Just got my new DO

We're doing a beef roast in it this weekend. Cabela's had a cast iron shelf/table for use with Dutch ovens so that you don't have to put it in the fire pit.

DH fashioned one for us using a grate type table his father made for making shore lunches and a cast iron griddle we never use. It should work well. Same principle as the Cabela's table, but free.

I'll let you know how it works. I'm looking forward to it, but am nervous.

Cast iron cooking is an art unto itself. My Nana was an "artist" and it was all she used, on a wood burning stove no less.

Another question:

I just realized that my roast is 2.5# and the recipe calls for a 4#. Do I cut the time in half? If that is the case, do I put the potatoes in at the same time in the beginning of cooking? I want them nice and brown and crispy outside and soft in the center.

Okay, that was 2 questions.

campn4walleye wrote:
Another question:

I just realized that my roast is 2.5# and the recipe calls for a 4#. Do I cut the time in half? If that is the case, do I put the potatoes in at the same time in the beginning of cooking? I want them nice and brown and crispy outside and soft in the center.

Okay, that was 2 questions.

It depends on whether you shelter the pot from wind or not. I would put potatoes in at the beginning.

Bake for 3/4 of the time allowed in the 4 lb recipe. The potatoes can always be crisped up afterward in the bottom of the DO after you remove the roast if they aren't close enough to the lid for crisping.

After the time's done, check the roast with a fork for tenderness. You can remove the potatoes then.

Thanks for the reply. I'm a little nervous.

I suppose if it doesn't work ...we can turn it into stew. :)

Well, it worked out fabulously! So delicious and tender. My potatoes didn't brown but they were moist and tender.
We even through in some carrots and I made green beans with salt pork and onions and let them cook for 2.5 hrs.

What a meal. Can't wait to plan the next one.

campn4walleye wrote:
Well, it worked out fabulously! So delicious and tender. My potatoes didn't brown but they were moist and tender.
We even through in some carrots and I made green beans with salt pork and onions and let them cook for 2.5 hrs.

What a meal. Can't wait to plan the next one.

Outstanding! Glad it went well. In the end, how long did you cook it?

You can always fry up the potatoes after you take them out of the DO too if you want that crispiness.

Cooked it just over 2 hrs. I GROSSLY underestimated times. First, I started it a bit late in the afternoon, so we ended up eating just a bit before 8PM. (So European.) :)

I don't think we kept enough coals on it though. It was bubbling when we brought it in and everything was tender and delicious. I'm encouraged, and pleased. I'm officially a campfire cook!

Thanks for the encouragement.

campn4walleye wrote:
I'm encouraged, and pleased. I'm officially a campfire cook!

Thanks for the encouragement.

You've graduated from campfire cook to cast iron chef :w