“Dutch Treat”? What’s That About? Depends Upon Where You Live
Some friends from the Netherlands informed me that our expression“dutch treat”, was meaningless to them. When I explained that we in the USA say this when each person is expected to pay his or her portion of a bill. they replied “Oh we call that going American“. In the Netherlands it is not unusual to pay separately but I did not know that could be regarded as going American.
We lived in Argentina for 15 years. There the saying is “el que invita, paga“. “The one who invites pays. Seems reasonable enough. I still live by this rule.
Some places in South America they say “pagar a la americana“. This means to pay the American way. Maybe this came from the Dutch.
In Egypt the expression is to “pay the English way’. In Turkey it becomes “pay the German way“.
The best “Dutch Treat“ I can imagine is a special meal prepared in a Cast Iron Dutch Oven. No one is stuck with the bill, and everyone benefits from a deliciously prepared meal.
Dutch Oven Chicken with a 1 1/2 to 3 pound chicken, or a small hen would be a good choice. Use the trivet or roasting rack. It keeps the slow-cooking chicken out of its own juices and drippings. Preparaation time is about 15 minutes and cooking time 1 1/2 to 2 hours in an oven preheated to 325 degrees. You will enjoy your dutch oven treat.
Just in case you need a pre-seasoned, enameled or camp cast iron dutch oven, it would be our pleasure to assist you with additional information so you can make an informed choice. http://castironcookwareshop.com
Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Oven
HOW MANY LANGUAGES CAN YOUR CAST IRON DUTCH OVEN SPEAK?
In 1704 Abraham Darby traveled from England to Holland to observe a Dutch casting process by which brass vessels were placed into dry sand molds to be cast. When he returned to England, he too experimented with the process and finally patented a casting process using superior molding sand as well as baking the mold to improve casting smoothness. Later, Darby began the process of casting pots and shipping them to the American Colonies and to many other countries. Ragsdale (”Dutch Ovens Chronicled, Their Use in the United States” by John Ragsdale, University of Arkansas Press), feels that the name Dutch Oven may have originated with the original dutch process for casting these metal pots. I plan to share other ideas in future posts.
So at least we can now agree on the fact that your cast iron “dutch” oven can speak “Dutch”. When you cook something in your cast iron dutch oven, you will discover a totally new meaning to the expression ““dutch treat” Consider your options: (1) Brunswick Stew gets its name from an area of Virginia. It was originally made with squirrel meat but the recipe now calls for both chicken and pork. Your cast iron dutch oven is fluent in the idiom of the Old Dominion State. 2. Louisiana Seafood Gumbo Brush up on your Cajun French. A dutch oven could well be called “mon ami” in a Cajun kitchen and yours can make Louisiana Seafood Gumbos without a problem. It speaks Cajun French. 3. Have a taste for “arroz con frijoles negros? No problem. Let your cast iron dutch oven translate your “rice with black beans” into a delicious family favorite. It also speaks Spanish, the language of Cervantes. 4. Like French Cuisine?? Bon. Your polyglot dutch oven can cook in this language easily. It also speaks French. These recipes can be found in Cast Iron Cooking For Dummies” recipes from Lodge Manufacturing Co, America’s No. 1 maker of cast iron pots, skillets and dutch ovens. Check out free tips at “dummies.com”. If you still do not have a cast iron dutch oven, you can see a full selection of pre-seasoned, enameled, and camp dutch ovens at ‘castironcookwareshop.com”. No manner what languege you cook in, cast iron cookware allows you to “taste the food and not the cookware”. When you cook your “Dutch Oven Treat”, tell us about it. We love to hear from people who cook with cast iron dutch ovens. Nosotros hablamos el espanol y nuestra olla tambien.
Had The Tin Man Been Made of Cast Iron He Could Have Been Rescued From Rust
The year 1939 was quite a year for movies. “Gone with the Wind” was a blockbuster but who could forget “The Wizard of Oz”? Frank Baum told quite a story and it always makes me think. Lately, I have thought of how it might relate to cast iron cookware.
How do all good stories begin? Right! “Once upon a time”. Once upon a time there was a tin man His problem was he lacked a heart and kept rusting up in all his joints. No heart, no emotions, no feelings. A meager life. With poetic license and apologies to Frank, let’s make him a cast iron man. Like cast iron cookware, cast iron man is easily seasoned with a little oil, he improves with use and age, and responds admirably to family needs. He likes to be warmed by the fire.
Like the scarecrow we may have asked ourselves “Where was my brain when I bought that terribly expensive, supposedly non-stick cookware”? Do not be too hard on yourself. Usually, when we know better, we do better. We now know that it is not smart to stick with cookware that sticks to our food.
Like the Cowardly Lion who among us has not lacked courage at times. Some of us need to have the courage to try something new even though it has been around for ages. Our mothers and grandmothers likely cooked with cast iron cookware. You may even have a cast iron dutch oven gathering rust like the Tin Man. Have you ever made the connection that the reason they cooked such wonderful cornbread, jambalaya, chili, stews, brisket, soups, etc. might have been due to the fact that they cooked with cast iron cookware. Cast iron cookware allows you to “taste the food not the cookware”. Do something courageous today. Cook your family a meal with a cast iron dutch oven. Get out an old unused pot or get a new one and use it You will become a fan
Like Dorothy, when we find our way home to the wonderful tradition of cooking with cast iron, we rediscover that there really is no place like home.
Visit “www.castironcookwareshop.com” and select your first cast iron cookware piece or contact us about how you might restore an old piece of cast iron cook ware. There are some excellent blogs. Search for “cast iron cookware blogs”.
What Do A Cell Phone And A Cast Iron Pot Have In Common?
You are probably thinking they have absolutely nothing in common. How about the following?
1. At least for an outdoor cookout or camping trip we should not leave home without a cell phone or a cast iron dutch oven. Lodge 2 Quart Dutch Oven
2. Many of us feel that we cannot live without either a cell phone or a cast iron pot.
3. They both can have a good “family plan”. The cell phone usually offers a family plan based on shared minutes. The cast iron pot features shared meals that taste better cooked and served in a cast iron pot.
4.They both will go anywhere with you. Your cell phone is likely your faithful companion where ever you go. A cast iron camping dutch oven is also very easily transported even if not so light. It will go to the wilderness, the campground, the tailgating party or to your backyard with you.
5. Both a cell phone and a cast iron pot can be conducive to good conversations. Your cast iron pot will block all solicitors from pestering you. It has a “caller ID” without equal for you will easily recognized all who respond to your call “soup’s on”.
6. Your cell phone and your cast iron pot should not be put in your dishwasher.
7. Where your cell phone and cast iron pot are concerned, be careful about your provider.
Your ISP for cell phones gives you many choices. The same is true for cast iron cookware. Check out your many options carefully. Check “cast iron cook ware blogs” on the internet. These blogs are loaded with useful and practical tips. If we can provide you with additional information, address concerns, answer questions, contact us at www.castironcookwareshop.com where you will find product information and how to contact us directly. We feature Lodge cast iron cookware, the oldest manufacturer of cast iron cookware in the USA. Lodge’s quality makes your purchase an investment that can be passed on to your children or grandchildren.
When Life Gets Too Tense, Pitch Your Tents
Life without stress is not possible. Life with too much stress is a killer. It is important for us to learn how to decompress and lower the stress level in our lives.
1. Camping, alone with friends, or family is great recreation (re-creation, re-creating and re-newing us). Whether it is a “vacation”, “daycation” or “staycation” (eg. in your own back yard) camping is a great stress reducer.
2. Check out the State Parks, National Parks, Camp Grounds within one tank of gas from your home. There are likely some wonderful camp areas you have not discovered or explored.
3. Camping is a recession friendly activity that is much less expensive than other types of trips. Food tastes better when prepared outdoors, especially in a cast iron dutch oven.
4. Camping can also be stress inducing if you do not have the proper gear. Start with the basics and add gradually to your camping gear.
5. Plan activities around your campfire with your troop, group, or family. For example, S’mores are fun, hot dogs, roasting marshmallows, waffles in a cast iron waffle maker, panani sandwiches, fruit pies made in a cast iron pie iron and do not forget to add to your repertoire of ghost stories.
6. Use your camp site as a home base for activities like nature walks, back-packing, bird watching, bug hunting, go on a critter hunt with flash lights (stay away from the big ones who may have a taste for campers!), photo ops, teach your little campers woodcraft, learn to use a compass, survival skills, get an inflatable boat, canoe, kayak and explore a body of water and most of all use your imagination. 
I ride a Harley Road King and have been told you will never see a Harley parked outside a psychotherapist’s office. That may or may not be true. I do think it is true that camping is good for us when life gets too tense. Pitch a tent. It is better than pitching a fit.
Get started or add to your camping gear by checking out “castironcookwareshop.com”.
Cast Iron Dutch Oven over Grill
Campers Have S’more Fun
My family camped. When I had a family of my own, we camped.
Hot dogs roasted on a stick and marshmallows on a coat hanger
were the order of the day. My dogs were always blackened
(before blackened dishes came into vogue) and my marshmallows
usually went up in flames. It did not really matter to me. It
was fun and that is how I remember it. It may be selective
memory but in my memory bank it is filed under “great fun
things for kids of all ages to do”.
Times have changed but I am still convinced that “Campers Have S’more Fun”. However, it is easier to make S’mores with S’more makers that help to avoid “flame out” and allow you to make several at a time and use more ingredients. Hot dog roasting sticks and marshmallow roasting sticks (color coded to avoid sibling disputes) are great fun for children on a “vacation”, “staycation” or a “daycation” in your own back yard. Cast iron pop corn poppers and cast iron waffle makers are also great for camping fun and a new experience for the family or your Scout Troop. It might take a while but isn’y that the idea to slow down from your normal pace?
Rome Industries Cast Iron Panini Maker
Check it out at www.castironcookwareshop.com. 
Rome S
Who Decided to Make the Cake Upside Down?
Have you ever wondered who decided “This cake would taste better upside down”? I have a theory. I think the cook dropped the cake and quickly decided to save face by saying “Let’s call this “pineapple-up-side-down cake”. Just a theory, no proof.
One thing is a fact. The cake tastes better baked in a cast iron pan. Cast iron is heavy so it would be better to turn the cake than to drop it.
Cast Iron Cookware is so versatile it goes from corn bread to pineaple up-side-down cake. Here is a recipe you might want to try.
Upside Down Cardamom Pear Cake Recipe
A 10 1/4 inch cast iron skillet. (You could use a regular oven-safe skillet but remember to adjust the baking time). If you have a cast iron skillet it works better.
Pear Topping:
3-4 Green Anjou pears, depending on the size of the pears
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons butter
Cake:
1/4 cup fine cornmeal
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
Zest of 1 tangerine (about 1 teaspoon), orange zest is good too
6 tablespoons olive oil
2/3 cup light brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 large egg
3/4 cup whole milk
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
To make the pear topping: peel the pears, then half lengthwise and remove the core. Cut into 1/2 wide slices. Spread the brown sugar on a plate. Press each side of the pear slices into the sugar to coat, saving remaining sugar. Melt the butter in your skillet over medium heat. Arrange the pear slices in a circular fashion, beginning around the edge of the pan and working inwards. The slices should overlap each other by half. Sprinkle reserved sugar around the pears. Cook, without turning the pears, until the pears are golden underneath, about 20 minutes. Depending on the size of your burner you may need to rotate the skillet occasionally for evening browning.
To make the cake: While the pears are browning, in a small bowl combine the cornmeal, flour, baking soda, salt, cardamom and tangerine zest. Gently whisk together.
In a large bowl using an electric mixer, or with a stand mixer, combine the olive oil and sugar. Add the egg, then the vanilla.
When the pears are a couple minutes away from being done, add half the dry ingredients to the olive oil and sugar mixture and combine. Then add the milk, then the rest of the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Spoon the batter over the pears in your skillet, making sure to distribute the batter evenly. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees F, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Allow the cake to cool for at least 20 minutes. To flip the cake, gently run a butter knife around the edges of the cake, then place a large serving platter over the skillet. Press the plate and skillet together, then flip them both. Tap the bottom of the skillet to make sure the cake drops out (but not on the floor), then remove the skillet.
http://www.castironcookwareshop.com/fry_pans
The Pot At the End of the Rainbow is a Cast Iron Pot
For those of us who assume that treasure is always hidden, buried or waiting to be found at the end of the rainbow, here’s a news flash. You may have a hidden and unused treasure already waiting for you in your own kitchen or easily purchased. I am referring to a cast iron dutch oven. Why is a cast iron dutch oven such a treasure? Here are just a few reasons:
1. It comes in many colors and sizes and you can cook almost anything in it Bake bread, cook beans and peas, pot roast, soup, chili and much more. You can cook just about any food in it. “Cast Iron Cooking for Dummies” is loaded with recipes from Lodge Manufacturing Company.
2. It doesn’t really care where you take it. It will go with you anywhere. Use it to cook in your fireplace, firepit, use a tripod for your campfire, tailgating, or backyard cookouts. In the kitchen use
it in the oven or on your stovetop.
3. It is cookware and serving ware all rolled up in one. Serving from an iron dish is really special and it keeps the food warm.
4. It allows you to get rid of the “non-stick” cookware that may have been driving you to distraction and cook with a pot that is really non-stick and clean up is a snap.
Claim the treasure that is waiting for you and cook wonderful meals with a cast iron dutch oven. If you have comments or questiions, please leave a response. If you need to find your “treasure” and the dutch oven that might be right for you, check out “www.castironcookwareshop.com”. 
The Right Tool for the Job Makes For a Happy Kitchen and Cook
Spephen Luccock’s famous rider who mounted his horse and rode off in all four directions at the same time reminds me of modern work habits. My Father was a carpenter. Before he would begin work, he would always sharpen his tools and prepare them for the job at hand. You do not have to be a chef or a master cook to know that having the right cooking utensils makes the job of cooking delicious and beautifully presented meals easier. Much “non-stick cookware can just be plain “stuck-up” and maybe even harmful to your health. Cast iron cookware is just about the best kitchen tool I know about. Your Grandmother or Mother probably cooked with cast iron cookware. Continue the tradition of great cooking with cast iron cookware for kitchen and camping. Just like your favorite family recipes, castiron can be handed down to your children and grandchildren. Cast Iron cookware is time tested by good cooks making good food. It allows you to “Taste the food not the cookware”. Cast iron cook ware is the durable, low maintenance, affordable way to give your family the very best meals.
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