Dutch Oven Cooking Brings Back Pioneer Days

Over the generations Dutch oven cooking came close to being a lost art, but a recent revival has brought renewed popularity to this one-pot method of meal preparation. Being able to cook roasts, bake bread and create sweet desserts all in one covered metal pot is suddenly appealing.

Dutch oven cooking requires, in addition to a Dutch oven, a little understanding of how they work to be able to use one to achieve the desired effects of a great tasting meal. Whether you are cooking a roast or baking bread, it is all done over an open fire, which makes Dutch oven cooking idea for camping in the wild without the benefit of a restaurant near the motel.

When thinking about starting Dutch oven cooking you will want a quality Dutch oven, and the debate continues on whether cast iron or aluminum is best. There are pros and cons to each with cast iron offering a more even heat as well as holding the heat better while aluminum is easier to clean and weighs considerably less. However, whether you choose aluminum or cast iron, you will want one with legs to keep the bottom from sitting on the fire or charcoal.

Use Right Number Of Coals For Cooking

Dutch oven cooking requires coals to be placed under and on the oven, to evenly distribute heat throughout the interior and how many coals you use will determine the temperature of the oven as well as cooking times. There is a general rule of two that can be followed regardless of the size of the Dutch oven.

Coals the size of charcoal briquettes or briquettes can be figured as diameter minus two go underneath and the diameter plus two go on top. For example, a 12-inch Dutch oven will need 10 briquettes under the oven and 14 briquettes on top. This will maintain an interior temperature of about 350 degrees as long as the coals are hot when placed. Virtually any baked item can be baked at 350 degrees, making Dutch oven cooking quite simple.

Once you have a new Dutch oven or have reconditioned a used one, you will want to treat it as though it is coated with a non-stick finish. Once you have cured the oven, metal utensils will scrape off the curing and your food will stick to the interior. Many recommend turning the over upside down and burning out any food stuck to the inside and cleaning with hot soap and water before using it for Dutch oven cooking in the future.

Cooking Tips Help Novice and Expert Cooks

The proof is in the pudding so judging the ability of a cook begins with the first taste of a meal. After tasting a dish prepared by a great cook, one might think that no one could add to the skills of this cook. All cooks appreciate cooking tips to improve their skills in the kitchen. These cooking tips can include information on seasonings, useful utensils or cooking techniques. Other cooking tips might help a cook prepare meals more quickly or more cheaply. Beginning cooks will appreciate cooking tips that are all about the basics. These novices will need to have clear descriptions of cooking procedures from start to finish.

Tips on organizing a kitchen will also help a cook work more efficiently so tips on planning and arranging a kitchen are usually appreciated. Pots and pans are necessary for preparing the best meals and cooking tips on purchasing these items might mean the difference between a medium rare steak and one that is burnt to a crisp. Cooking tips from experts will help others make a plan to get all of the dishes prepared at the time set for serving the meal. If the broccoli is done two hours before the potatoes, the broccoli will not be delicious.

Cooking Tips Are Available from Multiple Sources

Any cook looking for some cooking tips will be pleased to know that there is an abundance of information on cooking. There are several excellent cooking shows that give detailed demonstrations on cooking various dishes. The experts that appear on the shows are cooks but also interesting characters. These hosts make cooking interesting and better than ever. A cook looking for deserts, entrees and appetizers will find new ideas on the cooking shows. The expert cooks on television offer cooking tips as well as suggestions for presentation of the prepared dishes.

Cooking tips are available in books and magazines. The local library will have a selection of books that provide recipes and cooking instructions. Most libraries have a huge selection of books about cooking. There are specialty magazines available at the local bookstore with great cooking tips. These magazines usually have clear directions for food preparation and beautiful pictures to demonstrate difficult procedures. The local newspapers often have special sections full of tips. The food section of the newspaper has new and different recipes that will surprise the most demanding gourmet.