Cast iron Dutch ovens are wonderful for cooking a variety of items while camping. But proper cleaning and care will make it last longer and work better. It needs to be cleaned immediately after use.

• After finishing your meal or dessert, scrape all food out with a plastic scraper. There are a number of scrapers made for this or a pancake turner will work.

• After scraping the food out, rinse it out with warm water.

• Using a vinegar solution with 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water, scrub the interior of the Dutch oven with a sponge and/or clean scrub brush.

• Repeat this step until all evidence of food is gone.

• Warm Dutch oven by the fire or coals.

• Apply a thin layer of shortening to all surfaces of the dutch ovens, including the lid.

• Allow to cool.

• Place a paper towel between the Dutch oven and the lid.

• It is now ready to be used for the next meal or to be stored away.

Whether you dabble in cooking or you consider yourself a well trained chef, anyone interested in cooking acknowledges that behind every good cook is a good set of cookware. It’s very difficult, if not impossible, to create a perfect dish if you don’t have the tools necessary. And for decades, people have been singing the praises of cast iron. But what exactly makes cast iron so special? Why are so many chefs constantly clambering for a cast iron cooking set? The easy answer is that the properties of cast iron far exceed the properties of related metals or materials such as stainless steel.

Cast iron heats slowly but evenly, and a pot or pan will hold the heat for a long time after the initial heat source has been removed. This type of even heating makes it absolutely ideal for frying or searing any number of dishes from bacon to fried chicken. It also offers a great deal of range and versatility, because cast iron products can be used everywhere from the stove to the grill to the oven. It doesn’t matter if you’re using cast iron pots or cast iron Dutch ovens; these properties hold true. Just make sure you know how to properly clean and season your cookware so it doesn’t rust over.

When camping out, one can still cook delicious food. In fact, the thought of being outdoors and using primitive cooking techniques adds to the fun of camping. It’s like going back to the basics.

Meals can still taste home cooked with camp Dutch ovens. The use of a Dutch oven is not only limited to camping however. You can make use of your Dutch oven even at home. You’ll be sure to prepare tasty and delicious meals.
 

I went over to my sister’s house for dinner the other night and she served the most delicious meal. We had Dijon pork chops and peach rum cake—and she made the pork chops in the Dutch oven I gave her for Christmas. I too have a Dutch oven, but I recently moved and haven’t got around to unpacking it yet. I will definitely dig it out soon though, because I want to try the recipe my sister made the other night. Seriously, how could such a yummy meal be prepared in a Dutch oven? I need to try it myself to believe it.

I wanted to share the recipe with other Dutch oven lovers out there. Happy cooking!

Easy Baked Dijon Pork Chops

6 bone-in pork chops; center cut works best.
1 box instant stuffing
4 Tbs. melted butter
4 cups of hot water
1 large can of sliced pineapple
¼ cup marmalade
1 tbs. Dijon mustard
1 Tbs. dry minced onion
Salt and pepper to taste.

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