Dutch Oven Cooking

One of our family traditions is to have Dennis cook a Dutch Oven meal for us. It requires a cast iron pot (size dependent upon number you are cooking for) These are available in most sporting goods stores. It is helpful to have some type of tool for lifting the pot and removing the lid. These are also available in most of these stores. Instructions come with the pots for seasoning the pot.

The next requirement is hot coals. These can be acquired by burning wood down to that state or using barbecue briquettes. Cook slowly, not too hot, never over fire.

Cleaning ovens requires heating up empty pot and scrape with spatula, wipe down with oil and paper towel. Do not use soap and water.

Dutch oven cooking just takes some experience. It is work but is very rewarding.

Our family's favorite meal is barbecued country style ribs, cooked in one pot and potatoes and carrots, cooked in a separate pot.

Barbecued Ribs

Country style (boneless pork ribs)
1 onion
Barbecue sauce of your choice

Oil dutch oven and place on hot coals, sear meat and add onion. Place lid on pot and cook slowly over coals and place a few coals on top of lid. Cook for 1 hour.

Remove lid carefully so as not to get ash in pot. Remove excess oil if any and pour bottle of sauce over top. Turn meat over to evenly distribute heat. Continue to cook for about 1 more hour. Checking and turning meat every 15 minutes. Delicious.


Potatoes, carrots & onions.

Using a 12" dutch oven. Over hot coals cook 1 pound of bacon. Add 5 pounds potatoes which have been sliced crosswise into 1/4 inch slices, 1 large onion, diced and 1 pound carrots cut into 1/2 inch slices.

Salt & Pepper to taste and add 1 teaspoon chili powder or to your taste.

Cook over coals with coals on top of lid for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

I like them cooked so that there are crispy dark brown potatoes on the edges. Yummmmm

14 Carrot Cake

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 c cooking oil
2 tsp Soda
2 tsp salt
2 tsp Cinnamon
3 cups raw carrots shredded
4 eggs
1 cup chopped nuts

Mix dry ingredients. Add oil and stir well. Add eggs one at a time, mix well. Add carrots and nuts. Mix well
Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes

Top with Cream Cheese Icing

Ebleskivers - Danish Pancakes

Dennis' Aunt Ailene introduced us to this fun treat. It is a Danish pancake and requires a special pan and a knitting needle. It is a cross between a dumpling, a doughnut and a fritter. They are fun and easy to make.

4 eggs, separated
1/4 cup melted shortening
1 Tbsp. sugar
2 cups cake flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 cups milk
1/2 tsp. salt

Beat egg yolks. Add sugar. Sift together remaining dry ingredients and add alternately with milk. Add melted shortening, mixing well. In separate bowl beat egg whites until stiff. Fold into batter. Bake
To bake Place pan on medium heat of stove. Heat until the pan is hot. Place about 1/4 tsp. butter in each cup. Fill each cup about 2/3 full of batter. Let bake until edges appear brown and center is bubbly. Carefully turn each ball over in the cup (can use knitting needle or fork) This forms a complete sphere. You may want to turn over more than once to prevent burning and to cook through. Insert toothpick to check doneness in center. Serve sprinkled with powdered sugar and syrup or jam.

Chicken Enchiladas

These came to be known as "Primary Enchiladas" if I remember right because Cheryl Alder made them for a Primary Christmas dinner. They are my favorite.

Saute 1 small onion in butter
Add: 2 small cans diced green chilis
1 crushed clove garlic
3 cups tomato puree
2 cups cooked chicken - diced
Season with salt and pepper, Simmer 10 minutes.

Fry tortillas in 1 " hot oil. (I never use oil, but save the fat by heating in the microwave)

In a sauce pan, heat 3 cups half & half & 6 boullion cubes

Dip tortillas into cream mixture and put equal amounts of chicken mixture on each tortilla, roll up enchilada style and place into 9X13 pan. Pour cream mixture over top and top with 1 lb grated Monterey Jack cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Garnish with sliced olives & diced green onion.

7 Layer Dip

Use a rounded dish and layer in order given.
1. 1 small can bean dip
2. 2 avocados - mashed w/ 1 T. lemon juice
3. Stir together 1/2 pkg taco seasoning mix
3 T. mayonnaise
2 T. Sour Cream
4. 2 oz of jack cheese - shredded
2 oz of cheddar cheese - shredded
5. 1 bunch chopped green onions
6. 2 Tomatoes - chopped
7. 1 small can sliced olives

Best made ahead of time to blend flavors. Can use substitutions

Grapefruit Cocktail

This recipe came to me from Gaye DeLange, a dear friend from Canoga Park years. It has become a family favorite and a traditional Christmas dinner appetizer.

2 cans (#303) grapefruit - I have also used fresh.
Juice of 2 lemons.
1 cup Sugar
Juice of small bottle maraschino cherries and a few cherries.

Beat all together with hand mixer or in blender but not too well blended.. Put in freezer tray & freeze. Cut up some of the cherries and mix in before freezing. Remove from freezer & place in fridge about 1 hr before serving. Serve topped with a small amount 7 up or sprite. Serves 12

Where did this come from?

As I was sorting through my old, old recipe box full of tattered much used and some never tried recipe cards, I came upon the idea of typing them up and putting them in some order. Then I had a better idea! Why not post on a blog to be shared and enjoyed. So here it comes!

These I have collected for the past 40 years or so. Some have come from my mother who is one of the best cooks I know. Seriously, she can turn out a lemon meringue pie that could have won world wide acclaim. Some came from church dinners, some friends, some relatives. Almost every one has a memory attached which I may share from time to time. Enjoy!