RECIPES

### 1. Steypujárnspönn Cornbread

**Ingredients:**
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar (optional)
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon bacon drippings or vegetable oil

**Instructions:**
1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Place your cast iron skillet (10-12 inches) in the oven to heat up while you prepare the batter.
3. In a large bowl, mix together the cornmeal, flour, sugar (if using), baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
4. In another bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, milk, eggs, and melted butter.
5. Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven and add the bacon drippings or oil, swirling to coat the bottom and sides.
6. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
7. Pour the batter into the hot skillet and smooth the top with a spatula.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Allow to cool slightly before slicing and serving. Enjoy your delicious cornbread!

### 2. One-pot cast Iron Skillet Pasta with Sausage

**Ingredients:**
- 1 lb (450g) Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 8 oz (225g) penne pasta
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)

**Instructions:**
1. Heat your cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
2. Add the diced onion, garlic, and bell peppers to the skillet. Cook until vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the diced tomatoes (with juices) and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer.
4. Add the penne pasta to the skillet, stirring to combine with the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Cover the skillet and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, about 15-20 minutes.
6. Remove from heat and sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.
7. Cover again and let it sit for a few minutes until the cheese is melted.
8. Garnish with chopped fresh basil before serving. Enjoy your hearty skillet pasta!

### 3. Cast Iron Skillet Steak with Herb Butter

**Ingredients:**
- 2 boneless ribeye steaks, about 1 inch thick
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- Optional: Red pepper flakes (for a spicy kick)

**Instructions:**
1. Season the ribeye steaks generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
2. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, thyme, rosemary, and red pepper flakes (if using). Mix well to make the herb butter.
3. Heat your cast iron skillet over high heat until very hot, about 5 minutes.
4. Add the olive oil to the skillet and swirl to coat the bottom.
5. Carefully place the steaks in the skillet and cook without moving them for 3-4 minutes for medium-rare (adjust cooking time according to your preference).
6. Flip the steaks and cook for another 3-4 minutes, or until desired doneness.
7. Remove the steaks from the skillet and let them rest on a plate for a few minutes.
8. Top each steak with a generous dollop of herb butter. Let the butter melt over the steaks before serving.
9. Serve hot and enjoy your perfectly seared steak with flavorful herb butter!

Certainly! Here are two delicious recipes that are perfect for cooking in a cast iron pan:

### 4. Cast Iron Skillet Pizza

**Ingredients:**
- 1 lb (450g) pizza dough, homemade or store-bought
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Toppings of your choice (e.g., pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, etc.)
- Olive oil, for brushing
- Cornmeal, for dusting (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves, torn (for garnish, optional)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving, optional)

**Instructions:**
1. Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C) with the cast iron skillet inside the oven as it preheats.
2. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into a circle slightly larger than the diameter of your cast iron skillet.
3. Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven (use oven mitts!) and sprinkle a little cornmeal evenly over the bottom (this helps prevent sticking and adds a nice texture).
4. Gently place the rolled-out pizza dough into the skillet, pressing it gently to fit the bottom and up the sides.
5. Brush the dough with olive oil, then spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
6. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce.
7. Add your desired toppings, distributing them evenly over the cheese.
8. Carefully transfer the skillet back into the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and melted.
9. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before slicing.
10. Garnish with torn fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot and enjoy your homemade cast iron skillet pizza!

### 5. Cast Iron Skillet Apple Crisp

**Ingredients:**
- 4 cups apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (about 4-5 medium apples)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream (for serving, optional)

**Instructions:**
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well coated.
3. Transfer the apple mixture into the cast iron skillet, spreading it out evenly.
4. In the same bowl (no need to wash it), combine the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, and cold cubed butter. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
5. Sprinkle the oat mixture evenly over the apples in the skillet.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
7. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
8. Serve warm, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top. Enjoy your comforting cast iron skillet apple crisp!