Saturday, March 18th, 2017
Be sure to make this one. Come Cook and Compete. Or bring your fork and come to eat.
Dutch Oven & Cast Iron Cooking, Cast Iron Care & Reconditioning, Events, and Friends
Saturday, March 18th, 2017
Be sure to make this one. Come Cook and Compete. Or bring your fork and come to eat.
Are you new to using cast iron cookware? Need information on how to seasoning new cast iron? Strip off old seasoning?
This informative article will walk through some of the “need to know” reasoning, seasoning products & methods, and several different processes for stripping old season to restore to like new finishes.
Cast Iron Care Reconditioning & Seasoning.
These can be baked in your kitchen oven or
in a covered Dutch Oven with coals for 350°F
Uncooked Egg Whites scrambled with a fork (Or all white Egg Beater type)
Fresh Spinach Leaves/Heated wilted
Fresh Cilantro Leaves/Heated wilted
Sweet Onion sliced thin and slightly sauteed
Garlic Minced
Cooked Turkey or Deli Sliced/Cut in small cubes
Feta Cheese
Parmesan Cheese Fresh Grated (used as a topper only)
Salt & Pepper
Spray oil the quiche cups
Start by adding about a 1/4 inch of raw egg whites
Layer in a little of all ingredients except the Parmesan Cheese
Add a second layer of egg whites
Add another layer of all ingredients except the Parmesan Cheese
Continue until the quiche cup is full with about a 1/4 inch to spare
Sprinkle the top with Parmesan Cheese
Bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes or until golden brown on top.
They should look rather puffed up like a cup cake when first off the heat
As they cool they will deflate and be about even with the top of the quiche cup
Serve with fresh salsa
Fresh Salsa (For 2)
1 Roma Tomato (Very Ripe)/Diced
1/4 Cup Sweet Onion/Chopped
2 Tbsp. Fresh Cilantro Leaves/Chopped
1 tsp. Fresh Garlic/Minced
1 Tbsp. Ketchup
1/2 tsp. Sriracha Sauce
Salt & Pepper
Mix all ingredients together and serve
I refer to “Finding Wild Cast Iron” as something the is not store bought. At least not bought in a store by me. Those precious finds at a Garage Sale, Estate Sale, Flea Market, etc. Just like stumbling into wild succulent mushrooms while out hiking in the woods.
People that are new to using cast iron often ask “Where do I buy”, and What should I buy? That is a difficult question to answer with no other input provided.
I collect cast iron and have way too many stacked away here and there. But I really enjoy vintage cookware. Much of the vintage pieces are far superior to modern day cast iron. Modern day foundries tend to produce “rougher” finishes. I assume it is to reduce production costs to remain competitive? Lodge is one of the leaders of USA made, and currently a cookware producing modern day foundry.
If you are patient and look in the right places you can save lots of money. If you are new to cooking with cast iron you may find the “In the Wild” option a better way to go in case you decide using cast iron is not for you. Someone will always buy a used piece for what you paid for it…..if you find the bargains out there.
Today’s image in this article, is a garage sale find this morning. I paid $15. This is a Lodge 12 inch “Camp” or “Outdoor” Style Dutch Oven. I say “Outdoor” because it has feet and the raised ridge lid for containing coals. On the low cost end this would retail around $60 when new. This Dutch Oven came in the original box, never used, never seasoned, even had the original paperwork. It looks brand new.
Dutch Ovens made for use in your regular kitchen oven normally have no legs, just a smooth bottom. The kitchen version lid is more domed shaped with no raise ridge since retaining coals is not a requirement.
While you may not find “wild cast iron” with the original box, and in this condition, finding some of the older vintage cookware is an even more gratifying score. Cast Iron Fever (Collecting) can develop into something hard to control.
For someone starting out I generally first recommend starting with a 10 inch “camp” style Dutch Oven. My second recommendation would be for the same in the 12 inch size. Most recipes work equally well in either of these two without adjustments to ingredients or temperature. They are both great for Casseroles, Meats, Chili, Cakes, Cobblers, Mountain Man Breakfasts, and so much more.
We hope to have these soon and produce some hats. For now this will be our logo.