June 24, 2011
Cast Iron Or Teflon
Many people have wondered why southern food taste so great. There is no chicken like grandma use to fry. Many people believe this is because of the use of cast iron cookware. In studies it has been shown that using cast iron is a lot better for your health than the cookware made of Teflon. Cooking with cast iron cookware a person can get more iron in their diet and this has been known to build more red blood cells. Who would have thought that if you suffer from anemia that simple cookware can help.
Made in China over three thousand years ago, cast iron cookware can last a lifetime. It can be used on top of the stove or in the oven, this can not be done with the Teflon pans that are on the market today. Teflon can crack and peel and may be getting into the body when you cook food in it. It is also well known that the fumes put off from Teflon can kill birds that are family pets. This can make a person wonder what it is doing to them.
To season the cast iron cookware, it will need to be coated with a thin layer of oil or fat such as lard. Place foil in the oven and put the pan on it upside down for thirty minutes at a 300 degree Fahrenheit heated oven for 30 minutes. Pre-seasoned cookware is also available that can be used immediately after purchase. A person does not have to spend a fortune on cast iron cookware, you may have seen some in a thrift store or yard sale that may look like it can not be saved. With the right seasonings, any cast iron can be brought back to life.
With cast iron cookware, it does require more care than the Teflon but it is worth it in the end when you taste how much better the food will be. Do not place the cast iron in the dishwasher and if it does start to develop rust it can be cleaned with a scouring pad and re-seasoned.
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