A Christmas week tradition that has been handed down from generation to generation or begun for the first time this week with a gift under the tree is cooking with a cast iron skillet.
Cooking aficionados will tell you that breakfast cooked with cast iron just has a better taste. However, caring for cast iron skillets and cookware is different than other pots and pans.
What separates cast iron from regular cookware? Hopkins County Extension Agent for Agriculture Jay Stone weighs in.
click to download audioStone said seasoning the iron is key to its durability.
click to download audioMost people season a skillet with oil or lard and then cook the skillet upside down in the oven for about an hour. But much like what is cooked in the skillet, the recipe for seasoning differs depending on which family member you ask.
However, if rust does appear in your skillet, Stone said there are ways to recover it.
click to download audioIn extreme circumstances, Stone said a good old-fashioned fire can rescue an iron skillet.
click to download audioAs Stone points out, iron skillets aren’t just for breakfast.
click to download audioAs far as what not to cook in cast iron — acidic foods like tomatoes, citrus, and vinegar can strip the seasoning from the skillet and make them taste metallic.
The best way to store your iron skillet is lined with a paper towel or paper plate.
