History of Kettles & Coals LLC

    This book was created with you and your family in mind. With the need to look ahead and better prepare our families for the future, I have prepared this book to educate even the mildest of cooks in the art of Dutch oven cooking. Dutch oven cooking is an essential part of family preparedness. It allows you to feed your family even if you are lacking electricity or fuel. Anything that can be prepared in the house can almost always be prepared in the Dutch oven. Hopefully this book will encourage you and your family to not be afraid of Dutch oven cooking. It’s as simple as cooking in the kitchen. I know this from first hand experience. Our first Dutch oven was given to us as a gift and sat in our basement for years. I believe it sat for two reasons. First off, it appeared too difficult to learn. Secondly, I wasn’t aware of anyone who knew how to cook with a Dutch oven so it intimidated me. I am hoping that this book will help you to at least overcome the two simple fears I had.

    In 1981, we were introduced to Dutch oven cooking. I have to admit, we were hooked immediately. Hearty meals and desserts can’t taste better than what they do when they come hot out of a Dutch oven. We knew that with all the variety of cooking we love to do, Dutch oven cooking had to be the style we wanted to develop and pursue the most.

    Eventually, the love became a reality, which soon turned into a passion, one that we now wish to share with you, which is the joy and fun of Dutch oven cooking. From the first day of Dutch oven cooking until now, we have been cooking and teaching for groups, organizations and schools. Along the way we have continued to learn, and develop our own style and taste in the foods we serve.

    Following are compilations of secrets, tips, ideas and recipes that we have learned and utilized that have made cooking tastier and easier. We have worked hard and long to come up with recipes that are not so complex that they scare you away. Really, we just wanted those types of meals that would be easy to cook for your family and friends, or to use on a family camp, or at a reunion – as well as keeping in mind that Dutch oven cooking is an essential part of emergency and family preparedness.

    We hope that your friends and family walk away grateful and surprised to have partaken of such a delicious meal. Our thanks go out to all of our friends who have helped in putting this book together.

    Happy Cooking!