Dutch Oven Cook Off!

On Saturday we hosted the second annual DOG (dutch oven gathering) at our place. Even more men participated this year then last and the food was incredible!

There are various dutch ovens used in kitchens but these dutch ovens are cast iron pots which stand on three legs. The lid is rimmed to hold hot coals. It is this kind of pot that the pioneers and cowboys used to prepared baked goods when they had no oven. Basically anything that can be baked in a home oven can be prepared in a dutch oven.

We were introduced to dutch oven cooking by these folks about five years ago! Ed bought his first dutch oven soon after. Since then he has introduced dutch oven cooking to my brothers and several friends.

Ed has been wanting to attend an organized dutch oven cook off but they seem to be held only in the south west. Last year Ed invited everyone he knows, who owns a dutch oven, to a DOG at our house. The evening was a success and we looked forward all year to doing it again!

This year eleven men participated. There was 19 different foods prepared. We had a great variety of breads, main course dishes and desserts!

All the chefs and their families voted on their favorite dishes to find the grand prize winner! I found voting almost impossible as everything was SO GOOD! The real winners were all of us eaters and taste testers!!!
Ed and Cliff
Cliff's Braided Hawaiian bread won the grand prize!

His bread was as good tasting as it looked! You can find the recipe here!

We even had some hand churned ice cream!


Ed chose some of his favorite foods to make. He has three dutch ovens and made Russian Black Bread, Deviled Egg Casserole, and Apple Bars.

Here is the recipe to Russian Black Bread. I was out of rye flour so substituted whole wheat flour. It changed the flavor, obviously, but was still good.

Deviled Egg Casserole

This recipe is one of Ed's family favorites. When I first heard of it, I thought it sounded too strange to be good! Hot deviled eggs mixed in a casserole...didn't appeal to me! But, just for my hubby, I made it and now I love it too! Some wives make shrimp for a special meal for their husband. All I need to do is make deviled egg casserole! At the dutch oven cook off, numerous people mentioned how good it tasted, despite their reservations in even trying it!

Just in case you want to try it, here is the recipe. You don't need a dutch oven!

6 hard cooked eggs
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp salt
dash of pepper

Prepare deviled eggs and arrange in a baking dish.

1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
2 cups milk

Melt butter, blend in flour, and stir in milk. Cook and stir until thick.

1 cup shredded cheese
1 cup diced cooked ham
1 cup peas

Stir in cheese, ham, and peas. Pour over eggs. Sprinkle bread crumbs over top. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.

Enjoy!!!
Apple Bars

3 cup flour
3 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup softened butter
1/2 cup chopped pecan or walnut (optional)
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup sour cream
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
3 cup chopped apples

Comvine flour, sugar, and butter. Mix until crumbly. Stir in nuts. Grease 14 inch dutch oven. Press 3 1/2 cup crumbs on bottom. Add everything else to remaining mixture. Mix well. Stir in apples. Spoon into dutch oven. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Serve warm with whipped cream.

What a fun evening! Now we have to wait for a whole year for the next DOG!