In some cooking circles, cast iron gets a bad rep – people think it's old-fashioned, heavy, and hard to take care of. And really, how often do folks nowadays need to hitch up a mule and wagon and leave civilization and Teflon-coated sauté pans behind?
True, cast iron is old; it's been around since the Middle Ages. And it is heavy. No one can dispute that even a small, cast-iron pot has a heft to it that no other cookware has. Nevertheless, cast-iron cookware has a place in today's kitchens, and that doesn’t mean simply hanging on the wall for decoration. Cast iron has much to offer modern-day cooks; it's easy to use, easy to care for, economical, versatile, and durable, and let's face it, it has a nostalgic appeal that no other cookware has. But more compelling than all those reasons is that it's a great cookware that makes great food. In fact, most cast-iron cooks will tell you that food cooked in cast iron tastes better than food cooked in anything else!
Cast-Iron Cooking For Dummies is for those cooks who may want to inject a little adventure and variety into their cooking. If you've never even thought of using cast-iron cookware, or you have a few cast-iron pots lying around, you'll discover all you need to know about making great food using cast iron. Here just a sampling of what you'll find in Cast-Iron Cooking For Dummies:
Selecting the right cast-iron cookware for you
Seasoning a new cast-iron pan
Caring for your cast-iron cookware
Discovering techniques to enhance your cast-iron cooking
Enjoying cast-iron cooking in the Great Outdoors
Tons of delicious recipes, from main and side dishes to desserts and international dishes
Top Ten lists on ways to make your cast-iron cookware last longer, the best dishes suited for cast iron, and tips for achieving success in cast-iron cooking
So, whether you're a cooking novice or an experienced chef, you can find plenty of enjoyment from cooking with cast iron – and Cast-Iron Cooking For Dummies can show you the way.
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Product Details
Author:
Tracy Barr
Paperback:
360 pages
Publisher:
Wiley Publishing
Publication Date:
October 31, 2003
Language:
English
ISBN:
0764537148
Product Length:
7.48 inches
Product Width:
0.79 inches
Product Height:
9.17 inches
Product Weight:
1.09 pounds
Package Length:
9.21 inches
Package Width:
7.4 inches
Package Height:
0.79 inches
Package Weight:
1.23 pounds
Average Customer Rating:
based on 58 reviews
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review: ( 58 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
131 of 131 found the following review helpful:
Good introduction to cast iron Dec 14, 2005
By rl123 This is a very good introduction to cooking with cast iron. The first couple of chapters give you the basics of using cast iron (seasoning, how and what to buy, caring for and using, etc.). The second part of the book has all the recipes with chapters on meats, poultry, seafood, vegetables, breads/cornbreads, desserts, and non-traditional dishes. There is also a chapter on using an outdoor dutch oven and some recipes to go along with that.
Overall, the recipes are good but do use more bacon fat and butter than I would like. Every recipe is accompanied by its nutritional information so you can decide if you need to substitute some of the ingredients or not. The hushpuppies recipe has slightly more than 50% of its calories come from fat so let the cook beware.
Definitely buy this book if your are new to cast iron cooking. If you are a pro, I might hold off as the book will probably be too introductory.
61 of 62 found the following review helpful:
The Best!!!! Feb 17, 2009
By Kathy in Claude, TEXAS Being fairly new to this wonderful world of cast iron, I needed all the help I could get, and this book gives you all the help you need. I had been desperate to find ways to clean my old cast iron, and chapt. 3 was right on the money. It was worth buying the book for that chapter alone. I also found out how cast iron is made and also that you really need to search the backround of the company that you are purchasing your cast iron from. Many companies may have names that sound like they are made in the USA, but after checking, they aren't. The problem with this is the contents of the cast iron are not regulated outside the U.S. as stringently as they are here. What I'm trying to say is, you really don't know what you may be eating out of. I am returning an order after finding my item was made in China. It took almost an hour on line to find that info out. It was well hidden. I am now strictly sticking to Lodge Logic. Great products, and a regulated American company.
37 of 41 found the following review helpful:
Great Info Mar 21, 2007
By lovestoread I'm not overly crazy about the lay out of the book, but the amount of info in here is worth the cost of the book alone.
Very few recipes call for processed pre-packaged foods (mostly just a few of the desserts).
Its a good starter book for both the info and the recipes.
14 of 14 found the following review helpful:
Book: Cast Iron Cooking for Dummies Dec 31, 2010
By Louie My husband (of 42 years) has always wanted a set of cast iron cookware (to experience cooking "the way Grandma fixed it"). I finally bought him a full set with dutch oven, fry pan, and skillet - with lids. With this gift, I included a note that said He was the cast iron chef in our house (He has never had to cook before)! After purchasing "Cast Iron Cooking for Dummies", which addresses the care and use of cast iron cookware in addition to recipes, and in-door/out-door use suggestions, my husband has become the guru of cast iron... and has prepared many delectible food dishes. The book has 305 pages of information, extensively covering meats - poultry and fowl - fish and seafood - stews, chowders, and gumbos - vegetables and side dishes - desserts - cornbreads - biscuits and muffins - other breads - sauces, condiments, and marinades - outdoor cooking - game animals - and fun foods. I haven't read this book myself, but my husband did... and has amazed me, even reminded me - of how good food cooked in cast iron can taste. This must be an amazing book.Cast Iron Cooking for Dummies
13 of 13 found the following review helpful:
Great cookbook Jan 04, 2008
By Amy D. Slifko
"A. Slifko"
Not many people are used to cooking with cast iron, this is a great learning cookbook. I've used iron skillets for years and want to camp cook using a dutch oven. This cookbook will advance my knowledge without the quesswork. When your camping and hungry mistakes are not fun!
based on 58 reviews
Good introduction to cast iron Dec 14, 2005
By rl123
The Best!!!! Feb 17, 2009
By Kathy in Claude, TEXAS
