Dutch oven

[prechlerker]

Anyone have any good dutch oven recipes? Is there special tricks i should know?We got one last year for deer camp and never used it yet.

[Scott M]

Ever try the dirt stew trick?

Dig a big hole. Start a fire around lunch time in the hole and keep some large rocks, like softball sized in the fire. A couple hours later with the fire out and the rocks still warm add water for stew with beef, venison, or chicken; small whole potatoes and large slices of onion, celery, and carrot. Add seasonings of choice (like tarragon or bay leaf for chicken for example). Stick the dutch oven in the hole and arrange the rocks with tongs on the outside. Put the lid on the dutch oven SECURELY (this is really important). Cover the oven with soil and leave and go hunting or fishing. Later in the evening, return and remove the dutch oven (carefully-watch the lid!). With a towel wipe away any dirt around the top and carefully remove the lid...You don't want any soil in your stew. Serve with a salad and french bread. Mmm-mmm delicious and no cooking time.

[IFallsRon]

Do a search and find the scout cookbook.

[Phred52]

Perchjerker man, If you have a Barnes and Noble bookstore near you, VISIT IT!!! They have cookbooks for WHATEVER you wanna cook!!! I have been collecting cookbooks on wild game and fish recipes for the last 7 years and they're awesome!! They have several cookbooks FOR the Dutchoven on the shelf!! I HIGHLY recommend them!! Phred52

[Doop]

How do you keep dirt from getting in it?

[UncleKes]

Doop: If the lid is securely fastened on the pan part of the oven you ought not have any trouble with dirt. It is only when the lid is off center that dirt gets in the food.

Ideally I have found the best Dutch Ovens are made of Cast iron and the wight of the lid keeps it from shifting around and becoming off center.

Be sure to season the cast iron by rubbing a good grade of oil on the pan and placing it in your oven for an hour or two. The oil will seal the iron and you won't have trouble with rust or other problems you find with Dutch Ovens made with other materials.

In addition, with Cast Iron you ought never scour the crust that forms on the bottom of the oven. The crust is carbon and you definately want it there. It spreads the heat evenly around the bottom. To clean, just take a wet towel or rag and wipe the surface. Never scour cast iron with a brillo pad or something like that.

[hoggs222]

Oh, wrong kind of dutch oven. Carry on.

[polarsusd81]

 Originally Posted By: hoggs222

Oh, wrong kind of dutch oven. Carry on.

I have been waiting for that one.

We use a smaller dutch oven on camping trips on occasion. Never buried it though, usually just cook somethin up over the fire with it.