Call me spoiled, but I have two kitchens. The first one was born out of necessity and the second one came with the house.
This is how it happened. On move in day, three years ago we found the outlet for the kitchen stove wasn’t grounded, so while we waited for some electrical work to be done we dug a fire pit so we could cook supper. A lot of suppers, actually. A weeks worth, but who’s counting.
I cook outside a fair amount of time anyway, preferring it to my indoor kitchen or a gas grill (which we don’t own anymore.) If you ask me, there is just more adventure and more flavor to be had when cooking over an open fire. Besides the other bonuses: playing catch while our food cooks, no pans to clean up, and I’m outside breathing fresh air and listening to the birds. What’s not to love?
(However, Ben, if you are listening…Yes, I would love a large smoker for our 15 year anniversary. The manual kind please, thank you.)
This is a picture of Barney, W and friends playing “survivor man” in my old kitchen. Yes, I let them build a fire using natural things and then the blessed fire stick. Yes it’s dangerous and could be chaotic, but I prefer controlled chaos. Yes, it’s just one more reason I won’t be voted “Mom of the year” by you, only by them, and I’m okay with that.
Anyway, that kitchen was about 3 years old and the weather was starting to take it’s toll, causing a cave affect in the pit and the sandstone was starting to lean. So I thought it was time for a kitchen makeover. I started by clearing out the old rock.
Then I drove down the road a couple miles where the locals meet to gather limestone for landscaping projects. The rock is everywhere in the road and ditches and you can just pick it up. So I gathered, and gathered, and gathered. Until I came up with a few loads like this.
Then I started placing the stone into the dirt, until it looked like this.
By this time, I was starving and the flank steak in the fridge had marinated long enough. So I christened the pit with a fire and cooked the steak for supper.
Praise the Lawd, and pass the biscuits.
Simply,
Sis
P.S. Stay tuned for more campfire cooking recipes, tales and how to bake using a dutch oven. I promise it will be yummy.
Tags: camp cooking, cooking, dutch oven cooking, kitchen, kitchen remodel
I’m a commin over for supper!!!! YUMMMMMMY! Nothin better than outside cookin!!! Can’t wait for some recipe!!!
Wow, you built your own outdoor kitchen. That is impressive!
OH, man, that looks really good. The steak, I mean. The fire pit looks very handy as well. Good work Sandy Sis.
Aunt Sissy–The steak was good. I think I merinated it a little too long, though. I like to let the meat speak for itself and not have some over powering added flavor in it. But, I was good.
Kari–It’s not build to code, for sure, but we love it. Thanks for your kind words.
Connie–well c’mon–you’re welcome here anytime.
You guys are too nice. Thanks for your comments.
Sandhill Sis
I love it…. we are going to put one in the back yard as soon as we get it leveled out back there!
[...] I’ve used some high dollar cookware, but still prefer my old cast iron. There is just so many things to love about it. It cooks evenly, doesn’t warp, and like wine, it gets better with age, and I can use it in both kitchens. [...]
You have my vote for ‘mom of the year’. I think you need to teach a child to respect things (many things) early on and one is fire. Kaden told Coop…’Hey Coop you’re famous’ for being on your blog. LOL!! You and Ben are doing a great job.
Tina,
(yes, that would be you, Sister.) Tell Coop, Hollywood will be calling him anyday, but before he gets famouser (love that word) than me, I need his autograph.
I really like the way you think. Boys will be boys and they need to experiment now, while we have some control and say so. Thanks for your kind words, we are only doing well cause we mimic what our neighbors are doing with their boys.
Many Blessings!
Sis
[...] explains why my second kitchen is in total [...]
Nice to see that my son was part of your story! Glad they are such good friends.
Red–I love it the boys are friends, too.