Typically indestructible, a Dutch oven is made of cast iron and is more versatile than anything. A cast iron Dutch oven usually requires a lot of maintenance, because if not cared properly, it can rust. On the other hand, some do have an enamel coating to prevent it from rusting. Its thick wall and bottom is very good when it comes to retaining heat evenly even at very low temperatures. Its ability to withstand very high temperature makes it ideal for frying. It is also excellent for making soups, braising meat, cooking stews, simmering spicy chili, and baking bread. It also has the ability to expand coaxing deep flavors out of vegetarian recipes and that is why we have gathered the best vegetarian dutch oven recipes that will surely entice you to have a dutch oven right at your home.
Recommended Vegetarian Dutch Oven Recipes
1. Kidney Bean And Coconut Curry
Kidney Bean and Coconut Curry is a meal that is easy, simple and effortless. It can be cooked in less than 15 minutes using canned or pre-cooked kidney beans. Seasoned with creamy coconut cream together with Indian Spices, this meal is both healthy and delicious, allowing beans to do what beans do best. Its base is a combination of cardamom, garlic, green chili and curry producing a not-too-spicy dish that is an excellent choice for those who love Thai Curries. This meal is best served with Jasmine rice and some baguette.
2. Ratatouille
A meal that originated in Provence, France, Ratatouille is a classic French dish that will surely add color and flavor to your plate. The dish is usually made with vegetables like onions, peppers seasoned with herbs and Marjorie basils. It is usually served as the appetizer, but sometimes can also be served as the main course, side dish or egg dish toppings. There are 2 ways to cook Ratatouille. The first way is to slice the veggies and bake a layer version of Ratatouille. The second one follows the traditional approach which is to cook it like stewed vegetables. One of the secrets in making the best Ratatouille is to salt the eggplant beforehand then extract any excess water to leave it dry. This classic French meal works well with roast beef, roast pork, chicken, duck, pasta and rice.
3. Vegetarian Pho (Vietnamese Noodle Soup)
Pho (pronounced “fuh” not “foe”) is a Vietnamese soup made of beef or vegetable stock that is a perfect mixture of textures and flavors. The origins of Pho still remain unclear. Some say that it was created by a Vietnamese woman recreating Pot de Feu in order to appease her French husband; while others say that it was made by a Cantonese street vendor. Traditional pho is made using beef strips and broth that is seasoned with fish sauce. Although it is made with beef or chicken, a vegetarian version of pho called pho Chay exist in Buddhist establishments or contemporary restaurants. The best thing about pho is that it gives you a lot of options because only the noodles and the broth are stable and the rest is up to you. In order to achieve a more traditional taste of Pho, it is advised to flavor broth with char onions and ginger.
4. Lentil Soup
Filled with healthy low carb ingredients, this soup is very simple and easy to prepare. It would only take you less than an hour to prepare the whole meal. In the cooking process, the lentils mix well with different herbs and spices that suit your taste. The best part of the dish is its thick, creamy and smooth sauce that is perfect during cold and wintery nights.
5. Campfire Nachos
A fun and easy meal, Campfire Nachos is a simple dish that does not require any gourmet expertise and can be eaten using your hands. Made of a variety of fresh ingredients, it is usually cooked over a campfire using a conventional oven or a Dutch oven, which allows you to create nachos almost everywhere. It can be an appetizer or a full meal depending on the quantity you make. If you are planning to eat nachos as a full meal it is very important to build its layers properly. This is because the secret in creating the perfect nachos lies in one word: layers! The first layer should be composed of chips followed by a layer of cheese and toppings and all you need to do is to repeat the process all over again until you reach your desired quantity. It is highly recommended that you use a Dutch oven in order to melt the cheese evenly while preventing your chips from getting burned.
6. Whole Roasted Cauliflower
An entire cauliflower brushed with butter, garlic and herbs, the whole roasted cauliflower will turn anyone into an instant cauliflower lover! When roasted, the cauliflower turns to golden brown on the outside while remaining perfectly crunchy, tender and tasty on the inside. Roasting is the easiest way to cook Cauliflower because the cauliflower itself does not require too much assistance and preparation. Once it’s inside the oven it does not require that much attention, making it less complicated. Another benefit of this dish is that it does not produce a nasty smell and as a matter of fact, it will fill your house with a very lovely aroma. It also contains about 150 calories which is perfect for those who are health conscious.
7. Kale And Cannellini Bean Stew
A stew created to make us feel good in every way, the Kale and Cannellini Bean Stew is filled with spices and vegetables. It is perfect for those who want to experience tasting deep flavors without the meat. One simple trick to make it even better is to use cheese rinds as the soup bones. The beauty of this dish is that it only comes in about half an hour making it the perfect choice for surprise occasions.
8. Braised Coconut Spinach & Chickpeas With Lemon
A dish that is both tangy and sweet, Braised Coconut Spinach & Chickpeas with Lemon has a strong flavor brought about by the flavored chickpeas and spinach. Its traditional version is made of lemon, ginger, garlic and sun dried tomatoes making it absolutely fantastic! The sun dried tomatoes unleashes a different kind of twist in terms of texture and sweetness. Making the flavor a little bit more complex, yet desirable.
9. Fresh Corn Zucchini Chowder
The Fresh Corn Zucchini Chowder is thick and creamy. It is composed of corn, zucchini chowder, potatoes, onions, carrots, garlic and celery. Even though it is full of veggies making it good and delicious. The most beautiful thing about this dish is that its texture gives it a rich different feeling in addition to it being nutritious in every way. It is also a perfect side dish for any meal.
10. Italian Orzo Spinach Soup
A dish that is perfect for all kinds of occasions the Italian Orzo Spinach Soup is both beautiful and delicious. Its flavors blend well with one another which makes it the perfect dish on a cold day. The carrots, celery, onions and roasted garlic within the soup produce a flavor that stand out. The dish is basically good for the health because it is rich in fiber, iron and protein. It can also be combine with bread and salad to achieve the perfect meal.
Some Friendly Reminders Before Cooking
Seeing all those Dutch oven recipes surely makes our mouths water, but before we start cooking, here are simple reminders when using our Dutch Ovens:
Don’t forget to your clean your Dutch oven
If this is your first time to use a Dutch oven, it is advised that you wash it in hot water with soap and dry it using a cloth. Even though some are dishwasher safe it is still recommended that you wash it manually. You also need to make sure that it is fully dry and stored in a place that is moisture free in order to keep it from rusting.
Dutch ovens are suitable for all heat sources
With the ability to retain heat evenly, dutch ovens are compatible with any type of heat source and so you don’t have to worry about cooking with them. They can also serve as an additional storage place inside the fridge, just be careful and make sure they are cooled down since they might break due to the sudden change in temperature.
Always be careful!
Even if dutch ovens have the ability to distribute and retain heat, it is not wise to use them at very high temperatures although gradual temperature increase is alright. Just keep in mind that increasing the temperature can make the food stick or burn so just to be on the safe side, always use pot holders or kitchen gloves to protect yourself and to watch and monitor the food.
Conclusion
There is no such thing as the perfect Vegetarian Dutch Oven recipe. The recipes I recommended have a unique set of flavors that made them stand out but we encourage you to look for more. Do not be afraid to create your own recipe. Also, don’t forget to keep on improving, innovating, and experimenting on vegetarian recipes that suit your taste and style. Cooking is something that most of us do each day and it would be fun to create something new every day.