Cast Iron Skillets: Why We're Onboard
Cast iron skillets have been around for ages, but lately it seems like we’ve been hearing about them more than ever. The reason why: well, because they’re pretty amazing! Whether you’re talking to your friends, family or just browsing social media, chances are you’ve come across someone who’s a fan of this multipurpose kitchen pan. At My Food and Family, we looked into cast iron skillets to learn more about their benefits. Our next step was to put together a list of cast iron skillets you can make. If you’re interested in cast iron skillets too, read on to find out what we learned!
Cast Iron Skillet: What It Is
Chances are you know what a skillet is (we love our sunny-side up eggs, too!), but cast iron, on the other hand, isn’t as well known. Here are the basics: cast iron is a durable, affordable type of iron used to make many things, including cookware. It holds heat very well, which is why it’s used for skillets. Cast iron skillets come in a variety of sizes, ranging from small to medium to large. When seasoned properly, these skillets are strong, steady and often nonstick.
Cast Iron Skillet: What Are the Benefits
There’s a reason why this pan is a hit. Take a peek into what makes them so great:
- Even cooking: cast iron skillets are very heavy, which helps them hold heat well. This quality is ideal for cooking a steak and other hot dishes you want to cook with high heat and avoid burning.
- Less stickiness! If seasoned properly, cast iron becomes naturally nonstick. You can easily manage and move food on your skillet without needing to douse the pan with oil or butter beforehand.
- Super long life span! Rumor has it that cast iron skillets are indestructible. While this may not be completely true, these pans can last for decades or longer if taken care of properly.
- Very versatile: cast iron skillets can be used for a variety of dishes, on the stovetop or in the oven.
- Easy to clean: you don’t need soap to clean cast iron cookware. Food lifts easily when you rinse the pan in water and doesn’t require a lot of scrubbing.
- Relatively affordable: you don’t need to break the bank to buy a cast iron skillet. They’re pretty fairly priced, and they last for years.
Cast Iron Skillet Recipes
This all sound pretty great, doesn’t it? Now, if you are interested in getting a cast iron skillet, you’ll want to learn a little bit about the recipes you can make. Here are some of our favorite cast iron skillet recipes from My Food and Family:
- Cast-Iron Supreme Pizza
- One-Skillet Veggie Pot Pie
- Country Skillet Bacon Cornbread
- Cheesy Cauliflower Dip with Bacon
And cast iron skillet recipes for dessert.
That’s the gist of it! We hope you enjoyed learning about cast iron skillets. Do you have more cooking questions? Learn more at our Tips & Ideas center.