Ozark Dutch Oven - First Cook

[IndyTom]

Well tonight was the first cook. It was a loaf of no knead bread. It has to be one of the best loaves of bread I have ever turned out.
Just getting started

First peek

Finally product

It tastes as good as it looks. And yes it's true, when you can smell it it's almost done. Overall I like the way the oven cooked. The lid fits nice and snug but still rotates freely. During cleanup I noticed the only things that disappointed me at all with the oven. This is definitely not a lodge. The castings are not nearly as nice, much rougher. And even though the handle on the lid appears to be cast in place, while washing up I noticed that it is actually attached with two screws from the inside. But that did not seem to affect the way it cooked. With the roughness of the castings this is probably going to be my baking oven, at least until the seasoning builds up to smooth it out some Maybe. To sum it up, the oven is a very good oven. It is not a lodge, but what it is is less than $18. Give one a chance they seem to do a pretty good job cooking. I know I really like mine. Time will tell.

[gudmund]

thanks for the post update - I even more so now think this would be the DO for the first time user to buy if they just want try cooking with one. Sounds like for the $$$ it is not a bad deal. take care.

[low277]

Thanks for the heads up about the DO and the review. I now have one!! I've never used a DO before so it will be interesting to try it out!

[tomhawk]

Your loaf looks delicious.

I think this is terrific recipe for cooking in a DO. I have cooked dozens of loaves in the kitchen. I have not had the opportunity to do it while camping but I hope to soon.

My recipe is:
430 g bread flour (up to 25% whole wheat is OK)
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp granulated yeast
Mix dries with a spoon.

Add 345 g water and mix until a dough forms.

Cover the bowl with a plate and let rest for 18-36 hr.
Scrape out the dough onto a floured surface. Fold it over on itself a few times to form into a ball and place on top of a layer of uncooked oatmeal on the plate. Cover with the bowl.

Let it rest at room temperature for 2-4 hrs while it should nearly double.

Pre heat a dutch oven with lid to 450F 15-20 min.
Dump the dough (it will be a bit gooey) into the hot DO and bake with the lid covered for 45 min.
Let it cool on a rack for 30 min before serving.



I never use towels or parchment paper. The oats do a good job preventing sticking to the plate.
This recipe has been extraordinarily consistent maybe because it is all measured by weight or maybe because it is just forgiving. If this were assembled at home, the dough could rest while traveling to the camp site.

[bobhenry]

Love my campfire bread.......

[HarleyCamper]

Tonight was my first DO cook. Did it to practice while at home. Chicken and rice:

3 chicken thighs
2 cups dry white rice
1 packet onion soup mix
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
4 cups water

So worth it.

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[bobhenry]

So why are you not bragging about how good it tasted ???? Looks scrumptious !

[IndyTom]

Man that looks good!

Tom

[HarleyCamper]

So why are you not bragging about how good it tasted ???? Looks scrumptious !

It was amazing! I'm addicted to DO cooking now. The whole family inhaled it. The wife makes a similar casserole, but had even changed its recipe to be more line this one.

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[IndyTom]

Hey bobhenry, is your campfire bread recipe in the forum cookbook. It looks amazing and I would love to try it if the weather ever warms back up.



Tom