Hello friends! After a longer break than I anticipated, I am back! It feels so good to be writing again, and sharing the adventures of our everyday life. Thank you for your patience with me and my pregnant self. Today I thought it would be fun to share my absolute favorite pan to cook/bake with. It’s like an old, trusty friend who always has my back, ready to help me when I’m in need of good food. I finally understand why Sam from Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings was so distraught when he had to leave his cooking pans behind in Mordor, because if I had to leave this trusty pan behind, I might shed a tear or two.

After 3+ years of cooking consistently, I have finally found the one pan that I love above everything else: my cast iron skillet. Nate gifted it to me for Christmas and it has been one of the BEST and MOST USEFUL gifts ever.

Now why all the fuss about a cast iron pan? That’s what I thought when I first heard about them. But then I started cooking with one and now I totally understand.

I love my cast iron pan for three reasons. First, it heats more evenly, so things get cooked just right. I even put mine in the oven to bake bread or cakes, which always bake evenly as well.

Secondly, I love my skillet because of how tough it is. You can heat it up to super high temps in the oven or on the grill and it handles them all without getting burnt and battered. Plus cast iron pans last forever if you take care of them. I’ve heard of people finding them at garage sales or antique stores, and they’re good as new after a good scrub with steel wool and a little loving seasoning.

Third, food cooked in my cast iron pan just tastes so much better. I know there’s not much logic behind that argument, but you’ll see if you start cooking with one.  I use my pan for everything from stir fry veggies to giant chocolate chip cookies, and I have not intention of stopping. 😀 I’ve also heard that you get trace amounts of iron in your food too, which is good for people like me who’ve had anemia in the past.

My only complaint is that my pan isn’t bigger. Mine is a 10 inch round one, but I’m sure a bigger pan will be on my Christmas list again this year, especially with Baby Mee on the way.

Here are a few of my favorite recipes to make in my cast iron skillet:

Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie

German Pancake 

Artisan Bread 

Also, if you plan on getting a cast iron skillet or already own one, I found this video helpful for learning how to season it correctly. I always use coconut oil on mine to season it, since it’s one of the healthiest oils to heat at high temps.

Anyhoo, there’s my thoughts on my favorite kitchen tool. Do you have a favorite kitchen tool that you can’t live without? I’d love to hear about it!

Love,