Cast Iron Cookware Will Help Keep You and Your Family Healthy

March 3rd, 2010  Tagged , ,

Could your pots and pans be making you sick? If you are not cooking with cast iron cookware you might want to remember:

  • that other non-stick cookware is required to carry a warning that the fumes emitted during cooking can kill your pet bird (if your Tweety Bird isn’t safe, what about you and your family?)Family_drawing_rs
  • to look at a “non-stick pot or pan” and see how much of the coating has flaked off. Where did that stuff go? Do you suppose you might have eaten it with your food?
  • that you may need to toss your “non-stick cookware” or get Tweety, all of your family and you out of the kitchen when you cook.

Cooking in Cast Iron Cookware can actually be a vital component of a healthier lifestyle.cast_iron_nesting_pans_rs

  1. If your cast iron cookware is well-seasoned, is is virtually stick-free and thereby requires little or no oil, which is important for heart-healthy recipes.
  2. You can use a cast iron skillet to cook healthy veggies and lean cuts of meat.
    Lodge 12 Inch Skillet

    Lodge 12 Inch Skillet to prepare any of the other dishes you would cook in a "non-stick" pan. Cast iron is not just good for the heavier "comfort foods" but you can prepare healthier, lighter fare with cast iron cookware.

  3. Cooking is cast iron can also boost your intake of iron since trace amounts of iron gets absorbed into the foods you cook. That is better than the stuff that flakes-off the “non-stick” cookware you may be using.

Keep “Tweety BirdYour Family and Yourself healthier by cooking in Cast Iron Cookware. It will allow you to TASTE THE FOOD NOT THE COOKWARE.

 Cook In Cast Iron Tonight or When You Camp

Cook In Cast Iron Tonight or When You Camp

The Gateway to Family Fun with Cast Iron Camping Cookware and Accessories

March 1st, 2010  Tagged , , ,

 Cook In Cast Iron Tonight or When You Camp

Cook In Cast Iron Tonight or When You Camp

What do you do when family is not as fun as it once was?Family_drawing_rs Here are some suggestions that may help put the fun back in family. They may just be the Gateway to Family Fun you have been looking for.

Cast Iron Camp Cookware: Gateway to Family Fun

Cast Iron Camp Cookware: Gateway to Family Fun

  • a family outing or camping trip can be the occasion to rediscover just how much fun being together can be. Hunting, fishing, hiking, exploring, birdwatching, photography and campfire cooking.

Teach your kids to cook over a camp fire or a fire pit.

Check out these easy ways to use cast iron camping cookware products:

Rome Dog 'n Brat Cooker

Rome Dog 'n Brat Cooker

A Firepit Cookout set

Rome Firepit Cookout Set

Rome Firepit Cookout Set

gives you numerous fun options:

Make toasty sandwiches or fruit pies in your Rome pie irons.

Roast hot dogs or marshmallows in your Rome Hot Dog/Marshmallows Roaster.

Do not forget every one’s family favorite S’mores. Make three at a time in your Rome S’more Maker.

Not all camp cooking is done in a dutch oven or a skillet. While these are wonderful for preparing the main meal, what about dessert or fun activities around the campfire before time to turn-in?

Rome Popcorn Popper

Rome Popcorn Popper

The Old South Pot: A Symbol of Success

February 26th, 2010  Tagged , , ,

In the old days, the hall mark of successful plantation life was the iron pot” according to Francois Mignon in”Plantation Memo: Plantation Life in Louisiana 1750-1970 and other matter”.

Oakland Plantation, Louisiana

Oakland Plantation, Bermuda, Louisiana

When there was no silver on the dining room table, you could survive on pewter, earthenware, china or porcelain. You might even survive if your white-columned mansion went up in flames, but “life without an iron pot was rugged in the extreme“.

“In Louisiana all during the 1700’s (Great Pots Era), iron cooking utensils ranging from little three-legged pots nestling safely upright on the ashes in the hearth (today we call them camping Dutch ovens) to the big iron skillets, so masterfully handled by Negro cooks, were familiar equipment in town and plantation homes alike. It was early in the 1800’s however, that the day of the great pots dawned…sugar had come into its own and from year to year greater grew the demand for bigger and even bigger iron pots in which the cane juice could be started on its way to syrup and eventually to granulated sugar…”

Iron pots for making syrup and sugar, wash pots or clothes and iron pots for cooking food; they are all a part of what was life on a plantation. The iron pots from life on a plantation are today reminders of an almost forgotten yesterday. Some can still be seen on the Cane River Creole Plantations of Natchitoches, Louisiana.

Today’s cast iron cookware

Lodge Cast Iron Cookware

Lodge Cast Iron Cookware

may be pre-seasoned, enameled and somewhat unlike its predecessor from the past, but is still indebted to pots from the past for a heritage of nostalgic appeal and excellent cooking. Old fashioned? A little heavy? Nevertheless, cast iron cookware has its place in today’s kitchen and in the camping gear of out door cooks.

Lodge Camp Dutch Oven

Lodge Camp Dutch Oven

Lodge 12 Inch Skillet

Lodge 12 Inch Skillet

 Cook In Cast Iron Tonight or When You Camp

Cook In Cast Iron Tonight or When You Camp

Cooking Around a Campfire with Cast Iron Cookware and Accessories

February 24th, 2010  Tagged , , ,

Lodge Combo Cooker

Lodge Combo Cooker

What travels well, cooks evenly, cleans up easily and is just about the perfect cookware for campfire and outdoor cooking?snoopy-camping_roasting_marshmellow_smaller2The answer: cast iron cookware. All you need is a campfire with a few hot coals and anyone can cook in the great outdoors or at your backyard fire pit. You do not have a be a rocket scientist or a professional chef.

WHAT YOU NEED TO GET STARTED:

Really, all you need is two pieces.

  1. A Dutch Oven (also called camp ovens)
    Lodge Camp Dutch Oven

    Lodge Camp Dutch Oven

2. A skillet with a lid. Many outdoor     cooks consider other pieces necessary but these two are adequate to get you started.

Lodge 10 1/4 Inch Skillet/ Fry Pan

Lodge 10 1/4 Inch Skillet/ Fry Pan

SOME BUYING TIPS:

  • If you shop for a dutch oven, be sure to look for one that comes with a reversible lid that functions both as a lid and when turned over is a griddle. The griddle side has a concave shape which keeps your pancakes, bacon and eggs, bacon, etc. from falling off or dripping into your coals.
  • Skillets, like a  Cast Iron combination deep skillet and shallow skillet/griddle is a useful addition to your castiron cook ware. The shallow skillet serves as lid, skillet and griddle. This multi-use cooker is a dutch oven, saute pan and fryer, all in one.  If you want just one cast iron cookware piece for your camping and outdoor cooking, this might just be what you are looking for.

DO NOT FORGET SOME CAMPING COOKWARE ACCESSORIES THAT ARE DESIGNED FOR BIG TIME FUN

When you planing your camping trip, outdoor excursion or back yard cookout, do not forget cast iron camping cookware and camping cookware accessories.

Rome Firepit Cookout Set

Rome Firepit Cookout Set Includes pie irons, hot dog/marshmallow roasters. s'more maker

Round Pie Iron by Rome

Round Pie Iron by Rome

Rome Dog 'n Brat Cooker

Rome Dog 'n Brat Cooker

 Cook In Cast Iron Tonight or When You Camp

Cook In Cast Iron Tonight or When You Camp

Cookware with Benefits for Everyday and Gourmet Cooking: Castiron Cookware

February 22nd, 2010  Tagged , , ,

Posted by Doyle Bailey for Cast Iron Cookware Shop

Castiron Cookware combines the versatility of cooking for everyday and for gourmet.

Lodge Cast Iron Cookware

Lodge Cast Iron Cookware

You can cook just about anything in cast iron. Of course castiron cookware is best known for its good old fashioned cooking but do not let this reputation fool you. Due to its even heating qualities (heat retention and distribution),and the fact it can be used in the oven and on the stove top, you can cook just about any food, including gourmet in it.

Cast iron cookware offers:

  1. a large selection of pots, pans, and cookware shapes. You can choose from cast-iron griddles, grill pans, serving pots, Dutch ovens, pizza pans, roasters, casseroles, waffle makers, muffin pans, corn bread pans, camping cookware, bread bakers, dog’n brat, panini sandwich toasters, pie irons roasters and more.
    Cast Iron Cookware

    Cast Iron Cookware

  2. multi-use pans A single pan covers a multitude of dishes. A single cast iron skillet can be used to bake a cake, make cornbread, sear a fillet, roast a chicken, fry potatoes, or stir-fry vegetables. You can get a cast iron casserole with a grill pan lid and have two pieces for the price of one.

    Kinetic Casserole Enamel Grill Pan

    Kinetic Casserole Enamel Grill Pan

  3. cast iron cookware does not particularly care where you use it. You can prepare a dish in enameled cast iron cookware and take it to the table and serve from it there. It is so attractive that it will enhance your table with a presentation appeal and it will keep your food warm throughout your dinner due to its heat retention. Cast iron camping cookware is at its best at your backyard fire pit cookout or at your camp site in the great outdoors.
  4. cast iron cookware can cook almost anything (including gourmet dishes). “Cast-Iron Cooking for Dummies“  by Tracy Barr has great techniques for cooking and recipes as well.

     Cook In Cast Iron Tonight or When You Camp

    Cook In Cast Iron Tonight or When You Camp

Cast Iron Cookware Will Warm Your Food and Your Family

February 17th, 2010  Tagged , , ,

Posted by Doyle Bailey for The Cast Iron Cookware Shop

Where is the center of warmth in your home?Family_drawing_rs In our home it would have to be the kitchen. My wife and I both enjoy cooking and I do not even mind the clean-up afterward. There is even a special stool where the younger grandchildren stand to help their “Nona” cook.There are rocking chairs in our kitchen for friends to rock and chat with us. There is a lot of warmth and it does not all come from the oven or cook top.

We have a large collection of cast iron cookware and I suppose these grandchildren will teach their children to cook using the same dutch ovens, roasters, skillets, cornbread pans and casseroles.

Our "Family" of Cast Iron Cookware

Our "Family" of Cast Iron Cookware

Sometimes we take the fun and warmth outside to a firepit where we roast hot dogs, marshmallows, S’mores.

Camp Cooking Is Fun!

Camp Cooking Is Fun!

Cast iron cookware travels well to the back yard or to your campsite with Waffle Makers, Panini Presses, Pie Irons, Bread Bakers and Dog ‘n Brat Makers.

Bask in the warmth of your kitchen, your backyard fire pit or at your campsite with cast iron cookware and cast iron cookware camping accessories.

Rome Panini Presses

Rome Panini Presses

Use cast iron cookware and cast iron camping cookware accessories to cook your food, keep it warm with cast iron’s great heat retention and help keep family relationships warm and cozy.

Rome Firepit Cookout Set

Rome Firepit Cookout Set

Warm up to family, food and cast iron cookware tonight. It will allow you

TO TASTE THE FOOD AND NOT THE COOKWARE.

 Cook In Cast Iron Tonight or When You Camp

Cook In Cast Iron Tonight or When You Camp

Cast Iron Cookware Shop Celebrates Flavor with a New Orleans Jambalaya

February 12th, 2010  Tagged , , , ,

jambalaya_rs

 Cook In Cast Iron Tonight

Cook In Cast Iron Tonight

Posted by Doyle Bailey for Cast Iron Cookware Shop Saints

Cast Iron Cookware Shop celebrates the flavor of New Orleans by  offering you the opportunity to jazz up your menu with a popular and traditional New Orleans dish. No matter where you live, you can celebrate in an authentic New Orleans style flavor.

This spicy, flavorful dish is perfect for a party, and it really is “big easy.” The recipe can be easily doubled to serve 16 by using 2 packages of Jambalaya Mix, doubling all the other ingredients and cooking in a cast iron Dutch oven or cast iron  saucepot.

Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Oven

Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Oven

enamel_saucepan_resized

The Big Easy Jambalaya

Makes 8 (1-cup) servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 each medium green and yellow bell pepper, chopped
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) fire roasted or regular diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup water
1 package Zatarain´s Reduced SodiumJambalaya Mix
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 package (12 ounces) andouille sausage, cut into 1/4-inch slices
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Directions

1. Heat oil in large deep skillet

Lodge 10 1/4 Inch Skillet

Lodge 10 1/4 Inch Skillet

or 5-quart Dutch oven

Enamel Dutch Oven

Enamel Dutch Oven

on medium heat. Add onion and bell peppers; cook and stir 7 minutes or until vegetables begin to soften.

2. Stir in tomatoes, water and Jambalaya Mix. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer 15 minutes.

3. Stir in shrimp and sausage. Cover and cook 10 minutes longer or just until shrimp turn pink and rice and vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley, if desired.

CAST IRON COOKWARE  LETS YOU TASTE THE FOOD NOT THE COOKWARE

Cast Iron Cookware Shop Offers Camp Cookware and Accessories

February 10th, 2010  Tagged , , ,

Posted by Doyle Bailey for Cast Iron Cookware Shop

Cast Iron Cookware Shop offers great options to compliment your camp cooking gear.

Camp Cooking Is Fun!

Camp Cooking Is Fun!

Get ready for your camping and outdoor recreation activities with cast iron cookware products and accessories from Lodge and Rome.

Rome Firepit Cookout Set

Rome Firepit Cookout Set

 Cook In Cast IronTonight
Lodge Camp Dutch Oven 43 1/2 inch Tripod

A rugged Lodge tripod made of hot rolled half inch solid bar stock with 24 inch galvanized chain. The tripod legs measure 43 1/2 inches. Use with any cast iron product that has a bail handle. such as a Lodge Dutch Oven, camp dutch oven or cast iron kettle. Cook your food over the campfire and keep it at serving temperature in your castiron pot. This tripod travels well in car, truck or camper. (dutch oven not included)

The Rome Firepit Cookout Set includes a round cast iron pie iron, a square cast iron pie iron, a S´more Maker, and Hot Dog-Marshmallow Roasters.

Lodge Camp Dutch Oven

Lodge Camp Dutch Oven

Lodge 10 1/4 Inch Skillet/ Fry Pan

Lodge 10 1/4 Inch Skillet/ Fry Pan

What The Cast Iron Pot Said to the Cast Iron Kettle

February 8th, 2010  Tagged , ,
 Cook In Cast IronTonight

Cook In Cast Iron Tonight

The Cast Iron Pot said to the Cast Iron Kettle:pot_kettle_rs

“Ever since you whistled at me I have been captivated by your charms. I supposed I was ‘pre-seasoned‘ to succumb to you. However, our romance at times is quite a ‘fine kettle of fish‘. You tend to reach a boiling point with me quite easily and sometimes you are a little over the top with your family pedigree of enameled cast iron cookware relatives.

Enameled Cast Iron Fry Pan

Enameled Cast Iron Fry Pan

Admittedly they have an aesthetic appeal but at the heart of the matter, you and I, and even they, are made of the same stuff ‘cast iron‘. We all come from good stock. Our romance will endure and we will share many happy times together in the kitchen long after other cookware  has lost its ‘non-stick’ quality and has been discarded. We will ‘stick together‘ but the food will not  stick to us.”

Lodge Red Enamel Dutch Oven

Lodge Red Enamel Dutch Oven

Iron Out Smooth Cooking with Cast Iron Cookware

February 5th, 2010  Tagged , , ,

Perhaps you have resolved to eat healthier in 2010. Cast Iron Cookware can help you “iron out” some of the difficulty in preparing a healthier fare for your family.

The farm families who own Cabot have created a recipe perfect for any occasion.  We are grateful to them for a healthy recipe with a new “wrinkle” on healthy eating.

CHICKEN CORN TORTILLA SOUPchicken_corn_tortilla_soup_rs

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts

4 cups water

1/2 cup chopped onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon canola oil

4 cups reduced- sodium canned chicken broth

16 ounces fresh or frozen white corn

1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies

Corn tortilla Chips

6 ounces 50% Reduced Fat Cheddar, grated (about 1 1/2 cups)

Preparation:

  1. In a cast iron sauce pan, combine chicken breasts and water. Bring to gentle simmer and cook just until set in center.
  2. Meanwhile, in a medium cast iron skillet
    Lodge 10 1/4 Inch Skillet

    Lodge 10 1/4 Inch Skillet

    over medium heat, combine onion, garlic, and oil; cook, stirring until onions are tender. Set aside.

  3. Transfer cooked chicken to plate to cool. Strain cooking liquid into another saucepan.enamel_saucepan_resized
  4. Add canned broth to cooking liquid and bring to simmer. Add corn and cook for 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and reserved onion mixture and cook until heated through.
  5. In each of eight large soup bowls, arrange about 8 tortilla chips. Shred cooled chicken and divide among bowls. Ladle hot soup over chips and chicken, top with grated cheese.

Cozy-up to a bowl of this soup with your family. You will love how it tastes cooked in cast iron that “allows you to taste the food not the cookware“.

 Cook In Cast IronTonight

Cook In Cast IronTonight