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CNET
4 days ago
- General
- CNET
These 4 Foods Are Secretly Destroying Your Cast‑Iron Skillet
Cast iron is one of the most dependable tools in any kitchen. It heats evenly, lasts for decades, and actually improves the more you use it -- as long as you treat it with care. But even the most seasoned skillet has its weak points. Certain foods can wear down that glossy nonstick layer you've spent years building, especially if they sit in the pan too long. A quick sauté won't hurt, but simmering the wrong ingredients for too long can cause real damage. If you want your cast iron to stay slick, strong, and ready for anything, here are a few foods you should think twice about leaving in the pan. To ensure we're not sabotaging our own pots and pans, I asked Eric Rowse, lead chef instructor of Culinary Arts at the Institute of Culinary Education, to share tips for using the cult-favorite cookware and which foods might cause permanent damage. To keep your cast iron slick, smooth and worthy of its place on the stovetop throne, here are four foods you should never cook in a cast-iron skillet 4 foods that can ruin cast-iron cookware According to Rowse, you can technically cook anything in cast iron -- even fish and eggs -- but some foods react poorly to cast iron if not done properly, leading to surface decay or food with a metallic taste. 1. Tomatoes It's OK to cook acidic foods such as tomatoes and vinegar in your cast-iron pan but letting them sit for long periods can eat away at the seasoning. istetiana/Getty Images "Highly acidic foods, such as tomato and tomato-based dishes, can be problematic on raw iron, poorly or underseasoned cast iron," Rowse says. "Cooking these foods in neglected cast iron can lead to a metallic taste in the food. If the pan is well seasoned and cleaned out after each use, it isn't a problem." To be safe, cook some bacon in your skillet afterward to give the seasoning extra protection. As a bonus, you'll have bacon on hand. What you don't want to do is leave the acidic food just sitting in the pan, which can eat away at the seasoning. 2. Vinegar Most BBQ sauces have a fair amount of vinegar that can damage your cast-iron cookware. CNET For the same reason as tomatoes, vinegar can eat away at a seasoned cast-iron skillet, sending you back to square one. Vinegar-based foods like adobo or Carolina-style barbecue sauce are good examples of acidic foods that shouldn't sit in a cast-iron pan for long. If you do use vinegar in a recipe and cook it in cast-iron, be sure to clean the pan immediately afterward with hot water and salt or a small dash of gentle dish soap. Read more: Clean Your Cast Iron Skillet Easily With This Common Kitchen Staple 3. Citrus Avoid cooking citrus-based sauces in your cast-iron cookware for long periods. Géza Bálint Ujvárosi/EyeEm/Getty Images While there may not be a ton of reasons to put citrus in a cast-iron skillet, certain recipes call for a fair amount of lemon or lime juice. A squeeze of lemon at the end probably won't destroy your cast-iron pan but don't let citrus juice simmer inside of it for long or your precious patina won't survive the night. 4. Wine-based sauces Red wine is great to add into stews and red meat dishes. fermate/Getty Images Cooking with wine is almost always a good idea. In fact, we have a list of recipes that thrive with a few ounces of red or white. But letting acid-heavy wine braise or simmer in a cast-iron pot or pan for too long could cause the slick patina to erode, leaving you with an unseasoned skillet that food will stick to. Can you cook eggs in cast iron? A properly seasoned cast-iron skillet can cook eggs without issue. Getty Images While they won't damage your pan, eggs are tricky to pan-fry without having a sticky mess to deal with after. Cast-iron cookware isn't as nonstick as chemically coated pans but it's still a fine candidate for scrambling or frying the morning staple. "I love cooking eggs in cast iron," Rowse told us. "I have a small 5-inch one that I cook fried eggs in. Cast iron is able to get super-hot, and precise control is harder because it retains heat for longer, and therefore it is more difficult to make small adjustments to the temperature." What about fish? I heat my prepared meals up in a skillet or air fryer if I'm home. David Watsky/CNET Likewise, many varieties of fish are flaky and tend to stick to surfaces if not managed properly. If your cast-iron's patina isn't properly slicked or is too hot when the fish goes down, you may end up scraping half of your halibut from the bottom of the pan. How to avoid a cast-iron cooking conundrum Properly seasoning your cast iron will keep foods such as fish and eggs from sticking. Tyler Lizenby/CNET First and foremost, you'll want to properly season so you can cook even the stickiest foods without worry. When cooking acidic foods in cast iron, avoid slow-braising or simmering on the stovetop for long periods. When the food is finished cooking, remove it and wash your cast-iron pan immediately with hot water, a drop of dish soap and a sprinkling of kitchen salt for extra stuck-on foods. And if you're not sure, choose an acid-safe piece of cookware like an enameled Dutch oven or stainless-steel skillet.


Newsweek
03-07-2025
- Newsweek
Best Small City for Foodies
Asheville, NC Photo courtesy of Explore Asheville Photo courtesy of Explore Asheville Self-proclaimed as Foodtopia, Asheville's food scene has an eclectic mix of restaurants that highlight the city's bohemian, Southern charm. Farm-to-table spots like Posana source ingredients from the lush gardens that surround this mountain city, and hospitality has never been higher than at Cúrate, recognized by the James Beard Foundation for its warm, attentive service. Beer and BBQ fill many corners, too, with local brews and Carolina-style roasted meats. Bozeman, MT Photo courtesy of DianeBentleyRaymond/iStock by Getty Images Photo courtesy of DianeBentleyRaymond/iStock by Getty Images People who love to explore the outdoors flock to Bozeman for its rugged beauty, only to realize that its restaurant scene is equally as enchanting. Before heading out on a hike, swing by Wild Crumb for a flaky croissant to fuel your adventures; when you return, a pint and a bite—try the local, pasture-raised burger—from Montana Ale Works satisfies the appetite you built on the trail. Burlington, VT Photo courtesy of Julia Potapoff/iStock by Getty Images Photo courtesy of Julia Potapoff/iStock by Getty Images Known for its craft beer and delicious cheeses, Burlington enjoys a lakeside location close to farms that supply its restaurants with seasonal ingredients, inspiring a range of flavors. You can share small Mediterranean plates at Honey Road or indulge in a cheeseboard with a beer from one of the 30 draft lines at The Farm House Tap & Grill. Don't leave without trying Vermont's famous creemee from Little Gordo. Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA Photo courtesy of Photo courtesy of Carmel-by-the-Sea boasts more restaurants per capita than other city in the country—that alone should pique any foodie's interest. But add on its enchanting oceanside village vibe with access to the freshest seafood and some of the best wine in America, and it quickly becomes an epicurean paradise. Even Michelin has taken notice, awarding its most coveted stars to restaurants like Chez Noir and Aubergine. Charlottesville, VA Photo courtesy of Charlottesville Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau Photo courtesy of Charlottesville Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau A bustling college town with historical roots and a strong agricultural presence, Charlottesville is constantly welcoming exciting new restaurants like Tangerines Kitchen while supporting mainstays like the 18th-century Michie Tavern. Of course, the wineries and cideries in and around the city are also a huge draw, and spots like Pippin Hill Farms, with its garden-to-table tapas, provide the chance to experience the area's best food and wine. Fredericksburg, TX Photo courtesy of DenisTangneyJr/iStock by Getty Images Photo courtesy of DenisTangneyJr/iStock by Getty Images You might not expect to stumble upon delicious European cuisine in the middle of the Lone Star State, but Fredericksburg has a rich German heritage that continues to influence this delightful Texas Hill Country city. Start your day at the Old German Bakery & Restaurant with a pancake dusted with powdered sugar, served with lemon wedges, and then savor a plate of wurst and sauerkraut from Otto's at dinner. Galena, IL Photo by Keren Roeglin on Unsplash Photo by Keren Roeglin on Unsplash For cozy bistros, global flavors and classic treats, consider a visit to Galena, an adorable city steeped in history. You can spend a day strolling down Main Street, stopping to try crazy popcorn flavors (like cherry cheesecake) from the Great American Popcorn Company before continuing on with your shopping to finally end at Fritz and Frites, an upscale café that'll make you feel like you're dining in Paris. Greenville, SC Photo courtesy of Sean Pavone/iStock by Getty Images Photo courtesy of Sean Pavone/iStock by Getty Images Ever since Greenville began revitalizing its downtown area, talented chefs and restaurateurs have been flocking to this burgeoning city to join its culinary community. Though anchored by its farm-fresh Southern fare at places like Soby's, this city's food scene is diverse, offering everything from dim sum and birria ramen to goat korma and gyros. Tack on coffee shops like Methodical and bakeries like Rise, and it's a no-brainer foodie destination. Gulf Shores, AL Photo courtesy of George Dodd/iStock by Getty Images Photo courtesy of George Dodd/iStock by Getty Images If you can't get enough of fresh seafood, plan your next vacation in Gulf Shores. After a day on the beach, you can eat at humble dives like Sloop for Gulf-caught shrimp or splurge on a fine-dining experience at Coast, where stunning sea views are served alongside oysters and crab. Reel in a big one on a fishing excursion? Several local restaurants will even cook your catch. Healdsburg, CA Photo courtesy of Stay Healdsburg Photo courtesy of Stay Healdsburg Nestled in the middle of California's Wine Country, Healdsburg offers a restaurant landscape studded with Michelin Stars and lauded by the James Beard Foundation. Visitors can meander around its charming plaza and downtown on a tasting tour, pausing for bites and sips at places like Costeaux French Bakery, Spoonbar and Bravas. And if you're lucky enough to snag a reservation, the acclaimed SingleThread restaurant features a 10-course tasting menu. McMinnville, OR Photo by Ben Eubank on Unsplash Photo by Ben Eubank on Unsplash While this area of the Willamette Valley has been known for its wine for quite some time, only in the last 15 years or so has it become a culinary hot spot. Fueled by the flourishing farms that surround the area, McMinnville's restaurants rival those in any big city with local establishments like Okta and Hayward garnering the attention of and a few nominations from the James Beard Foundation. Oxford, MS Photo courtesy of Visit Oxford MS Photo courtesy of Visit Oxford MS Oxford, a town bolstered by literary legends and the arts and culture of Ole Miss, has seen its food scene blossom under the leadership of award-winning chefs like John Currence and Vishwesh Bhatt. Here, a good day starts with a meal at Big Bad Breakfast (order a side of locally smoked meats!) and ends with soul food like the sweet heat okra bowl or shrimp and grits from Bouré. Santa Fe, NM Photo courtesy of Sean Pavone/iStock by Getty Images Photo courtesy of Sean Pavone/iStock by Getty Images Spice up your next getaway with a stay in Santa Fe, where you'll uncover inspiring flavors influenced by its Native American, Spanish and Mexican heritage. In between tours of the historic architecture and colorful art galleries, you can try local specialties like crisped breakfast burritos from Cafe Pasqual's or indulge in a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience with a nine-course meal at Sazón with curated tequila, mezcal and wine pairings. Sedona, AZ Photo courtesy of Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau Photo courtesy of Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau Imagine savoring expertly prepared dishes as the sun sets against towering red rocks, setting them aglow and creating breathtaking views. This mixing of senses is exactly what you'll encounter when you dine in Sedona, a city designed to take you to new levels physically, spiritually and mentally. To capture its golden-hour glory and thrilling flavors, we recommend dinner reservations at Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill, Enchantment or SaltRock Kitchen. Traverse City, MI Photo courtesy of Meg Bowen Photography/Travis City Tourism Photo courtesy of Meg Bowen Photography/Travis City Tourism Popular for its bountiful cherry orchards, growing wine region and lakeside location, Traverse City is an area where you're just as likely to have a memorable meal at a refined restaurant as at a local microbrewery. Keep it casual with patio lunches at Farm Club, relish an intimate supper at The Cooks' House and enjoy mouthwatering freshwater fish at the Boathouse.

Miami Herald
28-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Target expands private label offerings through chef partnership
Dive Brief: Target announced Wednesday it has teamed up with James Beard Award-winning pitmaster Rodney Scott to launch 12 co-branded products for the retailer's Good & Gather Good & Gather Collabs + Rodney Scott collection features barbecue goods such as Carolina-style appetizers, relish, sauces, honey-flavored cornbread and muffin mix, and brown sugar baked collaboration marks Target's second time co-branding food items under its private label line as the retailer works to ramp up its offerings under its grocery brands. Dive Insight: The new collaboration comes at the beginning of the summer merchandising season, when consumers look to retailers for supplies to fuel their cookouts. All of the products under the new collab are under $9, with a majority under $4, Target said. An unspecified number of items under the collab will have a starting price of $2.99 for a limited time, according to the retailer. The items will be sold in stores and online starting June 1. Scott, who grew up in South Carolina, has "perfected the art of whole-hog BBQ" and brings a positive attitude, Target said. Target launched its first Good & Gather Collabs earlier this year with fellow James Beard Award-winning chef and restaurateur Ann Kim. That line featured frozen pizzas and appetizers. Grocery, and especially private label grocery, is playing a key role in Target's summer plans. Earlier this month, Target included grocery items in its plans to add more than 10,000 items to its assortment this summer, with thousands priced below $20. The retailer has also planned in-store seasonal displays, including The Boardwalk Shop, a food and beverage destination featuring seasonal treats such as red, white and blue snacks and limited-time build-your-own s'mores kits. Target has also announced seasonal private label items like beef burger patties and several Favorite Day items, such as tart cherry ice cream, dill pickle pretzel twists and hot chili lime popcorn. Launched in 2019, Good & Gather is Target's top-selling private brand, with more than 2,500 items that are free from artificial flavors, synthetic colors, artificial sweeteners and high fructose corn syrup. Food and beverage was a bright spot in Target's first quarter as nearly all other categories recorded declines in sales during the period. Net and comparable-store sales were down 2.8% and 3.8%, respectively, for the quarter, the retailer reported earlier this month. Copyright 2025 Industry Dive. All rights reserved.


Eater
28-05-2025
- Business
- Eater
Acclaimed Pitmaster Rodney Scott Launches a Line of Sauces and Sides at Target
If you're not lucky enough to live near one of the five locations of Rodney Scott's BBQ across the Southeast, then you'll soon be able to quell your cravings for tangy barbecue sauce with a trip to Target. James Beard Award-winning pitmaster Rodney Scott has teamed up with the corporate retailer to bring Southern flavors to the shelves through a collaboration with Good & Gather, Target's in-house line of food products. The 12 items are designed to enhance an at-home barbecue. The products include Carolina-style sauces, honey cornbread, mac and cheese, pork rinds, baked beans, iced tea, and more. However, for whole-hog barbecue, you'll still need to visit a Rodney Scott's BBQ. Scott got his start in barbecue working for his family's whole-hog business, Scott's Bar-B-Que, in Hemingway, South Carolina. Barbecue enthusiasts drove from all over the United States to get a taste of Scott's slow-cooked pork. He opened Rodney Scott's BBQ in Charleston in 2017. Fans quickly lined up for a taste of whole hog, skins, and sides. And they still line up today to try Scott's famed fare. The pitmaster went on to win a James Beard Award, write a cookbook, and travel the world spreading tastes of whole-hog barbecue. The Rodney Scott collaboration with Good & Gather launches June 1 for in-store and online purchasing. Below is the full selection of products. Do you think you'll give them a taste? Sign up for our newsletter.


USA Today
29-04-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Shake Shack summer menu features BBQ burgers, decadent milkshakes: When you can get them
Shake Shack summer menu features BBQ burgers, decadent milkshakes: When you can get them Summer is almost here, which for Shake Shack means the return of barbecue to its menu. The burger chain announced Tuesday a lineup of BBQ-inspired burgers, sandwiches, and fries available for a limited time. The menu arrives at Shake Shack restaurants on May 2, but customers can get exclusive early access via the Shack App starting April 29. Shake Shack BBQ menu offerings The BBQ menu features: Smoky Classic BBQ Burger: 100% Angus beef topped with American cheese, Applewood-smoked bacon, pickles, crispy onions and Shake Shack's classic smoky BBQ sauce on a toasted potato bun; Starts at $8.99 100% Angus beef topped with American cheese, Applewood-smoked bacon, pickles, crispy onions and Shake Shack's classic smoky BBQ sauce on a toasted potato bun; Carolina BBQ Burger with Fried Pickles: 100% Angus beef topped with pepper jack cheese, Applewood-smoked bacon, fried pickles and a tangy-sweet Carolina-style BBQ sauce on a toasted potato bun; Starts at $8.99 100% Angus beef topped with pepper jack cheese, Applewood-smoked bacon, fried pickles and a tangy-sweet Carolina-style BBQ sauce on a toasted potato bun; Smoky Classic BBQ Chicken: Crispy white-meat chicken topped with American cheese, Applewood-smoked bacon, pickles, crispy onions and Shake Shack's classic smoky BBQ sauce on a toasted potato bun; Starts at $8.99 Crispy white-meat chicken topped with American cheese, Applewood-smoked bacon, pickles, crispy onions and Shake Shack's classic smoky BBQ sauce on a toasted potato bun; Carolina BBQ Chicken: Crispy white-meat chicken topped with pepper jack cheese, Applewood-smoked bacon, fried pickles and a tangy-sweet Carolina-style BBQ sauce on a toasted potato bun; Starts at $8.99 Crispy white-meat chicken topped with pepper jack cheese, Applewood-smoked bacon, fried pickles and a tangy-sweet Carolina-style BBQ sauce on a toasted potato bun; Spicy Fries with Ranch: Crispy crinkle cut fries spiced with Shake Shack's own hot pepper blend of cayenne, garlic and paprika served with a side of Shack Ranch; Starts at $3.99 Crispy crinkle cut fries spiced with Shake Shack's own hot pepper blend of cayenne, garlic and paprika served with a side of Shack Ranch; Spicy Cheese Fries with Ranch: Crispy crinkle cut fries topped with Shake Shack cheese sauce and spiced with Shake Shack's own hot pepper blend of cayenne, garlic and paprika served with a side of Shack Ranch; Starts at $4.99 In addition to the BBQ-inspired food items, the chain also unveiled three new limited-time milkshakes, available at restaurants starting April 29. More food news: KFC brings back chicken and waffles, introduces new dessert: When you can get new items Shake Shack milkshake flavors available The summer milkshake flavors include: Oreo Cookie Funnel Cake Shake: Oreo cookies and funnel cake crunch hand-spun with vanilla frozen custard, topped with whipped cream and Oreo cookie crumbles; Starts at $4.59 Oreo cookies and funnel cake crunch hand-spun with vanilla frozen custard, topped with whipped cream and Oreo cookie crumbles; Banana Pudding Shake: Banana pudding frozen custard made with real banana, hand-spun with vanilla wafer cookies, topped with whipped cream and vanilla wafer cookie crumble; Starts at $6.49 Banana pudding frozen custard made with real banana, hand-spun with vanilla wafer cookies, topped with whipped cream and vanilla wafer cookie crumble; Campfire S'mores Shake: Vanilla frozen custard hand-spun with graham cracker, chocolate and toasted marshmallow fudge chunks, topped with whipped cream and s'more crumbles; Starts at $6.49 Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@