I decided to change course tonight.  I want to share what I think is a treasure for all of you cowboy cooks and Dutch Oven cooks out there.  It is a cookbook called Trail Boss’s Cowboy Cookbook that was made possible by The Society For Range Management.  The proceeds from this cookbook will be used to support and promote the art and science of good range management.

The cookbook contains 458 recipes from 24 states and 8 countries.  There are recipes from the 6666 Ranch, the LBJ Ranch, W9 Ranch and JL Bar Ranch to name a few.  It contains recipes for foods in 31 categories.

 

Chuck wagon chow was the main staple of the cowboy and even though they took their orders from the trail boss the real keeper of the crew was Camp Cookie.  The cowboy’s dining room was pretty rough.  His table was usually the ground, bedroll or the his lap.  Cowboys were on their best behavior around the chuck wagon.  They never rode their horse into camp and tied it to the chuck wagon.  The great era of cattle driving only lasted from 1865 to 1885.

 

Following are a couple of the recipes I found amusing:

Camel Stew

3 medium sized camels                                                                                   1 ton salt

500 bushels potatoes                                                                                        1 ton pepper

200 bushels carrots                                                                                           3000 sprigs parsley

Cut camels into bite size pieces.  This should take about 2 months.  Cut vegetables into cubes (another 2 months).  Place meat in pan and cover with 1000 gallons of brown gravy.  Simmer for 4 weeks.  Shovel in pepper and salt to taste.  When meat is tender, add vegetables.  Simmer slowly for 4 weeks.  Garnish with parsley.  Will serve 3800 people.  If more expected, add two rabbits.  (I have the two rabbits but having problems finding camels.)

 

Recipe For Happiness

2 heaping cups of patience

2 handfuls of generosity

1 heart full of love

Dash of laughter

1 head full of understanding

Sprinkle generously with kindness.  Add plenty of faith.  Mix well.  Spread over a period of a lifetime and serve everybody you meet.

There are some really good recipes along with some history about range management. It also has some great illustrations of old brands used by various ranches.

I hope you enjoyed my blog.  Thank you for taking the time to read it.  If you are a Dutch Oven junkie I highly recommend that you add this cook book to your collection.  Remember to spread the love.