Dutch Oven Gourmet Recipes

I have a bit of a problem with the word "Gourmet". It kinda comes across as a bit of snobbery. In a lot of ways, that's kinda contradictory to the spirit of the dutch oven. a "Dutch Oven Gourmet" is almost an oxymoron. On the other hand, perhaps a better word to describe it is a dichotomy.

A see a good example of what I mean, go to the IDOS World Championship Cook-Off and take a look around at what you see. You'll seen untrained chefs, talking to each other in a "good ole boy" kinda drawl. Instead of the formal chef toque, many are wearing cowboy hats. Instead of the double-breasted shirts of the restaurant, you'll see bandanas and bolo ties. And you definitely won't see any professional ovens or stoves.

And yet, the food prepared that day is world-class, five-star food.

So, what defines "Gourmet"? Well, that's a lot like asking what defines "Fine Art". It really is in the palate of the taster.

Anyway, as I looked back over the black pot and tried to remember some of the more Gourmet Dutch Oven recipes I've cooked, I chose a few to highlight on this resources post:

• I finally felt like I got a decent boule loaf of french bread!
  
• I made my own fettuccini and a really tasty creamy herb sauce.
  
• I learned how to make a good cheese sauce for my chicken cordon bleu.
  
• I overcame my childhood hatred of asparagus with this salmon dish.
  
• Handmade Tortellini with sausage and alfredo!
• Cornish hens are just classy food!
  
• I love the taste of cajun spices. Here's blackened salmon on veggie rice.
  
• This penne rustica is possibly the best pasta dish I ever made!
  
• One of my more exotic efforts was this Russian coulibiac. Delicious!
  
• And for sheer fanciness and simplicity, you can't beat steamed crab on rice!
  
• Another one of my overseas delights was this attempt at Indian cuisine.

Now, here's my pathetic plea for comments and link love: What's the most exotic/fancy/bizarre thing you've ever cooked (dutch oven or not)? A corollary to that is: What's the most exotic/fancy/bizarre thing you've ever eaten (and lived to tell about)? Would you ever eat it again?