A New Dutch Oven

It is getting hotter outside, and the sun sets much later, the children are all on vacation. This means that perhaps the most favorite season has begun: summer. Summer means a lot of things to a lot of different people, but for me and my relatives, summer means its time to go camping! Where to? The mountains, high up in the thin air, away from any kind of civilization is where we go. What is it about camping and the mountains that is so pleasing and attracting? Could it be that all our cares are put aside for a few memorable moments as we reflect on the beauty of God's creations? Or perhaps it is the thrill we get by being adventurous and doing things such as taking cold showers, sleeping on the ground by large cliffs, and biking down our favorite trail. There are so many fun and exciting activities that we can do in the mountains, which makes it hard to plan just what we will do. There is one activity though that we must always do; eating, and there is no better way to do that while camping then to bring a few dutch ovens to get that sweet flavor that only a dutch oven stove can give.

If you're looking for the most tasty food, cook it outside. I really can't relate to you what it is that makes it so particular. Something about the refreshing air gives your food new flavor. Cooking with fire and charcoal give a flavor to food that cannot be duplicated. No matter how many outdoor cookouts you have attended, you have not experienced the greatest in outdoor cooking unless you have cooked your food in a dutch oven. A cast iron dutch oven used to cook your meal very slow creates a very desirable flavor.

Dutch ovens are used for every type of food: lunch, dessert, and every other meal can be made. Meat, casserole, soup: you name it, if it's edible, it can probably be cooked in a dutch oven. Since dutch ovens are stackable, a three or four course meal can be prepared all at the same time.

Besides versatility and variety, a wonderful thing about dutch ovens is that once the food is prepared and on the charcoal to cook, your work is done and you are free to enjoy your time in the wild outdoors. Go fishing, take a hike, play cards, take a nap. Let the dutch oven do the work while you dedicate your vacation to recreation, the way it should be.

When checking to see how much longer the food needs to be cooked in a dutch oven, be cautious or you will sprinkle your dinner with a very different salt and pepper. My family refers to it as "mountain salt and pepper." This tasty kind of salt and pepper is really ash that can slide off the lid of the dutch oven as it is being removed from the dutch oven stove. It really doesn't hurt anyone, and it can't be tasted. Although it does leave a nice texture.

Now we have come to the best part: Dessert. Dessert is a very cherished meal and is becoming more popular every day. Actually, who am I kidding? Dessert has always been popular and will continue to be so unless the world's supply of sugar is suddenly cut off. Dutch oven dessert has to be my most favorite meal while camping. It is not like cooking it in your stove, there is a special flavor that comes from cooking it outdoors and if you haven't experienced it, I would highly recommend you do so soon. (You never know if sugar really will become extinct.)

Larissa Luke is an independent writer for ioVentures, Inc. For the most tasty dutch oven recipes, go now to dutchovenpro.com. They have a large selection of cast iron dutch ovens and the most popular camping stoves.