However, some outdoor cooks – including some pretty seasoned Dutch oven users – have difficulty preparing foods that are visually appealing. This is too bad, because food that looks good tends to attract more compliments of the ooh and aah variety, even though the taste may not be drastically altered.
The secret to producing great-looking food is very simple – always brown your meat or poultry before you begin the actual cooking – regardless of the spices you are using.
Here's how to do it:
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Heat the oven, and pour in a little oil to cover the bottom. |
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Bring the oil to a high heat, and then place the meat in single layer the oven and brown it well, turning it to sear all the edges. This does the extra job of sealing all the delicious flavors in the meat while cooking, as well as creating the mouth-watering color typical of grilled meats. If necessary, when the first load is ready, remove the meat to a bowl and repeat the process with the rest of the meat. |
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When the meat is done, drain off all the leftover oil, and continue with your cooking as required by your recipe. |
The tools you'll need:
You'll find it difficult to prepare a meal in your Dutch oven if you don't have the proper tools.
Firstly, you'll need all the usual utensils you use when you cook indoors. For Dutch ovens, however, I recommend you use items made of Teflon, plastic or wood, which will help preserve the lining you so patiently built up in the curing process. In the event parts of the coating are removed, you'll have to re-cure you're Dutch oven.
You'll also need a set of simple tools that are unique to Dutch oven cooking:
| Gloves: |
Heavy duty, loose-fitting heat-proof gloves, long enough to cover your wrists. I personally prefer welding gloves, but you can use any heavy duty gloves. |
| Lid lifter: |
These come in various designs, but basically are a wire-handled hook. Get this when you buy your Dutch oven, or, if you prefer, make it yourself. |
| Lid holder: |
Basically, anything you can safely place your lid on when serving. This can be a brick, a wire rack, or whatever you like. |
| Tongs: |
Long handles tongs and/or a small garden type shovel for adding, removing and distributing the coals. |
| Small whisk broom: |
Use it to brush the dirt and ashes off the lid before opening. This will prevent an ash flavored meal, and also prevent you tracking ash into your RV, tent or kitchen. |
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