4 Easy Ways to do Fireplace Cooking
Fireplace cooking can be fun, romantic and even a bit primal. Not many people cook using a fireplace anymore, or have even considered this idea was possible. This used to be the primary way of cooking up until the early 1900’s and it seems to be a lost art, when it fact some of the highest rated restaurants like J Gilbert’s cook over a wood burning fire. Here are 4 ways how you can cook in your wood-burning fireplace to make delicious meals you and your family will love.
Rotisserie
You probably have all the tools you will need for fireplace cooking. To start you need a nail or hook located in the front center of your fireplace hearth, kitchen twine, a pan to collect drippings, and preferably, small poultry or a leg of lamb. In addition, you can purchase a rotisserie device if you desire.
First, you get the fire started which we show you how to do in our other blog post. While the fire is warming up, wrap kitchen twine around the selection of meat near the narrow part so that it can hang freely. Suspend your meat from the hook so that it is in the center of your fire and place a pan under it to catch the drippings. You can twist the string slightly so that it spins back and forth, which should last a couple minutes per twist. This is the perfect time to baste your meat with your favorite sauce or with the pan drippings. Use a meat thermometer to check if it is done.
Fireplace Grill
Use your outdoor grill grate by propping it up with two bricks over the fire. Once you have the fire going wait for it to become mostly embers. Then, place the grill grate over the embers so the grill can become hot. Fireplace cooking method is great for anything you would normally grill, including vegetables. Whatever you decide to cook will be infused with an amazing flavor of smoke and the wood which is why I recommend kiln dried firewood or cooking woods.
Dutch Oven
Dutch ovens are cast iron pots that come with a lid. You can either suspend the dutch oven via some sort of fireplace crane or you can simply set it off to the side of the fire. This way of cooking is ideal for hearty stews, braising meats, and making dishes where the taste of smoke goes well, like baked beans.
Skewers
This way of cooking is the most simple, yet it is the most hands on. It is a fun way to interact with your children or spouse while cooking delicious food. You need long wooden or metal skewers that have a rubber or wooden handle. Place small meat items like sausages, hotdogs, meatballs, or ears of corn on the skew once the fire is going. Ideally you don’t want to do this when the fire is at its peak because it may be too hot. Place a pan next to the fire to collect the drippings and hold the skewer near the fire until your food is cooked all the way through.
I have highlighted the 4 ways I believe are the easiest and most effective ways to do fireplace cooking.
One last point, try to stay away from meat with high fat content and never leave your fire untended for too long especially with food on it. We hope you enjoy many tasty meals and have an even better experience trying this food preparation method.
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