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DUTCH OVEN COOKING

Whether your opportunity to use a Dutch oven occurs in the back yard for a summer cookout, on a
camping trip, or on a river run, there are some easy to learn skills that make the experience a real
success. An unseasoned Dutch oven is grey-green in color, where a seasoned oven will be shiny, smooth
and black in appearance on the inside as well as the outside. It is important to treat the lid of the oven
also since the two

WHY USE A DUTCH OVEN?

This heavy oven cooks and bakes deliciously using a method
that cannot be duplicated. It is the most dependable way to
prepare a complete meal for a few or many people in an
outdoor situation. Individual foil wrapped meals are very
inviting and delicious; however, one must be more
constantly on guard in preparation of the re materials. The
foil wrapped meal needs to be watched carefully to prevent
burning, and assure equal cooking. The meal put in the
Dutch oven needs proper re preparation - it can be left for
30-60 minutes longer without further attention because the
heavy cast iron distributes the heat more evenly. The food
is cooked together to enhance and mix avors while keeping foods separate. The meal prepared in the
Dutch oven is easily served from the oven itself and can be cleaned with a minimum of eort.

HOW TO CHOOSE A DUTCH OVEN

The ideal Dutch oven has three legs for standing and a tight tting lid with a lip of an inch or more
sticking up on the outer rim. This lip on the lid permits the user to place hot coals or hot briquettes on
the top of the oven thus creating an oven with heat coming from the bottom as well as the top and
radiating to the sides. The size is an important factor. There is no need to purchase an oven too large for
the number you serve. The Dutch oven number eight is right for serving 5-6; the number ten is good for
6-8; the number twelve is good for 810 people.

SEASONING THE DUTCH OVEN

REGULAR OVEN METHOD: With soapy water, wash your oven and rinse thoroughly and dry. Oil all
surfaces and pour about 1 tablespoon of oil in the Dutch oven. With a cotton cloth, rub all the surfaces.
Add enough oil to cover the bottom of the Dutch oven. Place in 350 degrees F. oven for 30 minutes.
Remove from oven and carefully circulate the oil to cover all of the sides and bottom. Add more oil and
heat in 200 degrees F. oven for one hour. Turn the oven o and leave overnight. In the morning, rub all
surfaces with remaining oil and remove excess oil. Now its ready to use.
ON THE FIRE METHOD: Wash with soapy water and rinse & dry thoroughly. Add 1/2" of oil and place on
re and heat until oil is slightly simmering. Swirl to cover all surfaces; discard oil.
Add new oil and you are ready to cook!

OVEN PREPARATION
Clean and lightly oil oven. Place food right inside oven with enough moisture to steam cook as it is
baking.

HOW TO PREPARE FIRE

Many outdoor areas have re wood available. Most wood is good for cooking if it holds up in a bank of
hot coals for some time. If the re material burns quickly and disappears in ash almost immediately, it
will not work for Dutch oven cooking. You have to prepare a re large enough to burn down into coals

enoughtocoverthetopoftheovenaswellasunderneath.Halfburnedandburningmaterialsmokesis
difficulttohandleanddoesnothavethesustainedheatneededforcooking.Usealonghandledshovel
forhandlingthecoals.Whenahotbankofcoalsisready,spreadalayeronthegroundandsettheoven
ontoit,thenshovelalayerofcoalsovertheoven.Thelayersofcoalscanbetoohot,onlyexperience
willhelpyoutodecidethetemperatureofthecoals.

WHENUSINGBRIQUETTES
Planon10briquettesforthetopofanumbertenDutchoven(8
for#8or12for#12).Planonafewmoreforthebottomtomakea
goodlevellayerunderneathovenand23inchesbeyondtheouter
edgeofoven.Placebriquettesinapile;light.Whenbriquettesare
hotandgreyincolor,placeoveninpositionwithbriquettesontop
andbottom.


COOKING
DutchOvenshaveahandleontopofthelidwhichmakescheckingonfoodeasy.Haveacleanboardor
coupleofpiecesofwoodorcleanrockavailabletosetthelidontoaftercarefullyremovingit.Usea
foldedpieceofpapertoweltowipearoundtheseamwherethelidandtheovenmeet.Thiswillreduce
thepossibilityofgettinganyashinthefood.Liftoutthewholeovenbythewirebail,awayfromthefire
whileyoucheckthefood.Withpliers,pushbackthe
firematerialawayfromthehandlethenliftthelid
straightupandoff.Eventhoughthelidiscovered
withhotcoals,awirehookmaybeusedtoliftit.
Also,glovesandalonghandledpairofpliersmaybe
used.Piercevegetablesandmeattoseehowquickly
theyarecooking.Addmoistureiffoodisgettingtoo
dry.Workquicklytoreplacethelidbeforetoomuch
heatislost.Adjustthecoalsiftheyaretoohotby
movingpartofthemawayfromtoporbottomof
oven.Ifthefoodisnotcookingfastenough,add
morehotcoals.Replacetheovenintothecooking
positionandcookuntilfoodisproperlyprepared.

CLEANING
Ifanythingstickyremainsinoven,cleanaswellaspossiblewithcookingoilandpapertowels.Thenadd
warmsoapywaterandwashwithdishclothorspongewithabrasiveback.Afterallfoodparticlesare
loosened,rinsethoroughlyanddrycompletelywithapapertowel.Goovertheoutsideoftheovenand
lidwithpapertowelsremovingalldirt,blackandmoisture.Coveroventhoroughlywithcookingoil
startingwithinsidefirst.Removeanyexcessoilandstorewithlidinpositiononuprightoven.Theoven
willthenbereadyforthenextuse.Iftheoilinsidetheovengetsrancid,removeoilwithwarmsoapy
waterandfollowpreparationdirectionsabove.


ALLINONEBREAKFAST
Use10"Dutchoven.Fryyourfavoritebreakfastmeat;removewhencooked.Addslicedrawpotatoes,
smallamountofwaterandonions.Cookuntiltender.Putmeatontopofpotatoes.Topwith56raw
eggs.Replacelidandputcoalsontop.Cookuntildone.Serves68.

FAMILYREUNIONQUICHE
12eggs 11/2cupsbroccoli
1/4cupmilk 2cupsgratedcheese(American)
1cupdicedham/baconorsausage Saltandpepper
1mediumonion,diced 2tablespoonsbutter
1cupmushrooms,sliced
Ina10"Dutchoven,cookmeatthoroughly,drainandsetaside.Wipeoutovenandsteamonion,
broccoliandmushroomsovermediumcoalsforapprox.10minutes.Removevegetablesandsetaside.


Dryoutovenwithpapertowelthenrubsidesandbottomwithoiledpapertowel.Inseparatecontainer
beateggs,milk,salt,pepperandbutter.Foldinmeat,vegetablesandcheese.Pourintoovenandbake
fromtop&bottomfor14minutes.Removeovenfromcoalsandcontinuebakingfromtoponly20more
minutesoruntileggsareset.

DUTCHOVENROLLS
1T.yeast 1tsp.salt
1/4C.warmwater 1T.sugar
1C.warmmilk 3C.flour
1T.butter
Mixdryyeastinwater,stirtodissolve.Addmilk,butter,saltand
sugar;stirwell.Addflourinsmallamounts(reserve1/2cup)and
mixthoroughly.Thedoughwillbestiff.Sprinklesomeofreserved
flouronflatsurface.Kneaduntildoughissmooth.Placeingreased
bowl,coverandletriseuntildouble(approx.1hour).Shapedough
intosmoothrollsandplaceingreasedDutchoven.Coverandlet
riseuntildouble.Whenbaking,youneedabout1/3ofthecoalson
thebottomand2/3onthetopofDutchoven.Bakingtimeis
approximately10minutesonthefirethenremoveandcookan
additional10minuteswithcoalsontoponly.VariationsCinnamon
Rolls:Rollintorectangle,spreadwithmargarine,addbrownsugar,
cinnamon,raisins&nutsasdesired.Rollupandcut1"slicesand
placeinDutchoven(edgestouching).Letriseuntildouble.Bakeas
above.

CORNBREAD
1yellowcakemix 2C.cornmeal
2cupmilk 1tsp.salt
2C.flour 7tsp.bakingpowder
1/2cupoil 2eggs
Setasidecakemix.Mixalldryingredients,thenmixtheremainingingredientsinaseparatebowl.
Combinethetwomixturesandsetaside.Preparethecakemixaccordingtodirections.Combinethis
withothermixture.Pourintowellgreased12"oven.Bakewithcoalsontopandbottomfor1215
minutes.Removefromfireandcontinuecookingwithcoalsontoponly(approx.15minutes).

POTROAST
2tablespoonsshortening 1/4teaspoonpepper
441/2poundsbeefrumproast 1onion,sliced
Flour Carrots
2tablespoonswater Potatoes
2tablespoonssalt
PreheatDutchoven.Meltshorteninginoven.Dustmeatwithflour;brownonallsides.Addwater;
sprinklemeatwithsaltandpepper;placeonionontop;cover.Cookuntilmeatisforktender.Potatoes
andcarrotsmaybeaddedduringlastpartofcooking.Serves8.






BEEFSTEW
2poundsbeef(11/2"thick) 1cupcannedtomatoes
1/3cupflour 1/2teaspoonWorcestershiresauce
1/4teaspoonpepper 4mediumpotatoes,pared,quartered
1/2teaspoonsalt 1largeonion,peeled,chopped
3tablespoonsshortening 1smallheadcabbage,chopped
1/4cupdicedonion 10carrots,peeled,chopped
1clovegarlic,minced 110oz.packagefrozenpeas
23/4cupsboilingwater
Trimexcessfatfrommeat;cutintocubes.Combineflour,salt&pepperthencovermeatcubes.Melt
shorteninginoventhenbrownmeatonallsides.Addonion,garlic,water,tomatoes&Worcestershire
sauce;cover.Cookuntilmeatisforktender.Addpotatoes,cabbagecarrots,andlargeonion;cookuntil
tender.Addpeasandcookthrough.Serves46.

BAKEDBEANS
2poundsdriednavyorpeabeans 2tablespoonsvinegar
4cupswater 2teaspoonsdrymustard
1teaspoonsalt 8oz.cantomatosauce
1/4cupbrownsugar 1mediumonion,sliced
1/2cupmolasses 3slicesbacon
1cupketchup
Rinse,sortbeans.Coverwithwaterandsoakovernight.Drainbeans;placein
Dutchoven.Addwater;cover;cookuntiltender.Addtherestoftheingredients
exceptbacon;mixwell.Topwithbaconstrips,cover.Cooktoreducetheliquid.
Aboutonehour.Serves1214.

TASTYBEANS
2,21/2sizecansporkandbeans 1greenpepper,diced
1poundhamburger 4tablespoonsbrownsugar
1/2poundsausage 1teaspoonchilipowder
1largeonion,diced 1/2teaspoongarlicsalt
121/2sizecanwholetomatoes
Brownhamburgerandsausagein14"Dutchovensetonbedofcoals.Addonionandgreenpepperand
sautthemwiththemeat.Addtherestoftheingredients(salt&peppertotaste).Cover;bringtoboil
andserve.Serves1012.




SAUSAGEANDCABBAGE
Cleanandwedgeonelargeheadofcabbage,placeonawirerackina12"Dutchoven.Seasonwithsalt,
pepperandbutterasdesired.Placeonelargepolishsausagearoundcabbage,addasmallamountof
waterinthebottomandsteamuntiltender(approx.4060minutes).







BARBECUEDRIBS
1/4cupshortening 1clovegarlic,minced
4poundsspareribs 1cupketchup
(3ribpieces) 1cupwater
1/2cuponion, 1/4cupvinegar
chopped 2tablespoonslemonjuice
1/2cupcelery, 2tablespoonsWorcestershiresauce
chopped 2tablespoonsbrownsugar
1/2cupgreen 1teaspoonsalt
pepper,chopped 1/4teaspoonpepper
MeltshorteninginDutchoven;brownribs;remove.Addonion,celery,greenpepper&garlic;saut5
minutes.Addremainingingredients.Returnribstooven;spoonsauceoverribs;cover.Cookuntilmeat
istender(apx.2hrs.),occasionallybastingmeat.Serves46.

DEEPDISHPIZZA
1poundsausage 1/2poundpepperoni
11/2poundgroundbeef 1/2poundcheese,grated
1packagepizzamix Olives,sliced
Brownmeatsinopenskillet,drainandsetasidetoremainwarm.Mixpizzadoughasdirectedandthen
rolloutapproximately23"largerthanlidofoven.Placedoughinwarmovenandfolditupthesides.
Pourtomatosaucefrompizzamixoncrust.Bakeabout1015minutes.Removefromheatandadd
toppings.Bakeagainforabout15minutes.

DUTCHOVENCHICKEN
Skinandwashtwochickens.Coatinflour,saltandpeppermixture.Meltenoughshorteningtocover
1/2"deepinoven.Completelybrownchicken.Removefromovenanddrainoffexcessshortening.Put
thechickenbackinovenandadd1/4"ofwarmwater.Coverandsteamforapproximatelyonehouror
untiltender.

CHICKENCORDONBLEU
Skinandbonechickenbreasts.Placebetween2piecesofwaxedpaper.Pounduntil1/4"thick.Takea
thinsliceofhamandSwisscheeseandplaceinsidechickenthenroll.PlaceinDutchoven.Coverwith
creamofchickensoup.Placeinfirewithcoalsontopandbottomfor1015minutes.Removefromfire
andcookwithcoalsontopforanother4050minutesoruntiltender.

MEATLOAF
11/2poundsleangroundbeef 1cupbreadcrumbs
1/2poundleangroundpork 1/4cupmilk
2onions,chopped 1/2cupcelery,chopped
3eggs 1/4cupcatsup

Mixallingredientstogether.Formintoaloafshape;placeincenterofDutchoven.Ifdesired,pour1cup
creamoftomatosoupovertop.Bakeforonehouroruntildone(becarefulthatfireisnottoohoton
thebottom).Serves810.






CHICKENRICE
1cuprice,uncooked 11/4cupsmilk
1cancreamofcelerysoup 1chicken,cutup
1cancreamofmushroomsoup 1packagedryonionsoupmix
SprinklericeintobottomofgreasedDutchoven.Mixcannedsoupsandmilk;heatuntilwellblended.
Pouroverrice,mixingwell.Placechickenoverrice,sprinklewithdryonionsoupmix.Bakefor75
minutesoruntildone.**Maysubstitutemeatballsforchickenifdesired.

DUTCHOVENCOBBLER
2tablespoonsbutterormargarine 1egg
1canfruitpiefilling Milk
1yellowcakemix
Meltbutterin10"Dutchovenandaddpiefilling.Addeggandmilktocakemixuntilconsistencyof
pancakebatter.Spoonontopofpiefilling.Placeinfirewithcoalsontopandbottom.Cook10minutes;
removefromfireandcontinuecookingforanother10minutesoruntildone.

PINEAPPLEUPSIDEDOWNCAKE
cupbrown 1yellowcakemix
sugar 1canslicedpineapple
cupbutter
Putbutterandbrownsugarinovenandstiruntilwellmixed;add
pineappleslices.Inseparatecontainer,mixcakemixaccordingto
directionsonpackage.Pourthebatteroverpineappleandplacelidon
top.Putinfirewithcoalsontopandbottomandbakefor15minutes.
Removeandcontinuetobakewithcoalsontoponlyfor1520minutes
longer.Coolfor10minutesbeforeserving.

DUMPCAKE
2cansfruitpiefilling cupnuts
1packagewhitecakemix cupbutterormargarine
Pourpiefillingingreasedcakepan.Mixnutsindrycakemixandsprinkleovertopoffilling.Drizzlewith
meltedbutter.Bakeasforcobbler.

FRUITCOCKTAILCAKE
2(1pound)cansfruitcocktail 2cupssugar
1poundcanpineapplechunks 3eggs,slightlybeaten
3cupsflour S1cupwater
3teaspoonsbakingsoda 1cupsbrownsugar
1teaspoonssalt 1cupswalnuts,chopped
GreaseDutchoven;pourinfruitandjuice.Combineflour,bakingsoda,salt,2cupssugar,eggs,and
water;pouroverfruit.Sprinklebatterwithbrownsugarandnuts;bake3545minutes(810coalson
bottom,1416ontop).








HUMMINGBIRDCAKE
3cupsflour 1cupswater
2cupssugar cupvegetableoil
1teaspoonsalt 1teaspoonsvanilla
1teaspoonbakingsoda 8ozcanpineapple,crushed
1teaspooncinnamon 1cuppecans,chopped
3eggs,beaten 2cupsbananas,chopped

Combinedryingredientsinlargemixingbowl;addeggsandoil.Stiruntilmoistened(donotbeat);stirin
remainingingredients.Greaseandflour12"Dutchoven;pourinbatter.Bakeat350degreesF.for5060
minutes(810coalsonbottom,1420ontop).

DUTCHOVENAPPLES
Washandcoresixoreightlargeapples.Fillholeswithsugar,raisinsandpatofbutter,pluscinnamonif
desired.Putapplesonagreasedpietinwithasmallamountofwater.Placetininovenonlegsmadeof
pebblesorbottlecapstopreventscorching.Coverandbakeforabout30minutes.

TASTYPASTRIES
1tablespoonyeast 1tablespoonjamorjelly
cupwater 1eggyolk
2stickspiecrustmix
Combineyeastandwater.Crumblepiecrustintoabowl;addsugar,eggyolkandyeastmixture.Mix
well;rollinto1"balls.PlaceintoDutchoven;makeindentationineach.Fillwithjam;letrise1hour.
Bakeat375degreesF.for1215minutesoruntillightlybrowned.Athinicingmaybedrizzledovertop.

PECANPIE
4eggs,beatenwell 2tablespoonsflour
1cupsdarkcornsyrup 1cuppecanhalves
cupmeltedbutter 9"pastryshell
1cupsugar
Combineeggs,cornsyrupandbutter;addtosugarandflourandbeatwell.Placepecansinpieshell;
pourfillingovertop.Arrangefloatingpecansontop.Bakefor1hourat350degreesF.(68coalson
bottom,1416coalsontop).

RASPBERRYCURRANTPIE
4cupsraspberries teaspoon
3cupscurrants cinnamon
2cupssugar 1/8teaspoonsalt
4tablespoonscornstarch Crustfor2crust
teaspoonalmondflavoring pie
cupcoldwater
Mixcornstarchandwaterthoroughly;addsugar,saltandcurrants.Cook
untilthickandbubbly;gentlystirinraspberries,flavoringandcinnamon.
Pourintopieshell;dotwithbutterthentopwithventedcrust.Bakewith8
10coalsonbottom,1620ontopuntilgoldenbrown.





SOURCREAMAPPLEPIE
57apples,peeledandsliced 1teaspooncinnamon
1/3cupsugar 3tablespoonssugar
teaspoonsalt 1cupwalnuts,chopped
3tablespoonsflour 1egg
2/3cupsourcream 1teaspoonvanilla
3tablespoonsbrownsugar
Combinesourcream,egg,vanilla,1/3cupsugar,saltandflourinbowl;beatwell.Addapplesandfold
together;spoonfillingintocrust.Combineremainingsugars,cinnamonandwalnuts;sprinkleovertop.
Makelatticepiecrustfortop;sealedges.Bakeforabout1houruntilapplesaretender(810coalson
bottom,1620coalsontop).

BLUEBERRYBUCKLE
cupshortening 2cupsflour
cupmilk cupflour
cupsugar 2tsp.bakingpowder
2cupsblueberries tsp.cinnamon
1egg,wellbeaten teaspoonsalt
cupsugar cupbutter
Creamshorteningandsugar;addeggandmixwell.Combine2cupsflour,
bakingpowderandsalt;addtocreamedmixturealternatelywithmilk.Pour
intowellgreasedDutchoven;pourblueberriesoverbatter.Combine
remainingsugar,flour,cinnamonandbutter;mixuntilcrumbly.Sprinkleover
top;bakeat350degreesF.4550minutes(8coalsonbottom,1416ontop).

APPLEPANDOWDY
3quartsapples,sliced teaspooncloves
2tablespoonsbutter teaspoonnutmeg
1cupmolasses 1teaspooncinnamon
teaspoonallspice Thickpastrycrust
Putapplesinseasonedoven;dotwithbutter.Combinemolassesandspices;pouroverapples.Topwith
thickpastry;bakeat300degreesF.untilapplesaredoneandpastryisbrown.Carefullycutpastryinto
2"squares;pokethemdownintoapplesbeforeserving.

BROWNIES
1cupmargarineorbutter 2cupssugar
1cupsflour 6tablespoonscocoapowder
4eggs 1cupnuts
1teaspoonvanilla
Meltmargarineina12"Dutchoven.Combineflour,sugarandcocoa;addeggsandvanilla.Mixwell;stir
inmargarineandnuts.Bakeat350degreesF.for20minutes(68coalsonbottom,1214ontop).Dust
withpowderedsugar.








HONEYAPPLECRISP
6cupsapples,sliced cupbrownsugar
1teaspoonlemonjuice teaspoonsalt
cuphoney 1/3cupbutter
1/3cupflour
2/3cupquickcookingoats
Greaseoven;placeapplesinbottom.Sprinklelemonjuiceandhoneyovertop.
Mixremainingingredientsuntiltheyresemblecoarsecrumbs;toptheapple
mixture.Bakeat375degreesF.forabout30minutes(810coalsonbottom,18
20coalsontop).

PUMPKINDESSERT
4eggs,slightlybeaten teaspoongroundcloves
29ozcanpreparedpumpkin 3cupsevaporatedmilk
1cupsugar 1yellowcakemix
1teaspoonsalt 1cupsbutter,melted
2teaspoonscinnamon 1cupnuts,chopped
1teaspoongroundginger
Combinethefirst8ingredients;spreadintobottomofwellgreasedDutchoven.Spreaddrycakemix
overtop;sprinklewithnuts.Pourmeltedbutterovertop;bakeat425Efor15minutes.Reduceheatto
350degreesF;bakeforanadditional50minutesoruntilknifecomesoutclean.
**Toachieve425degreesF.place20coalsontopand12onbottom.Toreduceheatto350degreesF.
place14coalsontopand6underneath.

ALMONDCOOKIES
1cupbrownsugar 1teaspoonbakingsoda
1cupshortening 2teaspoonscreamoftartar
1teaspoonalmondflavoring 2cupsflour
1egg Flakecoconut
Creamsugar,shorteningandalmondflavoring;addeggandmixuntilfluffy.Combinebakingsoda,
creamoftartarandflour;addtocreamedmixture.Rolldoughinto1"balls;rollincoconut.Bakeat375
degreesF.for1520minutes(710coalsonbottom,1416ontop).