Dutch oven enchiladas

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Description

An easy, cheesy, veggie Mexican dish, cooked in the great outdoors.

Courtesy of the Scout Association https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/dutch-oven-enchiladas/
Supported by Gas Distribution Network

Enchiladas are a traditional Mexican dish. You could make this recipe as part of Day of the Dead celebrations, the Mexican holiday celebrating life, between the 1 November and 2 November. You may want to find out more information about the Day of the Dead festival before running this activity. We've shared some information on this page.

Resources

Hot embers and coals
Dutch Oven (or equivalent fireproof casserole dish with lid)
Campfire grill or equivalent
Ingredients (see recipe card)
Can opener
Ladle
Kitchen tongs
PPE (protective equipment), such as heatproof gloves
Bucket of sand and/or water
First aid kit for burns
Bowl
Spoons
Plates
Carbon monoxide alarm

Instructions

Building a fire and preparing to cook on a campfire
-This recipe is designed to be cooked in a Dutch Oven on top of hot coals.
-Build and light a fire before starting this activity. Our activities, Campfire admirers or Construct a campfire, can help you to do this. You’ll use the hot embers to cook on, so the fire will need enough time to die down before cooking.
-You could run our fire safety activities, Fuel air ignition and Sitting safely by a campfire, prior to running this session.
-Remember to have a hand washing station and take extra hygiene precautions when handling raw meat, such as regular hand washing, having separate equipment for raw and cooked meat, and washing up equipment as soon as it's been used. Take a look at our guidance on food preparation.
-Make sure you have all the ingredients ready.  To prepare your ingredients, you’ll need chopping boards, knives, a garlic press or alternative, and a cheese grater.
-Remember to check your ingredients against any allergy or dietary requirements to ensure everyone can enjoy the recipe. This may mean using alternative ingredients.
-Once the fire has burned to hot embers and coals, it is hot enough for you to cook your dish on.
-Remember to have protective equipment to move the Dutch Oven, such as heat proof gloves, available. The entire surface area of the Dutch Oven will be extremely hot.

Having a safe cooking source
-Make sure that everyone’s fires have been built outdoors in clear, open areas, with plenty of ventilation, and away from any areas where people will be sleeping.
-All the fires need to burn down to hot embers before they can start cooking. This increases the chance of the fuel burning without enough oxygen present, increasing the risk of carbon monoxide exposure. We have more guidance on different cooking methods.
-If using a gas stove, make sure it’s on a stable heat proof surface and in a clear and open area, with plenty of ventilation.

Getting ready to cook
-Gather everyone together in a circle and tell them you’re going to make Enchiladas.
-You may want to run a fire safety talk or show people how to use the equipment safely, such as for cooking on a campfire or chopping ingredients.

Consider using this script to teach young people about carbon monoxide and how to keep themselves safe when burning fuel.
-Does anyone know the three things we need to ignite or sustain a fire?
We need oxygen, a heat source (this can be a match, lighter, electricity or flint and steel) and fuel (this can be wood, gas, or solid fuel). This is known as the fire, or combustion triangle. When these three things come together, a chemical reaction happens and that is how we get fire.
-What would happen if we removed the heat source from this triangle?
With just oxygen and fuel, nothing would happen.
-What would happen if we removed the fuel from this triangle?
With just oxygen and a heat source, nothing would happen.
-What would happen if we removed the oxygen from this triangle?
When there is not enough oxygen available for the fuel to burn fully when introduced to a heat source, carbon monoxide is released.
-Does anyone know what carbon monoxide looks like?
It is actually colourless, odourless and tasteless – so we can’t sense it at all.
-How do you know if you, or someone else might have carbon monoxide poisoning?
The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning might be confused with ‘flu-like’ symptoms. This could be headaches, dizziness, feeling weak, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion.

Safe or unsafe?
-Gather everyone together and explain that you will be reading out statements. It is up to your young people to decide if the statements are safe or unsafe. They can do this by a show of hands, or marking areas on the floor for people to stand in. Make sure you play this away from any fires, in a safe area.
-I’m going to cook for my troop. It’s raining so I’m going to cook in a gazebo with the sides removed for ventilation.
SAFE – Cooking in an environment where there is plenty of oxygen is vital to making sure no carbon monoxide is released.
-The rain is getting heavier, and everyone is feeling cold. I’m moving my stove into the tent to finish cooking.
UNSAFE – Cooking in small and poorly ventilated spaces increases the likelihood of carbon monoxide being released. Cooking in the same place where people sleep puts people at risk of being poisoned while unconscious. Stay warm when camping by wrapping up, bringing a warm sleeping bag and having plenty of warm, dry layers of clothing.
-We have a carbon monoxide alarm, so we don’t need to worry about the risk of being poisoned.
UNSAFE - A Carbon Monoxide alarm detects the presence of the gas in the air, however should be used as an extra precaution in addition to making sure you are cooking in a well ventilated area.
-The carbon monoxide alarm went off, signaling that it is present in the air. We turned off all the stoves and got everyone into some fresh air.
SAFE – If your alarm goes off, or someone starts to experience symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, get everyone into fresh air. If their symptoms don’t improve you need to call the emergency services.
-Our troops gas stoves haven't been serviced or cleaned properly in a long time. We bought new stoves for the trip and have set the old ones aside to be serviced or disposed of.
SAFE – Don't leave known faulty equipment to chance. Ensure that all equipment is maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and visually checked before each use. Signs to look out for are lots of black soot and a yellow flame that is droopy and lazy.

Dutch oven enchilada recipe
Ingredients:
4 – 6 tortillas
Cooking oil
½ red onion (sliced or diced)
1 pepper (sliced)
4 cloves of garlic (minced/crushed)
Can of black beans
Cheese (grated)*
Enchilada sauce
Cumin or other spices (one tablespoon)
Salt (optional)
Toppings (optional)**
*You could use mature cheddar for a strong cheesy flavour, or add an Italian influence to the mix, with mozzarella, which melts really nicely.
**You could try some sour cream or sliced avocado, which is great for cooling your mouth down if you’ve made your Enchiladas spicy. You could add a squeeze of fresh lime, or some sliced jalapeno peppers for a real spicy kick!

Prep time: 5 – 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 – 30 minutes
Makes: 4 – 6 Enchiladas

Cook your filling
-Everyone could be split into small groups.
-Each group, if they’re not already prepared, needs to slice the onion and pepper. Crush or mince the garlic and then grate the cheese.
-Add a little cooking oil in your Dutch Oven, about two tablespoons will do, and allow it to heat up.
-Add the sliced pepper and cook for a few mins until the pepper starts to soften.
-Add the sliced/diced onions, then cook until both the onions and the pepper are soft.
-Add the garlic, spices and a little salt, if wanted.
-Let the mixture cook for about 30 seconds.
-An adult should carefully remove your Dutch Oven from the heat, remembering to wear the heatproof gloves. -They should place it down on a heatproof surface in a safe place, away from young people, and allow it to cool.

Build your enchiladas
-Gather everyone in a circle, while the Dutch Ovens cool.
-Once cooled use a ladle to transfer your Enchilada mix from the Dutch Oven into a big, clean bowl.
-Tell everyone that as a group, they’re going to build their Enchiladas. They may want to make one each, or work as a team and each do a different job, just like in a production line.
-Lay out your tortilla on a clean surface, such as a plate.
-Use a spoon to place some Enchilada mix in a rough line in the middle of a tortilla.
-Add some black beans, then top with some grated cheese. When you’re building your enchiladas, make sure to keep some cheese to add on top of your Enchiladas later, too.
-Gently roll your tortilla up, making sure the fillings are wrapped tightly inside the tortilla.

Cook your enchiladas
-When your group have built all your Enchiladas, it’s time to finish them off in the Dutch oven.
-As the Dutch Oven is still warm, an adult should help with these steps.
-Use a wooden spoon to add some Enchilada sauce to coat the bottom of your Dutch Oven. However, make sure you save enough to pour over the Enchiladas later.
-Carefully place your Enchiladas into the Dutch Oven, on top of the sauce.
-Cover the Enchiladas with the rest of your sauce and cheese.
-Pop the lid back onto your Dutch Oven
-With adult help, carefully place your Dutch Oven on your campfire grill, above your campfire embers, so it’s getting indirect heat.
-Using heatproof gloves, an adult should place around fifteen coals on top of the lid.
-Leave to cook for around 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted.
-An adult should carefully remove your Dutch Oven from the heat, remembering to wear the heatproof gloves. -They should place it down on a heatproof surface in a safe place, away from young people, and allow it to cool.
-Once cooled, carefully take your Enchiladas out of your Dutch oven use utensils and put them on a plate.
-Divide them up into bowls or onto plates for your group to try.
-Everyone can add any toppings if they’d like them, then make sure the Enchiladas have cooled down before you tuck in. Enjoy!

What is Day of the Dead?
-Day of the Dead is also known as Dia de los Muertos. It’s a lively, colourful two-day festival, which celebrates life. It’s a time when people remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones who’ve passed away. The Disney film Coco is based around the tradition of the Day of the Dead and represents the Mexican customs of this day.

Who celebrates Day of the Dead?
-Day of the Dead is usually celebrated in Latin American communities across the world and particularly in Mexico, which is where the festival began. However, it has become more widely popular, so is celebrated by lots of people, such as in schools.

When is Day of the Dead?
-The festival takes place every year and is normally lasts from the 1 November to the 2 November.

What’s Day of the Dead all about?
-On the Day of the Dead, people remember friends and family members who’ve died. They celebrate their lives. The festival’s based on the belief that the dead would be insulted by our mourning and sadness. Many people believe that the dead are allowed to return to Earth at this time. The dead become part of the community and take part in the celebrations with their loved ones.

How do people celebrate?
-Family and friends come together to join in the celebrations. Huge lively street parties are held, with food and drink, music and dancing. There are big colourful parades, with huge sculptures, such as mythical creatures. People enjoy dressing up. They might also paint their faces to look like skulls. People will take time to remember and share memories of their loved ones. They might look at pictures of them or visit their graves.

What are the symbols of the festival?
-The most familiar symbols of the festival are probably the colourful Calacas (pronounced ‘ka-la-kaz’) and Calaveras (pronounced ‘ka-la-vair-az’). These are decorative figures of skeletons and skulls, which are seen throughout the celebration.

Dutch oven enchiladas

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