MAIN Cooking Dutch Oven Recipes

Before there were crock pots, there were Dutch ovens...

There are some historical references to these big old cast iron pots that date back to the seventh century, but it shouldn't be a surprise to find out that Iron Age societies such as the Hittites, as far back as 1500 and 1200 BC, used these handy pots for cooking.

Metal was expensive, so clay pots were used by most until the 17th century. At that point, the manufacturers began producing Dutch ovens cheaply enough so that most modern Europeans could afford them.

Although there is a debate about why the name "Dutch Oven" was adopted, it may be because the Dutch were the first to come up with a process to make this type of cast iron pot cheaply. The process was brought back to England, but the pots were still called Dutch Ovens.

Another theory says that many of the early peddlers who sold the pots were Dutch, but no matter where the name came from, these little ovens were treasured by busy housewives. Remember that wash was done by hand and marketing was done on a daily basis.

Without the time saving appliances that exist today, getting a meal on the table was an organizational feat. The ability to put dinner in a pot and let it cook for hours untended freed up needed time for other household chores.

When colonists moved from Europe to America, Australia and Africa the handy Dutch oven went along. In Australia, it was made out of steel and called a bedourie. In South Africa, the Dutch Oven was called a potjie. Americans called the useful pot a Dutch Oven.

The Dutch Oven was a true oven. Not just a pot to make a stew, these little ovens allowed cooks to make meals but also produced breads, biscuits and even cakes and pies in gifted hands.

Cowboys on trail drives were familiar with the biscuits and beans produced by the chuck wagon driver over the campfire.

Today's Dutch Ovens work the same as the traditional models. The three legs lift the pot up and hot charcoal is placed underneath and on the cast iron lid. Surprisingly, the oven temperature can be regulated easily using this method. The food that results is moist and tasty.

These cast iron Dutch ovens have become so popular that regular meetings of enthusiasts are held around the world. These Dutch Oven Gatherings, known as DOGs, range from social get togethers to serious cooking contests. The International Dutch Oven Society sanctions events throughout the year. Winners of the local events get to compete in the I.S.E/I.D.O.S. Dutch Oven Cook-off held once a year.

If you are interested in joining other Dutch Oven cooks, competing for International recognition at a cook-off or just having a great tool to make everything from stews, hams and turkeys to veggies, breads and those delicious biscuits - it's time for you to find out more about the Dutch Oven...

International Dutch Oven Society - This is where to go if you are looking for information on local events, DOGs and the I.S.E/I.D.O.S. Dutch Oven Cook-off... Dutch oven cooking is international and the annual cook off brings people from around the world to showcase their skills and recipes. The web site has training videos on how to season the pot, how to choose the right Dutch oven and more, recipes, info on local gatherings and other related cooking events, a charcoal calculator — very helpful if you are unsure of temperatures and forums. There's no link back to the main site from the forums, but otherwise this is a super user friendly site and an excellent resource.

Dutch Ovens - All you ever wanted to know about Dutch ovens with links to several other top sites from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Lots of history, good pictures and what they miss in recipes you'll find with related resources.

Byron's Dutch Oven Cooking Page - Nothing fancy, but a great resource if you need to know anything about Dutch Oven cooking. A great introduction if you're new to this, care of your Dutch Oven, recipes, tips and all shared with the incredible enthusiasm that Dutch Ovens bring out in people all over the world... must have something to do with eating so much delicious food!

Dutch Oven Cooking - A Dutch oven was a familiar sight to the American cowboy on a trail drive. The beans and biscuits, that were made famous by too many Hollywood westerns, are still served up... but you'll find that the modern cowboy can cook up a storm in his easy to tote along Dutch Oven. Floyd Crandall has put together a nice selection on cooking in and caring for your Dutch Oven. Along with recipes for beans and biscuits, you get advice for cooking meat and potatoes and a wild Dump Cake...

Campfire Cookin' With a Dutch Oven - Tips on what kind of a Dutch oven to buy, seasoning your oven, how much charcoal to use and plenty more plus links to recipes.