Now that summer is here no one wants to be stuck in the kitchen all afternoon preparing dinner. This is especially
true down here in Cajun Country it has been unbearably hot recently so I decided to take it easy last night and use
my trusty old
cast iron skillet
to prepare an old military favorite, SOS, which we will call for the sake of this blog “Stew on a Shingle”.

Cast Iron SOS Recipe

• 4 Tablespoons Butter
• 4 Tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
• 3 Cups Milk
• 1 Pound Chipped Beef
• 1 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

Melt the butter in your cast iron pot and mix in your flour until it forms a roux. Add the milk to the roux slowly and
once mixed turn the heat up to medium high until the gravy begins boil. Stir in the chipped beef and cayenne pepper and
let simmer for 1-2 minutes. Serve over toast and/or mashed potatoes. Serves 8.

While I use chipped beef, SOS can also be prepared using hamburger or even Buddig beef which should be fried up before
adding to the gravy. Whatever meat you choose, or even no meat at all, SOS is a delicious and filling concoction that
will satisfy the whole family.

While I used my skillet, SOS can be prepared in any of the versatile cast iron cookware you may own, including
dutch ovens,
sauce pans or even a large
griddle
if your in a pinch (be careful, it’s messy). Whatever cookware you choose, SOS is best prepared on the cooktop
or over a campfire as it requires consistent stirring so the gravy mix will not burn.

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Enamel cast iron cookware is available in a wide array of styles similar to traditional cast iron
cookware. Whether you are looking for a cast iron skillet, cast iron casserole pot
or the highly versatile cast iron dutch oven, you can find the product with the enamel cast iron coating.
No matter what kind of
enamel cast iron cookware
you purchase, they are just as well suited for the oven as they are the stove top.

Enamel cast iron cookware offers a number of benefits over all other types of cookware, including traditional cast iron.
These benefits make enamel cast iron cookware the ideal choice for a wide array of stove top and oven cooking. Some of
the benefits of cooking with enamel cast iron cookware include:

• Versatility – Whether you are using an
  enamel cast iron skillet
  or an enamel cast iron dutch oven, they are perfect for the stove top or the oven. In fact, because of the enamel
  coating, enamel cast iron will not harm electric or glass stove tops like traditional cast iron may.
• Easy Cleanup – The glassy coating of enamel cast iron makes cleaning it even easier than traditional cast iron
  cookware. Just use hot, soapy water and rinse thoroughly. In fact, many styles of enamel cast iron cookware are even dishwasher-safe.
• Even Heating – As with all types of cast iron cookware, enamel cast iron provides even heat distribution to your food.
  This is especially useful with
  enamel cast iron casserole pots
  and dutch ovens when baking at low temperatures in an oven.
• No Seasoning – Because of the enamel coating on enameled cast iron cookware, there is no need for seasoning before use.
  In fact, the enamel coating makes enameled cast iron skillets, casserole pots and dutch ovens non-stick – similar to properly seasoned
  traditional cast iron cookware.
• No Rust – Unlike traditional
  cast iron cookware,
  which is prone to rusting when not seasoned properly or when submerged in water for long periods of time, enamel cast
  iron cookware’s coating protects it from the effects, allowing you to boil water, soak and place your enamel cast
  iron dutch ovens and skilets in the dishwasher.
• Variety – One of the most notable benefits of enamel cast iron is the variety of colors it gives to
  consumers. Enamel cast iron cookware is available in a wide array of colors that you can purchase to match your existing
  cookware, place settings or kitchen décor.

With all the advantages of using enameled cast iron, it is easy to see why so many people have an
enamel cast iron dutch oven,
casserole pot or skillet in their home. In fact, enamel cast iron is so durable, there is a good chance that your enamel cast iron
cookware has been passed down through many generations.

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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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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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One of the most borrowed elements of the holiday season is the culinary fare that people enjoy as they sit around the dinner table and talk of the joys of their past and their hopes for the year to come. As you enjoy your holiday dinner this year, take a moment and you will probably be surprised by the cookware used to prepare some of your favorite holiday dishes. Cast iron cookware, including skillets, dutch ovens and bakeware has been a staple in kitchens around the world for hundreds of years, being passed down from mothers to daughters and fathers to sons. In fact, you may even have a piece of cast iron in your kitchen that once belonged to a great grandmother or uncle.

Cast iron is perfect for preparing delicious holiday fare. In fact, this year would be a great opportunity to start a new tradition and get away from the holiday standards. Following is a great recipes that will give you a chance to show off the versatility of your cast iron cookware and have your family’s mouths watering.

Pizza Casserole

This is a great recipe that can be prepared in a cast iron casserole dish, dutch oven or even your favorite cast iron skillet and will give your holiday dinner an Italian twist.

• Favorite Pasta (3 Cups Uncooked)
• Ground Italian Sausage (2 Pounds)
• Pepperoni (1 Package, Sliced)
• Tomato Paste (6 Ounce Can)
• Pizza Sauce (Two 14 Ounce Jars)
• Minced Chopped Onion (1 Medium)
• Garlic Clove (1 Small)
• Fresh Mushrooms (1 Pound)
• Oregano (1/2 Tablespoon)
• Mozzarella Cheese (3 Cups, Shredded)
• Parmesan Cheese (3/4 Cup, Grated)

Preheat oven to 350°. Begin by cooking the pasta until the pasta is tender while browning the Italian sausage with the onion and garlic over medium heat in your cast iron casserole pot. Once the Italian sausage is browned, drain and then add in the mushrooms, pizza sauce, tomato paste, oregano and let it simmer. Add the pasta to the sauce and stir it into the meat sauce. Remove the casserole pot from the heat, using oven mitts and place on a cast iron trivet to avoid burning your counter-top. Cover pasta completely with mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheeses and then place the pepperoni slices on top of the cheese.

Place the cast iron casserole dish or dutch oven in the oven and allow to bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove the pizza casserole from oven and allow to cool. This Italian dish will serve 12-14, making it perfect for a holiday dinner side dish or even the main course. And stay tuned for more great dishes from your cast iron cookware experts at Iron Pots Depot.

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The Christmas Shopping Season.

If you’re like me, and I have a feeling that many of you are, while the masses rush the glass doors of their favorite local retailer – knocking over shopping carts, displays and small children as they sprint towards the half-price Hannah Montana play set – you will be snuggled up under the covers waiting for the afternoon news so you can hear about yet another riot over a small, stuffed creature.

Take a deep breath, sit back and relax.

Holiday shopping has gotten easier. Whether you are looking for toys for the children, a new gas grill for dad or an HDTV for the whole family, you can find everything you are looking for online.

If you have a chef in the family, one of the best gifts to consider is the highly durable and versatile cast iron cookware. Cast iron dutch ovens, skillets and bakware have been a favorite in kitchens around the world for hundreds of years and its popularity continues to grow.

But why wait until Christmas?

If you’re planning a large Holiday dinner for the family or even an intimate meal for the two of you, cast iron cookware is the perfect choice for your Holiday meal preparation. But if you’re planning on cooking with quality cast iron, you may want to get started early…

While cooking some delicious cobbler or some juicy steaks on a new cast iron casserole pot or griddle is sure to taste better than any other type of cookware, there is truly nothing better than a well-seasoned and well-used piece of cast iron cookware for your food’s flavor. And if you’re looking for the perfect compliment to your holiday meal, no dinner is complete without some mouth-watering cornbread prepared in fun, cornbread-shaped cornbread pans.

Whatever your holiday plans may be, save yourself the hassle of bumper to bumper traffic and adrenaline-filled holiday shoppers this shopping season and purchase all of your holiday gifts online. With no wait shopping, easy checkouts and front-door delivery, online shopping is the perfect way to buy cast iron cookware and any other gift ideas for your family and friends.

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The cornbread.

Sweet, delectable cornbread. Cooked to perfection in a cast iron cornbread pan or even your trusty cast iron skillet.

Whether your Thanksgiving is centered around a turkey, ham or pizza, cornbread is the ideal side for your Thanksgiving feast. (Well, maybe not pizza, but who has pizza for Thanksgiving dinner?)

Cornbread in the united States is older than the first settlers, which may be why it has become a staple on so many Thanksgiving Day tables. Native Americans knew early how to dry and grind the corn, which as anyone who has driven across our country knows is very abundant, into corn meal. By adding eggs and flour, the basic cornbread could be made.

Fast forward to modern times.

Cornbread is still a very popular because of its versatility to go with almost any meal. It has become a staple at most major American holidays, including Thanksgiving. There are several recipes to make cornbread but we are going to focus on one that is truly simple and delicious.

Depending on how fancy you want your Thanksgiving feast to look, you may want to invest in some cast iron bakeware. You can even find cast iron cornbread pans that allow you to cook your cornbread in fun, corn ear shapes. However, you can bake your cornbread in basically any piece of cast iron cookware you own, such as a dutch oven, skillet or even a casserole dish.

No matter what piece of cast iron you use to cook the cornbread, it is sure to be one of the hits of your Thanksgiving Day table.

Cornbread Ingredients:

• Eggs – 2 (Beaten)
• Cornmeal – 1 1/2 Cups
• Milk – 1 1/4 Cup
• Flour – 1 Cup
• Vegetable oil – 1/2 Cu
• Salt – 1 1/4 Tsp
• Baking powder – 1 Tbsp
• Granulated Sugar – 2 Tsp

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Mix the milk and corn meal together an let sit for at least ten minutes. Combine the baking powder, salt flour and the sugar into one bowl and set it aside. Add the eggs, corn meal mix and oil into a large cast iron skillet and mix together on low heat. Pour the flour, salt and sugar mixture into the wet corn meal mixture and mix thoroughly until there is no trace of white powder. Finally pour the mixture into your cast iron cornbread pan (or leave it in the skillet if you are using that for baking) and place it in your preheated oven. Allow to bake for 25-30 minutes or until your cornbread is golden and has no trace of wet mixture when poked with a fork.

For best results, use plenty of butter and don’t worry about the calories.

It is Thanksgiving Day after all.

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Thanksgiving – A day to spend with your family and give thanks for all that you have been blesses with throughout the year and your life in general. A day to reflect on everything that is good in your life and give thanks for your freedom and maybe even remember those that have passed on.

Definition:

Turkey Day – A day to sit in front of the television and gorge yourself on a variety of delicious foods that you would normally chastise others for even attempting to stick in their mouths. A day to give thanks for modern inventions, such as the television remote because you ate way too much to even consider moving.

With Thanksgiving just around the corner many of you may already be thinking about what kinds of delicacies you will be preparing for your family and friends. While the true meaning of thanksgiving is to be thankful for all that you have, we all know that you have ulterior motives – to show up the competition with your fantastic cooking prowess.

Give Thanks for Cast Iron

Cast Iron cookware has been a favorite in kitchens throughout the world for centuries and for good reason. Cast iron dutch ovens, casserole dishes and bakeware is much more durable than other types of cookware and can be passed down through the generations – offering a conversation piece at the dinner table as well as delicious meals.

If you’re looking for a mouth-watering dessert that will have your guests coming back for seconds and begging for thirds than grab your cast iron skillet and take note:

The Cobbler

Cobblers have been a dessert favorite in America since the first settlers arrived on its shores. Looking to create their favorite recipes, many settlers could not find the proper ingredients. Being the innovative culinary connoisseurs that they were, they began to use whatever seasonal fruits were available. Without the luxury of a brick oven where they could make traditional pies, the settlers would cooks would make their fruit dishes in cast iron pots (which was usually all they had) over an open fire and then place a thin layer of dough over the top – and the cobbler – or slump or grunt, as it was known – was born.

And cast iron is still the best type of cookware for cobblers today.

Thanksgiving Skillet Cobbler

A well-seasoned cast iron skillet will allow you to cook your Thanksgiving cobbler or any other meal without the need for additional butters or oils to keep your cobbler from sticking- making your favorite desserts healthier and more natural tasting. Cobblers can be made with any variety of fruit fillings – from the ever popular cherry and apple – to the should be a fruit: rhubarb. With the following easy recipe for your cast iron skillet you can use any type of filling you want, but I’m going with my all-time favorite. The blueberry.

Ingredients:

• Blueberry Filling – 1 Can
• Real Butter – 1 Stick (4 ounces)
• Milk – 1/2 Cup
• Sugar – 1 1/2 Cups
• Baking Powder – 2 TBSP
• Flour – 1 Cup

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. In a 12 inch cast iron skillet, melt the butter and add 1/2 cup of sugar along with the can of blueberry pie filling. Combine the remaining ingredients in a separate dish and mix them thoroughly. Pour the ingredients over the pie filling and bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until the topping has browned. Turn off your oven and leave the cobbler in the hot oven until the topping has turned crusty.

Thanksgiving skillet cobbler is best when served hot with a side of your favorite ice cream. The beauty of your cast iron skillet is that it will cook your cobbler more evenly and lessen your chances of burning what is truly a mouth-watering dessert. Remember that cast iron retains heat better than all other types of cookware so use caution when grabbing the handle even after it has been removed from the oven.

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If your like me – and I’m sure many of you are – the greatest part about a weekend camping trip is the cooking. When you’ve spent all day hiking, throwing horse shoes and playing hide and seek with the kids, there is nothing better than the taste of a hearty stew or some steak and eggs cooked to perfection in your favorite piece of cast iron cookware.

As you know, cast iron cookware is available in a variety of styles, each with their own, unique place when it comes to campfire cooking. Depending on the length of your camping trip and how much cooking you are planning on doing – in my case, a lot – you will need to decide what types of cast iron cookware you will want to bring along.

• Cast Iron Skillets – When camping, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who didn’t absolutely love their cast iron skillet. Whether you are preparing pancakes for breakfast or a some loose meat sandwiches for the evening meal, the cast iron skillet is a favorite of campers everywhere.
• Cast Iron Camp Pots – Cast Iron camp pots are the ultimate in outdoor cookware. For anyone who loves outdoor cooking, the camp pot is probably the most important cooking vessel in your cast iron arsenal. And they don’t call them ovens for the heck of it – Most quality cast iron camp pots will have feet on the bottom for sitting over hot coals or wood and a flat lid which will allow the camp side chef to put hot coals on the lid, allowing the food to cook more evenly from the top and bottom – very similar to your conventional oven at home.
• Cast Iron Dutch Ovens – Very similar to the cast iron cam pot, the cast iron dutch oven allows you to cook large meals for the whole family. Quality dutch ovens will usually have a reversible lid which will allow the cook to turn it over to place coals for oven-style cooking and a sturdy handle for hanging the dutch oven over the fire for slow roasting.
• Cast Iron Jambalaya Pots – Down here in Cajun country, we love our jambalaya. Jambalaya pots and stands are the perfect way to prepare a huge pot of jambalaya or gumbo – allowing it to slowly simmer over the course of a few hours.

The most important thing to remember when cap side cooking is to plan ahead. Make sure you have enough food for the meals you plan so you don’t have to make any special runs to the nearest store, which will probably be overpriced and prepare an area to place th hot cast iron once you are done cooking – the last thing you want to do is end up being the poster child for preventing forest fires.

Safety is key when cooking with cast iron – both around the campfire and in your home. It is important to remember that cast iron cookware gets HOT – take precautions and keep small children away from the fire and the skillet once the eggs are ready. Some of the things you should consider when cooking by campfire include:

• Season your cookware – Before heading out to the campsite, make sure your cast iron cookware is properly seasoned. If you regularly cook with your trusty cast iron dutch oven, there is no reason it shouldn’t be, but if you notice any rusty areas or are just a little unsure, follow the steps in my previous blog, Cast Iron Seasoning.
• Don’t rush cooking – Wait for the fire to burn into a bed of coals before cooking. Not only will the coals be hotter, but you will have less of a chance of getting singed by the flame.
• Wear the right clothes – Avoid loose clothing that could fall into the heat and catch fire while you are cooking or could catch on the handle of a skillet or pan.
• Put out the heat – Once your food is prepared, make sure to put out the coals and ensure that everyone is aware of the danger so they do not step on a stray hot area.
• Be prepared – Have some water, a shovel and an ash container in case of an emergency where you will need to extinguish the flame.

When done properly, camping and outdoor cooking is one of the greatest experiences in the world. Not only will cooking with cast iron over a campfire allow you to make one of the most delicious meals your family has ever tasted, but it will get them away from the television where you can spend some true quality time. So, grab the tent, the sweatshirts and that trusty seasoned cast iron cookware and get your family in touch with nature!

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Unlike most other types of kitchen cookware, cast iron skillets and dutch ovens also require a little bit of care before you start making your world-famous chili or frying bacon. Whether you just purchased a brand new cast iron camp pot or your great grandmother’s cast iron skillet has seen better days, you’re going to need to season it before you cook.

Contrary to some peoples’ feelings, seasoning cast iron is not only easy, it can also be fun. When seasoning cast iron, you should not think of it as a time consuming pain, but an investment in your kitchen cookware’s longevity and your health.

Seasoning cast iron only requires a few, simple steps:

1. Ready your cast iron. Even if grandma’s cast iron has taken on the red hue of rust, it is still salvageable. This is because cast iron cookware will last FOREVER. Heat your cast iron cookware to a temperature that is still safe to touch and then use steel wool and hot water to thuroughly clean it – removing any traces of food and rust. After washing the cast iron cookware, dry it thuroughly to avoid any further rust buildup before the seasoning begins.
2. Preheat your oven. For the seasoning process to take, your oven will need to be preheated to between 250 and 300 degrees.
3. Coat your cast iron. Use either lard or bacon grease to completely coat your cast iron pan. Avoid using any liquid oils as they will leave your cast iron’s surface feeling sticky and may not season properly.
4. Bake for 15 minutes. After the 15 minutes, remove the cast iron from the oven and pour out any grease that has built up and pooled in the bottom of the cookware. Make sure to use an oven mitt to remove the cast iron as it will be very hot.
5. Let it SeasonAllow the cast iron cookware to bake for at least 2 hours. This will allow the grease to fill the holes and pores and become completely baked in.

To ensure that the seasoning process takes completely, you may want to repeat the process several times. The beauty of cast iron is that if the cookware begins to rust or your food begins to stick at any time, all you have to do is repeat the seasoning process – saving you not only the money of having to buy new kitchen cookware, but also the time of running to the store and choosing a high priced skillet or casserole dish.

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