Dutch Oven Recipes Blog

Hello, I’m Lisa Jones!

Nice to meet you! I’m a wife to my amazing husband Richard, mother of three, grandma to four, recently retired, and home cook living in the gorgeous Houston, Texas!

In the fall of 2024, I retired from my long career in finance. Don’t get me wrong, I love finance and numbers, but after almost 30 years working in the finance field, and participating in too many meetings that could’ve been emails, I got fed up and decided to retire.

At first, I loved my retirement and all the free time it came with it. But as someone who hates wasting time, and adores doing things and having a full schedule, retirement has become like a prison for me. One day after going through old photos, I remembered my childhood dream of publishing a cookbook. And I felt that now is a perfect time to achieve this dream, with a twist. I decided to start a food blog, instead of publishing a cookbook. It is similar, so it should work. Probably if I grow up with the internet, I would like to start a food blog, from the start, not publish a cookbook.

I truly believe and try to live by the saying It is never too late for things! And here I am, starting a food blog in my late 50’s!

Why Dutch Oven Recipes?

I absolutely love my Dutch oven! Since the beginning, most of the time I’ve been making dutch oven recipes for my family. It is easy to create something delicious, and it is so versatile! You can make roast, soup, stew, homemade bread, braise, or even make a good ol’ Texan chili. It is really a wonder!

I remember when my family was young, and my three kids were in school, that I was creating nutritious meals in no time with the dutch oven! We often had roasts, or some yummy stew during weekdays. I’d be in the kitchen, hanging around with my kids, if it was a school year helping them with their math homework, and cooking all at once. If my husband Richard wasn’t travelling for work, he would join us. Those moments are some of my most treasured memories!

Nowadays, my daughters often ask for my Dutch oven recipes. I tried to explain recipes over the phone, but it didn’t always work. After some thinking, I decided to create a written recipes so they can cook delicious meals for their families, and maybe one day my grandkids can cook them too. Even my lovely daughter-in-law sometimes asks for a recipe. So between this, and my childhood dream, the Dutch Oven Recipes blog was born!

What will you find on Dutch Oven Recipes:

Tested recipes – most of the recipes here are the ones I’ve been making for decades. These recipes are approved by my kids and grandkids. There is nothing better than when your kid asks for seconds!
Family recipes – there is a funny story with my grandma, and dutch oven. She was supposed to inherit a dutch oven from her mother, but somehow the dutch oven got lost. My great grandma had eight daughters, and after the dutch oven disappeared, they were arguing for the rest of their lives over who stole it. But luckily, my great grandma’s recipe notebook didn’t get lost, so some of the recipes I will share are from her notebook!
Simple ingredients – I’m not into exotic, hard to find ingredients. I shop at the local farmer’s market in Houston, TX (I’m regular, and have my go-to vendors), and Walmart. If I can’t find it there, I won’t use it.
Easy techniques – Dutch ovens are a true kitchen miracle. They make cooking easy, and everyone can make something delicious in them. Some of the recipes are just put everything in, and let the heat do its magic. Everyone, no matter how skillful they are, can make my recipes!

When I’m Not in the Kitchen…

You will find me playing with my grandkids, spending time with my family, and friends. Besides that I love knitting, and playing bridge. Richard, and I love hiking, and we often join friends for tennis or golf.

I always start and finish my day by reading a joke, because I believe you should start and finish your day with laughter and in a good mood. And here is one of my favourites: What’s orange and sounds like a carrot? A parrot.