Dutch Oven Cooking
Available at: Zastrow
Dutch Oven Cooking at Philmont Scout Ranch is a delightful blend of culinary tradition and outdoor skills, offering participants a chance to create hearty meals in a time-honored way. This program, featured at select backcountry camps, immerses Scouts in the art of preparing delicious meals using cast-iron Dutch ovens over an open flame or with charcoal.
The Dutch Oven Tradition
Dutch oven cooking has a rich history, rooted in pioneer and cowboy life, where these versatile pots were indispensable tools for cooking in the wilderness. At Philmont, Scouts learn how to use these durable ovens to bake a variety of mouthwatering desserts like cobblers.
The Experience
Under the guidance of knowledgeable staff, participants are taught the fundamentals of Dutch oven cooking, including:
- Temperature Control: Using coals to achieve the perfect heat balance for cooking or baking.
- Layering Coals: Techniques for heating from the top and bottom to ensure even cooking.
- Meal Preparation: Preparing ingredients, seasoning dishes, and using the Dutch oven’s unique capabilities to bring out rich flavors.
Beyond Cooking
Dutch oven cooking at Philmont is more than just a culinary experience. It emphasizes teamwork as groups work together to prepare meals, fostering collaboration and camaraderie. It also connects Scouts to the historical traditions of the American frontier, providing a hands-on appreciation of how pioneers and cowboys fed themselves in the wilderness.
Why It’s Special
Few things are as satisfying as enjoying a meal you’ve cooked yourself in the outdoors, especially after a day of hiking and adventure. Dutch oven cooking adds a flavorful and rewarding dimension to the Philmont experience, combining practical outdoor skills with the joy of sharing a delicious meal under the open sky.
Whether it’s a bubbling pot of stew or a golden-brown peach cobbler, Dutch oven cooking leaves Scouts with both full stomachs and lasting memories of their time at Philmont Scout Ranch.