One tool in your Round Rock kitchen that has a lot of potentials can be the cast-iron skillet. If you are just starting to work with cast iron pans, you might not know how to cook with and care for your pan. While there are a few things you definitely should know before you cook with cast iron for the first time, after following these basic tips, you will feel comfortable working with this pan for your culinary masterpieces.
The first thing to know about cast iron is that there is a wide range of skillet types and sizes. Make sure you pick the right size cast iron pan for the dish you are planning to make. Most professional chefs recommend a 10-inch skillet for everyday use. Some cast-iron pans, however, can weigh up to 25 pounds! If you’ll rarely be cooking large quantities, the 10-inch pan would serve you well.
Manufacturers strongly suggest that you “season” your cast iron pan before the first use. With some oil and your oven, you can easily create a hard, nonstick surface on your cast iron pan so it performs better. To season a cast iron pan, all you need to do is rub a light coat of vegetable oil over both the inside and outside of your pan. Then, place the pan upside-down in a 500-degree oven for about an hour. The good thing about cast iron cooking is that this seasoning process happens naturally each time you make chicken or steak in it. Making your pan even better, the fat from the meat adds a new coating to the pan’s surface.
After you have prepared your cast iron, you can start cooking. But as you plan each dish, remember that there are some foods you shouldn’t make in a cast iron pan. Do not use your cast iron pan for scrambled eggs. They bond with the iron, making it hard to clean up. If you do not want a metallic flavor in your dish, steer clear of cooking tomato sauce in this pan as tomato’s natural acidity reacts with the pan’s material. Lastly, don’t cook salmon or any 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. Cinnamon rolls are one of the dishes people enjoy making in a cast iron pan. But if you made the rolls in the pan after cooking fish in it, the rolls will taste like salmon. People aren’t usually fans of salmon-flavored bread.
To make sure that all goes well at your first attempt at cooking with cast iron, you should remember these tips. First, you must make sure that the pan is preheated. Some beginners usually forget to heat the pan before putting food in it. This results in longer cooking times and burnt or inedible food. Should you end up burning something in a cast iron pan, you must not soak it in water to remove it. You can use a salt scrub as an alternative to clean your cast iron pan. Some cooks use salt and half a potato to scrub their cast iron pan clean. After that, they simply wipe it with a little dish soap and water. Don’t use too much soap or soak the pan in water as this damages the pan’s coating.
It’s really that simple! With these tips, you’ll soon be a cast-iron expert. Would you like to learn more about how to care for and maintain other items in your house properly? Call us at 512-580-3099 or contact us online today!
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