WHAT TINA TURNER SONG COULD APPLY TO CAST IRON COOKWARE?
Tina Turner
If you are a Tina Turner fan , I am, you probably guessed the answer. What Tina Turner song could apply to cast iron cookware?
Answer: “You’re simply the best, better than all the rest”
Was Miss Turner singing about cast iron cookware? Not likely. Is the lyric true about cast iron cookware? I think so. I have used it for over 50 years and cook with it almost every day. My wife uses cast iron cookware almost exclusively. I do most of the clean-up in the kitchen and find it to be the “real non-stick cookware” The clean up is easy with hot water and a plastic scrubbie. Of course all our cast iron cookware is well seasoned. This cookware gets better every day and improves with use.
Lodge Logic 15 Inch Pre-Seasoned Skillet
Do you have concerns about cast iron cookware and whether it is for you?
Maybe you feel it is too heavy for you. Well, it is heavy but it comes in many sizes, shapes and weights. A smaller size might be just right for you.
Could it be that you have had a bad experience with cast iron cookware? Some folks have. However, it could be that we can find out what went wrong and give it another try.
You may have had enameled cast iron that chipped. It happens. This is why I prefer the seasoned black cookware. It is more forgiving of my some times bungling ways in the kitchen. However, with proper care enamel ware is very long lasting and retains its colorful and beautiful appearance.
If you have questions, I would welcome them. Do I have all the answers. No. I do not even know all the questions but in dialogue we might find some thing of use to both of us.
Cast Iron Cookware
Or in the words of Miss Turner’s song: “You’re simply the best, better than all the rest”.
Care Cast Iron Cookware, cast iron cookware, cast iron dutch ovens, cast iron fry pans | Comment (0)COMPLETE YOUR CAMPING CAST IRON COOKWARE COLLECTION AND GET READY FOR COMPLEMENTS
Most campers start their collection of cast iron camping cookware with a camp dutch oven. It is usually the “flag ship” of your fleet of cast iron camping cookware. A deep-sided cast iron skillet is also a principal initial piece of cookware.
Lodge Camp Dutch Oven
It is my feeling you can pay more but will not find better quality than Lodge Cast Iron Cookware and it comes with a lifetime warranty and is made in the USA. Choose from 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 quart sizes to suit the needs of your family, group or troop. A 6 quart Boy Scouts of America Dutch Oven is also available from Lodge.
Rome Firepit Cookout Set
Get ready for fun and compliments from your group when you get them involved with items like:
s’more makers
pop corn poppers
hot dog and marshmallow roasters
panini makers
cast iron pie irons, round or square
cast iron waffle irons
Rome Hot Dog, Marshmallow Cookout Set
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Some of us remember looking for straight sticks to use for roasting hot dogs and straightening wire clothes hangers for s’mores. Boy have some improved options become available today. No more “dogs” rescued from the ashes of your campfire nor flaming marshmallows making your s’mores yucky. Make several s’mores at the same time and multiple dogs on a hot dog roaster. Make a fruit pie in a cast iron pie iron, a waffle in a cast iron waffle maker or use a pop corn popper for every one’s favorite.
Check out the camping cookware accessories available to you today and be prepared to receive rave reviews and wonderful compliments from your fellow campers.
Camp Cookware, Camping, camp cookware accessories, cast iron cookware | Comment (0)GO NUTS WITH YOUR CAST IRON COOKWARE THIS SUMMER
What better time to go nuts with your cast iron deep skillet or dutch oven than summertime? Try a recipe from “Cast Iron Cooking for Dummies” for “Nutty Funnel Cakes”.
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 2 minutes per cake
Yield: 8 to 10 cakes
3/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted
1 2/3 cups milk
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 eggs
2/3 cup pecans
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups self-rising flour
Vegetable oil for frying
1/4 cup sugar
Cast Iron Enameled Blue Dutch Oven
1. Combine the powdered sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside.
2. With the knife blade in a food processor bowl, add pecans, and chop until fine. Add the flour, sugar, milk, eggs and vanilla. Process for 30 seconds or until smooth.
3. In your cast iron deep skillet or dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil to 375 degrees.
4, Using a measuring cup or a funnel to make a thin stream of batter, pour 1/4 cup batter in a circle to form a spiral in oil. Fry 1 minute until edges are golden brown. Turn and fry until golden, about 1 minute. Drain on paper towels.
5. Sprinkle with sugar-cinnamon mixture. Serve immediately. Continue making funnel cakes in batches. If the remaining batter gets thick while standing, stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of additional milk about halfway through the process.
Per serving: Calories 401, (From Fat 22); Fat 22 g (Saturated 3 g); Cholesterol 48 mg; Sodium 430 mg; Carbohydrates 41 g (Dietary Fiber 2 g); Protein 6 g.
Funnel Cake
CAST IRON COOKWARE, YOUR PASSPORT TO CLASSIC COOKING
In some countries getting through “customs”can be dicey. In most kitchens a particular type of cookware is “customarily” used. After all, a “customer” is one who buys from and patronizes an establishment regularly. Maybe it is time for you take a new look at cast iron cookware.
Cast Iron Cookware
Cast iron cookware comes in all sizes and shapes. You may have felt cast iron pots and pans are something only Grandma would use. Old fashioned maybe but many experienced home cooks and professional chefs feel nothing is better.
Cast iron cookware’s advantages are:
consistent heat conduction Cast Iron Enameled Fry Pan
easy clean-up and low maintenance
relatively inexpensive cost
can be used on the stove top and in the oven
Perhaps these are strong enough reasons for you to reconsider what you “customarily” use in your kitchen.
If you do not own any cast iron cookware. perhaps you would like to give it a try with a
cast iron skillet
It can be your passport to really classical cooking.
Useful Information, cast iron cookware, cast iron dutch ovens, cast iron fry pans | Comment (1)WHAT THE CAST IRON DUTCH OVEN SAID TO THE CAST IRON FRY PAN
In the family of cast iron cookware, like all families, there are certain things that make members distinct. Generally, there are pre-seasoned, enameled or natural in the family. The pre-seasoned branch of the family has been cured with oils by the manufacturer and is ready for use. The enameled branch of the family has been glazed and requires no seasoning. These are the more colorful family members. The natural or un-seasoned require some attention before use but they are not
Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Some times there is gentle rivalry and maybe even a little envy. On the occasion of one family gathering the cast iron dutch oven said to the cast iron fry pan “I wish I had your ’skill-et’ at cooking“. In reality the cast iron dutch oven had nothing to fear. It’s adeptness at preparing tasty meals matched the qualities of the cast iron skillet. Lodge Logic 15 Inch Pre-Seasoned Enameled Skillet
How to season your cast iron skillet, or any other cast iron cookware according to the Food Guru
Wash skillet in hot water and dry completely.
Apply a thin coating of melted shortening, vegetable oil, lard, or bacon grease with a soft cloth or a paper towel.
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and place skillet upside down on the top rack of oven.
Use foil on the bottom rack to catch droppings from the skillet.
Bake in oven for one hour.
Turn oven off but do not open.
Allow skillet to cool down for several hours.
There may be a film on the skillet but this comes off after use.
More tips on seasoning, cleaning and care of cast iron cookware may be found in
“Cast Iron Cooking for Dummies”
CAST IRON CAMPING COOKWARE CAPABILITIES
Only the lack of imagination can limit the use of your cast iron camping cookware Here are some suggestions:
1. Why risk trouble with law enforcement when a cast iron skillet can be a unconcealed weapon that will deter large animals and petty thieves.
2. “Pump iron” to begin your morning workout. Cast iron cookware comes in sizes, shapes and weights that are right for everyone. Never mess with anyone whose routine includes a 10 quart dutch oven in each hand.
3. Heat your cast iron skillet and use it to press your wrinkled cargo pants or shorts. This may require additional field testing. Let me know if you try it. Do not attempt this at home.
4. Cozy up to Cornbread with your Cast Iron Camping Cookware
MEXICAN CORNBREAD Recipe from Paula Deen/ foodnetwork.com
1 cup yellow cornmeal, 1 cup sifted all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons sugar,
4 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 large egg, 1 cup whole milk or buttermilk,
1/3 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons chopped jalapeños, or to taste?
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Grease 8-inch square pan, cast iron skillet or cornbread mold.
In medium bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
To dry mixture add egg, milk, sour cream, oil and jalapeños, and mix until smooth.
Pour into prepared pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden.
Makes 6 servings, each 320 calories (37.1 percent calories from fat), 13 g fat, 50 mg cholesterol, 600 mg sodium, 44 g carbohydrates, 1 g dietary fiber, 7 g protein.
Cast Iron Cookware
Check out the capabilities of camping cast iron cookware
Cast Iron Cooked Cornbread
VEGETARIANS NEED NOT VEGETATE WITH CAST IRON COOKWARE PREPARED RECIPES
The road to vegetarianism was a process for me. I think I always feared to make the step would be to vegetate. Not so. A vegetarian diet need not be dull or boring. Actually the word ““vegetare” means to enliven. I have found this to be the case.
One of my favorites is vegetarian quesadillas. They are simple to make.
Chop or dice your favorite veggies. We include onions and garlic bell peppers. Sautee them in a cast iron dutch oven.
Heat a cast iron skillet spray with a little oil and heat flour or corn tortillas. Top half the tortilla with your veggies and cheese. I like to use soy cheese and jalapena pepper. Fold tortilla and allow cheese to melt. Enjoy them while they are hot.
Cast Iron Skillet
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WHO LET THE DOGS OUT? CAST IRON PRODUCTS THAT WILL CONTROL YOUR ‘DOGS’
Lodge : 8 Qt. Camp Dutch Oven
Have you ever had a hot dog wiener become a blazing torch, smutty scorched tube or worst of all roll into the fire and be covered with ashes? Not a pretty picture.
The Lodge Camp Dutch Oven has a flanged lid that serves several purposes. It will hold hot coals which allows you to bake. That is why it is called a dutch “oven”. The flanged lid will also allow you to roast your “dogs” and keep them “kenneled”.
Another options is a Hot Dog Roaster The Roaster will allow you to turn out hot dogs at a rapid rate for a big family, larger group, or your Scout Troop. Hot Dog Roasters are also a fun way to get your children or grandchildren involved in campfire cooking.
Rome Industries Roasters
No more flaming wieners offered to the gods of the forest. No more tasting the ashes of defeat when the “dogs get out” into the campfire. No more looking for wire hangers or sticks to use for roasting. Your cast iron camping dutch oven will allow you to be the “lead dog” when it comes to camp cooking
Cast Iron Cookware and Family Traditions
Rome Tri Pod Grill Grate
Families define themselves by the stories they tell and the traditions they maintain. When I was growing up, Friday evenings were always special. I would help my Dad build a fire in our lakeside backyard. He would hang a very large cast iron dutch oven on a wire between two trees. It is the only time my Dad cooked. I think my love for cast iron cookware must have started here. Catfish caught in the lake where we lived and cooked in our backyard were the best.
Today, he would be surprised at the camping cookware accessories available. For example A Rome Industries Tri- Pod Grill Grate for most of us would be a great improvement. He would probably still choose the wire between the trees. The one unchangeable non-negotiable would be the cast iron dutch oven.
Personally I think s’more makers are better than the wire coat hangers with which I set marshmallows ablaze to say nothing of the burned dogs I could have avoided with the new hot dog roasters. On my list of future purchases are a cast iron waffle maker and a corn popper.
What ever happened to that old cast iron dutch oven. No one remembers. But I remember the smell of smoke and catfish, the lakeside back yard dinners, french fries (home made) and my Dad and family.
Cast Iron Cookware Could Change the Way You Think About Non-Stick Cookware
You may have tried many pots and pans only to discover that they are not your type. They can be “stuck-up” or even worse they can be flaky”. Who needs food stuck to the cookware and certainly no one wants to have pieces flake off into the food.
What comes to mind when you think of ‘non-stick cookware”?
If you have not considered cast iron cookware, maybe you should reconsider. What is it that makes cast iron cookware virtually non-stick?
When cast iron cookware is seasoned correctly it is a delight to use. It works even better when you use your skillet or dutch oven every day. It is not difficult to season cast iron cookware properly.
First clean and dry the cookware.
Second apply a thin coat of oil. I prefer to use vegetable oil but
Crisco or lard works fine.
Cook the cast iron piece in the oven at 350 degrees (30-60 minutes).
Store your cookware properly. It helps to place it on paper towels and in a place with some circulation of air.
If you do not own cast iron cookware or would like to add to your collection, I think you will find cast iron cookware something that you will want to stick with and it will not stick to your food,
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