Page 190 - The Lost Ways

should familiarize yourself with immediately. It’s easy, and the meat comes out perfect
with very little fuss.

Choose the right-sized meats for this method. Don’t choose heavy meats, or you’ll break
your string. You don’t want big roasts either, because the center will still be raw as the
outside burns. Chicken is perfect. Small game and reasonably-sized hunks of meat work
too.

Once you’ve got your meat seasoned the way you like it, you will have to truss it up with

some kitchen string. Either knot it well or go ahead and buy a set of trussing needles to
attach the chicken to the string. You’ll secure the legs and wings to the sides and hook it
over the fire. If you have a wooden mantel, this is the perfect place to stick the hook. If
you are outside, look for a good-sized branch or one of those iron hangers for hanging
plants.

You’ll want to place a drip pan under the meat to avoid any messes. As the string slowly
unwinds, the chicken turns itself, making this a hassle-free dinner. Every now and then,
twist the string back up, and while you’re at it, baste the meat and string occasionally to

keep them moist.

It takes around an hour and a half to roast a chicken, but you should use a thermometer
to make sure it’s done.

Tips
Let that fire burn for more than an hour before you start cooking, feeding it when needed
so that there are plenty of hot coals and less open flame. You want the meat close enough

to get the heat without the fire touching it.

No matter what you are roasting, you want to try to shape the meat so that it is as even
and cylindrical as possible. That way, it will be evenly cooked.

Dutch Oven Cooking

Even if you forgo the cast iron skillet or soup pot, you should have a Dutch oven. Not only
can you bake in a Dutch oven but the body of the oven can be used for anything cooked
in a pot, and the lid can be turned upside down to be used like a frying pan. A Dutch oven
can do it all and then some.

Cooking in a Dutch oven may take some getting used to. Figuring out how to get and keep
the right temperature takes time and patience, but if you take that time and have the

189