On The Cutting Edge

By Keith Fisher

Father’s Day is fast approaching. I hope you plan to cook outdoors for your father. If you’re having trouble finding something for the special father in your life, may I suggest Dutch oven and camp cooking tools? Click this link for suggestions. Click this link for a list of needed tools.

I was contemplating this blog the other day and a pattern seemed to emerge. Several years ago, I got caught up in a trend called Citizens Band Radio. When I got involved, everyone had a federal license. In fact, it was the law. I thought it was a wonderful idea. I could keep in touch with my friends, and get help in an emergency.

I found out how useful the tool was when I got my Blazer stuck one night. Being way out in the desert, walking to a phone would’ve taken all night. I got on the radio and contacted someone who made a phone call and help arrived.

CB radio was cutting edge and it was my hobby. Soon, clubs formed and social events revolved around the craze. Television and movies got involved and it seemed that everyone had a radio. The government stopped requiring licenses, (probably because there were too many users to keep up with). I became one of many who enjoyed the hobby.

Later, when I got involved in Dutch oven cooking and competition, I started one of the first websites devoted to Dutch oven. I posted pictures and that was new. Later I authored a site for the Greater Wasatch Dutch Oven Society, and we used it to keep our members informed about upcoming events, along with useful info about cooking in black pots.

In my writing career, I learned to blog. Shortly after, an opportunity came up to blog about Dutch oven and camp cooking for Your LDS Neighborhood.com so I became one the first to blog about it.

Now, there are thousands of websites, and many blogs about Dutch oven. There are podcasts and video and I am a lone voice in the wilderness. I take comfort, though in knowing I made a contribution.

This point was brought home to me the other day when an old friend sent me an E-mail. He referred to a document taken from Facebook, talking about coal placement for Dutch ovens. My friend asked if I subscribe to the rule of thumb mentioned. So, I went to the info and discovered it was something I put on the Internet twelve years ago.

Yes I was on the cutting edge at one time. It’s fun to see graphical images, I created, pop up on other websites and blogs. It would be nice to get credit, but I use their images too.

I also realized the basics of outdoor cooking need to be covered on this blog, but I already wrote about those things. Look to your left. There’s a search window. Type in your question. Chances are, I already blogged about those things. Use a keyword to narrow the search. If you can’t find your answers leave a comment. I’ll pull the info off my website or write a new article.

I hope you enjoy your hobby. Stop back often and see what kinds of things I’ll rant about next.

Camp Chef DOG and a Demo

by Keith Fisher

I couldn't make it to the DOG at Campchef last Saturday, but my wife did. Thank You, to Steve and all the CampChef guys and gals for providing one of the best events of the season. I especially want to thank the man who helped fill her Girls Camp cook needs. She didn't remember your name, but she really appreciated your time and help.

The DOG (Dutch Oven Gathering) was held on the lawn in front of the CampChef plant. As I mentioned, it's the premier event of Dutch oven gatherings. Everyone is there and the food is great. Afterword, Campchef offers great deals on some of their products.

Mark your calender for next year. It's always held the first Saturday in June.

Emergency Preparedness

I had the opportunity this week, to teach and demonstrate Dutch oven cooking at our Church as part of the emergency preparedness fair. It had been awhile sinch I did a demo, so I scrambled for handouts. Digging through the old stuff brought back memories. I made a run to the copy store and put a drawing together. I made barbecued hot dog pieces and dairycase bread, and gave a Dutch oven candle away.

The Demo went pretty well. I made a short stack of Dutch ovens, with a 16-inch on the bottom, then 14, 12, 10, 8, and 6. I showed many differt types of other ovens. along with myriad lift lifters, lid holders, and charcoal starters. I showed some to the needed tools for Dutch oven and made hot dogs in my CampChef lifting grill (Simular to a volcano). There was fascination over the fact I was cooking in the building on a plastic table, with charcoal. The aroma brought people to my table. It was great.

I made Bread outside on the table from Pop n Fresh biscuits. Turn them on end side by side and fill the middle. great bread, easy and tasty. I like to bake it in an Ultimate Dutch oven. That way the cone in the center makes an interesting shape.

I find it fascinating that every time emergency preparedness is discussed, many people tell me, in an emergency, they're coming to my house to eat. I always tell them fine, but you bring your food storage. Yes I can cook outdoors, but if I don't have anything to cook . . . well, you get the idea.

In my demo, I built on the premise of what if the power goes out? Can you cook? I have been driven to the carport to bake bread when the kitchen oven broke down. My neighbor is happy to tell about the time they were making a birthday dinner and the power went out. I had been teaching him about Dutch oven cooking so he dragged out his gear and finished making dinner on the deck. the party was saved.

There are many, different types of emergency cooking gear, including a solar oven. If you already cook outdoors, you've won the battle. you can be the one who people talk about cooking durning disaster. Don't forget to tell them to bring their food storage.

Note: The writer has not recieved products for endorsements.

Memorial Day

By Keith Fisher

After you lay the flowers down, and remember those who came before, I hope you are planning a big outdoor get together. We’re going to my mother’s this year. And I’m baking a cake in my Dutch oven.

Whatever you do this day, I hope you spend it with those you love. May you have a safe holiday.

Now for the report, we made three big pots of barbecue spare ribs, three pots of potato smashers, and four cheesecakes. Wendy made coleslaw and the teachers had a wonderful meal. See some pictures here.

On Thursday, I mentioned we had a cheesecake factory going. We made them a day before and put the whole thing, pot too, in the fridge in preparation for the big day.

Later, I was asked how to make the ribs. So, here is my recipe.

A package of country style pork ribs
A large onion
A large green bell pepper
A large red bell pepper
Two bottles of your favorite barbecue sauce.

Dice and sauté the vegetables. Add the meat let simmer. About 1 hour later let the meat rest by taking off the heat. About 30 minutes after that drain the juices and put back on the heat. Add the sauce and simmer until the meat is tender enough to cut with a plastic fork.

Is that easy enough for you? Good luck and have a great day.

My Cheesecake Factory

by Keith Fisher

I've been baking cheesecakes this morning. We are cooking for the teachers at school tomorrow, and the desert will be two different kinds of cheesecake. I will show you after tomorrow.

You know Dutch oven cooking is a funny thing. Once you get it in your blood it never leaves. I've been working at the thrift store lately, sorting donations. I've seen two Dutch ovens come through and it made me wonder.

Why would someone give a Dutch oven away. These were new ovens, from a cheap manufacturer, but still, to give them away? Okay, it's for charity.

Good luck with your Memorial Day cook out and get those Dutch ovens out of the box. Heat 'em up, and toss some food in there.

Well, gotta go now. Gotta check on the cheesecake

Three Events, and a Few Pictures

By Keith Fisher

Stew Day went well. We second guessed ourselves and ended up with a full pot of leftover stew. This year, however, many of the kids thanked me and told me how good it was. The 2010 fourth graders are unruly. They have a mind of their own, but They’re very polite and a credit to their parents.

Often, when we do things for our kids, we don’t even get a grunt of recognition, much less, a thank you. It was refreshing to hear it from those kids this year. The final count was one, 15-inch MACA, one 13-inch MACA, one 14-inch deep, and one 12-inch deep Dutch oven. (For those who don’t know. MACA only makes deep ovens.) That’s 12 ½ gallons of stew.

We also made six, 14-inch corn breads, and 8 cobblers. (Two, 14-inch and six, 12-inch). I’m convinced, I need to get some larger ovens. A 16-inch lodge will hold 12 quarts. A 12-inch lodge will hold 6 quarts. That’s one less oven, I have to make coals for. One less oven, I have to keep checking. Hmm I think I’m onto something.

Two days later, for Mother’s Day, I made a cinnamon glazed ham, cooked a yellow cake for Strawberry shortcake, and made another 14-inch cornbread from a mix. My wife is camp cook at girl’s camp this year and somebody wanted her to try it. Cooking from scratch always beats a mix, for taste.

My mom loved the ham, and it was nice to have my brothers over. I didn’t get any pictures taken, though.

Another three days found me in the carport, cooking onion roast beef, curried chicken, potato smashers, and shrooms and trees. (Mushrooms, cauliflower, and broccoli in the same pot with a little melted butter).

I was cooking for my critique group. Two of the ladies held contests in honor of their books coming out, and one of the prizes was a session with our critique group. LT Elliot was one of the winners and she loved my curried chicken. I loved her writing. Between eating dinner, and seven critiques, we didn’t finish until around midnight. I wonder what the neighbors thought. LOL.

I’m gearing up for the last day of school, when we cook for the teachers at the place where my wife works. Through it all, I’ve felt useful. I once heard a wise man say if you get discouraged, do service. Cooking for people and seeing them pile my food on their plates, makes me feel useful. I thank God for the opportunities.

Stew Day 2010

By Keith Fisher

I’m gearing up for stew day. For several years now, My wife and I have been part of the fourth grade American history unit at the school where she works. The classes learn about the nineteenth century for a week, then on Friday, They play outdoor, period games, and we cook beef stew, cornbread, and cobbler.

In the interest of sanity and to free up a couple of ovens, I make corn bread two days before, and save it in tinfoil. Then, on the big day, I make stew and cobblers and enjoy myself.

This year, there will be about 120 people. We’re planning on 8 cobblers, two 15-inch and one 14-inch deep Dutch oven for stew. Can anyone say YEEHAW?

Now, you might have noticed the calendar says Sunday is Mother’s Day. What better way to show your love, than to cook outdoors for all of her loved ones. We’re having ham, potatoes, and an unnamed dessert.

In a week, I plan to show my gratitude for my writing critique group by making a Dutch oven meal. All I can say is pray for good weather.

With all that cooking going on I’ll be busy, but I’ll try to keep you informed. In the meantime, pull out your pots, or your barbecue, and make something mouth watering for Mom.

How Did You Get Started in Dutch Oven Cooking?

By Keith Fisher

What was the motivating factor?

Recently, I interviewed some of my friends, asking them how they got involved with International Dutch Oven Society, and Dutch oven cooking in general. There was a time, when cast iron pots were an oddity, and most outdoor cooking was done on the barbecue.

At sometime during our lives, every Dutch oven cook caught the bug, if you will. We crossed the line between active participation and being a spectator. I used cast iron pots on camping trips for years before I got serious and my blood began to run with cast iron.

Since then, I’ve met many like-minded people who are some of the best souls I’ve ever met. What was my motivation? For me, the madness came, on a Saturday, when I wanted to make dinner for my wife, but I needed to keep working in my garden.

I pulled a Dutch oven out of the camping stuff, thawed a venison roast, and stared some coals. As time went on I cut up potatoes, carrots, and onions from the garden. Toward the end of cooking, I added corn on the cob from that same garden. Before I knew it, there was too much food for only 2 people. I called my Dad and brother and invited them to dinner. They dropped everything and came up.

Up to that point, my wife and I, had enjoyed holding backyard parties and firing up the barbecue. I soon discovered that more people would come if I told them I was cooking Dutch oven.

We got caught up in competition after that, and now my barbecue gets used once a year, but the Dutch ovens go with us everywhere. Backyard parties are Dutch oven gatherings. Whenever I plan a menu for camping, I think of Dutch ovens. I use skillets and grills too, but my pots get used most frequently.

Carol Hill told me a great story about visiting her relatives in Wyoming, She experienced Dutch oven cooking from a pot buried in the ground, surrounded by coals. The Hills were sold from that point on.

Terry Lewis said his family had always been cooking in Dutch ovens. He grew up with a cast iron tradition.

Ranes Carter said it was a better way of cooking in camp than a Hobo Stove.

Dannie Phillips told me he saw Val Cowley teach a class at a military surplus and camping store.

Many folks have watched a cook off, thinking they might not be able to make fancy dishes, but they could make stew on the elk hunt. Many folks thought it would be good to have a Dutch oven in their emergency food storage. I hope they pulled it out of the box and used it.

What was your inspiration? I’d love to know. I’m putting together a Dutch oven cookbook and I’ll use your name in the essay. Leave a comment on this blog or send me an email to bloghole57 at yahoo dot com

Another note, I’m still hoping the man who sat next to me at the Friday night DOG during the convention will send me an email. Remind me of your name so I can enter you in the drawing. I’m sorry my senior memory has gone the way of the world.