My grandmother’s greatest possession is her old but gold cast iron cookware. She’s been using it for quite a long time to cook delicious meals for us. After cooking with the pan, she always made sure that it was properly cleaned and stored. I have witnessed how well she takes care of her iron pan, making me wonder why she often prepares our food in it. Is there anything special about it? Are there any benefits from cooking with cast iron?
My Nana always told me that iron pans provide more flavor to the food she cooks.
Nana told me that one of the benefits of cooking with cast iron is the flavor it adds to the food. I was always curious about this unique quality and wanted to learn more about it. So, one day, I observed how my grandma Maggie used cast iron to cook our dinner. I noticed that the food did not stick to the cast iron pan when she tried to flip it. Is it possible that the cast iron is non-stick? Then, I found out the next day that most cast iron cookware is pre-seasoned. This means that the more you use it, the more non-stick it becomes, which surprises me. So, this is why my Nana loves to cook with cast iron!
But there’s more to the benefits of cast iron. They don’t just provide non-stick quality, it also cooks the food evenly.
The other night, I was at my grandma’s house for dinner, and she was serving up some of her famous fried chicken. As she was serving the food, I noticed that it was evenly cooked, making it tastier than ever. I wondered if it was because my grandma is a great cook or because she uses a cast iron cookware. After doing some research, I found out that it’s actually both! Cast iron skillets or pans help to evenly distribute heat, which leads to better-cooked food. This indicates that it evenly cooks your food, preventing it from burning or undercooking.
Additionally, iron has natural seasoning properties that can help give food a richer flavor. When iron is heated, it helps to release flavors and aromas that can intensify the taste of food. Additionally, iron can also help to improve the texture of food. So, next time you’re looking to step up your cooking game, try using a cast iron cookware like my grandma does!
And guess what? Cast irons can also literally add nutritious iron to your food.
Cooking with cast iron has a number of benefits. Not only does it keep harmful chemicals at bay, but it also adds iron to your food. This is especially beneficial for people who have an iron deficiency, as it can help improve their condition. The iron you can get from cooking with cast iron may not prevent a iron deficiency. But, it is a terrific method to include a bit more of this essential component into your diet every time you cook. This is especially true if you are using acidic foods such as tomatoes or citrus fruits while cooking, as the acidic environment will help release more iron from the pan.
As I’ve come to become more familiar with using the cast iron pan that my grandma gave me, I certainly discovered so much more about it, especially its other unique qualities that you’ll only know when you use one.
What are the Best Qualities of Cast Irons
#1. Cast irons are super easy to clean
As I watched my grandma clean her cast iron cookware, I was surprised at how easy and quick the process was. She simply scrubbed it with a brush, rinsed it off with warm water, and dried it with a towel. This quick cleaning method really impressed me, unlike cleaning some of the metal cookware.
According to my Nana, cast-iron cookware is simple and convenient to clean, especially if the pan is properly seasoned. Seasoning a pan helps to create a non-stick surface that makes cleanup even simpler. By coating the pan with oil and heating it, you help to create a barrier between the pan and any food that may stick to it. This not only makes cleanup easier but also helps to prevent sticking in the first place.
Most of the time, you can just wipe a cast iron clean with a paper towel. But if there’s any food that’s really stuck on, using kosher salt and a small amount of cooking oil should do the trick.
#2. I just love how cast irons are versatile
There are so many things that I love about cooking with cast iron. It is incredibly versatile and can be used for a wide variety of dishes, both simple and complicated. Additionally, it can be used on the stovetop, in the oven, over an open fire or in a wood burner, and even on a grill. This makes cast iron one of my favorite cooking tools, just like my grandma.
I even bring my cast iron with me when I go camping. It’s great for cooking over an open fire and super useful when you don’t have access to an electric stove or oven. Having a cast iron while camping comes in handy because you can cook almost anything in it, from breakfast foods like eggs and bacon to dinner items like steak or fish.
#3. Cast irons make it easier to brown or fry food
I just love it when my grandmother would serve a beautifully cooked French toast with a golden-brown finish. It’s so satisfying to look at, which made me want to cook using cast iron. Because cast iron is heavier and thicker than other metals, it maintains heat better, making it simple to brown or fry almost any food. It’s of my favorite benefits of cooking with cast iron, since I love making frying food.
If you want to achieve a beautiful golden-brown finish using cast iron, Nana’s secret is to make sure that the cast iron is nice and hot before adding the food. This will help to ensure that the food cooks evenly and achieves the desired results.
Cast irons are really made from heaven because of all these benefits that a cook would definitely love. No wonder my Nana treasures her cast iron because of its unique qualities that no other cookware can match.
Do you love cooking with cast iron? What’s the favorite dish you cook in cast iron?
