For me, it’s my fire-engine red 12-inch Le Creuset cast-iron skillet. Since I acquired this powerhouse pan, it’s helped me whip up veggie-packed frittatas, pan-seared scallops, homemade rolls and ...

Give a new pan a glossy black nonstick coating—or bring the luster back to a family heirloom—with this 3-step process for seasoning cast iron.