Cast-Iron on charalambous.uk

Cheesesteak

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Cheesesteak

15 min, makes 2

Ingredients

beef sirloin 340g
onion 1 medium
provolone 120g
soft sub rolls 2
beef dripping (optional) 15g
salt to taste
black pepper to taste

Ribeye ideally, sirloin works too and is cheaper.
Provolone first choice, or mild mozzarella. Avoid cheddar, it splits.
Butter or oil instead of dripping.
A cast iron skillet holds the heat for a proper sear.

Gnocchi Bake

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Gnocchi Bake

serves 2-3, 30 min, grill finish

Ingredients

shelf gnocchi 500g (1 pack)
butter 30g
olive oil 1 tbsp
garlic 3 cloves, sliced
chilli flakes 1/2 tsp
cherry tomatoes 400g (or 350g passata)
ricotta 125g
mozzarella 125g (1 ball), torn
parmesan 30g, grated
basil small handful
salt 1/2 tsp, plus to taste

Level up, pick one: brown 100g ’nduja or sausage in the pan before the garlic, or melt a 200g block of feta into the sauce, baked-feta style.

Mediterranean Cod

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Mediterranean Cod

serves 4, 25 min, cast iron skillet

Ingredients

Fish
cod fillets 4 (about 150g each)
plain flour 3 tbsp
ground coriander 1 tsp
paprika 3/4 tsp
ground cumin 3/4 tsp
salt 3/4 tsp
black pepper 1/2 tsp

Sauce
lemon juice 5 tbsp (about 2 lemons)
olive oil 5 tbsp, plus more for searing
butter 2 tbsp, melted
garlic 5 cloves, minced
parsley handful, chopped

The spiced flour is what lifts this above a plain bake, warm not hot, and it crisps in the sear.

Miso Cod

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Miso Cod

serves 4, 15 min plus 2 to 3 days marinating

Ingredients

cod fillets 4 (about 150g each), skin on
sake 50ml
mirin 50ml
white miso 150g (shiro miso)
sugar 75g

Start this two to three days ahead. The marinade is quick, but the long cure is where the silky texture and deep savoury flavour come from.

Quesadilla

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Quesadilla

serves 1-2, 10 min, dry cast iron skillet

Ingredients

flour tortilla 1 large (25cm)
mature cheddar 40g, grated
mozzarella 40g, grated
spring onion 1, finely sliced
pickled jalapeno 1 tbsp, sliced

Spring onion and jalapeno are optional, swap in whatever’s in the fridge. Grate from a block, ready grated cheese is coated in starch and melts poorly.

Saganaki

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Saganaki

serves 2 as a starter, 10 min

Ingredients

frying cheese 200g, one slab
plain flour 50g, to dredge
olive oil 3 tbsp, to fry
lemon 1/2
ouzo 1 tbsp, optional

Use a firm frying cheese: kefalotyri, graviera or kefalograviera. Halloumi works too.

Skillet Cookie

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Skillet Cookie

serves 8, 40 min, 160°C, 25cm skillet

Ingredients

unsalted butter 115g
light brown sugar 100g
caster sugar 50g
egg 1 large
plain flour 190g
bicarbonate of soda 1/2 tsp
fine salt 1/2 tsp
vanilla extract 2 tsp
chocolate chunks 175g

Brown the butter first for a nuttier, deeper flavour, optional.

Skillet Lasagna

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Skillet Lasagna

serves 3-4, 50 min, one pan, no layering

Ingredients

olive oil 1 tbsp
beef mince 400g
onion 1 medium, chopped
garlic 2 cloves, crushed
tomato puree 1 tbsp
passata 500g
water 150ml
dried oregano 1 tsp
lasagne sheets 6-8 (approx 150g)
ricotta 250g
mozzarella 125g (1 ball), torn
parmesan 30g, grated
basil small handful
salt and pepper to taste

Italian sausage meat works instead of beef. Shortcut: skip the build and use 500-600g ready ragu loosened with 100-150ml water, then start at step 3.

Skillet Steak

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Skillet Steak

serves 1-2, 50 min incl. rest, cast iron, butter basted

Ingredients

steak 1
avocado oil 1 tbsp
salt generous
butter 30g
garlic 2 cloves, smashed
thyme 3-4 sprigs

In the pan after

cherry tomatoes handful
mushrooms 6-8 chestnut, halved
asparagus small bunch, trimmed

Ribeye or sirloin both work. Avocado oil is ideal, it takes the high heat without burning. A meat thermometer takes the guesswork out. Swap the asparagus for halloumi, halved shallots or whole garlic cloves.

Smash Burgers

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Smash Burgers

15 min, makes 2 doubles

Ingredients

beef mince 500g
cheese slices 4
burger buns 2
salt to taste
black pepper to taste

20% fat mince, lean won’t crust.
American plastic cheese melts best.

Soy Garlic Salmon

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Soy Garlic Salmon

serves 2, 20 min, cast iron

Ingredients

Salmon
salmon fillets 2 (about 150g each), skin on
avocado oil 1 tsp

Glaze
soy sauce 2 tbsp
garlic 1 clove, grated
ginger thumb, grated
honey 1 tsp
sesame oil 1 tsp
water splash

Bowl
cooked rice 2 bowls
cucumber 1/2, sliced
avocado 1, sliced
edamame handful
spring onion 1, sliced
sesame seeds to scatter

Everything but the sesame oil goes in the glaze, that goes in last as it burns easily.

Steak Fajitas

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Steak Fajitas

serves 2-3, 30 min plus marinade, cast iron

Ingredients

Steak
steak skirt or flank, 400g
lime 1, juiced
olive oil 2 tbsp
garlic 2 cloves, grated
cumin 1 tsp
paprika 1 tsp
salt and pepper to season

Peppers
peppers 2, sliced
onion 1, sliced

To serve
tortillas flour or corn
soured cream, guacamole, lime

Skirt or flank are the classic cuts, cheap and full of flavour. Chicken thighs work too, cooked through.