The cast iron skillet is a sturdy, versatile, traditional kitchen workhorse that 85% of us own but far fewer of us reach for daily—mostly because we have one or two recipes we use it for, and otherwise forget it in the back of the cabinet.

In this new cookbook, the editors of Cook’s Country will show you everything you need to know about cast iron cookware. Discover the many (and often surprising) dishes you can cook and bake in this multitasker of a pan—from classics like steak, fried eggs and cornbread to innovative and inspiring recipes like skillet apple pie, pizza and cinnamon-swirl bread. Learn about the history of cast iron cookware and what makes it uniquely American. Finally, get the lowdown on how to shop for, season, care for and clean this perfect pan.