Strike while the Iron is Hot

I have used a lot of different pans in my day and my favorite is a cast iron skillet. I have had mine for about four years and I use it everyday. From sauces to stirfrys, I use mine for anything and everything imaginable. A true seasoned, well taken care for, cast iron pan will last forever. If you don't own one, chances are your grandparents do or have, as they go back centuries.

Seasoning a cast iron pot or pan is rather easy, but takes a little time.

1. Preheat oven to 350º
2. Rub the inside of the cast iron pan with vegetable oil and place upside down on a cookie sheet. This will catch any excess oil that may drip.
3. Bake for 45-60 minutes, turn off oven and let cool.

Your cast iron pan is on its way to being seasoned. This is only the start to a perfect pan, though. The more and more that you use it, the more seasoned it will become. Oil seeps into the pores of the iron each time and the pan will eventually become a non-stick pan.

Tips to keep your pan seasoned.

1. Never let your pan soak in soapy water. Quickly clean it with a mild detergent and dry with paper towels immediately, and/or give it a quick oil spray.
2. Never run it through the dishwasher.
3. Never add cold liquid to a hot pan. This will crack you pan very quickly.

Cast iron pans have many uses and benefits to cooking. Cast iron pans heat evenly and stay hot longer than conventional pans. They are also heavy and can fend off burglars if needed, or you may have also seen wife's chasing their husband's with them. Cooking with cast iron can give you an iron supplement for the day, especially with acidic food Iron is leeched into foods such as tomato sauces and apple sauce. This is particularly good for those that are anemic, or have an iron deficiency.

All in all, they are really great pans. Strong, sturdy and will last a lifetime, probably two or three. Get yourself one today.

Enjoy.

Vegan Chef Period.

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