IDOS, International Dutch Oven Society was founded in Utah, and is a non profit company. It gathers people from around the world who are Dutch oven enthusiasts, who exchange recipes, interesting facts, knowledge about various types of Dutch ovens, and their aim is to promote the use and the art of cooking with Dutch ovens.
In the last few decades people worry more and more about what food they eat and how they prepare it. Not so many people use microwave ovens anymore and they take care about things like where they buy the vegetables and fruit, and whether it's organic or not. One can buy organic food and that is great, but if you overcook it or deep fry it, it'll lose all its healthy features. Preparation of food is what matters apart from what you're actually preparing.
A long time ago, back in the XVII century both English and Dutch people were making Dutch ovens, however, it seemed that the Dutch were more successful with the manufacturing. Their secret was hidden in the fact that they used dry sand for making the molds, and thanks to this, their ovens' surface was remarkably smoother. A Mr. Abraham Darby packed his things, and went from England to Netherlands to discover their secret, and some time later, designed his own Dutch ovens of cast metal. Ironically, the ovens were called Dutch after the Englishman.
Many people, especially people who are vegans or vegetarians don't get enough iron in their daily diet. Liver is rich in iron, yet unacceptable to folks who avoid meat. When using a Dutch oven made of cast iron to prepare food, you'll unavoidably get some (even if its' in traces) iron in your food. Anemia is widely spread, and even if it is not too dangerous, I don't see why someone would want to be anemic, if they don't have.
In America in the nineteenth and twentieth century Dutch ovens became a real treasure, and many interesting Dutch oven stories are tied to this period of American history. Having a Dutch oven was a kind of a status symbol, and in people's wills Dutch ovens were often mentioned in regards of inheriting. George Washington's mother specifically stated in her will what cookware will go to her grandson and what to her granddaughter, and she had quite a few Dutch ovens in her collection.
In the last few decades people worry more and more about what food they eat and how they prepare it. Not so many people use microwave ovens anymore and they take care about things like where they buy the vegetables and fruit, and whether it's organic or not. One can buy organic food and that is great, but if you overcook it or deep fry it, it'll lose all its healthy features. Preparation of food is what matters apart from what you're actually preparing.
A long time ago, back in the XVII century both English and Dutch people were making Dutch ovens, however, it seemed that the Dutch were more successful with the manufacturing. Their secret was hidden in the fact that they used dry sand for making the molds, and thanks to this, their ovens' surface was remarkably smoother. A Mr. Abraham Darby packed his things, and went from England to Netherlands to discover their secret, and some time later, designed his own Dutch ovens of cast metal. Ironically, the ovens were called Dutch after the Englishman.
Many people, especially people who are vegans or vegetarians don't get enough iron in their daily diet. Liver is rich in iron, yet unacceptable to folks who avoid meat. When using a Dutch oven made of cast iron to prepare food, you'll unavoidably get some (even if its' in traces) iron in your food. Anemia is widely spread, and even if it is not too dangerous, I don't see why someone would want to be anemic, if they don't have.
In America in the nineteenth and twentieth century Dutch ovens became a real treasure, and many interesting Dutch oven stories are tied to this period of American history. Having a Dutch oven was a kind of a status symbol, and in people's wills Dutch ovens were often mentioned in regards of inheriting. George Washington's mother specifically stated in her will what cookware will go to her grandson and what to her granddaughter, and she had quite a few Dutch ovens in her collection.
About the Author:
Jason is an outback tour guide, a present day honest-to-goodness cowboy. He is also an accomplished chef and foodie. The item most valued in his out-west tours as a cowboy and at home is his great-grandmother's cast iron dutch oven.