Cast iron 101 tips

Im a virgin with cast iron cooking...no clue as to what Im doing.  But with some searching and reading i've come across good-to-know-info on Cast Irons.  Heres what I've found:

How to get a slick, NON-stick surface:  generously rub and smear vegetable shortening in the pan & follow with heating the pan in the oven.  It may take several attempts Im told.

How to know your cast iron pan is ready for food:  with butter in it add a drop of water.  The water must sizzle in the butter.

Dont use soap to clean it*.  INSTEAD: heat with hot water, scrub and rinse. Sprinkle salt, rub that around and rinse.  Then add oil to coat -put in oven preheat to 350-when its done preheating take out and let cool and dry. Helps prevent rust too. ---tip--- if you don't like the smell most oils leave behind...Use virgin coconut oil to clean/protect instead.
*however, many have said a tad of soap is fine just don't let it soak with soap. To each their own!

An option to heating your cast iron: place pan in oven-preheat oven to 350. When its done preheating, remove pan and turn on burner- proceed to cook.(always keep your oven mitt handy)

If you'd rather not deal with the risk of burns(lets face it, we get preoccupied and bunk/grab the pan like an idiot) invest in those costly but LIFE saving silicone handles such as Le Creuset Silicone Handle Sleeve

Theres a bunch of talk about "seasoning" your cast iron.  Well mostly what i hear is cook stuff like this in it:

-bacon

 - cornbread 

-hash browns 

- roast chicken by broiling it 

Cookin with my cast iron

I recently bought a cast iron skillet(when i say recent i mean today.  Its a lodge cast iron 12", its huge and i only paid $12 for it!  I've wanted one but just couldn't bare to pay the price for a new one-thank goodness for thrift stores.  Anywho, time to time i come across a recipe that looks awesome but cant make because it requires a cast iron skillet/etc.  Well, here are two that i've been saving till i could get my hands on one.

  Queenie's Peach cobbler

• 1 stick of butter
• 1 C sugar
• 1 C flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 C whole milk
• 1 can sliced peaches, don't drain     
• I personally like some cinnamon in my mixture...so im going to add 1 tsp cinnamon

Melt butter in skillet.  In separate bowl mix sugar, flour, salt, powder, and milk.  Pour mixture into prepared skillet and add peaches.

Bake @ 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes.
from: www.cookingincastiron.com 
image

Nectarine brown butter buckle
from here 

3/4 cup (6 ounces) unsalted butter, plus additional for greasing pan
1 1/2 cups (6 3/4 ounces) all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
Pinch of allspice
1 cup (7 ounces) sugar
2 large eggs
2/3 cup whole milk or buttermilk
1 1/2 pounds nectarines, halved, pitted and cut into 1/2-inch thick wedges (about 4 cups)
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Streusel
Reserved butter from cake (above)
1/2 cup (3 1/2 ounces) sugar
1/2 cup (2 1/4 ounces) all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of salt
Brown your butter: Melt butter in a small/medium saucepan over medium-low heat. It will melt, then foam, then turn clear golden and finally start to turn brown and smell nutty. Stir frequently, scraping up any bits from the bottom as you do. Keep your eyes on it; it burns very quickly after it browns. Set aside and let cool (the fridge will hasten this along).
Prepare you pan: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line the bottom of a 10-inch round cake pan, springform or cast iron skillet with parchment paper and butter the paper and rest of the pan generously; set aside.
Make the cake: Whisk flour, baking powder, salt and allspice in medium bowl to blend. In a large bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup cooled browned butter (set aside remaining 1/4 cup for topping), sugar and then eggs, one at a time. Stir in milk or buttermilk. Stir dry ingredients into this wet mixture; mix until just combined and spread batter in prepared pan. Toss nectarine wedges with lemon juice and arrange them in a single layer on top of the batter.
Make the streusel and bake the cake: Stir remaining brown butter, sugar, flour, cinnamon and salt together until large crumbs form. Sprinkle the nectarine-topped batter with crumbs. Bake until top is golden brown and tester inserted into center comes out with moist crumbs, about 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes before flipping out onto a cooling rack.