If you’re an avid cook with shelves of cook books, you’ve probably come across recipes cooked in a Dutch oven. You may have passed over these recipes since you had no idea what a Dutch oven even looks like. Not only is this article going to give you a brief history and a good description of this cookware, but it’s going to give you instructions on how to bake bread in a Dutch oven as well.
What is a Dutch oven? An accurate description is a large cooking pot with a tight-fitting lid to cook stews or a large piece of meat such as a roast. The pot is so heavy and tight it acts as a miniature oven.
Where does it get its name? An English metal worker named Abraham Darby traveled to Holland in 1704 to study a new metal casting technique of casting brass inside of a dry sand mold. Darby began manufacturing cookware with the new technique and called the pot “Dutch” after the country where the new metal casting originated.
The Dutch oven may be coated with enamel or non-coated or made of cast iron, stainless steel, aluminum or copper. It cooks food on a stove top or in the oven to brown meats before adding other ingredients. It works best in the oven where heat spreads throughout the pot.
Dutch ovens are used as camping cookware over coals or a fire. Thistype has a wire hanger and legs to hold the put above a fire or hot coals. It takes some practice to successfully cook over coals and fire.
Contents
Baking Yeast Bread Video
If you would rather bake your own bread and this is your first time, start with the simple bread recipe and techniques in this video. Following the steps in this video will help you have a successful first experience with baking bread in a Dutch oven.
Baking Bread in a Dutch Oven
It is suggested that you use an oven to bake bread in a Dutch oven. It’s important that you maintain a temperature of 450 degrees throughout the baking process which is easier to obtain in an oven.
Equipment Needed:
- 4 to 6 quart Dutch oven
- 2 towels (non-terry cloth)
- 1 thermometer
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Prepare your favorite yeast bread dough that contains at least 3 to 4 cups of flour. Place the dough on top of one of the towels during the final rise and place the other towel on top. Preheat the Dutch oven.
When the dough is twice its original size, remove the top towel. Use the bottom towel to flip the dough upside down inside the Dutch oven. Cover and bake for 30 minutes.
Uncover the Dutch oven and bake for another 15 to 30 minutes or until the temperature of the bread reaches 200 degrees. Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool.
Additional Tips
- Use a serrated knife to cut a large “X” across the top of the dough after it rises and before placing in the oven. This allows the bread to blossom for a better appearance.
- Don’t forget to remove any plastic knobs or handles before placing in a hot oven.
- When you bake bread in a Dutch oven you’ll make a satisfying bread your family will love.
- The wonderful aroma and homemade taste will be a big hit you’ll want to repeat often.
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