Tags

By Keith Fisher

Several years ago, I helped organize a Dutch oven gathering in Virgin, Utah. A friend of mine lived there, and he’d decided to hold a cook off in February. Our Dutch oven cooking group wanted to go south for the winter. We were tired of the weather, and it was the Olympics year. The warm weather and lack of tour buses appealed to us.

We helped the cook off by talking it up, and convincing many to enter. My friend helped us, by promoting the Dutch oven gathering we planned for the evening before. My resourceful friend persuaded the St George newspaper to run a story. Essentially it said there would be several Dutch oven cooks cooking at the resort and everyone is invited.

The article mentioned nothing about a potluck party. We wondered if it would matter. In an area the size of Virgin how many people would come anyway? On Friday afternoon, we started cooking our meals for the big potluck party. I don’t remember how many of us were cooking, or how many pots were going, but by the time the dinner bell rang, we had over two hundred-fifty people lined up to try some of the free Dutch oven food.

To this day, many of us still joke about feeding the five thousand. We wonder where we got the five loaves and three fishes. When it was over, many of the cooks had not eaten. We were stuck cleaning up in the dark and didn’t get a chance to eat what we had cooked.

Now, the purpose of our trip, other than the cook off the next morning, was to persuade the wonderful people of Southern Utah to become members of our club. We didn’t get them, The majority of the crowd was only interested in dinner, and we provided a good one. At least that’s what I heard. I ate a day old sandwich, but when you’re hungry, you don’t care.

When we packed up, it was somewhat difficult to find our own belongings. Everything was mixed with everything else. There were so many Dutch ovens it would’ve been hard to identify our own. Except most of us were smart. We had tagged out own Dutch ovens before hand.

Other than for identification, Tags are a great idea. They help with inventory when your hobby starts to get out of hand, they help you keep the lid and the pot together for a good match, and (depending on your originality) they showcase your coolness.

There are many kinds of tags that can be used successfully. Military dog tags are a popular solution. You can have them made in Army surplus stores. My dad, in his day, was a great metal fabricator and welder. He hand made tags with a ring welded permanently, to the lid handle and bail. I have seen a less bulky version of this attached with key rings.

When I started tagging mine, I used round brass key tags, scratched my initials into them and attached them with key rings. This worked fine for a couple of Dutch ovens, but after a while my scratchings faded. I got new tags and punched my initials along with a number. Now I can take inventory and know which pot is missing. Of course there is the issue of the removable key ring, but you can make it permanent with a drop of hot lead solder.

Use tags of some kind to personalize your Dutch ovens. Then if you ever feed five thousand, you will be ready. Just don’t use paper or plastic tags.

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Finding Peace & Togetherness in a Dutch Oven

By Keith Fisher

Did you ever wonder what happened to the family dinner hour? Do you even remember what that was all about? Long before Marge and Homer we had shows on television that promoted family values. Shows like; the Donna Reed Show, Leave it to Beaver, and Father Knows best.

One thing these shows had in common, other than being about families, they had at least one scene where the family sat down together for dinner. Friends were expected to leave, Kids rarely had conflicting actives, and Parents were always home on time.

Wow! You say. When did that happen? The stone age? It was the fifties and sixties. Even on Gilligan’s Island the whole group sat down for at least one meal together.

What happened to all that togetherness? Erma Bombeck wrote in her book, Family-the ties that bind . . . and Gag "The problem at family dinners is that no one can agree on what is considered to be a fit topic to discuss at dinner time." She said Children tend to talk about subjects that take away your interest in food. Men want to talk about money, and mothers use dinner to discuss the sins the children committed in their diapers.

It doesn’t have to be that way you know. If a man cooks a Dutch oven meal in the backyard, Mother’s love it, because they don’t have to cook. Children love it, because they think they’re camping. Dad loves it because he’s saving money by not taking the family out to eat. Really, though, he loves it, because he adores his new hobby. The reverse is also true if the mother does the cooking.

The hidden benefit to all this? If you can find a way to pique the interest of the young ones, you will have them cooking in Dutch ovens. When they find success with a black pot, they will be hooked for life. Then, Mom and Dad can really enjoy the backyard party.

Of course if it gets around the block or the extended family that someone is cooking in Dutch ovens, you won’t need to worry. Dad will have friends talking to him, Mom will be able to compare notes with other moms, and the kids . . . well, if you get enough of them interested, you can hold cook offs in your backyard.

Save me a spoonful of cobbler and put a little ice cream on it for me, will you?

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Update

by Keith Fisher

I wanted to update my December contest and talk about the current one. Tuesday, I delivered a Chuck Wagon Dinner bell to Nichole Giles. Her name was chosen from the draw and she won in December. As you can see in the picture, she was thrilled. Use it in good health Nichole.


So far, I’ve had two comments but nobody entered the contest for the video. Either it’s not a great prize or I wasn’t successful in my promotion. It couldn’t be that hard. Just read old blogs and go to a website. I will extend it for another week, after that, if nobody enters I’ll put my video away for another day.

I watched the deer as they came down from the mountain the other day. I wished I had a camera with a really long lens. Deer come down in the winter every year but this year, we got several deep snowstorms in a row. Snow still covers some of the roads where I live. People get stuck, and the Deer are coming down in herds.


I stood there, watching, not willing to leave. During the time when I can pursue those deer, they have the advantage. Yes, it’s true I have a rifle, but my deer have developed methods of concealment, and they are getting better at it.


During the winter, however, survival is paramount. My deer can’t play concealment games. So we humans get to watch the splendor. To admire the beauty of a majestic animal—to lament the old days when deer were easier to hunt. There’s a lesson in there someplace, but I’m going to leave you to think of one.


I thought of a great idea. Right now there are many opportunities to get out and play in the snow. There is a park and pavilion nearby to where I watched the deer. I could invite my friends to come and watch the deer and I could cook a Dutch oven meal. What a great Saturday afternoon party it would be. If you decide to try it, dress warm, take pictures, and send them to us.





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Moving Up the List/Another Contest

by Keith Fisher

I perused the Google images to find inspiration for this blog and noticed something. I found I was listed on the third page back, but it was my website, not this blog. The website is pretty much static, so, it should be farther back. Don’t get me wrong I’m glad to be there, but since I post on this blog twice a week, it should be listed closer to the front. It took a while, but I finally found the blog after searching several more pages.

Could you help me out? I need an ego boost. Tell your friends about this blog and encourage them to come and leave comments. If we get enough hits, this page will move closer to the front, and I will be very happy. In fact if you get someone new to visit, tell them to drop your name and I’ll put you in a drawing for a special prize.

To help out in this situation, I think it’s time to give something away. This time, in order to win, you must leave a comment here, and leave your answers in an email (unless you want to give the answers away) bloggame57 at yahoo dot com.

At this point in the game, an announcer named John comes on and tells us what prize we can win. Since we don’t have an announcer, or the money to pay one. Shoot, we aren’t even on television. I guess I’ll have to show you.


This is a never been viewed, VHS copy of Cookin’ Outdoors with Johnny Nix. He is the host of a cable program called Campfire Café and he talks the viewers through their first time experience with outdoor cooking. It’s even entertaining for old time camp cooks.

Here’s what you have to do to win. Email your answers to five questions.

1. What year did I win the World Championship Dutch Oven Cook Off with my partner?
   
2. What do I love to do first thing in the morning on campouts?
   
3. Name 3 Dutch oven manufactures.
   
4. What is the name of my Dutch oven website (not my blog)?
   
5. What does the picture show on top of the picture scrapbook?
   

All of these answers can be found on this blog, or my Dutch oven website. in the event of a tie, we will draw names from a pot.

There you have it. Feed my ego, and I’ll put your name in the drawing. Answer the questions and win a free video. Until then, the best way to beat the cold is to light a fire and cook over it.

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Soap & Water

By Keith Fisher

There once was an old sheepherder who had a nephew visit him. During the visit, the old man made dinner for the nephew, teaching him how to cook in Dutch ovens. During the mixing and preparing, the nephew kept trying to clean up. He went to wash a mixing bowl and the old man said. "Don’t worry about it, soap and water will take care of it."

Every time the young man tried to clean up, the sheepherder reminded him that soap and water does a good job. Finally the meal was done, and it turned out to be delicious. Once again the nephew offered to help clean up. "No need. Soap and water will do," the old man said.

After awhile, they sat around the campfire swapping stories when the Nephew saw a big dog come around the corner of the wagon. The Old sheepherder noticed him, and called the dog. "Come here Soap and Water," he said.

I know the temptation is great to use a dishwasher when you’re in the mountains, but please refrain. I’m sure the nephew threw up when he discovered the source of all his uncle’s clean dishes.

I often wish all Dutch oven enthusiasts would compete in a Dutch oven cook off, because one of the judging criteria is to have a clean kitchen. Judges watch the cooks to make sure they use rubber gloves when needed, wash the dishes frequently, and wash hands constantly.

Not so much anymore, but in the old days of cook offs, the food was distributed to the spectators as samples gratis. So the food needed to be free from problems. The judges watch these days, because it’s bad news to give a judge food poisoning.

Because of this concern, and because the cooks are an example to the public, the World Championship event requires a current food handler’s permit issued from the county where they live. Dutch oven competitors have become knowledgeable in safe food preparation and I would eat at any of their tables.

All you need to do is take a class (see a film), take an open book test, and pay the fee. I got mine in an afternoon. It has been invaluable to me. The things I learned made me a cleaner cook. I can cook anywhere with pride, knowing my food is safe and my guests are protected.

Little things like a three-tub dish washing system can kill 90% of all major problems. In the three-tub system, you have one tub filled with hot, soapy water. Another with rinse water, and a third tub, filled with one tablespoon of chlorine bleach to one gallon of water.

Clean countertop surfaces with the same solution in spray bottle. But don’t re-use contaminated sanitize solution. Wash hands frequently and sanitize. Wear rubber gloves when handling meats and other raw foods. Don’t use the same knife on your vegetables that you use to de-bone the chicken.

All these things will help make your next cookout a happy experience. And you will be hero instead of the Blankity-Blank who poisoned your guests. When you get a minute, take the class, get your food handler’s permit. Then you can claim to be a professional.

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Another Chance

By Keith Fisher

Let me be the first to wish you Happy New Year. Isn’t it amazing that each year we get another chance to do all the things we neglected to do last year? We take a calendar off the wall and tack up a new one. Twelve pages of unfilled boxes, lines to fill in our commitments, promises not yet made.

What a great chance we have to do it right and fill those calendar pages with things that matter. 2009 promises to be one of the best years of our lives. True it is, that our country faces economic uncertainty, but it seems it’s only a matter of positive confidence.

Economic recovery during the Great depression came through confidence. The people of our country began to believe in themselves again. With that in mind, we can turn things around. I know it works, because it worked in 1940.

Now, it’s time to celebrate. Yes, of course with Dutch ovens. I ask you what better way to ring in the New Year, than by tapping a Dutch oven lid with your fork. Seriously, take the family to the nearest hillside. The snow will reflect the light—it’ll be like daytime. Let the kids slide down the hill on inner tubes and you can cook a tasty treat. Even if it’s only hot cider, It’ll be fun for you. When the big moment comes, light the fireworks, and ring your Chuck wagon dinner bell.

Let me take the liberty of filling your calendar for you. First is the Super bowl party. A great Dutch oven feast can be had while you and your guests watch the big game on tape, fast-forwarding the commercials.

Next, of course is human rights day, followed by Presidents Day. I think a cherry pie would go well with the beef roast.

If you forget to get a gift for Valentines Day, don’t delay, run out to the carport and start cooking a great Dutch oven dinner. Tell her/him you are cooking it especially for them. Then when you have to run to the store to retrieve a forgotten ingredient, remember to get a nice greeting card.

St Patrick’s Day in March gives you an opportunity to learn some Irish recipes. Spring begins in March this year. Throw a spring party—cook a leg of lamb.

There’s Easter, and Passover. Good Friday, and Secretaries Day. Start thinking of theme meals you can cook. Our family usually goes camping when Easter falls in April. I can make cheesy potatoes with boiled eggs. I’ll give you that recipe in April. Don’t let me forget.

Of course cooking for Mom on Mother’s Day, is one of the best things you can do to show you appreciate her. On Memorial Day, gather on Grandma’s front lawn, for dinner after you visit the grave.

You get the picture. Make this year the one to remember. Cook low fat if you have to, but get out there and have fun in your backyard or favorite campground. You have to eat anyway. You might as well enjoy the preparation. And have fun, show the world you have confidence and the economy will follow.



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Cooking in the Wind

By Keith Fisher

I’ve been nursing a cold and forgot it was Friday, so I’m a bit late posting. I got a little sleep and dreamed I was cooking in Dutch ovens. It was summer and we were having a heat wave. The charcoal was so hot I wondered if I would sweat to death.

Then I woke up and looked out the window. Snow was piled up on the swamp cooler and icicles were hanging off the roof what a refreshing change. I was reminded of a cook off held on the fourth of July.

I love living in a place that has dramatic changing seasons.

Heres a Dutch oven tip for today:

If while you are cooking there is a serious wind to deal with, there are many options available.

The table, windscreen . . . many commercial tables come with a three-sided windscreen. They have tabs that fit over the lip on the table they block most of the wind.

For those who don’t have a commercial table, you can use a piece of aluminum roof flashing. Just wrap it around the pot, clamp it to itself with a paper clip.


I saw a cute idea of taking old license plates, stand them on end, connect them with wire and stand them up in a circle around the pot.


You can also close your cooking space in. A word of warning, however, charcoal fumes can kill you. Ventilation is important and the heat will melt a tarp.


Whatever method you use, you might still need to adjust your heat, there are a few tricks that with a little practice will help you. Pile extra coals on the windward side of the lid and under the pot. The wind will carry the heat over the oven. Whatever you do, remember it should be fun.



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