Easy Sausage Gravy and Biscuits.

This was my first attempt so if anyone has suggestions please comment.

I started with an oiled cast iron skillet on medium heat.

Then I browned 1 lb of country sausage.

Like this......

Next add 3 Tablespoons of flour. Do not drain grease!!!

Stir in flour.

Add 2 cups of whole milk

Add Pepper and salt to you liking and I used a splash of Worcestershire sauce

Stir and let simmer until it thickens. Add more milk and simmer to desired thickness

Pour Over Hot biscuits and Enjoy!!!

I used a 15" Cast Iron Skillet Available here..

UPDATE!!!! I tried my hand at baking some beer bread. It was awesome, i replaced my biscuits and served this over the beer bread.

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Lead in Cast Iron?? No.

I hear this all the time. Don't buy anything but American cast iron that Asian junk has lead in it.

Let's start here...Iron melts at 2768 degrees Fahrenheit. Lead melts at 621.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Follow where this is going?

I agree and love my American cast iron pieces. However I do own several pieces that were forged in China and they do perform very well. I also have a Japanese piece and one that is from Korea. The six inch Skillet that is made in Korea is my favorite piece.

The only time lead could be an issue is if you purchased a used piece that was used to melt lead, which was a common practice. So here it comes, is it possible that foreign cast iron that is brand new is actually safer than buying at a thrift store?

I'm also not lucky enough to walk into a flea market and find a rare piece dirt cheap. So I will continue to buy whatever I like where ever it's made.

It's your money and your decision. I'm probably going to get a lot of heat(no pun intended) for writing this but I'm tired of the "Experts" spreading misconceptions about cast iron.

Lead Test Kit

Cast Iron Myths

Myths About Cast Iron Care and Selection.

I can't count how many times I have seen the same questions concerning cast iron care and seasoning. 

Have I ruined my pan? How do you season?

What do you use to season? How do you clean cast iron?

There is no rules for cast iron that are set in stone. I have seen many different methods.

Let's start with seasoning. I use Extra Virgin Olive Oil. I have see people use Crisco, Vegetable Oil, Coconut Oil and purchased products that claim to be seasoning oil. It's all about what works for you. Some oils work better at lower temperatures like coconut oil. If it's preseasoned when you cook you will probably still want to ad some oil. After you have cooked and cleaned your pan you will want to dry it thoroughly and put a coat of oil and be ready for the next use.

That brings me to cleaning, I have seen everything!!! I fill my cast iron pan with hot water and use a plastic dish brush to scrub.(Buy one for cast iron only) I have heard people using salt and a potato that has been cut to do the scrubbing. Worst case is that you have made a mess of your pan and have to use steel wool and reseason. Simply scrub the pan and wash and dry it. Recoat with your preferred oil and place in the oven over a cookie sheet to catch drippings and bake it for an hour. Let cool remove the pan and again recoat with preferred oil.

Unless you break or crack your cast iron they are nearly impossible to destroy. So have fun with it.
Cast Iron is a great investment, if well maintained your grandchildren may be using the same pan long after you are gone.

Lodge is my preferred brand, but there are many old pans in need of some TLC out there if you are looking to buy a new pan here is a great place to start. Cast Iron Skillet

Please feel free to comment and let me know what topics you would like to see covered.

Thank You,

Christopher Rhoda
cmapncook.weebly.com

Lodge Cast Iron for Beginners

A great Company if you are starting with cast iron. The Lodge Brand comes pre-seasoned and with a set of instructions how to use and care for your cast iron.

They have many different pieces including dutch ovens, muffin pans, woks, skillets and flat griddles. They are made in the U.S.A.

A Lodge 8 Quart Dutch Oven is the first piece of cast iron I purchased and still my go to pan for camping.

The great part is you can use your cast iron over fire, charcoal or bring it inside. I never run out of ideas of what to cook on cast iron and there are many groups on facebook dedicated to this hobby.

Here is a link to an excellent beginner piece Lodge Skillet.