Just like every person – every kitchen is different. Whether you cook because you love it, or because you prefer it over eating out everyone has an individual swagger in the kitchen. I wanted to share a few things I’ve learned that are vital to my own prep and cook work. However, these are not hard and fast rules – they’re personal preferences so feel free to change things up for yourself and your own unique kitchen!
- Never underestimate the power and sheer brilliance of a cast iron skillet. I have many different sized cast iron skillets and I use them for almost everything. I don’t think the advantages of a good seasoned cast iron skillet can be over-valued. While you can buy pre-seasoned skillets I personally think seasoning your own is the way to go! *Connect with your skillet people, be one with the skillet* You may be asking yourself “Christina, why does a cast iron skillet make a difference? What benefit does it even add?” To which I will respond – EXCELLENT QUESTION:
- Clean up is easy and breezy – it takes less time than those shifty Teflon pans and there are no chemicals that can leach into your food.
- The goal of a properly seasoned cast iron skillet is to be able to rinse it out with hot water ONLY. Do not ever put soap in your cast iron – that eliminates any seasoning you’ve done!
- A properly seasoned cast iron skillet not only cooks more evenly – it also adds supreme flavor to everything you cook.
- Cast iron is oven safe, so if you’re cooking something that requires both stove and oven use you can just pop it right in.
- Clean up is easy and breezy – it takes less time than those shifty Teflon pans and there are no chemicals that can leach into your food.
- All of my recipes are tailored to my taste as well as my husbands. Pretty much with everything I cook, a lot of the spices and ingredients can be substituted for something you prefer or already have on hand. I’ll also be adding in “possible edits” to each recipe with some changes that may appeal to some readers.
- If you aren’t going to use cast iron – use stainless steel. I can’t tell you how much Teflon affects the flavor of your food! However, I do use Teflon pots and pans occasionally for quick and easy things (like boxed rice or pasta).
- Properly sharpened knives will change your life! Absolutely do not ever put them in the dishwasher – this is the fastest way to dull your blade.
- Enameled cast iron is a great substitute for Teflon! Cleaning is a breeze, there is no seasoning of the pot / pan required and it is oven safe! *also excellent for soups*
- My coworker and friend Brandy wants all you readers to know kitchen scissors are the most under utilized tool in the metaphorical tool shed that is known as the kitchen. I can’t say I disagree.
These are a few of my tried and true rules to live by in my kitchen! If you have any tried and true rules you live by in your kitchen feel free to drop me a note in the comments! I’m always looking for new ways to improve my kitchen game.
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