Something To Cook On A Cast Iron For A Group?

[BradNorthGA]

Hey all, this Sunday my wife & I are going to visit some friends who just moved to Atlanta. One of them is just getting into cooking, and talking to him I learned he didn't have a cast iron skillet yet. So we got him an 8" cast iron skillet as a housewarming gift to take down this weekend

I thought it would be fun to take down something to show him how to cook on it, as part of us making a few items of food. He doesn't have a grill, just standard oven+stove. At first I was thinking a steak; I can make a pretty decent ribeye on a cast iron. That might be a bit too little food though, because there's gonna be 5 people there. We will have other dishes so maybe it'd be fine, everyone could just have a little bit of steak with whatever stuff we'd fix

But I thought y'all might have some ideas as well. What's something simple I could show my friend (beginner chef) to do on the cast iron we got him, to share with 5 people along with other items we might make?

All advice appreciated!

[HawkerXP]

You make one, he makes one. Now you've got two steaks!

I hope he has a good exhaust fan.

[HawkerXP]

You could always check Craigslist for a decent used charcoal Weber for sale.

[BradNorthGA]

I'm seriously thinking about taking my cast iron as well, and doing two of them side-by-side. That'd work well anyways since I am wanting to also show him how to make stuff

[latenight71]

I'm a big fan of cube steaks on cast iron. they cook pretty quick so can let first batch rest while working the second. whip up some creamy mashed potatoes, gravy, grilled onions and a green of your choice and you're looking at some good eatin'!

[Attjack]

Cook a chicken.

https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/slow-roast-gochujang-chicken

[DavidNorcross]

Very nice..

[Panhead John]

Being only an 8” pan, cooking for 5 people might be a little bit of a challenge. Blackened catfish, Ribeyes or pork chops would be a good bet. I really like Louisiana Brand Blackened Seasoning. You can maybe fit 2 at a time in there, possibly. As mentioned above, have a good exhaust fan or open some windows. You could do one or two at a time and keep the cooked ones warm in the oven till everybody’s is done.

[rickgregory]

Yeah I think maybe a side dish. 5 people and an 8" pan doesnt really mix.

[Attjack]

Good point. Take the 8" back and get a 12" or 10" at a minimum.

[BradNorthGA]

Taking back the 8" to trade isn't an option at all, we couldn't do all that before Sunday

Whatever is gonna be cooked in the cast iron is only on of the dishes we'll make, so it's doable.

I am actually thinking about bringing my cast iron also and cooking with two of them side by side. Good for instruction purposes as well if I do it this way

[ecowper]

Shrimp Scampi ..... you are making the noodles in a different pot, so no need to overly worry about too small on the cast iron.

[BradNorthGA]

I've actually never made shrimp scampi but I'd love to try it out. Do you got a good recipe?

[Attjack]

You could certainly do it in a cast iron pan though I'm inclined to reach for a stainless pan for citrus dishes.

[ecowper]

Here’s a pretty good recipe. I just make it, don’t really have my own recipe written up.

https://www.cookingclassy.com/shrimp-scampi/

[Texas Larry]

How about a nice meaty smoked queso in that new iron?

[ofelles]

2nd this one

[Mr. Bones]

3rd

[barelfly]

You could a small side, like roasted potatoes or Brussel sprouts. Easy to do, and adds to the overall meal. Or, a dessert, like a cobbler.

But if you go with the roasting veg, it also helps with the seasoning of the pan.

[DavidNorcross]

I would vote for chicken thighs..

[Greygoose]

Jalapeño corn bread,,,

[Mr. Bones]

Good call, an a favourite here...sometimes I also adds me in some sharp cheddar...

[jfmorris]

An 8" skillet is fine cooking for 1, maybe 2 folks at the most. I think it might be a decent size for a skillet corn bread in the oven, but for steaks and chops, limited to 1 or maybe 2 at a time. I can think of a lot of 1 skillet meals, but most of it requires a 10-12 inch skillet.

Basically, an 8" CI skillet is useful for anything you would use any 8" skillet for. I use that size mostly for eggs and omelets.

How about this - a pan pizza? I do a really good pizza in a 12" Lodge. Or smash burgers? You ought to be able to do a couple burgers at a time in that thing. Hopefully this will be his gateway to more CI.

[jfmorris]

Just popped into my head. The best thing that you could do with an 8" skillet is make skillet queso. It's a nice, shareable dish, and easy to make.

Lodge has a recipe: https://www.lodgecastiron.com/recipe/quick-cheese-dip

Here is a page that has 17 skillet dip recipes: https://www.wideopeneats.com/17-dips...-iron-skillet/

I think you could spice it up by browning and cooking maybe a 1/2 pound or so of sausage or seasoned ground beef in the skillet, drain, then start mixing in the cheese and other ingredients.

[BradNorthGA]

Really liking this idea actually

[BradNorthGA]

Hey everyone, thanks a ton for the advice. Thought about it some more, talked to the wife and decided to go with the cast iron queso. This is perfect since we are gonna be watching a ball game down there with them anyways

[ecowper]

great idea

[USMCCrashCrew89]

Another outside the box recipe I’ve done that shows off versatility is baking in a cast iron skillet. I’ve made this M&M Chocolate Chip Cookie and it turns out fantastic.

https://www.lordbyronskitchen.com/mm-chocolate-chip-skillet-cookie/

[Jim White]

A frittata the next morning gives a good demonstration of the stovetop to oven transition cast iron does so well.

[grantgallagher]

Thats exactly what i was going to say.