A Love Story…

There's something truly special about a meal prepared in cast iron. Growing up, Corinne recalls that there was always a skillet to be found on the stove - it was used so much and so lovingly, there was no point in storing it in the back of a cabinet. And it would be this personal history that would lead to the regular use of cast iron at The Pelican today.

Some years ago, after purchasing the Inn, Corinne asked her mother about the old cast iron bean pot she remembers her father using over open fire dinners. Her mom waved a hand towards the overgrown side-yard, “It's out there somewhere.” Sure enough, buried beneath two decades of ivy growth at the base of an old pine tree, was her father's pot. Corinne took the time to restore the heirloom and it now finds a permanent home in the fireplace in the master bedroom Corinne and Bruce share at the Inn.

But that pot would reignite a love affair for cooking with cast iron and collecting skillets and cookware began in earnest. Since that time the collection has grown and so have the recipes that have found their way from skillet to the table at The Pelican. 

From its durability, ability to retain heat and the variety of uses, cast iron is hands down one of the best additions you can make to your kitchen. Corinne recommends cleaning and maintaining your cast iron pot or skillet with hot water and salt. If it needs a good scrub, you can add a bit of soap - but be sure to season the iron with mineral oil. But the absolute best thing you can do for your cast iron is to use it. All the time. The more it's used, the better the non-stick properties.