The Differences Between Cast Iron and Enamelled Cookware`

You may or may not know that cast iron cookware comes in two different kinds. First, you can find enamelled cast iron - which means that the cast iron has been coated with a melted layer of glass to protect it. Then there's the 'bare' cast iron, which you may have come across when looking at camping supplies.

If you are considering whether to buy one or the other, we'll look at the differences between the two. It all comes down to what you want to use your cookware for and how long you want it to last.

Let's get into it so that you know which one to choose for you and your cooking needs.

Price difference

In terms of the cost to buy, cast iron tends to be cheaper. This is because you aren't getting the added protective coating of melted glass.

If you are on a budget, then bare cast iron may be what's best for you.

How they react to the foods you make

If you make a lot of dishes with acidic foods such as spices or tomato-based sauces, you will want to use enameled cast iron. Any acidic foods will eat into the seasoning of your cast iron pan repeatedly and cause it to rust.

The enamel coating of heavy-duty cast iron cookware like this enamelled Dutch Oven will form a barrier that acidic foods cannot pass. Your pot will, therefore, not rust.

Added iron

Word has it that using bare cast iron will add a bit of iron to your food, whereas the enamelled cookware will keep the iron out. Having said that, seasoned cast iron won't add that much iron - but for some people, the small bit of extra iron is important, although the jury is out as to if you really get enough iron to make a difference to your health.

Durability

If seasoned properly and looked after (that is, keeping up the seasoning), bare cast iron can last for a very long time. There are cast iron pieces that have been around for literally hundreds of years.

Some people say that enamelled cast iron won't keep as long, but the fact is that you get what you pay for. The top brands of enamelled cookware last for quite a long time, whereas the cheaper brands might chip over time.

Non-stick or not

Bare cast iron pans, if seasoned properly, can be non-stick. Seasoning cast iron can take time and effort, and you need to do it the right way, but there are plenty of YouTube tutorials showing you how. Once your pan is seasoned, tricky foods like eggs or cheese toasties won't stick.

If non-stick is important to you, you may prefer bare cast iron. Enamel-coated cast iron pans require a coating of oil or butter to avoid food sticking to the bottom.

Versatility

The advantage here of bare cast iron is that you can use it for camping - directly over a fire - as well as on the stovetop or in the oven. The disadvantage is that you can only use cast iron for cooking food.

Enamelled pieces are best for stovetop or oven use. They are not meant for use over a campfire. The advantage is that enamelled pieces can be used to cook your food as well as marinate and store it in the refrigerator. So if you have any leftovers, you can simply pop the pan or Dutch oven in the fridge (take it out a bit beforehand when you want to reheat your food).

Attractiveness

The advantage of enamelled cast iron pieces is that they come in many beautiful colours, and they are so decorative that you can go from kitchen to table for serving your guests in style. Blue, orange, purple, green, yellow, white - you'll find pretty much any colour.

• Enamelled cast iron pieces also add gorgeous accents of colour to your kitchen decoration scheme.
• Bare cast iron pieces all look more or less the same.

Ease of cleaning

It is easier to clean enamelled cast iron cookware. You can leave a bit of water in the bottom of your enamelled cookware without worrying about rust. Once you wash it with soapy water, dry it thoroughly and put it away.

Bare cast iron pieces have to be cleaned immediately - scrape them with a cast iron brush rather than soapy water. Once you've cleaned your cast iron, it needs to be re seasoned by brushing it with oil, heating it on the stove, and then wiping it dry.

Cast iron pots and pans are a good investment in the kitchen as they are long lasting and great for all types of cooking.

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5 Tips for Going Vegan

January is Veganuary; many people have been following a vegetarian/vegan diet through the month. However we are almost at the end of the month so why revert back to being a non-vegetarian. So why not decide to go vegan? Well, it has never been easier than right now - there are more and more vegans worldwide every day. Therefore the demand for and supply of vegan products is also increasing. In 2017, the demand for meat-free food went up by an astounding 987%! So you're in good company.

How, though, does one go vegan? How can you make the transition as smooth as possible?

Let's look at the essential things to know for going vegan so that you can eat the way you want without spending too much time, money, or mental energy in the process.

1. Look at veganism as an adventure

Some people see going vegan as limiting themselves, as restricting what they can have. If you can see veganism as an adventure of exploration, you'll be more likely to enjoy the ride and stick with it.

One of my favourite things to do is walk through the produce aisle of the supermarket and challenge myself to try a new fruit or vegetable each week. This may take some planning initially, so allow yourself a bit of extra time to get accustomed to new recipes.

You'll be rewarded with astoundingly creative vegan recipes that you can easily find on the internet, such as Beetroot Paneer Curry, Easy Vegan Nachos, and more. 

2. Educate yourself

Going vegan doesn't mean you can skip protein, of course, and other essential vitamins and minerals. Look up key ingredients such as vitamin B12-enriched nutritional yeast and other foods that can provide you with protein.

If you are concerned about getting the right nutrients on a vegan diet, consult with your doctor. Many vegan products are vitamin-fortified, and so you don't necessarily need supplements.

Iron and calcium are plentiful in plant-based foods, and many dairy-free milks and tofu are calcium-enriched.

Tofu plays a key role here, as tofu is a healthy, low-fat protein option that is highly versatile as a meat substitute. There are many ways to prepare tofu to achieve delicious flavors and textures that won't have you missing meat. 

This is particularly true if you get yourself a tofu press like the ones at Tofubud that will quickly remove excess moisture so that your tofu soaks up the delicious flavors of marinades and juices instead. Why not try this delicious pea noodles and tofu stir fry.

A fundamental rule is to include a source of fats, protein, and carbs at each meal. Along with veggies, of course!

3. Go easy on yourself at the beginning

There are lots to learn when you go vegan, so while you are learning new recipes, there's nothing wrong with relying on the many packaged foods available. Vegan 'burgers', loaves, bacon substitutes, and other foods shouldn't be the staple of your diet, but they are great transition foods to quickly please your taste buds while you learn how to prepare vegan versions of your favorite foods. Vegan food does not mean more expense, check out 100+ Cheap food to buy to get an idea of how you can budget.

4. Create a repertoire of favorite dishes first

Start with a few simple dishes, and then build on that. Why not check out this vegan  Creamy vegan tomato soup .or this roasted aubergine curry and vegetable biriyani

For example, if you love cheesy sauces, find a recipe for a vegan alternative that you enjoy.

Think about breakfast, too. If you used to eat eggs, check out vegan breakfast alternatives such as savory breakfast skillets, oatmeal, avocado toast, or other options such as these mini vegan oat and apple muffins or this Vegan chocolate smoothie

You may want to start a Pinterest account with meal boards where you store vegan recipes that you come across to have them all in one place.

5. Learn how to adapt dishes to make them vegan-friendly

There are many tricks to adapting traditional dishes and ingredients to vegan versions that are also tasty and satisfying.

The more vegan recipes you become familiar with, the more you'll understand how to replace not just meat but cheese, butter, cream, and eggs.

Many people stop at substituting tofu cubes or tempeh for meat - but there are more creative ways to replace meat. Dehydrated and marinated mushrooms make an excellent  substitute too.. Shredded jackfruit is perfect for a pulled pork substitute and is now found in supermarkets, restaurants, and take-outs. Cashew cream may not taste exactly like dairy cream, but it comes pretty close!

Even baking bread or cakes is easy to do without eggs. For each egg required, substitute 1 tablespoon of chia seeds soaked in 3 or 4 tablespoons of water. Your baked goods will come out deliciously moist and even better tasting than with eggs!

These delicious lemon pistachio and mini bundt cakes are vegan and simply delectable.

Going vegan does not mean you can miss out on sweet treats check out these vegan chocolate chip cupcakes. 

Butter on toast is easily replaced with, sunflower spread, smashed avocado guacamole or coconut oil. Try them and see which you prefer.

If you find the transition to being vegan difficult and daunting, try changing to a vegetarian diet first then slow cut out dairy and other products gradually till your body starts to adjust. simplyfood is a vegetarian /Vegan blog do check over 900 recipes that will help you to create delicious and tasty recipes easily.

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