You can use a cast iron for just about any cooking task: bake a cake, sear a fillet, roast or fry a chicken, fry potatoes, stew chili (or stew stews - pun intended!), stir-fry vegetables, etc. Just be sure to always preheat your cast iron piece before adding the food you want to cook, and also remember you can begin your recipe on the stove-top, and then move it to the oven to finish. The possibilities are really endless.

For some recipes you'll probably want to use a particular cast iron piece, i.e., if you're making scones, corn sticks or waffles. But for most other dishes you'll be able to use a Dutch oven, griddle, or just a simple cast iron skillet - you'd be surprised how many dishes you can make in just one skillet! I say this because the market has so many wonderful cast iron pieces available today, it may seem overwhelming, and you may not be sure which piece to start off with. I would say that a 10-inch or 12-inch skillet would be perfect for starting to cook in cast iron if it's new to you.

Apple Bake

2 large baking apples; peeled and cored
3 tbsp. butter
1/4 cup quick rolled oats
1/4 to 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
Ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Slice apples into thick slices.

In your cast iron skillet (a 10-inch skillet works really well for this recipe), either in your oven or on your stove-top, melt butter. Layer apple slices on top of the melted butter. Sprinkle with rolled oats, brown sugar and cinnamon.

Bake for approximately 20-30 minutes, or until apples are tender when poked with a fork or knife. This can be served warm or at room temperature. Serves 2.

Barbecue Baked Chicken

2 to 3 lbs. chicken parts, boned
1/4 cup butter - 1/2 stick
1/ cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup diced bell pepper
1/2 cup diced onion
1/4 cup vinegar
1 cup ketchup
1 bottle barbecue sauce

Melt butter in a cast iron Dutch oven; crumble brown sugar and add to melted butter. Add onions, pepper, vinegar and ketchup, and simmer for 5 minutes.

Remove from heat; combine with barbecue sauce, and pour over chicken. Bake covered for 30 minutes at 325 degrees F.

Uncover, baste and bake 30 minutes more; basting as needed. Raise temperature to 350 degrees F for the last 15 to 20 minutes; basting frequently.