Cooking up outdoor adventures with cast iron
After a long, active and exhilarating day enjoying the great outdoors in Arkansas, nothing quite compares to sitting down to a satisfying meal cooked in cast iron. The properties of cast iron enhance the flavor of your meal; using coals to heat the iron adds to the adventure.
How do you get started? You will need these seven items for the cookware and fuel:
• Dutch oven: Manufacturers will specify an “outdoor” or “camp” Dutch oven. You can discern an outdoor Dutch oven by the legs underneath to hold it above the coals on the ground, which ensures evenness of cooking. The elevated lip around the outer edge of the lid helps hold the coals in place on the top. We started with a 10-inch, and that size was perfect for our family of six.
• Lid holder: This is used to hold the lid while you stir your food or add to the ingredients inside the Dutch oven. Remember, your Dutch oven will be sitting directly on the ground outside, and when you’re cooking, the bottom of that lid sits right next to the food inside, so it’s imperative that you keep the bottom of the lid clean. Warning: The picnic table is not a good option since the cast iron will be very hot.
• Lid lifter: The lid will have a handle specifically designed to be used with the lid lifter. The lid will be filled with hot coals and the residual powder of disintegrating coals. A hot pad won’t do; you need a way to safely and cleanly lift the lid without spilling coals into the food or burning yourself.
• Coals: The number of coals depends on the recipe, but in general, you’ll need between 20 to 40 per recipe. Either briquettes or lump charcoal will work. Briquettes are good to begin with because the size is uniform, making the number easier to determine. Once you get the hang of it, lump charcoal is more natural and can enhance flavor.
• Chimney: The chimney shortens the time it takes for the coals to heat and offers a safe container for lighting them. Pro tip: Bring some newspaper to help light the coals.
• Leather gloves: Heat-resistant gloves keep your hands safe.
• Long tongs: These allow you to maneuver the coals for optimum heat dispersion both above and beneath the oven.
Once you have the equipment and see how it works, you can adapt your favorite meals to outside cooking. Your taste buds and your family will thank you!
In next month’s article, we will share a favorite family recipe adapted to campsite cast iron.
Check out the Wings’ Arkansas Great Outdoors page.