Cast iron is one of the favorites among campers. It has been used for centuries and is a good go-to. Cast iron works well and lasts through being submerged into flames. And it is easy to clean when you are camping as it uses no soap and very little water.
There are all kinds of fun things you can make in your cast iron pans. And we recommend that you try different recipes as there are so many of them out there. Some are perfect for a delicious dessert. And, others make amazing main dishes.
Cooking with cast iron pans takes a bit of skill though. You need to know and understand how the pans work. And, it may take a few trials and errors to really figure it out. We recommend that you mess around at home with the pan to ensure that you can properly use it, Cast iron pans need to properly warm-up and this may take several minutes. They work because they provide a nice even heat.
So, for the first time using the pan, we recommend frying some eggs. Eggs are cheap, in case you don’t get this down the first time. We are assuming that your cast iron pan has already been seasoned and is ready to use.
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Frying Eggs
This may seem like a very simple recipe to start with, and it kind of is. But, frying eggs is a great place to learn. First, you need to get your pan hot, A preheated pan is a must for cast iron to work properly and prevent sticking. So, get the pan nice and hot. Getting the pan good and hot may take a few minutes. And, by a few, we mean at least five, so grab some patience while you prepare to make some eggs in your cast iron pan.
Once the pan is hot, add some butter and follow that up with the eggs. Don’t be shy with the butter, as this too will keep the eggs from sticking to the pan, which is important. Let them cook thoroughly before trying to flip them. It might take a few tries to get the timing correct, but you can do it. That is why working with eggs is a great start. They are not expensive and you can try, try, and try again if you need to.
When cleaning a cast iron pan you will not use detergents. Soak it in water and use sea salt to scrub off any remaining food. When it is clean, be sure to let it dry completely and then rub it with a thin layer of oil and store it in newspapers that are stuffed into a pillowcase.
Dutch Oven Nachos
Dutch oven nachos are pretty easy to make and a favorite.
The key to making nachos in your cast iron dutch oven is getting the dutch oven nice and hot by submerging it into the hot coals and embers. Fill the oven with the nacho layers of beans, salsa, chips, and cheese.
The key here is layers. Be sure that you have some liquid at the bottom which could come from the beans or salsa to prevent sticking. Heat up until the cheese melts. This doesn’t take long and it is is always a winner.
