Also by Joanna Pruess: The Supermarket Epicure: The Cookbook for Gourmet Food at Supermarket Prices D’Artagnan’s Glorious Game Cookbook Eat Tea/Tea Cuisine: A New Approach to Flavoring Contemporary and Traditional Dishes Supermarket Confidential: The Secrets of One-Stop Shopping for Delicious Meals Soup for Every Body: Low Carb, High Protein, Vegetarian and More Fiamma: The Essence of Contemporary Italian Cooking (with Michael White) Seduced by Bacon: Recipes and Lore about America’s Favorite Indulgence Mod Mex: Cooking Vibrant Fiesta Flavors at Home (with Scott Linquist) Cast Iron Cookbook: Delicious and Simple Comfort Food Copyright © 2014 by Joanna Pruess Photography copyright © 2009, 2014 by Battman All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of the publisher, except in he case of brief excerpts in critical reviews or articles. All inquiries should be addressed to Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018. Skyhorse Publishing books may be purchased in bulk at special discounts for sales promotion, corporate gifts, fund-raising, or educational purposes. Special editions can also be created to specifications. For details, contact the Special Sales Department, Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018 or [email protected] www.skyhorsepublishing.com Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file. ISBN 978-1-62914-324-8 All photography by Battman, except for istockphoto images on pages 115, 189, and 190 and shutterstock on page 214. Printed in China To Nicole, Ben, and Justin: You are, as always, my source of pride and inspiration. And for my late mother, Harriet Rubens, who worked very hard to remember those recipes from so long ago. “One is considered fortunate nowadays if by chance one of these iron utensils is handed down to them from the second to the third generation.” —Aunt Ellen CONTENTS Acknowledgments Introduction Cleaning & Seasoning Cast-Iron Cookware About Aunt Ellen LUNCHEON & OTHER NIBBLES Mom’s Mac and Cheese Provençal Onion, Tomato, and Olive Tart My Favorite Deep-Dish Vegetarian Pizza Swiss Cheese and Apple Frittata Huevos Rancheros Croque Monsieur Spanish Quesadillas Asian Quesadillas VEGETABLES & OTHER SIDES Mini Cast-Iron Skillet Cornbread Sweet and Tangy Glazed Carrots with Cranberries Glazed Butternut Squash Zucchini Pancakes Brussels Sprouts in Olive Oil with Pistachios Oven-Roasted Asparagus with Macadamia Nuts Cheesy Stone-Ground Grits Blazin’ Baked Beans MAIN COURSES Savory Mushroom, Spinach, and Feta Bread Pudding Moroccan Vegetable Stew with Chermoula Easy Shepherd’s Pie Mexican Mac and Cheese Crustless Zucchini, Mushroom, and Gruyère Cheese Quiche for Two Kale, Chickpeas, Yam, Feta, and Couscous Stuffed Peppers Vegetarian Fajitas DESSERTS Raspberry-Blackberry Crisp Plum Clafoutis Ginger-Spice-Topped Peach Cobbler Apple-Cherry Tarte Tatin German-Style Apple Pancake Tuscan Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Chocolate Chunk-Pecan Cookie Sundaes with Salted Caramel Sauce Chocolate Omelet Soufflé SAUCES & STOCKS Red Pepper–Yogurt Sauce Cucumber-Yogurt-Mint Sauce Salted Caramel Sauce Vegetable Stock APPENDIX Cast-Iron FAQs Glossary About the Contributors