Cast iron cookware has been around for centuries and is considered one of the most durable types of cookware. Your grandmother knew the secret behind cooking with cast iron and so did her grandmother. That’s why grandma’s food always tasted oh sooooooo good. Cast iron cookware, traditional or enameled is a must have in the kitchen and is used by the most sought after chefs. After it’s heated, it holds heat which allows food to cook evenly and enhances the taste. Foods prepared using cast iron often taste like they were prepared by someone who knows their way around in the kitchen. So, if you need to impress those in laws or family members who often joke about your cooking abilities, or if your dish needs to be baked, sauteed, roasted, constantly stirred and even fried then using cast iron cookware is truly the way to go.

Enameled and traditional cast iron can be cleaned using soapy water (no harsh detergents) and a wire brush for hard to remove stains. To maintain its non-stick surface, traditional cast iron has to be seasoned which is an easy process not necessary until there are noticeable signs of rust or surface changes.

Did you know about the health benefits associated with cooking using cast iron cookware? Well, it’s true. Foods prepared using cast iron will allow small amounts of iron to enter the body which is a great benefit for those who have an iron deficiency. According to Dr. Oz, "People who regularly cook with cast iron are rarely deficient in iron." Aside from the great tasting food that you'll be happy to admit creating, this is another one of the good benefits of cooking with cast iron.

What are some of the best dishes to cook using cast iron cookware? Well, just about everything! Most people who own cast iron cookware usually don't cook with anything else. From fried apples to scrambled eggs to steak to fried tilapia. . . and the list of favorites goes on and on for even the pickiest eaters.

Cooking with cast iron cookware is a healthy way to gain a reputation as one of the most pallet pleasing cooks. Always a welcomed gift, it can be passed down from generation to generation.