Cast Iron Dutch Oven

I made pot roast for my boyfriend on 4-14. I took my new toy, a cast iron dutch oven, over to his house, put a roast, onion, potatoes, and carrots in the pot, seasoned with salt (he only had a table saltshaker), a cup of wine, and water. Set the oven on timer and off I went to my 6- hour class. Later that day I received a call saying that the roast was good, just a few things need to be tweaked. He likes baby carrots, new potatoes (I looked for them and couldn't find the small potatoes), and more seasoning. When I tasted it a couple of days later it was too watery, not at all like it should have been. The cut of meat was too fatty (but it was the only one in the grocery store), and there was not enough salt to make the meat savory. On 4-18 I tried to rescue it by making a beef stew, but I don't think that worked either. At least the Goldens enjoyed the fat off the meat. I will have to try again. Hopefully it will be better next time. Any suggestions or a recipe??

Peanut Brittle

Superbowl Sunday - ok, the game was good, but I got bored somewhere in the middle of the game. I have been wanting to make peanut brittle for about 2 weeks, so I got out my cast iron Dutch oven and tried the peanut brittle recipe my parents brought home. That, in itself, is a story worth telling.

Mom and Dad were out shopping and tasted some of the best peanut brittle they have had in a long time. They purchased a little brown bag and the seller told them that the peanut brittle was in there. Well, it was, minus the corn syrup, sugar, water, and baking soda. But the recipe was there - and it was a photocopy from a spiral bound cookbook.

Finally I decided to make the peanut brittle. I had never made it before, so it was a new experiment for me. I got my cast iron Dutch oven, mixed the sugar, water, corn syrup, and peanuts. Within 15 minutes, from start to finished (not including cooling time) the peanut brittle was made. It was fun to make, and soooo delicious.

Here is the recipe:
1 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup white corn syrup
2 Tablespoons cold water
2 cups raw peanuts
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Mix sugar, syrup, water and peanuts in a deep iron skillet. Cook over high heat, stirring occasionally until peanuts start to make a soft popping sound and syrup begins to turn a light golden brown. Remove from heat and add baking soda. The mixture will foam. Pour out onto a heat resistant surface that has been buttered generously. Spread out mixture into 1 layer of peanuts. When cool, break into pieces.