A Dutch Oven World

Cooking with a Dutch oven while camping is a great way to enjoy meals that are delicious and easy. Some of my favorite camping memories involve Dutch oven dinners! Because food is such an important part to a good camping experience, take along your Dutch oven and try out some of the recipes that are included below.

But first, a little bit about Dutch ovens. Cast iron is a popular material for Dutch ovens. It's a great material for cooking while camping or even in your own kitchen at home. Cast iron cookware is very popular because food doesn't get stuck to it like it does other types of metal cookware, and it also cooks food quickly and evenly. Best of all, cast iron is easy to clean, which is one of my requirements when buying cookware, especially camping cookware like a Dutch oven. All you have to do is use soap and water to clean your cast iron Dutch oven. Also, make sure that you dry it out soon after washing to prevent rusting. Another great thing about a cast iron Dutch oven is that there's really nothing you can do to damage or ruin it. They last forever so you'll be able to use it for as long as you like, and once you try some of these great recipes, you'll be glad that your Dutch oven is a permanent fixture in your camping cookware collection.

Along with this information a few recipes would be valuable so you know what to make in those Dutch ovens of yours.

Enchiladas (I can almost taste it now)

2 lbs. hamburger
1 large green pepper
1 large onion
1 large red pepper
1 package tortillas
1 bottle enchilada sauce
1 pound of cheese
1 pound of mozzarella cheese
Non stick vegetable spray

Spray with non-stick spray (doing this will make cooking and cleaning your Dutch oven much easier). Make a hole in the middle of the tortillas. Line the bottom and sides with the tortillas. Use the small lid to the Dutch oven and brown the hamburger, adding the onion and peppers. Pour half of the hamburger, cheese, and enchilada sauce over the first layer of tortillas. Repeat this twice and top with cheese. Cook over medium heat on a camp stove or use 30 briquettes for 375 degrees. Place 20 of the briquettes on top and 10 underneath. Heat until hot and the cheese is melted.

Another great meal to make with your Dutch oven is chili. Chili is just one of those foods that no camping trip should be without!

Easy Chili

1 small bag of chili beans
1/4 tsp. soda
1 tsp. salt
1 can tomato soup
1/2 bottle catsup
1 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1 onion
3 tsp. pepper

Soak beans with 1/4 tsp. soda by covering them with water for about 6-8 hours (soaking the beans overnight is a good idea). Drain beans and pour into the Dutch oven. Add fresh water about 1 inch above the beans. Add 1 tsp. salt and cook over medium heat on your stove or use 10-11 briquettes. Boil for about 2 hours. Add tomato soup, catsup, sugar, and chili powder. Cook over medium heat on camp stove or use 10-11 briquettes. Let this mixture boil.

Take the small lid and brown hamburger and onion. Take off grease and add to liquid mixture. Add pepper and cook over low heat on camp stove or use 8 or 9 briquettes for about 20 minutes. Continue stirring.

Now, the real reason Dutch ovens were invented, to make dessert!

Fantastic Cake

1 box of cake mix
4 Tbsp. flour (divided)
Non stick vegetable spray

Follow the directions on the cake mix box. Add 1 Tbsp. of flour to mix. Remove all racks and spray with non stick spray. Coat with 3 Tbsp. of flour. Discard extra flour and pour cake batter in. Put lid on and cook over low to medium low heat on a camp stove or use 8 to 9 briquettes. Cook 15-20 minutes. Test with a toothpick: Cake is done when toothpick comes out clean. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.

Now you will take a knife and cut around the cake. Put the grill upside down and place it on top of the dutch oven. Using hot pads, keep the grill in place and turn the Dutch oven upside down so the cake falls out onto the grill. Cover with icing when cake is completely cooled.

Make sure to take several Dutch ovens to be able to cook a couple menu items at a time. Don't forget these recipes and your Dutch ovens next time you go camping with friends and family. Enjoy!

Kelsey Norwood is a freelance writer for ioVentures, Inc. Find the perfect dutch oven from a large selection at Dutchovenpro.com. Find out why you need a new cast iron dutch oven and order one today! Your next camping trip will be very memorable with your new dutch ovens.