Make the tastiest winter recipes with the perfect cast iron casserole

The winter months come to us, with the summer cookbooks unfortunately also allowed to go back into the closet. The delicious stews, lasagna, pasta and soups can be put back on the table. With the right pans such as a robust cast iron casserole you can go a long way and make delicious dishes this winter. How to cook with a cast iron pan and recipe ideas can be found in this blog.

How to season a cast iron pan

If you have a traditional cast iron pan that isn't pre-seasoned or enamelled, you'll need to season it before use. This process creates a natural non-stick layer and helps your pan last for years. Follow these steps to season your cast iron pan:

How to season a cast iron pan in the oven

• Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 180°C and allow it to heat up fully.
• Clean the pan: Wash the pan thoroughly with warm water and mild washing-up liquid. Scrub away any rust or dirt.
• Dry the pan: Dry the pan thoroughly with a clean cloth or kitchen paper.
• Apply oil: Rub a thin layer of vegetable oil or melted lard over the inside and outside of the pan. Make sure the entire surface is evenly coated.
• Place the pan in the oven: Place the oiled pan upside down in the centre of the oven. Put a baking tray or aluminium foil underneath to catch any dripping oil.
• Bake the pan: Leave the pan in the preheated oven for 1 hour.
• Allow to cool and repeat if necessary: Remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool completely. If you'd like to build up a stronger non-stick layer, repeat the steps above.

How to season a cast iron pan on the stove

• Clean the pan: Wash the pan thoroughly with warm water and mild washing-up liquid. Scrub away any rust or dirt.
• Dry the pan: Dry the pan thoroughly with a clean cloth or kitchen paper.
• Apply oil: Rub a thin layer of vegetable oil or melted lard over the inside and outside of the pan. Make sure the entire surface is evenly coated.
• Heat the pan: Heat the oiled pan over a low heat for around 10 minutes. Turn the pan regularly to ensure all surfaces are heated evenly.
• Allow to cool and repeat if necessary: Remove the pan from the heat and allow it to cool completely. Repeat the steps above if desired.

Caring for your cast iron pan after seasoning

Your cast iron pan is now seasoned and ready to use. Proper care will help maintain the seasoning and keep the pan in good condition for years to come. Here are a few useful tips:

• Clean the pan with warm water: Avoid washing-up liquid unless absolutely necessary. Warm water and a soft brush are usually enough to clean the pan.
• Dry the pan thoroughly: Make sure the pan is completely dry before storing it. This helps prevent rust.
• Apply a thin layer of oil after use: After each use, rub a thin layer of oil over the inside and outside of the pan. This helps maintain the natural non-stick layer and protects the pan against rust.

Use cast iron frying pans for winter recipes

A cast iron casserole is ideal for making various winter dishes. Due to the thick material, the heat remains in the pan for a long time and you can put the pan on top of the fire for hours for a slowly cooked stew, a tasty lasagna or a homemade soup. In addition, you can provide the cast iron pans with a seasoning / conditioner, which protects the cast iron against rusting.

Because cast iron is a thick material and is very resistant to high temperatures, you can also place a cast iron casserole directly in or above the fire. For example, if you are at the campsite or if you also like cooking outside in winter, you can also make delicious dishes in winter by means of a tripod and a fire bowl.

Winter dishes from the cast-iron skillet

• Nachos with melted and minced meat
• Goulash with potato and paprika
• Cinnamon rolls with glaze
• Lasagne with tomato sauce and Italian herbs

Use nature in your winter dishes

When you go into the forest you will find many nice things to use. Always consult the internet or a ranger whether a particular nut is safe to eat. You can take chestnuts with you and make a chestnut puree. Or draw a delicious tea from nettles.

You can also find many nuts in the forest. Beech nuts can be roasted and used in a cake, make it into a muesli bar or use the nuts in a wok dish.

Make warm stews and soups

You can easily make a stew, with or without meat, in a robust cast iron casserole. Simmer the meat and / or vegetables until they are soft. Use winter vegetables such as pumpkin, potato, mushrooms or parsnip. These flavors immediately give a warm feeling and are very tasty with stewed meat. In a cast iron casserole, the heat will be constant and you can hang the pan over the heat for hours to make a deliciously tasteful stew.

Baking on the plancha

Many of the above vegetables such as pumpkin, potato or eggplant are also easy to prepare on a barbecue. Thinly slice the vegetables for an even and fast garing. With a plancha baking tray you can grill the vegetables without a heavy smoke flavor. And simply make a hot lunch with sandwiches using the Bacon Press for a perfect panini.

Cooking outside in winter

With a warming fire from the fire bowl and the right cast iron pans, you can also prepare the tastiest dishes outside in winter. How nice is it to light the fire bowl on a beautiful winter day and make a tasty soup with a tripod and Dutch Oven? And with a fire bowl you can sit outside all winter around the fire. More inspiring winter pictures and recipes can be found on our Pinterest page.