Emilie Meyer
Cast iron pans are incredibly versatile and can be used to cook a wide variety of dishes. They are ideal for cooking techniques that require consistent heat and can be used on the stovetop, in the oven, or on the grill. Cast iron pans are perfect for searing meat, such as steak, pork chops, and burgers, as they can create a golden-brown crust while keeping the inside juicy. They are also great for stir-fries, fried chicken, and one-pan meals like chicken thighs, Italian sausage, and Brussels sprouts. Cast iron pans can also be used to bake bread, cookies, and cornbread, although it is important to note that the pan can take on the flavors of what is cooked in it, so it may not be the best choice for desserts after cooking savory recipes. With proper care, cast iron pans can last for generations, becoming a well-loved kitchen staple.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Heat retention | High |
| Heat distribution | Even |
| Use cases | Sear meat, Sauté, Bake bread, Fry eggs, Bake desserts, One-pan dishes, High-heat cooking, Stovetop, Oven, Grill |
| Cleaning | Wash with warm, soapy water, Dry thoroughly, Avoid metal scouring pads |
| Seasoning | Natural non-stick surface, Reduces need for large amounts of oil, Improves with use |
| Durability | High |
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What You'll Learn
Searing steaks
Preparation
Before cooking, it is important to prepare the steak and the pan. Firstly, ensure your steak is at room temperature. Then, pat it dry with a paper towel. Next, season the steak generously with sea salt and black pepper, or just salt if you prefer. Allow the steak to rest for at least 40 minutes, and up to 2 hours. You can also season the steak the night before and leave it uncovered in the refrigerator. If you do this, make sure to remove it from the refrigerator 40 minutes before cooking.
While the steak is resting, you can prepare the cast-iron pan. Cast iron pans are ideal for searing steaks because they can withstand high heat. However, they take longer to heat up than steel pans, so make sure you give your pan enough time to heat up. Preheat the pan gradually, starting on a low heat setting and increasing the temperature incrementally. You should preheat the pan for at least 15-20 minutes, but the longer the better. Rotate the pan every few minutes to ensure even heating. About ten minutes before you are ready to cook, increase the heat to a high setting and continue rotating the pan.
Cooking
Once the pan is hot, add a high-heat oil like avocado oil or grape-seed oil. Some cooks prefer to sear the steak dry, without any extra oil, as there will be enough melted fat from the steak itself. Now it is time to add the steak to the pan. For a thick steak, cook for 3-4 minutes on each side without touching it. For a thinner steak, try 2 minutes per side. Flip the steak frequently with tongs to ensure even cooking. You can also hold the steak sideways with tongs to sear the edges.
Finishing Touches
Once the steak is well browned on all sides, you can finish it with some butter and aromatics like garlic and thyme. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, flipping often. Then, remove the steak from the pan and let it rest in a warm place for at least 5 minutes. Finally, transfer the steak to a cutting board and slice it. Pour the remaining butter from the pan over the steak, and serve. Enjoy!
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One-pan meals
One-Pan Chicken, Sausage, and Brussels Sprouts
Rub chicken thighs with a savoury paste made of mustard, honey, and rosemary, and cook them alongside Italian sausage, Brussels sprouts, and shallots. This simple yet flavourful dish is perfect for a busy weeknight, as it requires minimal prep and even fewer dishes to wash up!
French Onion Strata (Savory Bread Pudding)
This savoury bread pudding combines the flavours of French onion soup with Gruyère cheese and crusty bread. It's a creamy one-pan dish that's perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The key is to use oven-dried bread, which soaks up the eggy mixture better than stale bread, and to quickly caramelize the onions so they're nicely browned but not burnt.
Mediterranean Cod with Whole Grains and Vegetables
This healthy one-pan dinner is inspired by Mediterranean flavours. It pairs heart-healthy cod with whole grains and nutrient-dense summer vegetables, creating a delicious and satisfying meal.
Steak with Creamy Mushrooms and Spinach
Sear a juicy steak in your cast-iron skillet and serve it with creamy mushrooms and spinach for a classic steakhouse meal. This recipe is perfect for when you're tired and hungry, as it can be ready in just half an hour!
Tamale Pie
If you're looking for a simple and spicy dinner that will satisfy the whole family, try this tamale pie. It's a great way to use ground beef, and it's so easy and tasty that it will surely become a regular in your household.
Veggie Pasta
This recipe is a tasty twist on traditional spaghetti, made with nutritious sweet potatoes and packed with veggies. It's a one-skillet pasta that saves time on prep and cleanup!
Cornbread
This cornbread recipe is a great base to add your own twist. Try adding dried black mission figs, feta cheese, and fresh rosemary for a unique and exotic flavour profile.
Burrito Bowls
Start by sautéing onions in olive oil in your cast-iron skillet, then add in your choice of beans, veggies, and protein for a hearty and flavourful burrito bowl. You can also use this as a base for bean burritos or sweet potato burritos, or serve it with smoked gouda and pineapple for a tropical twist.
Dessert Cookies
End your meal on a sweet note with a giant, gooey, crispy cookie baked in your cast-iron skillet. The well-insulated cast iron toasts the edges while protecting the centre, resulting in a cookie that's chewy, gooey, and crisp all at once.
With their versatility and ability to retain high heat, cast-iron pans are perfect for one-pan meals. So, roll up your sleeves and get ready to create some delicious, easy-to-clean-up dinners!
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Frying chicken
Prepare the Chicken
Firstly, create a marinade for the chicken. This could be a simple mixture of buttermilk, egg, and milk, or a more complex blend of spices and herbs. For instance, a savoury paste of mustard, honey, and rosemary can be rubbed onto the chicken. For a spicier option, use a mix of cayenne, paprika, garlic powder, and pepper in the flour breading.
Coat the Chicken
In one bowl, mix flour with your chosen spices and herbs. In a separate bowl, prepare your egg and milk mixture. Take each piece of chicken and coat it first with the egg mixture, then with the flour mixture. For extra crispiness, repeat this process a second time.
Heat the Oil
Use shortening or vegetable oil for frying. Melt the shortening in your cast-iron pan over low heat until it reaches a depth of about 1/3 inch. Heat the oil to a temperature of 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a meat thermometer to monitor the temperature accurately.
Fry the Chicken
Carefully place each piece of coated chicken into the hot oil. Fry in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry the chicken for 5 minutes, then use tongs to rotate the pieces for even cooking. Fry for an additional 5 to 7 minutes.
Increase Heat
Once all the chicken pieces have been fried, increase the heat to medium-high and bring the oil temperature up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Fry each piece of chicken for an additional 2 to 3 minutes to achieve a deep golden brown colour and a crispy texture.
Rest and Serve
Remove the chicken from the pan and allow it to rest on a wire rack to drain any excess oil. Serve the chicken hot, and enjoy the delicious, crispy fried chicken cooked in your cast-iron pan!
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Baking bread
If you are looking to bake a rustic loaf of bread, you can use a cast-iron skillet without any special tools, ingredients, or equipment. You can start by brushing the bottom surface and sides of your cast iron skillet with baking pan release spread or a light coating of cooking spray or neutral-tasting oil. Then, remove the dough from the refrigerator and sprinkle flour on a clean work surface. The dough will be sticky, so you will need to knead and turn it, shaping it into a ball as you go. Add more flour if necessary. Place the ball of dough in the middle of the prepared skillet and let it rest for around 30 minutes. While the bread is resting, preheat your oven to 420-425 degrees Fahrenheit.
Once the oven is preheated, bake the bread for 30-35 minutes, until the dough is golden brown and makes a hollow sound when tapped. Remove the bread from the oven and brush with melted butter. Place the bread on a cooling rack for at least 10 minutes before slicing. You can brush or roll butter over the warm bread for a shiny surface and buttery taste.
If you are looking for a more artisan, crunchy bread, you can try baking it in a Dutch oven, which will give the bread a different texture. You can also try different recipes, such as angel biscuits, which are buttery and tender, or experiment with different types of flour and ingredients to create your unique loaf of bread.
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Cooking eggs
Cast iron pans are versatile and can be used on the stovetop, in the oven, or on the grill. They are ideal for cooking food that requires high heat, such as searing steaks or stir-fries. Cast iron pans can also be used for sautéing, baking bread, and making desserts.
When it comes to cooking eggs in a cast iron pan, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, knowing your pan is important. Understand how the pan performs and where its hot spots are. Cast iron pans take longer to heat up than steel pans, but once they get hot, they stay hot. Therefore, it is important to turn the heat down as soon as you add your eggs to the pan.
Secondly, cast iron pans have a non-stick surface when seasoned properly. To season your pan, rub it with fat, such as oil or lard, to create a film that protects the metal. This will help prevent food from sticking. Additionally, adding fat to the pan before cooking your eggs, such as butter, olive oil, or coconut oil, will enhance the flavour and prevent sticking.
To fry an egg in a cast iron pan without burning it, follow these steps:
- Preheat your cast iron pan over medium-low heat for 5-10 minutes.
- While the pan is preheating, scramble your eggs in a bowl and add any desired seasonings, such as salt and pepper.
- Add butter or oil to the preheated pan.
- Scrape the eggs into the pan. They should sizzle as they hit the pan.
- Let the eggs sit for about a minute until the bottom and sides start to set.
- Use a spatula to gently pull the cooked portions of the eggs towards you, allowing the runny top to flow towards the back of the pan.
- Let the eggs set for a few seconds, then push the cooked portions away from you, allowing the remaining runny parts to cook.
- If desired, add a handful of cheese to the eggs once they are mostly cooked.
It is important to note that cast iron pans can take on the flavours of the food cooked in them. Therefore, it is recommended to have separate pans for savoury and sweet dishes. Additionally, the acidity in tomato-based sauces can be too harsh for cast iron pans, so it is best to avoid cooking dishes like marinara or bolognese in them.
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Frequently asked questions
Cast iron pans are incredibly versatile and can be used on the stovetop, in the oven, or on the grill. They are also slow to heat up but retain heat well, making them ideal for cooking techniques that require consistent heat.
Cast iron pans are great for cooking foods that require high heat, such as steak, stir-fries, and burgers. They can also be used for baking bread, cookies, and cornbread, as well as frying chicken and eggs.
Delicate foods that may stick or fall apart, such as fish, are not recommended for cast iron pans. Acidic foods like tomato-based sauces can also strip the seasoning, so it's best to avoid cooking them in cast iron.
It's important to season your cast iron pan before using it for the first time. To do this, wash the pan with warm, soapy water, dry it, and coat the inside with vegetable oil. Then, bake it upside down in an oven at 250°C for an hour. After cooking, clean the pan with hot water and a non-metal brush or sponge, dry it, and rub it with oil before storing it in a dry place.
