Soapstone: The Cast Iron Alternative You've Never Heard Of

Nosotros all love our bandage fe skillets—they heat evenly and require uncomplicated maintenance. Just accept you heard of information technology's beautiful stone cousin?

When it comes to skillet cooking, we tin can't get enough of our bandage iron pans. Durable and easy to use, these skillets make for some darn tasty recipes. Merely it turns out for form and role, cast iron isn't the end-all, exist-all. In fact, there'due south another cloth that combines similar functionality in a cute package: soapstone.

What is soapstone?

Soapstone, the common name for the metamorphic rock steatite, is a soft rock, composed mainly of talc, that has been used equally cookware around the world for thousands of years. It is also a popular countertop material and is frequently used in chemistry labs because of its durability and ability to withstand high temperatures.

You lot can find soapstone cookware in many forms, similar grill pans, skillets and even pots. Y'all can detect a expert pick hither at Viva Terra.

How can I use it in my kitchen?

This cast iron alternative is a great option for soups, stews, and risotto dishes because it heats evenly and isn't prone to hot spots—much similar cast iron. It can be used in the oven, on the grill and on the stovetop (also like cast iron), although heat diffusers are recommended for use on electrical ranges. Soapstone can even be used as a serving dish correct at the table and since it retains its heat for an extended menses of time—much longer than cast iron—food stays warm between servings. And it can also be chilled in the refrigerator and used for cold serving.

How do I take intendance of information technology?

Similar to bandage iron, soapstone cookware should be cured before use. This ways the stone should be coated with a thin layer of oil and left to absorb information technology all before its kickoff utilise. Avert using harsh cleansers and detergents with soapstone. Likewise, avoid sudden changes in temperature. Soapstone should always exist immune to cool on its on earlier rinsing with cool water and should be room temperature before placed in the refrigerator. Thermal shocks can cause the stone to cleft.

Subsequently most uses, dishes should be cleaned with warm h2o and wiped clean with a soft rag—you don't demand soaps or cleaners. A small corporeality of detergent might exist necessary afterwards frying or sauteing in soapstone, and you should wipe downward with a minor amount of oil after washing. If you lot're a fan of bandage atomic number 26 cooking, all these steps should be pretty familiar.

If maintained properly, soapstone cookware can go a treasured family heirloom passed down through generations; its durability, and versatility making it indispensable and its beauty making information technology loved.

Get cooking!

Taste of Home

Quick Foam of Mushroom Soup

My daughter-in-law, a gourmet melt, served this foam of mushroom soup recipe as the first course for a vacation dinner. She received the recipe from her mom and graciously shared information technology with me. Now I'm happy to share it with my ain friends and family. —Anne Kulick, Phillipsburg, New Jersey Become Recipe Y'all can buy the new Sense of taste of Home saucepan on Amazon!

Pasta Fagioli Soup

My married man enjoys my version of this dish then much that he doesn't guild information technology at restaurants anymore. With fresh spinach, pasta and seasoned sausage, this fast-to-fix soup is a meal on its own. —Brenda Thomas, Springfield, Missouri

Garnish your soup with 1 of these fun and tasty toppers.

Easy Beef Soup

This colorful, easy beef soup comes together in minutes. Even my husband, who admits he'south no cook, makes it on occasion." —Agnes Bierbaum, Gainesville, Florida

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

My hubby and I love this cheesy dish. It is proof that soup doesn't need to be made in big batches to be good. —Cheryl McRae, W Valley, Utah

Dill Chicken Soup

I could eat soup for every repast of the day, all year long. I particularly like dill and spinach—they add a brightness to this light and salubrious soup. —Robin Haas, Jamaica Plainly, Massachusetts

Mexican Craven Corn Chowder

I like to brand this shine, creamy soup when company comes to visit. Its zippy season is full of southwestern flair. My family unit enjoys dipping slices of homemade bread in this chowder to soak up every bite! —Susan Garoutte, Georgetown, Texas

Contest-Winning Stuffed Pepper Soup

This is an excellent example of how convenience foods can be combined for a tasty entree. Set in minutes when I go domicile from work, this soup becomes office of a counterbalanced meal with a tossed salad, rolls or fruit. For a variation, try chicken, turkey or even venison instead of ground beef. –Tracy Thompson, Cranesville, Pennsylvania

Grandma's Tomato Soup

This recipe is my grandmother'due south. Originally, she even made the love apple juice in it from scratch! Gram had this recipe cooking on the stove every time I visited her. She enjoyed making this tomato soup and other favorite dishes for family unit and friends, and she made everything with love. —Gerri Sysun, Narragansett, Rhode Isle

Tuscan Cauliflower Soup

A classic Tuscan soup has lots of potatoes, just I make mine the low-carb fashion with cauliflower. Turns out, it has a heartier flavor. —Heather Bewley, Bemidji, Minnesota

Do you lot like to freeze leftover soup? Acquire how to pack freezer meals like a pro.

Comforting Chicken Noodle Soup

A proficient friend fabricated u.s.a. this rich, comforting, creamy chicken noodle soup afterward the birth of our son. Information technology was such a assistance to have dinner taken care of until I was back on my feet. This yummy dish is so simple to fix that now I give a pot of it (forth with the recipe) to other new mothers. —Joanna Sargent, Sandy, Utah

Pumpkin Sausage Soup

This dish is well suited to my lower-carb style of eating. It's definitely soul food, and I love that it's very simple to gear up. —Paula Diaz, Billings, Montana

All-time Ever White potato Soup

You lot'll be surprised at the gustation of this rich and cheesy easy potato soup. It really is the best murphy soup recipe, ever. I came up with it after enjoying baked tater soup at 1 of our favorite restaurants. I added bacon, and we recollect that makes information technology even better. —Coleen Morrissey, Sweetness Valley, Pennsylvania

Trying to eat healthy? Hither's how to make soup creamy without using foam.

Turkey and Dumpling Soup

To bear witness some love at a family gathering, I fill a stockpot with this rich turkey soup chock with veggies, potatoes and dumplings. —Lea Lidel, Leander, Texas

Shortcut Split Pea Soup

Pair this soup with a simple tossed salad for a well-rounded, nourishing repast that'southward quick and like shooting fish in a barrel. —Donna Noel, Gray, Maine

Spicy Sausage Soup with Tortellini

This soup is such a family unit treasure, both my daughters asked for the recipe when they moved out on their own. I cook the tortellini separately, but y'all can let it plump upward in the soup broth, too. —Cynthia Krakowiak, Langhorne, Pennsylvania

Veggie Thai Curry Soup

My go-to Thai eating house inspired this curry soup. Shiitake mushrooms are my favorite, but any fresh mushroom volition piece of work. Fresh basil and lime add together a burst of bright flavors. —Tre Balchowsky, Sausalito, California

Swiss Spud Soup

You take a few options when it comes to fixing this soup—it tin also be made in the microwave or started in a slow cooker in the forenoon. —Krista Musser, Orrville, Ohio

Fast Refried Bean Soup

This recipe combines the ease of canned ingredients with the heartiness of chili. It volition fill you up on cold afternoons or make a wonderful last-minute lunch. If you like it spicier, use medium or hot green chiles instead of mild.. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon

Easy White Chicken Chili

Chili is one of our best cold-weather strategies. We use chicken and white beans for a twist on the regular bowl of cherry. Information technology'south soothing comfort food. —Rachel Lewis, Danville, Virginia

Chili lovers, listen upwards. These are our top secrets for the all-time-ever chili.

Italian Veggie Beefiness Soup

My sweet begetter-in-law, Pop Pop, would bring this chunky soup to our firm when we were under the atmospheric condition. We like it so well, nosotros take it to our own friends who demand condolement. Always does the trick. —Sue Webb, Reisterstown, Maryland

Ramen Corn Chowder

This tastes so good, as if information technology simmered for hours, just it'due south ready in 15 minutes. I thought the original recipe was lacking in flavor, so I jazzed information technology up with extra corn and bacon bits. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon

Quick Pork Chili

A love neighbor gave me a pot of this succulent chili, and I asked for the recipe. The pork sausage is a dainty change from the ground beefiness many chili recipes call for. —Janice Westmoreland, Brooksville, Florida

Creamy Herbed Tomato Soup

No one will always guess that a soup this smooth and creamy could exist low in fat! The savory herb flavors make this soup a keeper.

Cream of Cauliflower Soup

This mildly cheesy cauliflower soup is a favorite of mine. I make it often in summer, although it's proficient someday. —Karen Brown, West Lafayette, Ohio

Barbara'southward Italian Hymeneals Soup

In a footling Italian restaurant in Santa Cruz, my husband and I had an amazing soup with orzo. I tweaked it at domicile to brand information technology healthier but kept the warm, comforting season. —Barbara Spitzer, Lodi, California

Quick Ravioli & Spinach Soup

I dearest my Italian American traditions, merely I never had time to make a classic Italian wedding soup. Then I created this shortcut version with ravioli. —Cynthia Bent, Newark, Delaware

Asian Ramen Shrimp Soup

This ramen noodle recipe makes a quick dinner with shrimp and carrots. This is delicious so quick to fix. —Donna Hellinger, Lorain, Ohio

Pork & Bok Choy Udon Soup

While traveling in Thailand, my husband sampled a local version of this tasty soup from street vendors. We have tried many variations, and this comes the closest to his recollection. Nosotros double the recipe so we have lots of leftovers. —Donna Noecker, Plano, Texas

Mexican Cabbage Roll Soup

I love sharing our apprehensive and hearty soup made with beef, cabbage and dark-green chiles. A blast of cilantro gives it a sunshiny finish. —Michelle Beal, Powell, Tennessee

Chicken, Asparagus & Corn Chowder

Chicken and asparagus make a low-cal, comforting soup that's piece of cake to do with common ingredients. If we accept rotisserie chicken, information technology goes into this soup. —Jennifer Vo, Irvine, California

Quick Ham and Edible bean Soup

If you lot similar ham and bean soup but don't want to spend hours in the kitchen, this tasty, quick version will get out you with a satisfied smile. —Taste of Abode Test Kitchen

Egg Drop Soup

We often kickoff our stir-fry meals with this fast egg drop soup recipe— it cooks in simply minutes flat. There are many versions of the recipe, but we like the easy addition of cornstarch to thicken the soup and give information technology a rich, golden colour. I got the recipe from my grandma's one-time cookbook. —Amy Beth Corlew-Sherlock, Lapeer, Michigan

Pico de Gallo Black Edible bean Soup

Anybody at my table goes for this experience-proficient soup. It is quick when you're pressed for time and beats fast food, hands down. —Darlis Wilfer, West Bend, Wisconsin

Lemony Turkey Rice Soup

While growing upwards in Texas, I spent a lot of time helping my grandma cook. Lemon and cilantro add together a deliciously different twist to turkey soup. —Margarita Cuellar, East Chicago, Indiana

One-Pot Spinach Beef Soup

My idea of a winning weeknight meal is this beefy soup simmering in one big pot. Grate some Parmesan and pass the saltines. —Julie Davis, Jacksonville, Florida

Instant Pot Corn Chowder

Enjoy this chowder's rich, slow-simmered flavor in record time past using an Instant Pot. Corn chowder is a classic staple, with its hearty flavors of creamy sweet corn, bacon crumbles, shredded cheddar cheese and chopped parsley. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Minestrone with Turkey

I recollect my mom making this soup; now I make it for my kids as frequently equally I can. It's a proficient way to utilise up leftover vegetables. Sometimes I add a can of rinsed and tuckered kidney or garbanzo beans. —Angela Goodman, Kaneohe, Hawaii

Flavorful Lycopersicon esculentum Soup

A cookbook recipe called for ingredients I didn't have on mitt, then I improvised and came up with this. I often make it for friends at church, and I've shared the recipe many times. -Jean Sullivan, Denver, Colorado

Weeknight Taco Soup

This soup turned out delicious on the kickoff try, when I was working without a recipe. You could also add cooked ground beefiness or cubed stew meat dredged in seasoned flour and browned for a heartier meal. —Amanda Swartz, Goderich, Ontario

Speedy Cream of Wild Rice Soup

Add homemade touches to a can of potato soup to get comfort nutrient on the tabular array quickly. The result is a thick and creamy care for textured with wild rice and flavored with smoky bacon. —Joanne Eickhoff, Pequot Lakes, Minnesota

Carrot Ginger Soup

This low-cal, flavorful carrot ginger soup is vegan! It's fabricated with pantry staples and comes together in a hurry, yet always seems to print. Fresh ginger makes a large difference—and what isn't used can be wrapped tightly and tossed in the freezer to use later on. —Jenna Olson, Manchester, Missouri

Spinach and Tortellini Soup

A simple lycopersicon esculentum-enhanced broth is perfect for cheese tortellini and fresh spinach. Increase the garlic and add together Italian seasoning to suit your taste. —Debbie Wilson, Burlington, North Carolina

Potato, Sausage & Kale Soup

I let my immature son pick out seed packets and he chose kale, which grew like crazy. This hearty soup helped make good use of it and rivals a restaurant version that we love. —Michelle Babbie, Malone, New York

Pressure-Cooker Chicken and Bacon White Chili

I fabricated a twist on my favorite white chicken chili and used my pressure cooker, which made it very quick and easy. I like to serve it with avocado, cilantro and onions. —Teri Lee Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan

Pressure Cooker Loaded Chicken Veggie Soup

When someone at our firm gets sick, I whip upward this quick and easy craven soup. It resembles chicken noodle, only uses a diverseness of veggies instead of noodles for even more diet. Plus, if you utilise a pressure cooker or slow cooker, it makes meal prep even simpler! — Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas

Land Sausage Soup

Savory pork sausage, two kinds of beans and diced tomatoes make this soup one I ready fourth dimension and over again. Information technology's a hearty fix for when I don't know what to ready for supper.—Grace Meyer, Galva, Kansas

Turkey and Vegetable Barley Soup

Using ingredients on hand, I stirred upward this turkey and veggie-packed soup. If you have them, corn, beans and celery are great here, likewise. —Lisa Wiger, St. Michael, Minnesota

Black Bean Turkey Chili

This busy-mean solar day chili is packed with flavor. Nosotros make information technology ahead and freeze some to eat later. —Marisela Segovia, Miami, Florida

Flossy Sweet Tater and Veggie Soup

I tasted a delicious soup in a eatery merely couldn't persuade the chef to share the recipe, so I began to experiment on my own. Finally, I came up with this blend, which is very close to what I tasted—perhaps fifty-fifty better! —Audrey Nemeth, Mount Vernon, Maine

Vegan Carrot Soup

Yukon Gold potatoes—instead of cream—make a smoothen carrot soup vegan and add a balmy sugariness. If you don't have Yukon Golds on mitt, russet potatoes will work, besides. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Cheesy Tortilla Soup

My daughter came upwards with this dish when trying to duplicate a soup she sampled at a restaurant. I always laissez passer on to her the rave reviews. —LaVonda Owen, Marlow, Oklahoma

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Source: https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/cast-iron-alternative-soapstone/

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