Cowboy Potatoes

Ok, maybe I'm getting old, or maybe I'm just lazy. But bending down over our Dutch has become a pain in my neck. I spent a little time online and found a few clever ways of elevating dutch ovens a little, easing our backs. Many people seem to be using something like this: Camp Chef Camp Table (14 x 32 inches) .

Rather than spend the $80 I decided to keep looking. One clever chef used 3.5 gallon galvanized oil drip pans ($6 BINGO!) found at auto parts stores to combine both a pan for holding charcoal and the 3" sides act as a wind barrier for holding in some of the heat. I actually found a couple of these at Summit Racing on our way back from the hunting convention last weekend. I have to admit that I was anxious to try them out. I had this steel kitchen cart in our barn, and lucked out and the pan fits perfectly on the top shelf. The other shelves work to hold the dutch, charcoal chimney and tub of coals when not in use. Pretty nifty.

This week we learned "mise en place" and how having everything we need to cook a dish handy as we're preparing our meal helps to make the whole process move along swiftly. Benny chopped the bacon and onions as well as chopped the potatoes and had everything "in it's place" so when the coals were hot he was ready to go.

Ingredients

12 slices bacon, diced
3 medium onions, diced
12 medium potatoes, sliced
salt & pepper
1-2 cups frozen peas
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Brown the bacon in Dutch oven. Remove and drain on paper towel. Brown the onions then add the potatoes, salt and pepper. Cover and cook for 35-45 minutes until potatoes are tender. Stir in the peas and the bacon. Sprinkle the cheese over the top. Cover until cheese melts.

Ben also mixed up a little fruit salad, and I even found the colored mini-marshmallows he requested. I have to say, this was NOT a hit with our family, but I included the recipe anyway.

Fruit Salad

Mix 2 large cans of fruit cocktail, and 2 cans of mandarin oranges drained very well with a bag of colored marshmallows. Stir in 1pint of sour cream.