If you're hesitant about using a cast iron skillet, don't be! It's incredibly versatile, with endless ways to make the most of it. From searing to baking, you'll discover countless ways to incorporate this kitchen essential into your cooking routine. Here's a look at the top uses.
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00:00If you're hesitant about using a cast iron skillet, don't be.
00:03It's incredibly versatile, with endless ways to make the most of it.
00:07From searing to baking, you'll discover countless ways to incorporate this kitchen essential
00:11into your cooking routine.
00:12Here's a look at the top uses.
00:14Cast iron skillets are ideal for cooking eggs due to their excellent heat retention, ensuring
00:19consistent results every time.
00:20However, there are a few tips to keep in mind for the best outcome.
00:24First, make sure to preheat your cast iron skillet thoroughly, which can take a few minutes.
00:28It's also helpful to take your eggs out of the fridge a few minutes before cooking, so
00:32they come closer to room temperature, preventing them from sticking to the skillet.
00:36Lastly, always use a sturdy metal spatula.
00:39This is crucial, as only metal will effectively release the eggs from the skillet's surface.
00:44With these simple adjustments, you can even whip up perfect scrambled eggs in your cast
00:47iron.
00:49Cast iron brings an old-fashioned, comforting feel to pancakes that nonstick pans simply
00:54can't match.
00:55Given pancakes' long history dating back to the Stone Age, it makes sense that a cast
00:59iron skillet is an ideal vessel for them.
01:02When cooking pancakes in cast iron, it's important to avoid high heat, which can burn the outside
01:06while leaving the inside raw.
01:08Similarly, too low a temperature results in undercooked pancakes.
01:12Also, letting the batter come to room temperature before cooking ensures better results.
01:16To cook, grease the skillet with a little shortening, then heat it on medium for about
01:20five minutes.
01:21Before pouring in the batter, check for the telltale sign.
01:24A drop of water should dance on the surface.
01:26And remember to use a metal spatula to flip your pancakes easily and keep them intact.
01:31For the ultimate southern fried chicken, a cast iron skillet is often the best choice,
01:35especially if it has sides that are at least two inches high.
01:39Cast iron's ability to retain heat ensures that the oil temperature won't drop too much
01:43when you add the chicken, allowing for an even, crispy fry.
01:46In fact, cast iron skillets are sometimes called chicken fryers.
01:50They recommend heating your oil to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and checking with an instant-read
01:55thermometer to ensure the right temperature before frying.
01:58Another perk.
01:59The high cooking temperature also helps build up seasoning on your skillet, improving its
02:03nonstick surface and flavor over time.
02:06Smashburger, founded in 2007, revolutionized the burger game by popularizing the technique
02:12of smashing patties with a spatula while cooking.
02:14However, the problem with smashing isn't the technique itself, but doing it on a slatted
02:19grill.
02:20It causes juices to drip away into the flames, which can lead to dry burgers and burnt meat.
02:25For those who prefer thinner patties, using a well-heated cast iron skillet is the key.
02:29The hot surface helps lock in moisture and creates a perfectly crispy crust.
02:33So go ahead and smash your burger in cast iron.
02:36The results will speak for themselves.
02:38A Dutch baby is essentially a crepe-style pancake, cooked in the oven rather than flipped.
02:43With a higher egg-to-flour ratio, it emerges light and airy.
02:46Dutch baby creator Nathaniel Lee described a Dutch baby as an airy, oven-baked pancake
02:51that's both delicious and impressive.
02:53Bready, buttery skillet full of deliciousness that, when topped with fresh fruit and powdered
02:57sugar, becomes a treat you and your lucky guests will long remember.
03:01Though you can cook a Dutch baby in other oven-safe dishes, nothing beats using a cast
03:05iron skillet.
03:06According to Lee, its ability to evenly retain heat ensures the Dutch baby rises perfectly
03:11without burning, giving it that ideal texture and golden edges.
03:16Baking chocolate chip cookies usually involves the tedious task of portioning dough onto
03:20multiple cookie sheets.
03:21But you can save time and effort by baking one giant cookie in your cast iron skillet
03:25instead.
03:26The hot bottom and sturdy sides of a well-seasoned skillet help create a crispy, golden crust
03:31on the cookie.
03:32And it can go straight from the oven to the table for a fun, shareable dessert.
03:36To make your skillet cookie, simply use any chocolate chip cookie recipe you like.
03:39There's no need to tweak the ingredients, but be sure to double the baking time to ensure
03:43the cookie bakes evenly.
03:46You don't need a pizza stone to make a delicious, authentic pizza if you have a cast iron skillet.
03:50Start by preheating your oven and lining it with a cookie sheet or foil for easier cleanup.
03:55Heat your cast iron skillet on the stovetop over high heat.
03:58While it's heating, assemble your pizza and transfer it into the hot skillet.
04:02Then, bake it in the oven as your recipe directs.
04:05Cast iron is also great for cooking frozen pizza or creating French bread pizzas.
04:09For these, flip the skillet over and use the underside.
04:12Preheat the oven and heat the skillet on the stovetop.
04:15Once hot, flip it over, place it on a cookie sheet, add the pizza, and bake.
04:20There's a common myth that cooking tomatoes in a cast iron skillet will give your food
04:23a metallic taste because the acid from the tomatoes reacts with the iron.
04:27To test this, America's Test Kitchen simmered tomato sauce in a well-seasoned skillet for
04:32at least 30 minutes.
04:33The result?
04:34No noticeable metallic flavor in the sauce.
04:36However, once the sauce was simmered for longer than 30 minutes, a slight metallic taste did
04:41appear.
04:42In conclusion, the seasoning on a cast iron skillet acts as a protective layer, preventing
04:46the acid from tomatoes from reacting with the skillet's iron.
04:49So, if you're cooking tomato-based dishes in a well-seasoned skillet, you're good to
04:53go for up to 30 minutes of simmering.
04:56Just remember not to store leftovers in the skillet.
04:58To clean it, use baking soda, which helps neutralize any lingering acidity.
05:04Many people believe seafood should never be cooked in a cast iron skillet, fearing that
05:07the surface's rough texture will ruin delicate fish.
05:10However, when done properly, cast iron can enhance the taste and texture of seafood.
05:15If your fish is sticking to the skillet, the issue is more likely that you didn't let it
05:19cook long enough before flipping or failed to use a metal spatula to gently release it.
05:24Another concern is the lingering fish odor in the pan.
05:26To get rid of it, you can scrub the skillet with soap or baking soda.
05:30If you prefer an easier method, Cook's Illustrated suggests placing the clean, empty pan in a
05:35400-degree Fahrenheit oven for 10 minutes to eliminate odors.
05:38With these tips, you can confidently cook seafood in cast iron without worrying about
05:42sticking or smell.
05:44Hoecakes are a beloved Southern dish that may resemble pancakes but serve a different
05:48purpose.
05:49These sturdy cakes are designed to act as a shovel, perfect for scooping up other foods
05:53alongside them.
05:54The name hoecake comes from their early cooking method, on a metal gardening hoe, heated
05:59by the fire.
06:00Over time, they've evolved, but the heart of the dish remains the same.
06:03For an authentic take, use a flat-bottomed cast iron griddle.
06:07To make hoecakes, whisk together a cup of cornmeal with a cup and two tablespoons of
06:11boiling water.
06:12Let the mixture cool for about 10 minutes while heating oil in the skillet over medium
06:16heat.
06:17Form the batter into 6-inch circles and cook for 10 minutes.
06:20Flip them using a metal spatula and cook for another 80-10 minutes until golden and crispy.
06:25Serve up these delicious, hearty cakes for a taste of Southern tradition.
06:29Steak enthusiasts may argue over the perfect cooking method, but a cast iron skillet is
06:34always a solid choice.
06:35Its ability to retain heat is key when preparing steak, ensuring even cooking.
06:40Chef Giada De Laurentiis demonstrates how to harness that intense heat, achieving a
06:44perfectly cooked steak without needing to use the oven at all.
06:47The reason I love the cast iron pan is because it kind of acts like a grill.
06:51So think about how you grill, it's the same idea.
06:53To cook the perfect steak, rub olive oil and kosher salt onto both sides, then heat your
06:58cast iron skillet on high.
07:00Place the steak in the skillet and let it sit untouched for 3-5 minutes, allowing the
07:04salt, oil, and meat to create a flawless crust.
07:07Cast iron ensures even cooking without the risk of burning, and there are no juices dripping
07:11through grill grates to cause flare-ups.
07:14S'mores used to be a campfire-only treat, but over time, people discovered the shortcut
07:18of making them in the microwave.
07:20While quick, it didn't quite recreate the warm, gooey campfire experience.
07:24But with a cast iron skillet, you can bring that same magic indoors.
07:28To make a classic s'more, simply assemble your sandwich and place it on a cold cast
07:32iron skillet.
07:33Heat it over medium and watch the magic happen as the chocolate melts and the marshmallow
07:37softens.
07:38For larger batches, preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
07:42Break up your chocolate and layer it in the skillet, then top with marshmallows.
07:46Bake for about 7-9 minutes, or until the marshmallows are golden and toasted.
07:50Serve with graham crackers for dipping, and enjoy a delicious s'mores experience right
07:54in your kitchen.
07:55No campfire needed.
07:57If you're missing a pie pan, a disposable pie tin from the grocery store might seem
08:01like a quick fix, but they're often too shallow and flimsy to hold a bubbling filling.
08:05This leads to messy cleanup since you'll need to place them on baking sheets.
08:09To avoid this, try using a cast iron skillet.
08:11The even heat retention of cast iron is perfect for baking pies, and it also eliminates the
08:16need for additional pans.
08:18Just ensure the skillet's size matches your recipe, typically a 9- or 10-inch diameter,
08:23so you won't need to adjust the volume or baking time.
08:26Cheese fondue
08:27A popular party dish in the 1970s is making a resurgence in the U.S.
08:32Fortunately, you don't need a fancy fondue pot to enjoy it at home.
08:35A cast iron skillet or deep pan will work just as well for creating this classic dish.
08:40This is a gorgonzola gruyere medley.
08:44This is a three cheese blend plus nacho cheese sauce medley.
08:48To make a delicious cheese fondue, start by rubbing a garlic clove inside your cast iron
08:52skillet, then chop it and add it to the pan.
08:55Pour in one-third cup of dry white wine and a tablespoon of whiskey, bringing the mixture
08:59to a boil over medium heat.
09:01Slowly incorporate 8 ounces of grated cheese and 2 teaspoons of cornstarch, stirring constantly.
09:07If the mixture starts to boil, reduce the heat.
09:09Once the cheese is fully melted, remove the skillet from the heat.
09:12Thanks to the cast iron's heat retention, your fondue will stay warm and creamy.