Cast iron skillets are some of the most prized cooking utensils in the kitchen.
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Whether you are a professional chef, a foodie, or just someone who likes to prepare the occasional fry-up, then you must be well aware of the value of a skillet.
The pre-seasoned layer on the surface adds flavor to just about any dish you prepare, from scrambled eggs and bacon rashers to deep dish pizza. Their durability and versatility mean you can use them for a variety of recipes.
Below is a detailed list of delicious meals that can be prepared using a cast-iron skillet.
Pan-Fried Steak
Anyone meat-eater will tell you that nothing sears a steak quite like a clean cast iron skillet. It doesn’t matter if you like your meat well done, medium rare, or bloody. You can fry your steak well and they will still have that delicious flavor you adore so much.
Porterhouse steaks are a favorite with those who fry their meat on skillets. They are perfect for browning this thick cut of meat.
Cast Iron Chicken
One of the best things about cast iron skillets is their remarkable ability to retain heat. They are so effective at this that you can be used to roast a whole chicken and the meat will be cooked all the way through.
Experiment with different herbs, condiments, and seasoning to further spice up the meal. Potato slices to soak up the chicken fat make for a tasty side dish. Deeper cast iron skillets can also be used to deep fry chicken.
Just be sure to keep a close eye on the food so it doesn’t burn, as that great heat retention ability can be a double-edged sword!
Cast Iron Pizza
Did you know that you can also use a clean cast iron skillet for baking? Deep dish pizzas can be prepared easily using this cooking utensil and because of the heat retention that we mentioned earlier, you won’t even have to cover it for the pizza dough for it to cook all the way through.
Just sit back and watch all that cheesy goodness bubble and turn golden brown. It cooks much faster than an oven too. Expect your pizza to be done in 30 minutes or less.
Cast Iron Cornbread
A staple on many dinner tables, cornbread can also be made in a cast iron skillet. The slow burn through the iron surface and the layer of seasoning makes for a tasty and decadent dish of cornbread that is packed with flavor.
In fact, traditional Southern cornbread is supposed to be baked in a cast iron skillet.
Cast Iron Lasagna
Crispy on the outside, soft and gooey on the inside, lasagna prepared in a cast-iron skillet is deliciously rich and the layer of seasoning makes the flavors dance on your taste buds.
So Many Recipes, So Many Ways to Use Them
The versatility of cast iron skillets is by far their biggest selling point. You can roast, bake or fry one day, then brew stews and sauces on another. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different recipes and combinations. Get yourself a cast iron skillet today and get to cooking your favorite dishes.