Dutch Oven Cooking
Dutch oven cooking is a method of uniformly cooking food. The exact history and beginnings of Dutch oven cooking is unsubstantiated. However, some conjectures include its origination with Dutch settlers in the State of Pennsylvania while other speculation includes its beginnings with sailors of Dutch descent. Regardless of its historical beginnings, Dutch oven cooking played a prominent role in providing nutrition for the early day settlers of this country.
A Dutch oven can be described as a densely walled cooking pot made from either cast-iron or aluminum. In the early days, a Dutch oven included a tight fitting lid and was designed with a large raised lip. This raised area allowed for the placing of heated coals which subsequently provided uniform heating and cooking of the food.
Today’s Dutch oven is designed to be used either outdoors or in the home’s cooking appliances. Just about any food can be prepared through Dutch oven cooking. The beauty of Dutch oven cooking is that the item being cooked can be prepared through a slow and tenderizing cooking process.
As with anything else, it is important to consider the advantages and disadvantages as well as the material used in construction of a Dutch oven.
Advantages
There are many advantages to Dutch oven cooking. One advantage is the way in which the food is prepared. With a Dutch oven the food is cooked uniformly. Also, because of the slowness of the process, the food is prepared so that optimum tenderness is achieved.
Additionally, the Dutch oven can be used to prepare main dishes, side vegetable dishes, breads as well as the most decadent of desserts.
Another advantage is the opportunity to impress your guests. Rather than invite them over for a barbeque, you can invite them over for a Dutch oven cooking extravaganza. They will be duly impressed with your culinary skills as well as the quality of your food.
Purchasing a Dutch Oven
If considering taking the plunge in the world of Dutch oven cooking it is important to know the type of Dutch oven you wish to purchase. Dutch ovens are basically the same with the exception of the material they are made from.
The advantages of a cast iron Dutch oven will allow for uniform heating because it contains the heat for a longer period of time and, when properly cared for, prevents food from sticking. The advantages of an aluminum Dutch oven are that it is lighter in weight and requires no special care in its cleaning.
However, there are certain disadvantages associated with these two materials used in the manufacturing of Dutch ovens. For example, a cast iron Dutch oven makes for a heavy cooking pot. Also, if not cared for properly, the cast iron material can easily rust.
The aluminum Dutch oven is not without its disadvantages. These disadvantages include the dissipation of heat more quickly and also specific areas are identified where the heating is less uniform.