Easy Open Fire Dutch Oven Jambalaya

For Christmas last year, my family got me a cast iron dutch oven complete with a three pole stand to cook over an open fire. I’ve been waiting for the perfect weather to cook over the fire and this past weekend was just right. We carted out all the ingredients and my new pot and cooked up the best tasting jambalaya ever. This Dutch Oven Jambalaya recipe is easy enough for anyone to follow and adaptable for every taste and style. If you have ever wanted to cook with a dutch oven over an open fire, I’ve also included some tips to get you started on this new adventure.

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Easy Open Fire Dutch Oven Jambalaya

Jambalaya Ingredients:

• Cooking oil of choice
• 1 Onion
• 1 Green Pepper
• 1/2 Celery
• 1 Sausage Rope (your choice of flavor)
• 1 bag of shrimp (tail off)
• Cajun seasoning to taste
• 1 small box of rice
• 1-2 Boxes of Chicken Broth

Additional Supplies Needed:

• Towel and/or pot holders to remove the hot lid
• Wooden spoon
• Dutch Oven Cast Iron Pot
• Tripod (This is different than mine, but similar in purpose)

Directions:

Start your fire at least 20-30 minutes before you plan to start cooking. Ideally you want your fire to be down to coals and not open flames.

While the fire is getting ready, prepare your ingredients in the kitchen.

• Cut your onion, peppers, celery and sausage and place them in a bowl to transport down to the fire.
• Gather your supplies and ingredients in a bag to take to the picnic area.

Set up your tripod stand and practice hanging your dutch oven using the attached chain. We didn’t practice before hanging it and discovered that the chain links were a little too tight to fit easily on the hook. The best time to learn how to attach the hook and chain are when there is no hot fire or coals under the swinging pot.

Move your tripod stand over the fire and hang your dutch oven.

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• Pour in your oil of choice and let it heat up for a couple of minutes.
• Add your onions, peppers and sausage
• Cover and let cook for a few minutes
• Pour in chicken broth, rice and cajun seasoning to taste
• Let this simmer for about 15 minutes
• Add more chicken broth if your jambalaya gets to thick
• Add shrimp about 10 minutes before you want to eat

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Other Add-On Ingredients:

Jambalaya around the country looks and tastes different to everyone. So feel free to experiment and find the perfect combination for your family. Try adding black or red beans, more spices, chicken, ham, crawfish or crabmeat. If you think it sounds good, then try it!

The Best Part

I don’t know if this is really the best Jambalaya we have ever fixed or if it just tasted that way because we cooked it together as a family down by the firepit.

Remember that your dutch oven will be very hot so put it on pot holders on your table and serve to the family.

Have you ever cooked in a dutch oven over an open fire? What is your favorite recipe or memory? I’d love to hear!

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Wild Child: Adventure Cooking with Kids

Want to be inspired to cook outside with kids? Wild Child: Adventure Cooking with Kids offers recipes, ideas and simple projects that get the kids involved in collecting, preparing, and cooking campfire meals the whole family can enjoy. Author Sara Glover’s simple yet elegant meals are inspired by the land and the sea: fish and ears of corn dangled on a stick over an open flame; perfect bread baked directly on hot coals; kale and potatoes simmered in saltwater; eggs fried alongside spicy sausage and toast; chili-brined cherry tomatoes–and more.