The Encyclopedia of Cast Iron: Over 350 Recipes for the Cast Iron Connoisseur

by Cider Mill Press

Unlock the full potential of your cast iron cookware with The Encyclopedia of Cast Iron. This ultimate guide features 350 delicious and diverse recipes designed specifically for cooking in cast iron.

Savor the unique flavors and textures that only cast iron can bring to your meals. From mouthwatering seared steaks and crispy fried chicken to fluffy Dutch baby pancakes and decadent skillet cookies, this cookbook has something to satisfy every palate and occasion. Whether you're a seasoned cast iron enthusiast or a first timer, these easy-to-follow recipes will ensure you get the most out of your cookware.

Inside you'll find:

• Over 350 recipes for appetizers, entrees, desserts, and more
• Stunning full-color photography
• Care tips for your cast iron

The Encyclopedia of Cast Iron is more than just a cookbook--it's a resource on how to care for and maintain your cast iron pans. Learn how to season your pans, preserve their nonstick surface, troubleshoot common issues, and more. With this book, you'll become a master of cast iron cooking in no time.

• ISBN10: 140034462X
• ISBN13: 9781400344628
• Publish Date: 16 January 2025 (first published 12 November 2024)
• Publish Status: Forthcoming
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Cider Mill Press Book Publishers LLC
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 560
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

The Encyclopedia of Cast Iron is a huge comprehensive resource with recipes for -everything- cast iron and part of a series a encyclopedia kitchen resources from the same publisher. Due out 12th November 2024 from Cider Mill Press, it's a solid 560 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. 

This is a no-frills, utilitarian collection with a huge range of recipes and written specifically for cast iron utensils. There's not much introduction about care, maintenance, use, or selection of cookware before jumping into the recipes directly. For selection and usage/maintenance, consult another source (or the myriad youtube videos available).

The recipes are arranged thematically: breakfast, breads & flatbreads, vegetables, beef veal lamb pork & rabbit, poultry, seafood, and desserts. Each recipe includes a bullet list of ingredients in a sidebar, yields, prep times, and step-by-step instructions. Recipe ingredients are given with imperial (American) units. There's an abbreviated metric conversion chart in the appendices. Most ingredients will be easy to find at any well stocked grocery store in North America. Nutritional info is not included. 

The recipes are good, basic, casual family style recipes, but it was nice to see a wide range of culinary influences (Asian, European, South American, TexMex, Middle Eastern) and not just "American" standards. The author/publisher have also included sauces and partial ingredients in the last chapter which are featured in the recipes (including a good one for sourdough starter, and a couple more for salsa, pico de gallo, etc.). 

Graphically it's simple but appealing. About 20% of the recipes are accompanied by one or more color photos. There is a cross referenced index (absolutely necessary with a book of this size).

Five stars. This is a well written reference, and will be a flagship go-to in the kitchen library. It would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition as well as for home use, smallholders, and cooking aficionados. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.