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Essential Cast Iron Skillet Recipes

When it comes to cast iron skillet recipes, there are a few essential dishes that every home cook should have in their arsenal. These recipes are not only delicious, but they are also easy to make and perfect for weeknight dinners or dinner parties. Here are three of my favorite cast iron skillet recipes that are sure to impress your dinner table guests.

Sage and Honey Skillet Cornbread

Cornbread is a classic Southern dish that pairs perfectly with chili, soup, or barbecue. This recipe takes it up a notch by adding sage and honey to the mix. The sage adds a savory note while the honey adds a touch of sweetness. This recipe is perfect for any occasion and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, eggs, buttermilk, honey, and sage.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
5. Pour the batter into a greased cast iron skillet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown on top.

One-Skillet Pork Chop Supper

This one-skillet pork chop supper is the perfect weeknight meal. It’s easy to make, requires only one pan, and is packed with flavor. The pork chops are seared to perfection and then cooked with potatoes, carrots, and onions. This recipe is a complete meal in one pan and is sure to become a family favorite.

Ingredients:

• 4 bone-in pork chops
• Salt and pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 medium potatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 medium carrots, sliced
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Season the pork chops with salt and pepper.
3. Heat the olive oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Sear the pork chops for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until browned.
5. Remove the pork chops from the skillet and set aside.
6. Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and cook until softened.
7. Add the potatoes, carrots, chicken broth, and thyme to the skillet and stir to combine.
8. Return the pork chops to the skillet and cover with a lid or foil.
9. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the pork chops are cooked through and the vegetables are tender.

Hash Brown Pork Skillet

This hash brown pork skillet is a hearty and filling meal that is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It’s made with crispy hash browns, tender pork, and sautéed vegetables. This recipe is easy to customize to your liking by adding your favorite vegetables or spices.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground pork
• Salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 4 cups frozen hash browns
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Heat the olive oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add the ground pork to the skillet and season with salt and pepper.
4. Cook the pork until browned and cooked through.
5. Remove the pork from the skillet and set aside.
6. Add the onion and bell peppers to the skillet and cook until softened.
7. Add the hash browns, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper to the skillet and stir to combine.
8. Return the pork to the skillet and stir to combine.
9. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the hash browns are crispy and the pork is heated through.

In conclusion, these essential cast iron skillet recipes are perfect for any occasion and are sure to impress your dinner table guests. They are easy to make, require only one pan, and are packed with flavor. Whether you’re looking for a classic Southern dish

Sweet Treats and Desserts

When it comes to cast-iron skillet desserts, the possibilities are endless. In this section, I will share some of my favorite sweet treats that are perfect for any occasion.

Skillet-Cooked Mixed-Berry Grunt

If you’re looking for a dessert that is both crispy and soft, look no further than this mixed-berry grunt. Made with a variety of berries such as cherry, blueberry, and strawberry, this dessert is sure to please any fruit lover. The berries are cooked in a cast-iron skillet with sugar and baking powder until they are soft and juicy. The topping is a mixture of flour, sugar, and butter that is spooned over the berries and baked until golden brown. Serve with whipped cream for a delicious and satisfying dessert.

Fruit Skillet Cake

This fruit skillet cake is perfect for brunch or as a dessert. Made with apples and a variety of other fruits such as berries, this cake is soft and moist. The apples are cooked in a cast-iron skillet with sugar until they are caramelized and then topped with a batter made with flour, sugar, and baking powder. The cake is baked until golden brown and then served warm with whipped cream. It’s a perfect dessert for any occasion.

Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie

Who doesn’t love a warm and gooey chocolate chip cookie? This skillet cookie is made with chocolate chips and baked in a cast-iron skillet until crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It’s perfect for sharing with friends and family. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delicious and satisfying dessert.

In conclusion, cast-iron skillet desserts are a delicious and easy way to impress your guests. Whether you’re looking for something fruity or chocolatey, there’s a dessert out there for everyone. So, grab your skillet and get baking!

Breakfast and Brunch Favorites

When it comes to breakfast and brunch, my cast-iron wedge pan is always my go-to. There’s something special about the way it cooks that just can’t be replicated with any other pan. Here are a few of my favorite breakfast and brunch recipes that I make in my cast-iron wedge pan:

Buttermilk Pancakes

Who doesn’t love a stack of fluffy, golden pancakes for breakfast? I know I do! And when I make them in my cast-iron wedge pan, they come out perfect every time. I like to use buttermilk in my pancake batter because it adds a tangy flavor and makes the pancakes extra light and fluffy. I also like to cook some bacon in the pan first and then use the bacon grease to cook the pancakes – it adds a delicious smoky flavor.

To make the pancakes, I mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, buttermilk, eggs, and melted butter in a bowl. Then I heat up my cast-iron wedge pan on the stovetop, grease it with some butter, and pour in the pancake batter. I cook the pancakes until they’re golden brown on both sides, and then serve them with some butter and maple syrup.

Dutch Baby

If you’ve never had a Dutch baby before, you’re in for a treat. It’s a cross between a pancake and a popover, and it’s absolutely delicious. To make it, I whisk together eggs, flour, milk, sugar, salt, and vanilla extract in a bowl. Then I heat up my cast-iron wedge pan in the oven until it’s hot, add some butter to the pan, and pour in the batter.

The Dutch baby puffs up in the oven and gets all golden and crispy on the outside, but stays soft and custardy on the inside. I like to serve it with some fresh berries and a dusting of powdered sugar.

Basil-Butter Steaks with Roasted Potatoes

If you’re looking for something a little more savory for brunch, these basil-butter steaks with roasted potatoes are sure to hit the spot. I start by seasoning some steaks with salt and pepper and then searing them in my cast-iron wedge pan on the stovetop. While the steaks are cooking, I toss some diced potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper and roast them in the oven.

Once the steaks are cooked to my liking, I take them out of the pan and let them rest while I make the basil butter. I mix together softened butter, chopped basil, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl, and then spread it over the steaks while they’re still warm. I serve the steaks with the roasted potatoes on the side.

Overall, these are just a few of my favorite breakfast and brunch recipes that I make in my cast-iron wedge pan. They’re all easy to make, delicious, and perfect for a lazy weekend morning.

Skillet Meals for Quick Weeknight Dinners

As a busy person, I always look for recipes that are quick and easy to prepare for dinner. That’s why I love using my cast-iron skillet to whip up delicious meals in no time. Here are three of my favorite skillet recipes for quick weeknight dinners.

Spicy Veggie Pasta Bake

This veggie pasta bake is a perfect vegetarian meal that’s packed with flavors and nutrients. It’s a one-skillet dish that’s easy to prepare and even easier to clean up. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 pound of pasta
• 1 can of diced tomatoes
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente.
3. In a cast-iron skillet, sauté the zucchini, red bell pepper, onion, and garlic in olive oil until tender.
4. Add the can of diced tomatoes and red pepper flakes to the skillet and stir to combine.
5. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and stir until everything is well combined.
6. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the pasta mixture.
7. Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Beef Taco Skillet

This beef taco skillet is a perfect meal for meat lovers. It’s a one-skillet dish that’s easy to prepare and packed with flavors. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 pound of ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 can of diced tomatoes
• 1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 tablespoon of chili powder
• 1 teaspoon of cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. In a cast-iron skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat.
3. Add the onion and red bell pepper to the skillet and sauté until tender.
4. Add the can of diced tomatoes, black beans, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper to the skillet and stir to combine.
5. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top of the beef mixture.
6. Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Pinwheel Steak Potpie

This pinwheel steak potpie is a perfect comfort food that’s easy to prepare in a cast-iron skillet. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 pound of beef sirloin, thinly sliced
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 package of refrigerated crescent rolls
• 1 egg, beaten

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. In a cast-iron skillet, sauté the onion, carrot, and celery in olive oil until tender.
3. Add the beef sirloin to the skillet and cook until browned.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Roll out the crescent rolls into a rectangle and place them on top of the beef mixture in the skillet.
6. Brush the beaten egg on top of the crescent rolls.
7. Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until the crescent rolls are golden brown.

These skillet meals are versatile, delicious, and perfect for quick weeknight dinners. With a cast-iron skillet, you can make almost anything from a skillet cookie to a hearty potpie. So, next time you’re in a hurry and need to make a quick meal, try one of these recipes and enjoy a delicious dinner in no time.

Care and Maintenance of Cast Iron Skillets

As someone who loves cooking with cast iron skillets, I know how important it is to take proper care of them. Here are some tips for maintaining your cast iron skillet:

Cleaning

Cleaning your cast iron skillet after each use is crucial. You can use a small amount of soap, but be sure to rinse it off thoroughly with hot water. Avoid using steel wool or other abrasive materials that can scratch the surface of your skillet. Instead, use a soft sponge or a brush specifically made for cast iron.

Seasoning

Seasoning your cast iron skillet creates a non-stick surface that makes cooking and cleaning easier. To season your skillet, coat it with a thin layer of oil and bake it in the oven at 350°F for one hour. You can repeat this process as needed to maintain the seasoning on your skillet.

Storage

Storing your cast iron skillet properly is important to prevent rust and maintain its seasoning. After cleaning and seasoning your skillet, store it in a dry place. You can stack your cast iron skillets, but be sure to place a paper towel or cloth between them to prevent scratching.

Tips

Here are some additional tips for maintaining your cast iron skillet:

• Avoid cooking acidic foods in your skillet, as they can damage the seasoning.
• Don’t let your skillet soak in water for long periods of time, as this can cause rust.
• If your skillet does rust, you can remove it by scrubbing it with steel wool and then re-seasoning it.
• Lodge Cast Iron offers a range of cleaning and maintenance products specifically designed for cast iron skillets.

By following these care tips, you can ensure that your cast iron skillet will last for years to come and continue to provide delicious meals for you and your family.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I season a new cast iron wedge skillet before first use?

Before using a new cast iron wedge skillet, it is important to season it properly. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Wash the skillet with warm water and mild soap. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
3. Apply a thin layer of vegetable oil or melted shortening to the skillet, including the sides and handle.
4. Place the skillet upside down on the middle rack of your oven, with a sheet of aluminum foil on the bottom rack to catch any drips.
5. Bake for one hour, then turn off the oven and let the skillet cool in the oven.

What are some simple recipes for a cast iron wedge scone pan?

A cast iron wedge scone pan can be used to make a variety of delicious scones. Here are some simple recipes to try:

1. Classic Buttermilk Scones: Mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and butter. Stir in buttermilk and knead the dough. Cut into wedges and bake in the pan for 12-15 minutes.
2. Blueberry Scones: Add fresh blueberries to the classic buttermilk scone recipe for a fruity twist.
3. Chocolate Chip Scones: Mix mini chocolate chips into the classic buttermilk scone recipe for a sweet treat.

Can you provide a classic cornbread recipe for a cast iron wedge skillet?

Absolutely! Here is a classic recipe for cornbread that is perfect for a cast iron wedge skillet:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup melted butter

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, and melted butter.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
5. Pour the batter into a greased cast iron wedge skillet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.

What are the best savory dishes to prepare in a wedge cast iron skillet?

A wedge cast iron skillet is perfect for making a variety of savory dishes. Here are some ideas to try:

1. Frittatas: Whisk together eggs, milk, cheese, and your favorite vegetables. Pour into the skillet and bake for a hearty breakfast or brunch.
2. Cornbread Stuffing: Use your cast iron wedge skillet to make a delicious stuffing for Thanksgiving or other holiday meals.
3. Skillet Pizza: Roll out pizza dough and place it in the skillet. Top with sauce, cheese, and your favorite toppings. Bake until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted.

How do I clean and maintain my cast iron wedge pan after cooking?

To clean your cast iron wedge pan after cooking, follow these steps:

1. Let the pan cool completely.
2. Use a stiff brush or sponge to scrub the pan with warm water and mild soap.
3. Rinse the pan thoroughly and dry it with a clean towel.
4. Apply a thin layer of vegetable oil or melted shortening to the pan to prevent rust.
5. Store the pan in a dry place.

Are there any foods that should be avoided when cooking with a cast iron skillet?

There are some foods that are not recommended for cooking in a cast iron skillet, including:

1. Acidic foods: Tomatoes, citrus fruits, and other acidic foods can react with the iron in the skillet and give your food a metallic taste.
2. Delicate foods: Foods that require precise temperature control, such as fish or eggs, can be difficult to cook in a cast iron skillet.
3. Sticky foods: Foods that are prone to sticking, such as pancakes or crepes, can be challenging to cook in a cast iron skillet without a non-stick coating.