Cooking is an important life skill for all, and it is an integral part of Boy Scouts. From Tenderfoot to First Class, the Scouting program includes cooking requirements, which progress in knowledge and difficulty as the Scout advances in rank. Scouts learn how to safely prepare and serve a meal on a campout, different cooking methods and when to apply them, and proper nutrition. They practice these skills and work up to planning, budgeting, and shopping for three meals to prepare on a campout. The Cooking Merit Badge is a requirement for the rank of Eagle Scout.
Troop 97 of Middletown recently held an Iron Chef weekend campout for some friendly competition while working on the Cooking Merit Badge. Participants practiced knife skills by dicing peppers and onions. Breakfast of French toast with fruit compote and sausage hash was prepared on a camp stove. After the Scouts properly cleaned and stored their cooking gear, they reviewed the My Plate food guide, the importance of food labels, and cooking methods such as baking, broiling, simmering, steaming, and grilling. Scoutmaster Bill Lee demonstrated how to spatchcock a chicken and smoke it on a charcoal grill.
As part of the Iron Chef challenge, the Scouts formed patrols and planned a dinner menu within a specified budget, which had to be approved by the Scout leaders. When they returned from shopping for their ingredients, Assistant Scoutmaster Matt Pauley revealed the secret ingredient that had to be incorporated into their menu: bacon.
Patrol A was awarded Best Presentation for its skillet-seared steak with peas, asparagus, bacon, and spicy mustard sauce. Patrol B took the title of Best Flavor with its Dutch oven bacon-wrapped chicken breast, Hasselback potatoes, and vegetable medley. Patrol C wowed the judges with its knife skills while preparing homemade salsa to accompany tacos, and the patrol received Best Side Dish honors. Leaders Lee, Pauley, and Dave Orris got in on the action by preparing bell peppers stuffed with chorizo, rice, spices, and cheese accompanied by potato bombs. To round out the evening, the troop enjoyed Dutch oven pineapple upside-down cake.
Troop 97 is sponsored by the Londonderry Fire Company. For information about the troop, contact Ted Pauley at tszm@hotmail.com.
Leave a Review