A cast-iron skillet could be included in the most versatile tools in your Heber Springs kitchen. But at the same time, if you’ve never used a cast iron pan or are just starting to, you may have questions about how to cook with and care for your pan. Even though there are some things you certainly should take into consideration before you cook with cast iron for your first time, if you obey these particularly simple and worry-free pointers, you will swiftly find yourself reaching for this pan each time you are ready to whip up your next culinary masterpiece.
The first thing to know about cast iron is that there are a vast range of skillet types and sizes. It’s relevant to choose the right size cast iron pan for the dish you want to make. Most professional chefs recommend a 10-inch skillet for everyday use. However, a lot of cast iron pans can weigh up to 25 pounds! Unless you are cooking large quantities often, the 10-inch pan should be a great option.
Before you use your cast iron pan for the first time, most manufacturers recommend that you “season” it first. Cast iron performs better when it has a hard, nonstick surface, which you can create using some oil and your oven. Aiming to season a cast iron pan, all you actually need to do is rub a light coat of vegetable oil over both the inside and outside of your pan. Following that, place the pan upside-down in a 500-degree oven for just nearly an hour. The best thing about cast iron cooking is that this seasoning process occurs naturally every time you make chicken or steak in it. The fat from the meat adds a new coating to the pan’s surface, which will let your pan perform even better.
Just after preparing your cast iron, you can start cooking. But certainly, as you plan each dish, bring to mind that there are some foods you shouldn’t make in a cast iron pan. Scrambled eggs don’t actually work right in a cast iron pan because they tend to bond with the iron, creating a clean-up nightmare. Tomato sauce is another item to also avoid on the account that the acidity in the tomatoes will result in a metallic flavor in your food. One last point, don’t ever cook salmon or other oily fish in a cast iron pan. The oils will bond with the pan’s surface and make everything you cook in the pan after that taste fishy. One widely known dish you can prepare in a cast iron pan is cinnamon rolls. Though bear in mind, if you tried to make the rolls in a pan after cooking fish in it, the rolls will taste like salmon. Many people don’t really want salmon-flavored bread.
To guarantee that your first attempt at cast iron cooking goes well, it’s necessary to remember a few more tips. First of all, make certain to pre-heat the pan before you start cooking. One big mistake that beginners make is to forget to heat the pan before putting the food in it, oftentimes leading to, at best, longer cooking times, and at worst, burnt or inedible food. If, in any case, you do burn something in a cast iron pan, do not try to soak the pan in water to remove it. In contrast, try utilizing a salt scrub to clean your cast iron pan. Most cooks even use salt and half a potato to scrub the inside of their cast iron pan clean. Then they will wipe it with a little dish soap and water. The use of a great deal of soap or soaking the pan in water will damage the pan’s coating, so stay away from these cleaning methods.
And that’s that! By adhering to these easy yet effective guidelines, you will pretty soon become a cast iron cooking pro. Would you like to learn more about how to care for and maintain other items in your house properly? Call us at 501-404-0674 or contact us online today!
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