Best Return on Investment

A good skillet is worth its weight in gold–and you almost can pay that much.  I'm fond of my Le Cruset and All Clad ones. But by my lights, the best  in my kitchen are cast iron.  These instant heirlooms cost around $35  from Lodge Cast Iron, made here in the South in South Pittsburgh, Tennessee.  See www.lodgemfg.com

I remember my mother wiping bacon grease out of hers (now mine) with a paper towel.  Although she sometimes ran hot water on crusty remains, she never scrubbed it with dish soap ...