Cover Image: Not Your Mother's Cast Iron Skillet Cookbook

Not Your Mother's Cast Iron Skillet Cookbook

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

This book is packed with delicious recipes, and it has inspired me to increase my collection of cast iron skillets. I want to try each recipe for breakfast foods, but I was surprised by the number of recipes for dinners, snacks, and desserts I found appealing, too. I appreciate the good index at the end, also. Perhaps I would like to see more photos of the food in the recipes, but that’s a minor caveat in the context of so many delicious recipes. I can hardly wait to get a printed copy of the book so I can keep it and cook from it.

Was this review helpful?

There was a lot of useful information included in the book. Lots of good ideas on nice things to cook too

Was this review helpful?

This was a overwhelming read, which is odd to say as this is a cookbook. The cooking style is presented way too technical for my liking. The amount of different sized pans needed and fancy ingredients are unrealistic for a non-gourmet kitchen. Plus the lack of photographs always rates low on my cookbook ratings and reviews.

This would be more appreciated in a food lover's hands than mine,

Was this review helpful?

Not Your Mother's Cast Iron Skillet Cookbook tells about cast iron basics along with a lovely selection of recipes. Author Lucy Vaserfirer tells about how she fell in love with cast iron cookery, goes onto explain how to season your cast iron skillet, and describes various cooking techniques often associated with cast iron cooking. You will find the following recipes in her cookbook:

Homemade Sage Breakfast Sausage
Biscuits & Sausage Gravy
Furikake Potato Chips
Lucy's Ultimate Five-Cheese Stovetop Mac & Cheese
Chicken-Fried Biscuit Sandwiches
Bacon-Wrapped Pork Filets Mignons with Onions & Roasted Poblanos
Hamburger Steaks with Mushroom & Onion Gravy
Asparagus with Brown butter, Orange & Herbs
Almond Green Beans
Summer Squash Fries
Buttermilk Biscuits
Chocolate Buttermilk Skake with Ganache Frosting (A chocolate cake recipe)
Peach Shortcakes
Lucy's Seasoned Salt

Recommend.

Review written after downloading a galley from NetGalley.

Was this review helpful?

cooking, new-skills

Campers and reenactors wake up! Get your cast iron skillets out of the camp boxes and learn how to use them all year round!
Whether or not you've used cast iron for cooking before you will find a lot to learn and apply to your daily cooking experience. The beginning of the book will acquaint the reader with terms and necessities before getting into the recipes, some of which are suitable for historical reenactments.
So whether you hope to learn more about cooking with cast iron in the oven, stovetop, grill, or ala 18th century, this book is the very thing!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Quarto Publishing Group – Harvard Common Press via NetGalley.

Was this review helpful?

Not your mothers Cast Iron Cookbook
By: Lucy Vaserfirer

📚💕⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕📚

This was my first cookbook through Netgally and felt the need to give a truly non biased review. Let me start by saying I spent days reading and planning what would be my first meal cooked in a cast iron skillet. Needing to season and learn proper car of the skillet and cleaning and storage after cooking.

I received my first Cast Iron skillet for Christmas. Since I’d been planning and reading this great book and all it’s directions, suggestions and recipes so I’d planned some meals to cook. After spending several days cooking I can honestly say that this book is absolutely a fantastic read. Not only will you be able to follow along with simply put direction but you’ll also get recipes for the average person to enjoy. Highly recommend and the author writes with knowledge and know how.

Thanks Netgally for allowing me to read and review!!!

Was this review helpful?

I inherited a cast iron skillet from my grandmother and was excited to use it, but i had no idea where to start.
Then I received an ARC of Not Your Mother's Cat Iron Skillet. Lucy Vaserfirer gave me the instructors to maintain my skillet as well as the cooking theory i needed to know. The first 35 pages are welcome knowledge for my cooking arsenal.
I was amazed at the variety of recipes included. Vaserfirer includes diverse recipes fro a variety of cultures breaking you out from just the typical bacon an cornbread routine. Create Mexican Chorizo, Shakshuka, and Falafel along with typical favorite such as dutch babies and pork chops. I just wish that the book included more photos so I could understand what I am making.
Get out of your comfort zone, bringing out the cast iron skillet and get cooking.

Was this review helpful?

Being an avid collector (I've never seen so many) with many years of hard-earned experience, the author created a treasure trove of information for care, use and cooking with the immortal cast iron skillet. Careful instruction is given for each of the over 150 delicious recipes. In all their glory, sumptuous pictures highlight some of the mouth-watering finished masterpieces. Whether considering breaking the ice or improving upon your already honed skills for cast iron cookery, this invaluable cookbook comes highly recommended.

In recent years, the availability of cast iron skillets has made a tremendous comeback. Many are offered pre-seasoned, thereby, taking the guesswork out of the initial cooking process. A can't miss, many of the recommended tools and utensils are described with accompanying labeled pictures that clearly identify each. Countless cooking methods are described in detail that take their individual place in the order of preparing meals. Finally, careful maintenance of the skillets is provided so they will continue to provide many useful years in the kitchen.

I sent my thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group - Harvard Common Press for this digital edition in exchange for an unbiased review.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you Quarto Publishing Group – Harvard Common Press for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book has anything and everything you would ever want to know about cooking with cast iron. I found the background and information more interesting than the actual recipes. I learned how to strip an old nasty rusted cast pan and re-season it like new. However, I would have liked to see more pictures with the recipe portion of this book.

Was this review helpful?

There are some amazingly creative recipes in here and has opened my eyes to new ways of using a skillet. I had never heard of Dutch Babies (a bit like a large, sweet Yorkshire pudding), had not tried something as great as Corn Fry Cakes (adapted - see below) and hadn't ever thought it possible to do cookies or cakes in a skillet.

The instructions at the opening on how to season a skillet, what it can be used for and its benefits are set out in great detail.

I really appreciated the metric conversions here! So many books don't have these and it's a constant back-and-forth with a calculator.

The only reason I took one star off was because I like to have a picture for each recipe - I like to know what I'm aiming for. Having said that, the recipes are very detailed in their description so I haven't been too lost so far.

As a person who is gluten intolerant, I was able to easily adapt the recipes to suit me.

Was this review helpful?

This book offers plenty of tips and tricks, along with a bevy of recipes. There is a lot of info here that covers everything from care and cleaning of your cast iron cookware to tricks to get the best results. The book also has a large collection of recipes. Breakfast, main dishes, sauces, appetizers, side dishes and desserts are covered.

Was this review helpful?

There is nothing better than a well-seasoned cast iron pan! While I wasn't lucky enough to have had old cast iron passed down from previous generations, I have lucked into great deals on secondhand pieces and use mine almost daily. The author begins her book with her own story of using (and abusing) cast iron pans and learning to love them. The reader gets some history of cast iron, tips on what to look for when making secondhand purchases, recommendations for buying new, care and usage tips and of course, how to restore cast iron in need of reseasoning. Tips for cooking with cast iron are also included along with descriptions of the various cooking methods called for in the recipes. Then we get to the recipes...

Vaserfirer has divided recipes into eggs and breakfasts, starters and snacks, main dishes, sides, sweets and baked goods and spices and sauces. As someone who chooses a vegan diet, I knew going in that the majority of the recipes wouldn't be of any use to me and this is certainly the case. Not the fault of the author at all. I was actually pleasantly surprised to see several recipes lacking animal ingredients - falafel (minus the yogurt dipping sauce) and many of the sides (some with easy substitutions ie vegan butter). This is not a vegan or vegetarian cookbook however and most recipes do contain meat of some kind, dairy or eggs. The main dishes are all very heavy on meat. The sweets nearly all contain dairy and/or eggs. Again, not surprising, just wanting to point this out for the veg*ns who might be curious how useful this cookbook would be for them.

Overall, for many cooks, I think this would be a good reference, but for those not looking to base every meal around meat, this would be a pass. The information on cast iron in the beginning however would be handy for anyone.

Thank you to Quarto Publishing Group – Harvard Common Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

In a recipe, I never thought I would read a 'Recommended Skillet'. Well, the reason is that would mean, that there are many choices available in size (I didnt know that before). Author Lucy Vaserfirer of 'Not your Mother's Cast Iron Skillet Cookbook' spends a good 10% of the book in introducing the CI (Cast Iron) skillet to novices. There must be many readers who have CI, MIA form cooking but hiding in the pantry. My hand is raised. Its because, I read something about seasoning. I didnt believe the wiping it in oil part after cleaning, even though that is how non CI pans seem to look after an ineffectual wash with the dish soap. Still, I never got the courage to cook with CI.
This book might change it all. Vaserfirer starts off her missteps with her two first CI skillets and the story ends up with a rack full of various CI skillets. Who knew they were collectibles? Her passion for all things skillet is infectious and will rub on you.
Looking through the recipes, I realised that Chinese Flaky pancakes (Mixing the dough with chopsticks) are similar to Laccha paratha. Garlic rubbed Heirloom Tomato Melts. Did that do something to you? Spaghetti frittata - What a great way to spruce up leftovers? Skizza. Figure it out Einsteins.. Since things cook differently in a CI skilet, it is wonderful to look at all the pictures to. Can I make a flag out of those Elotes?

PS: Inside out Grilled Cheese Sandwich.

Was this review helpful?

Using this traditional pan, you'll cook up a slew of wonderful dishes from this book.

It starts with a wonderful guide to buying, seasoning, and using cast iron. If you are new to them, this section is a must to get you started right.

The recipes follow in chapters arranged by meals or courses. By far the longest chapter in on main dishes. I love that because there are so many wonderful choices. The recipes are inspired by cuisines around the world. Where ingredients are exotic, there are suggestions for where to find them, including a resources section at the back of the book.

Every recipe includes, along with the usual stuff, the recommended size of skillet and the cooking method used. In addition many recipes have variations to suggestions for alternative meats.

I'm ready to run off and make dish from here for dinner tonight!

Was this review helpful?

I did not realise how versatile a skillet is. I will definitely be trying out some of these recipes. I really like the idea of cooking chicken dishes in a skillet. The book is beautifully presented and explains each cooking technique. The technique to use for each recipe is given along with clear instructions. I will really enjoy working my way through this cookbook.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Was this review helpful?

Not Your Mother's Cast Iron Skillet Cookbook by Lucy Vaserfirer is a great cookbook for those that love cast iron or have a cast iron skillet passed down through generations and don't know what to cook in it. The book covers how to clean up an old rusty pan, how to season a cast iron pan, how to maintain your pan as well as how to clean and store your skillet.
The author's recipes are like a trip around the world. There are breakfasts, sides, main dishes and sweets. There are spicy, savory and sweet recipes. This is a definite must have for those who want to use their cast iron skillets. I highly recommend this cookbook.
I would like to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for a ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Probably everyone has at least one cast iron skillet n their kitchen. Honestly, i had to look for mine when i was reading this book to try a few recipes out. I am a novice cook at best, but the author's detailed instructions, including pan size, temperature to cook at and what oils are best with which food and even the burner size to use for your pan is beyond what i expected to learn. I think cast iron is intimidating and it was easier to use nonstick pans but i am glad i read this and tried a few of the recipes. I always knew cornbread was best when baked in cast iron but the recipes included in this book is surprising. I would recommend to anyone old enough and who likes to cook. Try it, it's great.

I was given an arc for an honest review. The opinion is my own.

Was this review helpful?

The meal to cook with the Cast Iron Skillet is "very American" if you catch my drift, still there are some "international" recipes as well.

I piatti descritti sono decisamente "molto americani" se avete presente cosa intendo, ciononostante ce ne sono alcuni leggermente "piú internazionali.

THANKS TO NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!

Was this review helpful?

This cookbook has a wide range of recipes for all areas of cooking - appetizers, mains, desserts. It also includes a detailed section on the history of cast iron cooking, use and care of cast iron, recommendations for pans and utensils, and how to cook in cast iron. I love my cast iron pans and the meals I prepare in them. It's a great method of cooking! So I appreciated the detail the author went to to get others to love their cast iron. Many of the recipes, however, didn't appeal to me personally. Nothing against the author or the book, but for my tastes, they just wouldn't be meals I would cook. I also prefer for my cookbooks to have photos of every dish. Again, a personal preference. The recipes were easy to follow and written with enough detail that even the newest cook can successfully make them. So if the meals and ingredients appeal to you, this is a great book for either cast iron pros, or newbies to cast iron cooking.

Was this review helpful?

I read a lot of book where they cook using a cast iron skillet and i was curious.
This is a great book, it explains how to use an iron skillet and full of recipes and great images.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Quarto Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC

Was this review helpful?