The Cast Iron Skillet Cookbook: Recipes for the Best Pan in Your Kitchen

We got the book and I was thrilled!! I opened it up to poke through it before giving it as a present to my boyfriend and realized that they were all unique recipes with unique ingredients. It wasn’t just a common and “normal” cookbook. I was disappointed to be honest. I kept it and we’ll if there’s some good recipes in there, but like I said, I wasn’t thrilled with it.

I've always thought of cast iron cookware as too much trouble to bother with and way to heavy. I actually bought this book to help me come up with some ideas for my electric skillet! But - after reading her opening chapter on how to choose cast iron, how to season it, how to care for it I was hooked. I immediately went out to the local Ace hardware store and purchased my first cast iron skillet. That was a month ago. Thanks to the excellent writing, I no longer fear cast iron. I am confident about seasoning it (I never understood what that was for!), cleaning it, caring for it. Now for the good news - these ladies can cook! And - they can pass along that knowledge through the written word. I keep trying the recipes in this book and am enjoying them. And - because I'm no longer afraid of cast iron cookware, I'm not afraid to expirament on my own. LOL - I tossed out my old teflon coated crap and ordered two more lodge cookware pieces - all because of this book. Be prepared to be amazed, as this amazing cookbook takes you from simple food done well to gourmet food. From breakfast through dinner and dessert. The book also has an excellent list of sources at the end of the book for cookware, special ingredients, etc. To the authors - a huge thank you from a recent cast iron convert. To you who might be considering this book - the recipes are wonderful. You could make them in any skillet it's just that after reading it you'll understand why cast iron can really make a difference in your cooking. At last - I finally understand why my mothers treasured possession is a 100 year old cast iron skillet that belonged to her grandmother! HAPPY COOKING ONE AND ALL

The Chicken with Calvados and Apples was delicious. I made it along with the Rosemary Roasted potatoes, and it was an excellent dinner enjoyed by my girlfriend and I. The recipes are simple to create, clearly written, ingredients are readily available, and the flavors of the dishes are outstanding. You can certainly do these recipes using something other than cast iron, but the cast iron is part of the "fun".

If you've never owned an iron skillet, this book will make you want to run right out and buy one. I do own several iron skillets, so when I saw this book touted in the New York Times last winter, I knew I had to have it. I used two skillets for a double portion of the garlic roasted crab recipe, and the dish was the hit of a dinner party. Not to mention incredibly easy. What fun!