Dutch oven cooking for the cast iron newbie

Bt Teresa Douglas

So you went out and bought a Dutch oven. Congratulations.

You’re about to embark on the tasty world of Dutch oven cooking. But before you start throwing together your favorite recipes, there are a few tips and tricks you should know.

What Can You Cook in a Dutch Oven? Whether you’re looking for a Dutch oven cobbler recipe or a savory stew, your Dutch oven can handle it. Here are just a few of the Dutch oven recipes you can make:

Dutch oven Entrees Pork spare ribs, Apricot glazed Cornish Hens, Italian sausages with Peppers and Onions, Chicken Enchiladas, Vegetarian pizza, and all-in-one meals such as stew and meat loaf.

Dutch oven Sides Cheesy scalloped potatoes, Dutch oven stuffing, baked beans, and roasted vegetables.

Dutch oven Breads Baking powder biscuits, Southern Cornbread, Garlic Cheese Rolls, Banana bread and Hawaiian braided bread.

Dutch oven Breakfast Sausage soufflé, eggs, pancakes, and vegetable omletes.

Dutch oven Desserts Cherry Chocolate cake, Pineapple upside down cake, Fruit cobbler, and Apple tort.

Dutch oven Cooking 101 You can cook these Dutch oven recipes on your stove, oven, or campfire without missing a beat. That’s what’s so great about cast iron. But if you want those Dutch oven meals to turn out well, you need to keep these things in mind:

Follow the Directions Exactly Dutch ovens cook differently. Don’t alter the amounts in the recipe. And make sure you measure everything correctly. What can look wrong is actually right because the rules are a bit different for a Dutch oven—especially for desserts. You will become accustomed to it after a little practice.

Know How Well Your Dutch oven is Seasoned The better seasoned your oven, the easier it is to get wonderful results. If your oven is new or poorly seasoned, then you will want to make sure it’s well oiled. If you’re making bread (regardless of how well seasoned the oven is) coat the inside in shortening and heat it for a few minutes before adding the batter.

Keep Your Oven at a Constant Temperature This is the number one key to success. And it can be the most difficult skill to master. This isn’t a problem when cooking indoors of course. We’re talking now about outdoor cooking. The next section will show you how to master this skill.

How to Handle Your Hot Dutch oven Without Hurting Yourself All of those coals are going to make your Dutch oven very hot. And the food will make it heavy. Here are a few of the Dutch oven accessories that will make your life easier:

Leather gloves: Don’t use synthetic—they will melt! Lid lifter: This accessory will keep your hands away from the hot coals on the lid.

Quilted handle sleeve: Pot holders aren’t enough (though you should have them). A quilted sleeve will keep you from burning your hands.

Cast iron trivet: This protects your table top from the Dutch oven’s heat.

Fireplace tongs and poker: Use these to move the coals around during cooking. Iron tripod: Useful if you don’t want to kneel in front of a campfire.

Carry Case: Either woven or wooden. This protects your cast iron during storage. It also protects your clothes and car from the oil on the Dutch oven.

Turkey baster: To remove excess liquid during cooking.

Long handled tongs: These move either food or briquettes while keeping your hands away from hot liquids or flame. Many of these accessories can make your cooking experience very pleasant. But don’t think you have to buy everything at once. If you can only afford a few items, get a pair of leather of leather gloves, tongs, and a turkey baster. This will get you started. Buy the other items as you can. Creating great tasting food is easy in your Dutch oven—if you’re prepared. Stock up on the necessary supplies and follow the above tips. You will soon be making meals your family and friends rave about.

Teresa Douglas is an experienced, professional writer and a cooking enthusiast. She enjoys helping others learn to cook by sharing secrets and tips on Dutch oven cooking, and cast iron cookware. Photo credit: Nic McPhee