I just invested in a big cast iron pot too, with a skillet lid. Made a big pot of beef stew in it so far. Delicious, and the cast iron is perfect for slow cooking stews. Brown the meat, add the veg and liquid, then stick the whole thing in the oven on very low heat for a very long time. Your suggestions of corn bread and other yummy things sounds great. I'll definitely have to expand my repertoire. And good to hear, Mimi, that it will improve my iron levles. That was the point of getting it in the first place.