Filed under: bakeware, camping, cast iron, cast iron cookware, cast iron pots, cast iron seasoning, cookware, seasoned, skillet, skillets | Tags: bakeware, cast iron, cast iron care, cast iron cookware, cast iron skillet, dutch oven, seasoning, skillet
I was thinking about this old cast iron skillet that I have sitting on the back burner of my stove top. Out of all of the cookware I have in my home, this is by far the most used piece I own. In fact, if something were to happen to this trusty old skillet, I may honestly get a bit teary-eyed.
You may even go as far as to say that I like this piece of cast iron cookware more than I do some people.
You see, unlike people or even most animals, you can expect cast iron to stick around for the long haul. My trusty old skillet has been camping with me, helped me prepare a wide variety of meals when I entertain, which are always a hit, and even been loaned out to family and friends when they are in need of a piece of cookware that will add that extra something to a meal. And my trusty old skillet always returns, and usually in better shape than when it left.
This is why I am so upset that I have done wrong by my friend, the skillet.
You see, last night we had some vicious thunderstorms move through the area, and I thought that I would enjoy listening to them as I lay in my bed last night.
And so, I left some windows open.
What I woke to was a scene that, if skillets were human and cast iron wasn’t so resilient, would have been dubbed involuntary manslaughter.
The humidity had caused said skillet to form a light layer of rust, which would mean the end to any other piece of kitchen cookware.
But not my friend, the skillet.
Today when I return home I will simply wash my cast iron skillet with soap water and some steel wool and then repeat the seasoning process. And then my friend will be good as new, having survived an assault that would have meant the (gulps) landfill for a lesser kitchen accessory.
So, dear readers, raise your trusty cast iron skillets, dutch ovens or bakeware high and give them the respect they deserve.
Our trusty allies in the battle for decent meals…Cast Iron Cookware.
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Filed under: camp pots, camp side cooking, campfire cooking, camping, campside cooking, cast iron cookware, cast iron pots, dutch oven, enamel, griddle, griddles, sauce pans, seasoned, skillet, skillets
Break out the cast iron cookware and get ready for some delicious camp side cooking.
As the temperature begins to rise, many of us begin to think about pulling the tent out and readying ourselves for another season full of weekend getaways. Whether we are heading up to the mountains, down to the lake, or into our own backyards, camping gives us the chance to unwind, relax and get back in touch with nature.
One of the most enjoyable experiences for most people while camping is the delicious meals we get to prepare. And nothing brings out the flavor that only a campfire can provide better than quality cast iron cookware. Whether you’re cooking bacon and eggs over a griddle for breakfast, a delicious stew in a cast iron camp pot or frying some burgers in your favorite cast iron skillet, durable and versatile cast iron can be used at every meal.
If you can’t wait to start cooking under the stars but would like something different than the traditional steak or flap jacks, here are a couple of delicious recipes that could add some spice to your cast iron cooking this camping season!
Cast Iron Quesadillas
Add some zest this camping season and go a little Southwestern! These delicious quesadillas cooked to perfection with a cast iron skillet and griddle will bring smiles to the faces of everyone on the site.
Ingredients
- Chopped Steak, Chicken (Or your Favorite meat)
- Chopped Vegetables (Peppers, Onions, Potatoes)
- Shredded Colby Jack Cheese (Or your Favorite Cheese)
- Taco Seasoning
- Large Tortillas
- Sour Cream
- Salsa or Hot Sauce or Both
Heat your seasoned cast iron skillet over the camp fire and toss in your meats and vegetables, you can use some olive oil if you wish, but a well seasoned skillet will keep your meat from sticking naturally. Add taco seasoning to the meat and vegetable mix and allow the seasoning to cook into the mix.
When the mix is about done, heat your griddle over the fire. Place a small amount of oil on the tortillas and place the tortillas on the cast iron griddle. When the tortillas begin to fluff, flip them over and place the meat and vegetable mix and shredded cheese on one side of the shell. Flip th empty half of the shell over and remove from the griddle. Apply sour cream, salsa and hot sauce to your individual taste and enjoy.
Compliment your quesadillas with a box of Mexican rice prepared according to the directions in a cast iron sauce pan!
Chicken & Stars under the Stars
Looking for a quick and easy meal that will please both kids and adults alike? This scrumptious chicken dish can be prepared quickly and served in bowls to make it easy to eat.
Ingredients
- Chicken (finely chopped)
- Egg Noddles (16 ounce Bag)
- Chicken & Stars Soup (3 Cans)
- Cream of Chicken Soup (1 Can)
Cook the chicken in a cast iron skillet over the camp fire. The chicken can be chopped either before or after it has cooked. I prefer to do it before as it will cook a little faster. While the chicken cooks, bring water in an enamel cast iron dutch oven to a boil. Add the egg noddles and cook until softened. When the noodles are cooked, drain them and then add the chicken, chicken and stars and cream of chicken into the dutch oven and mix together. Allow the Chicken and Stars to simmer and then serve with your favorite vegetables (which can be mixed into the dutch oven for added flavor).
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Filed under: camp pots, casserole pots, cast iron, cast iron cookware, cast iron pots, cookware, dutch oven, enamel lodge skillet, logic, seasoned, skillet, skillets | Tags: casserole pots, cast iron cookware, cast iron pots, cast iron seasoning, cast iron skillet, enamel cast iron cookware, seasoned cast iron
Whether it was your great aunts well-used cast iron skillet or a brand new Lodge cast iron dutch oven, if you’ve had the privilege of cooking with a well seasoned piece of cast iron cookware then you will already have an idea of cast iron’s versatile cooking capabilities. Above and beyond the cooking advantages that cast iron cookware provides, there are also a number of other advantages for using cast iron every time you cook.
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- The price – Cast iron cookware is one of the most affordable types of kitchen cookware available. Quality cast iron casserole pots and bake ware is usually available for a fraction of the cost of materials such as aluminum or stainless steel.
- Even Heating – With cast iron cookware, you will never have to worry about burner some of your food while the rest is still cold. Well seasoned cast iron cookware offers the most even heating surface you can find – especially useful for your outdoor cooking.
- Naturally Non-Stick – A well seasoned cast iron camp pot or cast iron dutch oven will become naturally non-stick when seasoned properly. Along with being non-stick, well-seasoned cast iron cookware offers another advantage to the health conscious consumer. With seasoned cast iron cookware, you will not need to use butters and oils when cooking – helping to keep your food naturally healthier.
- It’s Iron – Cast iron cookware is good for your health! While cooking with cast iron, iron particles from the cookware naturally leach on to the food you cook. This is perfect for anyone who is low on iron, such as anemics. Can you think of another type of cookware that actually makes you healthier?
With all these advantages, it’s easy to see why cast iron cookware has retained its popularity for so long. While some people do consider the seasoning process of cast iron to be a major disadvantage, you may want to look at it as a fun activity that will make your cooking much easier in the long run. And if the concept of seasoning your cast iron skillet still doesn’t appeal to you, you can always purchase pre-seasoned or enamel-coated cast iron as well.
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