Cast Iron Chronicles: Black Beans and Rice

This Florida girl really feels sorry for non-Floridians who have never eaten Cuban food. Ropa vieja, lechón asado with lots of garlic, boliche, empanadas, maduros, dulce de leche, and, of course, pressed Cuban sandwiches with a side of black beans and rice. Although South Florida is best known for its vibrant Cuban community, we have pockets here and there in Central Florida and some excellent...
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Cast Iron Chronicles: Greek Pasta

One thing about keeping your cast iron handy is that it’s suddenly easier to make dinner. Here’s a dish that takes two pans and about a half an hour. Plus, it’s vegetarian! This a great one to fix if you’re incorporating Meatless Mondays into your routine and you’re too tired to think about cooking anything complicated. Greek Pasta 1 lb. penne pasta 1 can cannellini...
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Cast Iron Chronicles: Rescue

Despite growing up in a very Southern household, I never developed an affinity for cast iron cookware. (Don’t revoke my Southern card just yet.) My mother, like many women who married in the ’60s, received a full set of Revere Ware, so most of my childhood kitchen memories involve copper-bottomed steel rather than iron. My grandmothers used iron in the usual ways–to fry chicken...
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