Cast Iron Cooking

WHERE CAN I BUY A CAST-IRON SKILLET? Your options may be surprising. Over the last two decades, cooking at home has exploded, hopefully only figuratively, due to TV cooking programs and food-related competition shows. Everyone seems to be getting into the cooking supply game. So, you can find inexpensive cast-iron cookware in rural and outdoor lifestyle retailers, hardware and home shops, kitchen supply and department stores and, of course, online. ENAMELED VERSUS NON-ENAMELED When shopping for a cast-iron pan, you may run into several models with white and/or colored enamel on them. If the enamel is only on the outside of the pan, it won’t impact the cooking. It’ll make your pan significantly more expensive, but also more attractive, if that’s a priority. Note, though, that any enamel (or other)…

INITIAL SEASONING If you’ve opted to purchase a pre-seasoned skillet, as will often be the case in this day and age, you may skip this step and get right to cooking. Then again, this is a good step to practice, to give the factory seasoning a personal boost. It’s also useful if you ever need to reboot after some heavier scrubbing. What do we mean by seasoning? This refers to kick-starting that lovely coating that will continue to naturally build on the skillet and improve every time you cook. The more seasoning your skillet develops, the more nonstick properties it provides. Over time, the initially pebbly surface of the raw skillet will become smooth as ice. You can season a skillet very simply using these steps: Heat oven to 350°F,…

Amish women keep it natural. They do not put anything on their face that can be noticed. Everything is to be subtle and natural looking. So how does one enhance their natural beauty without applying something that others notice as being make-up? The trick is using a more natural face balm, which reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, filling in where necessary while evening out facial tones and nourishing the skin with natural moisturizers. Since the creation of this face balm, women have more room on their cosmetics shelf and more money to spend on other things. How is that possible? Because this face balm replaces moisturizer, primer, and foundation. It also evens out skin tone, covers flaws and protects skin from the sun. Can one product really…

FRUIT-STUFFED FRENCH TOAST TOTAL TIME: 35 MINUTES  EQUIPMENT: 12-INCH SKILLET  SERVES: 6 INGREDIENTS: 4 eggs1 cup milk½ tsp granulated sugar½ tsp salt½ tsp vanilla extract6 oz cream cheese, room temperature3 oz Greek-style yogurt1 cup blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, or a mix, slightly mashed12 slices (½ inch) white, sourdough or whole wheat bread6 Tbsp butter, divided Powdered sugar and maple syrup 1. Preheat the oven to 200°F. In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, sugar, salt, and vanilla extract. Pour this mixture into a rimmed baking pan or a wide, shallow bowl. In a separate mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, yogurt, and berries. 2. On half of the bread slices, spread about ⅓-½ cup of the cream cheese mixture, leaving a small gap between the spread and edge of the…

CRISPY FISH TACOS TOTAL TIME: 1 HOUR EQUIPMENT: 12-INCH SKILLET SERVES: 4–6 INGREDIENTS: Taco: 1½ lb firm white fish (tilapia, snapper, cod, etc.) fillets, sliced into thin strips2 limes, juiced2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil½ tsp chili powder½ tsp cumin½ tsp salt12 corn tortillas2 cups canola or vegetable oil2 cups lettuce, shredded Salsa: 1 mango, diced small2 Tbsp red onion, minced½ red bell pepper, diced small2 Tbsp cilantro, roughly chopped¼ tsp salt½ jalapeno, minced (optional)1 lime, juiced 1. Whisk together a marinade by combining lime juice, olive oil, chili powder, cumin, and salt. Coat the fish in the marinade and store in the refrigerator for 30 minutes 2. While fish is marinating, prepare the salsa by combining all ingredients in a bowl. Cover and let sit at room temperature for…

CHEESE-LESS SPINACH LASAGNA TOTAL TIME: 1 HOUR, 15 MINUTES EQUIPMENT: 10-INCH SKILLET, WITH LID SERVES: 4 INGREDIENTS: 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil½ small onion, diced1 stalk celery, sliced thinly1 carrot, grated1 clove garlic, minced12 oz baby spinach1 large egg, beaten½ lb no-boil lasagna noodles6 Tbsp tomato sauce¼ cup breadcrumbs 1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. When the oil begins to shimmer, add the onions and sauté 6–8 minutes, until translucent. Add the celery, carrot, and garlic and sauté another 2 minutes. Add spinach, stirring occasionally, until the spinach is completely wilted, about 4 minutes. Remove the vegetable mixture from the skillet and allow to cool for 5 minutes in a mixing bowl. 2. Once the vegetable mixture is cool enough not to cook the egg…