Raise your hand if you have ever felt terrified to use a cast iron. The heavy, jet-black pans send fear down the spines of almost everyone I talk to. The rust! The seasoning! The RUST!
I don’t use things that are difficult. If something is difficult and doesn’t add a lot of value to my life, it is out. My kitchen does not boast much cabinet space, or counter space for that matter, so you can trust me on this – I don’t keep things I don’t need. And I need my cast iron.
It seems to be a common myth that you can only cook certain things in cast iron, and that you certainly can’t cook acid in it. This is absolutely untrue! Cast iron is the most versatile tool you have in your kitchen. It conducts heat like a dream, has a nonstick surface you won’t believe, and goes from stovetop to oven without pause. Cast iron is what gives you a mouth watering crust on steak, only to go straight into the oven to finish to your desired temperature. Deep-dish pizza cooks to perfection, and ratatouille becomes the most delicious thing you have ever cooked. Roast vegetables, cook meats, do it all in your cast iron!
I feel as though cast iron is indestructible. Even if it “ruins” and is covered in rust in your basement, there is hope! For me, after everyday use, I wipe it clean and use a little water (and maybe soap if I must!), then dry completely with a towel. Then, place it on ahot stovetop, and after it has dried completely, I pour a little vegetable oil in the skillet and rub the entire inside with a paper towel. This is the weird part- now you have to turn the paper towel inside out and wipe off the excess oil. Keep the skillet on the stovetop until the oil reaches is smoking point in order to create that nice, glassy, nonstick surface. Other times, I will reseason (oil) the entire skillet after cleaning and drying and place in the hot oven, turn it off, and let it cool in the oven.
I am leaving a link to my favorite cast iron care video that I reference frequently. Happy cast iron cooking my friends!
See you soon!
https://www.buzzfeed.com/jodyduits/how-to-care-for-cast-iron
Photo by Rayia Soderberg on Unsplash
Foodie & Co. 