Dutch Oven Mountain Man Breakfast

The mountain man breakfast is one of those classic Dutch Oven recipes that most camp cooking enthusiasts make at one point or another.  We make this pretty often on Boy Scout camping trips, and even some scouts and adults who usually don't care for vegetables will eat every bite of it.  We like to serve this with biscuits that we cook in foil over the fire. 

Ingredients

• 1 lb bulk mild pork sausage (no casings)
• 1 tsp chopped garlic
• 1 med onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 2lbs frozen shredded hash brown potatoes
• 12 eggs
• 2 Tbsp water
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 12 oz shredded cheddar cheese

 

Equipment

• #12 deep dish Dutch oven (8 quart)
• lid lifter
• large metal spoon
• bowl and wisk for beating eggs 
• knife and cutting board 
• Charcoal (30 briquettes)

Directions

Start at least 30 charcoal briquettes.

While waiting for the briquettes to heat up, I usually start cooking on the camp stove to save time.  Place your Dutch oven on the camp stove over medium flame and brown your sausage.  Then, add onions, peppers and garlic and saute until the veggies are tender.

Add shredded potatoes.  Turn with your spoon a few times until the ingredients are well mixed.  Wisk together eggs, water, salt and pepper in a bowl and pour into the Dutch oven with the other ingredients.

At this point, transfer your Dutch oven to the fire. On a warm, calm day use 10 briquettes below and 14 on the lid, reserving the rest.  Where there is a breeze or the weather is cooler, increase the number of coals.  Cook until the eggs are firm - about 15 min. checking with a fork.  At this point your casserole looks like this:

A Dutch Oven Mountain Man Breakfast casserole before cheese is added.

   

Next, sprinkle shredded cheddar over the top of your casserole, cover and return to the fire, cooking until the cheese is melted.  Your finished casserole will look like the photo below. Remove from the heat and serve hot - delicious!

The finished Mountain Man Breakfast.

Cooking Biscuits

Normally, I serve this meal with hot biscuits.  I've done this a couple of ways, including Bisquick or Jiffy baking mix prepared to package directions or a large ready-to-cook biscuit like Pillsbury Grands.

Arrange your biscuits on a sheet of aluminum foil.  Place another sheet on top of the biscuits and roll the edges to form an envelope.  I recommend double-layering the foil to prevent rips and tears.  Place your foil package on the Dutch oven lid, coals or even a hot wood stove.  Cook 10 mins or so, turning frequently.