Eating Healthy? Get Out the Cast Iron Skillet

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Once I was a child I feel each household within the neighborhood had a forged iron skillet. The skillets have been just about the identical, however the meals that got here from them have been as various because the households. Our subsequent door neighbors have been from St. Paul, MN they usually mounted Swedish Meatballs of their skillet.

My household got here from German and English inventory and our meals mirrored this heritage. Usually my mom mounted German Fries, sliced onions and potatoes fried to a crispy brown. Once I strive laborious I can see the German Fries within the skillet and odor the scrumptious odor that permeated the home.

When German, Swedish and Europan immigrants got here to America some introduced their forged iron skillets with them. These skillets accompanied them on the Westward migration. Later, chuck wagon cooks used forged iron skillets, baking pans, and Dutch Ovens to repair meals.

A forged iron skillet appears dated when in comparison with right now’s electrical home equipment. However forged iron skillets are making a comeback and for good causes. Take into account these options.

DURABILITY. Forged iron skillets have stood the check of time. They’re so sturdy they have been handed down from mom, to daughter, to grandaughter.

USABILITY. You could use a forged iron skillet in your range prime, within the oven, over an open fireplace, on charcoal or fuel grill. Higher but, right now’s forged iron skillets include a non-stick coating.

VARIETY. A six-inch skillet is ideal for fixing a meal for one. The bigger 10-inch skillet is excellent for household meals. Grill pans – skillets with ridges on the underside – are additionally out there.

COST. You will search far and vast earlier than you discover a higher worth. A six-inch skillet prices about $8 and a 10-inch skillet prices about $17,not unhealthy for a lifetime funding. The price of a grill pan varies, relying on whether or not the outside has an enamel coating.

You will must re-season your skillet should you’ve had it for a very long time. Lodge, the first producer of forged iron cookware, says you need to wash the skillet in sizzling soapy water first. Dry the skillet and let it stand on the counter for just a few hours.

Subsequent, Lodge says to preheat your oven to 350 levels. Coat the skillet with stable or liquid shortening. Place the skillet on a jelly roll pan to catch any drips. “Bake” the skillet within the oven for one hour. Flip the oven off and let the skillet cool fully earlier than you open the door. Final, wipe off any residue with paper towels.

By no means wash a skillet in soapy water or scour it after it has been re-seasoned. As an alternative, rinse the skillet beneath sizzling water and swish away meals residue with a stiff brush. Be sure the skillet is dry earlier than you set it away. You may additionally rub the skillet with salt to wash it. Rinse the salt off with sizzling water.

Over time a darkish coating will develop on the underside of your skillet. Don’t be concerned, that is precisely what you need. In reality, some skilled cooks assume this coating provides meals further (and perhaps secret) taste. A nicely seasoned skillet wants solely a coating of baking spray for shortening. Some recipes could not want shortening in any respect.

I’ve two skillets, a plain one and a griddle pan. What do I repair in them? A greater query can be, “What do not I repair in them?” Marvelous meals comes from these skillets: chunky applesauce flavored with cinnamon, stir-fried onions, peppers, mushrooms, and pea pods, fried brown rice with numerous veggies, rooster scallops with lemon sauce, lean hamburger patties, grilled asparagus with a touch of garlic, and extra.

Cooking wholesome? Overlook these fancy, shmancy pans. Get out the forged iron skillet and repair wholesome meals for your self and your loved ones.

Copyright 2005 by Harriet Hodgson. For extra info on her work please go to http://www.harriethodgson.com.

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Source by Harriet Hodgson