this preserves the seasoning. After wiping, recoat it with a thin layer of coconut or olive oil.
Tip 5. Storing
Storing | 5 Must-Know Tips for Cooking with a Cast Iron Skillet image via Remodelista
Store skillet in a cool, dry place. If you have several cast iron skillets and need to stack them, place a towel in between the pans to absorb moisture and prevent scratching the seasoning.
Links:
My favorite Cast Iron Skillet Recipes:
21 Savory Cast Iron Skillet Dinner Recipes
20 Cast Iron Skillet Recipes
12 Cast Iron Skillet Dessert Recipes
Want to see how to properly season, clean and care for your cast iron? Check out this video from America’s Test Kitchen:
www.youtube.com/watch? v=RkfLwe8Jl4Q
Poster Comment:
Lots of pictures at source.