From cast to cast iron

The other day I posted a picture of our corn bread in our small cast iron skillet. I thought I would write a post about my cast iron collection. My favorite if the pan in front because it has a rather large cooking area, but is also very light (for cast iron). I use both of the larger pans for making pizza, but I have seen pans specifically designed for pizzas. I also have the large Dutch oven in the back that does not see much use. Hubby had visions of using this puppy over a campfire, but we usually leave it at home because it is so heavy. Here are the reasons I love cast iron:
It's rather inexpensive
It has no nasty chemicals
It lasts almost forever if treated well.
It cooks so well.

To clean our cast iron we just use a brush and plain water to clean up when we are done cooking. I like to run it under the water and clean it while it is still warm then let it air dry, if you wait until the pan is cool them you need to dry it soon to prevent rust.

In the kitchen

Food is really important our house. Above it our cornbread from tonight's dinner. I just love cast iron pans. We cook nearly everything in our cast irons. We use them for sauteing and frying, but I also love them for cooking pizza (the crust gets so crisp) and if all else fails they also make a great weapon. I have never used my cast iron in anger, but my grandmother had a great story that she used to tell about using one to lay someone out. It is also the weapon of choice for one of my daughters favorite heroines, Tiffany, in the Wee Free Men.
This is one of the last vine ripened Brandywine (the queen of tomato varieties in my opinion) tomato. The end of tomato season always makes me so sad. I know that I am spoiled but, I can't stand those fake tomato's that they sell in the super market.