[Capt. Tom]

Get a dutch oven and a cast iron skillet. Those two items alone will greatly expand your cooking repertoire.

I didn't even know what a Dutch Oven was.

After looking at them it is something I would have invented if I was a cooking aficionado.

I am considering on getting a Dutch Oven that is totally cast iron, with a top that can be used separately as a skillet.
It should work on an electric stove.

At my age I don't have to worry about whether fried food is good or not good for me. -Tom

[TianaHighrider]

Cast iron is the healthiest thing to cook in. In my opinion.
You need iron to be healthy. And don’t need to worry about other chemicals from the pan.

And it lasts forever!

[SamAdams76]

Cast iron Dutch ovens are the best and yes, you can use the top for a skillet.

Just used it today. Slice up a couple sweet potatoes - thick slices and coat with olive oil, salt and pepper. Lay them on bottom and cook medium high on stovetop for 7 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees.

After seven minutes, lay a whole chicken, seasoned how you like it, on top of the sweet potatoes (without flipping the sweet potatoes) and cook for about 90 minutes taking the cover off for the last 30 minutes.

It will be about the best chicken you ever had.

[Jamestown1630]

Try to get one that’s pre-seasoned - or season it very well. They’re too expensive not to take care of. I’m not even sure you can trust pre-seasoned ones, without doing it again yourself:

https://www.southernliving.com/food/how-to/how-t0-season-a-cast-iron-skillet

[lizma2]

When and if I hit my 80’s I’ll be frying everything in lard.