Whether running a trapline, on a hunting trip or dealing with life after the SHTF; camp life should be wholesome and enjoyable. The goal isn’t just to survive, it’s to thrive. Nothing is more wholesome and enjoyable than freshly baked biscuits. Here is how we make them in an off the grid base camp situation.
First, you need a quality cast iron dutch oven with legs. Next, you need to have a supply of firewood, hardwood if you have it. Build a fire and build up a nice bank of coals.
While your fire is burning you can mix up the biscuits. This is the recipe I use…
2 cups all purpose flour
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cream of tarter
2 tsp sugar
1/2 cup shortening (Butter/Lard/Crisco)
2/3 cup milk (if you don’t have a cow have this on hand)
Grease the inside of your dutch oven and place your formed biscuits into it. Pull about 1/3 of your coals to the side. With the remaining coals, pull most to the edge (in the shape of a circle about the diameter of your dutch oven) and leave a smaller amount in the center. Place the dutch oven over the coals. Place the coals pulled aside on the lid of the dutch oven. Bake for about 10-12 minutes.
Baking over hardwood coals takes some practice. The urge is to use too many coals. Moderation is the key to success. You might scorch the bottoms of the first batch but keep at it. Practice makes perfect. Keep adjusting and eventually, you will get the hang of it.
