Saturday, February 14, 2015

Classic Strawberry Shortcakes


     Since I've had such good luck baking scones and biscuits in my dutch oven I thought I'd give this classic shortcake recipe from the back of the Bisquick box a try.  In my 10 inch dutch oven, they baked for 15 minutes with 10 coals in a ring around the bottom and 22 briquettes on the lid, basically when you can smell them baking they're probably done.  Adding seedless raspberry preserves makes the strawberries glisten and thickens the juices.  Double the recipe and bake them in your 12 inch oven if you're feeding a crowd.  An All-American classic and a recipe I grew up with, for an airy center and a perfectly crispy crust, try baking these shortcakes outside in your camp oven.

Classic Strawberry Shortcakes
1 quart (4 cups) strawberries, sliced
1/4 cup sugar
2 Tblsp seedless raspberry preserves (optional)
2 1/3 cups Original Bisquick mix
1/2 cup milk
3 Tblsp sugar
3 Tblsp butter, melted
Whipped cream or frozen whipped topping

     In large bowl, mix strawberries, 1/4 cup sugar and raspberry preserves; set aside.
     Lightly oil or spray dutch oven.
     In medium bowl, stir Bisquick mix, milk, 3 tablespoons sugar and butter until soft dough forms.
     Drop dough by 6 spoonfuls into prepared oven.
     Bake at 425 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.
     Allow to cool in dutch oven for 10 minutes.
     Split warm shortcakes; fill and top with strawberries and whipped cream.

Spoon shortbread dough into well oiled oven

Bake at 425 degrees for 12-15 minutes

An All-American classic
 

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Block Party Barbecued Baked Beans


     Kraft brings us this very tasty pot-luck bean casserole.  Meaty, smokey and a little sweet, it's the kind of dish you could serve on the side or even as a main course with a big helping of cole slaw.  Saute the beef and onions, drain off any excess grease, add the rest of the ingredients and let it simmer until hot and bubbly.  I browned the beef over a full spread of briquettes then left about 10 coals in a ring around the bottom with 18 on the lid.  If you let the beans sit for a while they'll thicken and soak up some of the flavorful juices.  A good hot dog topping, you could also serve them in a bun like a Sloppy Joe.

Block Party Barbecued Baked Beans
1 lb ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 16 oz can pork and beans
1 15 1/2 oz can mild chili beans
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 Tblsp mustard

     Lightly oil or spray dutch oven.
     Brown beef and onion over a full compliment of coals, drain off excess fat.
     Move bottom coals to a ring around base of oven.
     Stir in remaining ingredients.
     Cover and cook with enough coals on lid to keep beans at a steady simmer.
     Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring halfway, until bubbling and heated through.
     Allow to sit for 15 minutes before serving.
     Makes 6 one cup servings.

Brown beef and onion over a full compliment of coals

Stir in remaining ingredients

Simmer for 30 minutes until hot and bubbly

A very filling side dish or main course