Heavy Metal Dreams

Oh, I am le tired. ( If you haven't seen it already, you are way behind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2f8grWE7AOw )

But I come to tell you of the joy of cast iron before I sleeps alls nights.

Cast iron is cheap to buy, compared to any other skillet you'll have for your entire life. It requires no batteries, almost never needs a real washing, is a great weapon for those paranoid first-night-in-the-new-place willies, can go from stove to oven to stove without worrying about plastic or wood handles, adds nutrients to your food, makes great homemade tortillas, can press your tofu or Cuban-ish sandwich, makes crepes, makes perfect hash browns, sears a crust like it means it, gently keeps food warm long after the flame is gone, pops popcorn, sautés, braises, fries/frys/stir-fries, boils, steams, crushes, mashes, splits, and if that isn't enough, looks more like you really cook than all that shiny metal appliance crap you keep lusting after. (No one needs a shiny metal trashcan that shows every speck of dirt, every fingerprint, every curious dog/cat nose/paw print, etc. Really. Unless you like to torture your scullery maid from a distance, do not buy that monstrosity.)

Please, beg your elderly family members to will a cast iron skillet to you and teach you how to care for it before it becomes yours. Or go to a yard sale. Or shell out less than twenty smackers for a new Lodge. Care for it properly, and some young whippersnapper will beg you for it when you get close to your expiration date.