Cast Iron......

I grew up in home where my mom cooked with two or three cast iron pans, and made it look so easy. She also used to say cooking with cast iron will give you your daily serving of iron. Obviously, I cook our jambalaya in a huge cast iron pot, but other that that, I never really could get the hang of it. Everything sticks to them and they are a pain to keep seasoned. Until now. Thanks to my friend, Sam, for encouraging me to give the cast iron another try. It does take some getting used to, but once you realize cast iron just needs a little patience, you can master cooking with it, too.

First of all, you have to use a lower fire setting. Iron is slow to heat up, but it retains the heat longer. You will find it cooks more evenly, also. My pancakes have been so beautiful using the cast iron, my kids have been giving me many compliments! And they seem to be fluffier - even using whole wheat flour! You will need to be sure they are seasoned well, and yes, they do require you to use more butter or oil than you may be used to, but think about the fact that you can toss out your toxic teflon and never have to buy another skillet again. You can find some on E-bay that are from the 1800's that are good as new, probably better!

Another thing I like about cast iron is, they are made right down the road from us, in South Pittsburg, TN. You gotta love supporting the local manufacturers! Lodge has been making cast iron for decades, and they are so affordable! You can easily buy several pieces and not go broke!

I don't have any of Lodge's enamel covered cast iron, but I do have some Le Creuset pots that I love. They are $$$, but I think Lodge's enamel is a whole lot more affordable. If I could go back in time, I would have gotten the Lodge and would have saved quite a bit of money.

Next time you need a new skillet, consider giving the age-old cast iron a try. The learning curve is short but so rewarding! It feels great to know I will not have to buy a non-stick skillet every six months!

In like a lion...

You know that saying about March, "in like a lion, out like a lamb". I wonder if it will be true this year, the year of massive snow, even in the south. I have lost count, but I think this is the seventh time it has snowed this winter. The boys and I have really enjoyed it, with today being no different. We made several snowmen and then came in for hot chocolate! And the weathermen have gotten it wrong EVERY single time this year. We were expecting half an inch today and then turning to rain. Well, now that three inches+ are on the ground, they have changed their minds to 2-4 inches and have taken away the rain.... go figure.

It sure is beautiful, and I am thankful to get to enjoy it. Tomorrow it will be gone.