"The cast-iron skillet, that sturdy, versatile, traditional kitchen workhorse, is being rediscovered by today's savvy home cooks. It is an essential multitasker that 85% of us own but far fewer of us reach for daily, mostly because we have one or two recipes we use it for and that's it. Enter the experts at America's Test Kitchen, who have perfected the classic dishes everyone knows and loves (steak, perfect fried eggs, cornbread) but have also developed 120 surprising, and inspiring recipes (skillet apple pie, pizza, cinnamon swirl bread) that will move your cast iron to the front of the cabinet."
Publishers Weekly,The editors of Cook's Country undertake a comprehensive exploration of the classic cast iron skillet, as well as the panoply of meals it can provide. Ten different skillets are evaluated by their expert staff, who also offer instructions on proper care and maintenance, plus a list of cast iron myths that they have effectively busted (yes, it's okay to use a couple of drops of dish soap on a well-seasoned pan). Eight chapters of recipes showcase the flexibility of using cast iron, both on the stove top and in the oven or broiler. It replaces the deep fryer in a fried chicken recipe that requires only one-third of the amount of oil normally required. It mocks a panini press if a heavy Dutch oven is set on top of the sandwich as it cooks. It works like a pizza stone for a crisp and, of course, perfectly rounded margherita pie. And it even serves as a fondue pot in a recipe that employs beer, cheddar, and a dash of cayenne. Cast iron retains heat better than aluminum or stainless steel, so the loaded beef nachos stay hot when served straight from the skillet. A chapter on searing shows how to put the proper char on scallops and cowboy steaks, and the bread and biscuit recipes will encourage readers to leave the bread maker on its shelf. (Feb.) ��� Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
