What Do You Use a Dutch Oven For?

[BethR]

My mother helped to empty the home of an elderly friend who had passed away and took home lots of "stuff." One of the things that she brought home and gave to me was a Dutch Oven.
I always thought that a Dutch Oven was any very large saucepan. But this one is very large, but it is not very deep. It is only about 4 inches high. And it has a large domed lid - the lid is about 4 inches high as well.
What would I use this for? The best thing that I think to use it for is for when I want need frying pan that has high sides - like for stir frying, etc. But there must be a reason for this high domed lid.
Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[pumba]

she does chicken in it and also a big roast and it falls off the bones....like a beef stew type of meat.....this one of hers weighs a ton....I thnk it is made out of heavy iron or something...but I do love it....my grandmother would put her grease in it and deep fry the donut holes......she did holes when holes of donuts weren't popular

 

[BethR]

The roast is the thing that my mom said that she makes in hers Pumba. A good chuck roast! Nothing better! Ummmmmm

This one that was passed on to me is not particularly heavy though. It IS a Farberware, but it does not have an aluminum clad bottom - nor the black handles. I was trying to just make a double batch of Rice a Roni in it tonight and it burned very easily - even with the gas very low. I ended up putting it all in my 12 inch fry pan - my regular Farberware with the aluminum clad bottom. That was MUCH better.

 

[Judy from Boise]

around here, everyone uses their cast iron dutch ovens for cooking over the campfire. either suspended over the flames, or inside the coals. The heavy sides cook the meal without letting it get burned or over drying.

 

[A kid at heart]

I make stews in mine and meat loaves and I have even done soup in it. I have a cast iron one that weighs a ton and I have a few of the farberware and one wear ever.

 

[JohnTBap]

Cooking the Dutch?

 

[BethR]

Originally posted by JohnTBap
Cooking the Dutch?

JTB!

 

[Pam]

My guys use theirs for Boy Scout camping. You can make just about anything in them, including pizza and baking a cake! They are also great for stews, etc.

The Boy Scouts Council office sells a Dutch Oven Cook-book, which we have.
Pam

 

[MerryPoppins]

I have tons of recipes for camping. I have to admit I've never used it at home, but it's great if you camp. Let me know if you want any recipes.

 

[alabamaalan]

Originally posted by JohnTBap
Cooking the Dutch?

Well, wooden shoe know someone would have to go and make a Dutch joke!

They'll be holland you off to the basement for those kind of dam cracks(no profanity here people! Remember the story?) and there's nothing your tulips can say to stop it!

Now behave and don't make me pun-ish you again!!!

Wow, I'm getting on my own nerves! Time to return to work!

 

[JohnTBap]

Originally posted by alabamaalan
Well, wooden shoe know someone would have to go and make a Dutch joke!

They'll be holland you off to the basement for those kind of dam cracks(no profanity here people! Remember the story?) and there's nothing your tulips can say to stop it!

Now behave and don't make me pun-ish you again!!!

Wow, I'm getting on my own nerves! Time to return to work!

You don't scare me. There are no basements in Houston. Now the woodshed is another matter entirely. I expect you've been there frequently.....

 

[coqui]

Originally posted by Pam
My guys use theirs for Boy Scout camping. You can make just about anything in them, including pizza and baking a cake! They are also great for stews, etc.

The Boy Scouts Council office sells a Dutch Oven Cook-book, which we have.
Pam

DING DING DING!!!!!

There is nothing you can't make in a Dutch Oven.

I have made full meals and high class deserts in one all the while camping with Boy Scouts.

 

[piratesmate]

According to Carla Emery's Old-Fashioned Recipe Book a Dutch oven is:
8" to 16" across & 4" to 6" deep...has a tight-fitting heavy lid that holds in the steam...cook a moist roast in it with 1/4c water because it holds the steam so well...ideal for cooking on a campfire...You can use it to bake a roast or boil a stew or to bake bread and biscuits or boil potatoes, or fry fish........

She has more to say on the subject - if you want it, let me know.

I use mine for many things, including stew with dumplings. The domed lid leaves room for the dumplings to raise compared to my flat lids.

As to it being a "Dutch" oven - I grew up PA Dutch. I often heard the phrase "I'm too Dutch to (fill in the blank)" usually referring to being frugal (or stingy depending upon your viewpoint) I always thought it was for use when my grandmother was "too Dutch" to turn on the regular oven...either that or our PA Dutch ancestors brought them over with them.

 

[coqui]

One large tip I learned from camping with it.

Always use foil. That way there is only one step for cleanup.

 

[fklhou]

Dutch ovens are great for camping. We use on Boy Scout trips all of the time. There is no limit to the number of things you can cook in one on a trip. I have never used a dutch oven except on a camping trip.

 

[binny]

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=recipes,+dutch+oven&btnG=Google+Search

Have fun!