The Lost Art of Cooking with Cast Iron
If you were to ask your Grandmother what her favorite cookware is/was chances are she would tell you about a piece of cast iron. In today’s fast paced world of the next best thing Cast Iron cookware has been tossed aside.
Why?
Honestly. I don’t understand. It is affordable, heavy duty, non stick, even cooking cook ware. It is so versatile it can go from stovetop to oven, and not get ruined.
I hadn’t given Cast Iron Skillets much thought before. My mom gave me a set of 3 cast iron skillets, and I had to google how to season them. Yes, I am ashamed because really this has become a lost art. In this world of expensive non stick cookware, we have forgotten all about cast iron.
So, today I will show you how to season a cast iron skillet. Maybe you will invest in a set and realize what you have been missing. This great heavy duty cookware will last you a lifetime, not cost you a fortune, and make the best corn bread you ever tasted!
First step, buy some cast iron, and some Lard, Or you could just use cooking oil.
You want to coat the inside of the skillet with the lard, or even better make a pan of bacon. The bacon grease makes a really good seasoning on the skillet.
Next you want to turn your oven on to 350 degrees. Place the skillet(s) in the oven upside down. I recommend putting foil or another pan under it to keep it from making a mess.
Just let them bake in the oven for a couple hours.
The cast iron has little pits, or imperfections. What you are doing is baking the fat down into those little imperfections. It will make a smooth non-stick surface when your skillet has been seasoned properly.
We had sausage for dinner and it browned beautifully!
It may take a time or two, or an extra pan of bacon for breakfast, but your skillet will have a nice smooth black surface in no time.
Now, you do not want to wash this skillet with water! Water will cause rust. Just wipe it clean with a paper towel.
If you do feel the need to wash it with water, make sure it is completely dry. You will probably also have to reseason it.
I hope I taught you something today. So, next time you are shopping for new cookware, why not pick up a cast iron skillet. You may be surprised when you fall in love with it. 🙂
I love my iron skillet!! It does make the best cornbread!
Actually water isn’t too bad for a properly seasoned pan. It will mostly bead up and wash away. The key here is to NOT use soap when cleaning and give it a light coat of oil or re-season the plan before putting it away. A good cast iron pan will last many lifetimes. I’m still hoping to one day get my mothers well worn and seasoned square pan.
I am SO thankful for the post! I have a cast iron skillet, but have no clue how to use it. Do you oven cook it, then cook your sausage on top of the stove? Is it worth it to run your stove that long then cook in the pan on top? Sorry for so many questions, a little confused. And do you have any ideas about those big old cast iron “soup pots” that people used to hang over the fire? I have one of those too and have no clue what to do with it!!
Thank you for the visual and directions on how to properly season a cast iron skillet. I bought 3 brand new ones at Kmart 2 yrs ago and they remained in my cabinet because I was a bit unsure of this process. I’m not clear on what needs to be done and I’m glad you mentioned “not to wash” with water because I would of let my pan sit in water before I wash – and that doesn’t sound like the proper thing to do. I’m now excited that I can finally use my Cast Iron pans.
this is great info! my mom just gave me an old skillet of my grandma’s but with one glitch-it has been in the garage for 20 years. It is” seasoned” but with a lot of dirt and other garage junk. I want it to be sanitary before using it-so how do I clean this in order to get to use it?
help!