Holiday DOG-November 2010

The Cracker Trail Dutch Oven Society had their annual "Holiday DOG at Lake Kissimmee State Park East of Lake Wales Florida.

Though a few of our members had to leave that weekend to travel out-of-state to be with family for Thanksgiving week, we still had a good sized group to cook. We also had a number of visitors that we encouraged to join us for the feast--and we still had left overs.

We had some fantastic main course items. Dave demonstrated using two deep dutch ovens (one used as a lid) to cook a standing rib roast! Norm fixed pork roast and apples, while Butch fixed a "mini-turkey" with stuffing. Debbie fixed a pork loin with cherry-almond glaze, Marty fixed a "Wassail" ham and Stew fixed sausage with cranberries.

Goodies just kept coming with peachy candied sweet potatoes, sweet potatoes with pecans, potatoes au gratin, roasted green beans, baked cranberry sauce, Brussels sprouts with pancetta, roasted carrots and various dressings.

Then the fun part--dessert! Celia fixed an incredible apple upside-down tart, Debbie fixed mincemeat and sweet potato pies and Lynda fixed a delightful pear upside-down cake.

It is a really fun bunch, so a great time was had by all!

If this looks like the sort of thing you may enjoy, contact us. We cover South Central Florida, but we have members that come to cook with us from Merritt Island, Ft. Lauderdale, Sarasota, Tallahassee, Tampa, Orlando and other locations outside of our charter area--you are welcome!

Whether you are an experienced "black pot" cook or just want to learn, contact us for more information on our group and when we will be having our next gathering. Young families to "snowbirds" are welcome!

October 2010 Fall "Larry Hooper Memorial DOG"

We start our Dutch oven season with our Fall DOG. Again, this year is was held in Avon Park--we had a lovely day in the low 80's and full sunshine.

We had a good turnout and some incredible entree's. After our late afternoon feast, we had a short business meeting. Our past Chapter Director turned over the gavel to Dave Colman-our new Chapter Director. Norm Church was asked to remain as Assistant Chapter Director and he accepted. Stew Gaylord was asked to keep his position as secretary and newsletter editor. We then went on to complete our year's schedule of DOGs (Dutch Oven Gatherings).

Our next DOG will be held at the picnic are of Lake Kissimmee State Park on November 21. As usual we will try to arrive starting about noon (or as soon as you can get there from church), cooking times are to be complete by 4:00PM. Visitors are welcome.

Now pictures of our Fall DOG. . . .