Four Recipes for Your No.4 Skillet

2. Asparagus & Feta Strata

Many strata recipes rely on an overnight soak in the refrigerator to soften the bread and meld flavors before baking the next morning. But a long stint in the fridge with wet ingredients isn’t ideal for your cast-iron. Instead, lightly toasting fresh bread and giving it a short soak in the custard while preparing the rest of the ingredients cuts down on advance planning while still delivering classic strata creaminess.

Get the recipe: Asparagus & Feta Strata

4. Raspberry Almond Linzer Tart

Any seasonal summer stone fruit or berries and corresponding jam can be substituted for the raspberry filling, while the almonds can be replaced with walnuts, pecans or hazelnuts. Taking a few extra minutes to toast the nuts before making the dough pays off with a slightly crisper texture and more intensely nutty flavor.

Get the recipe: Raspberry Almond Linzer Tart.