Could campers live on trail-mix
alone? This is a quandary that campers could discuss for an entire
journey along a hiking trail, or down a river in an inflatable raft.
For most of us, trail mix makes an excellent snack that we can enjoy
during any camping trip. The blend of stuff such as sunflower seeds,
nuts, chocolate chips, shredded coconut, dried fruit, and granola
is heaven sent. Not only is it tasty, but it provides a boost of
energy that helps us to keep our arms and legs moving during any
camping activity. But when hiking in Berlin
Ohio y or elsewhere, could you eat tail-mix for breakfast, lunch
and dinner as well?
The ‘oven’ in Dutch ovens
If you crave some hot chow during your camping trip, consider using
a Dutch oven. As its name suggests, it’s not particularly
an oven made in Holland. It’s actually a heavy pot, usually
constructed of cast iron and having a lid that fits tightly. Dutch
ovens are ideal for cooking meals that require slow cooking. Biscuits,
French toast, pancakes, Amish cuisine, soup, cornbread, pizza (yes,
pizza!), donuts, and stew are just some of the foods that you can
prepare in a cast iron Dutch oven.
Seasoning a pot
Before using your cast iron Dutch oven, season it before seasoning
the food. Some Dutch ovens available are already pre-seasoned. However,
they may need an additional seasoning if the food starts to stick.
Seasoning your Dutch oven before you camp in Amish
Country Inn Berlin Ohio
or another location, is a piece of cake. First, clean the pot with
ultra-hot soapy water, and use a nylon scouring pad to remove any
rust. Next, heat the oven so it is hot, but not too hot to touch.
Use a paper towel; and thin vegetable oil or melted shortening,
to place a thin layer over the Dutch oven’s entire surface.
Afterwards, heat the Dutch oven until the coating becomes firm,
but not burnt. Finally, allow the pot to cool by air-drying
Where there is fire, there is cooking
When building a fire for your cast iron Dutch oven, make sure to
use the following guidelines:
1. Choose an area with solid ground and that is safeguarded from
the wind.
2. Use a designated campfire site when cooking directly on the ground.
3. Position coals efficiently atop and underneath the pot. This
will constantly heat your Dutch oven. On top, place the coals mainly
around the perimeter. Beneath the pot, place them near the base
of the oven, and one inch from the perimeter.
4. If the ground is wet, keep your coals dry by using a large metal
pan filled with gravel from a river.
5. Distribute coals differently for different foods. For stews,
half should be on top, and half on the bottom. When baking, two-thirds
of the coals should be situated on top, and one-third of them beneath
the pot.
6. Protect the plants around the cooking area, from the damage of
heat and flames. This is very important for all campsites, including
those in Amish
Country In Ohio.
7. Charcoal briquettes provide the perfect heat source when cooking
with a cast iron Dutch oven. Dry hardwoods are an alternative that
you can use.
8. Don’t peek! Covered pots are 90% more efficient than uncovered
pots, so resist the urge to look at your Amish cuisine or other
dishes, unless it is necessary.
Most of us like to snack on trail-mix while camping in Amish country
and elsewhere. But as the old saying goes, variety is the spice
of life. Cast iron Dutch ovens provide an outstanding way to make
some really tasty, hot meals. Following some simple steps can prepare
the pots for a smorgasbord of tasty foods. What’s in your
Dutch oven?
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