West Haven days cook-off

Saturday - June 25, 2011

Today we did the West Haven days cook-off. Thomas decided he didn't want to do it, so Krystal joined me. We made our Calico Chicken, Sweet Rosemary rolls, and a carrot pineapple cake. We didn't place, but the judges were willing to give us some good hints. We did get a cash award for participating and a cooler. I gave Krystal the cooler, and when we got home I mentioned that Stephen thought we should buy another dutch oven. My son in law David said don't you have enough. I said nope.

Jennifer and Stephen were on a team. They made barbeque ribs, featherlight ranch rolls, and a triple chocolate cherry cake. They didn't place, but they both had fun, and their food was really good.

So, do we do these cook-offs to win first place? not really. They are fun, and we learn a lot each time we do one. We have met lots of great friends and it is fun to see them at each of the cook-offs that we go to. It is like a big family reunion. Some day it would be great to win first place and go to world's, but more importantly, it is the bonding that I am doing with my children. We have fun doing these cook-offs together.

Great Chicken dish

Tonight for dinner I did a really good chicken. I used drumsticks and took the skin off, and marinated the chicken in some Mr. Yoshidas sauce. Then, I put a small amount of oil in the dutch oven, and fried the chicken for about 30 minutes. I drained the grease, and then put some of the remaining marinade in the dutch oven, and put the chicken back in for another 30 minutes.

I made deluxe potatoes (or funeral potatoes as they are known in Utah) and some hot rolls. Thomas made a cobbler for dessert.

It all turned out great, and dinner was served on time. I sometimes am late getting dinner on the table, as things don't always go as planned.

Oh, well. Wish I had a camera and I could post pictures.

Why I enjoy Dutch oven cooking

Dutch Oven cooking is something that my dad did when I was growing up. A few years ago, I decided to start doing it with my own family. I like to cook in the dutch oven, because it is fun and during the summer it keeps from heating my house up. It is also a great way to cook when we are camping. In 2009, Jennifer and I decided that we would do the Utah State Fair cook-off. Man, what a surprise. I found I was not ready for this. I did not know how to present the dishes or anything. Since then, we have learned a lot, and we have had lots of fun doing the cook-offs. In 2010, Jennifer and I competed in some different cook-offs, and at the Salt Lake County fair, we took first place in the novice division. We had fun and won some great prizes. We have also made some great friends.

My boys are now interested in doing Dutch oven cook-offs, and so we have formed 2 teams. Our first cook-off this year, was the Eagle Mountain Pony Express days cook-off. It was so much fun. We didn't place, but to listen to the boys talk about it and hear how much fun they had, is what is really pleasing to me.

Thomas and I formed 1 team, and Jennifer and Stephen were another team. Thomas and I made Calico Chicken, Sweet Rosemary rolls and Applesauce Cake. We got some really good comments on what we made.

Jennifer and Stephen made barbeque ribs, rolls, and Cherry Chocolate surprise cake. They also got some really good reviews.

Our next cook-off will be at West Haven days on June 25th. Hope we do will.