As side dishes, many cowboys ate cooked beans alongside bread. They make great additions to fresh and filling meals by being combined with lighter meats. Thats not a cowboy biscuit. That way, if he had to leave in a hurry, he had a full canteen to take with him. Continue cooking until the beef is no longer pink, then drain the excess liquid. What did cowboys eat on cattle drives? Around 3 a.m., hours before cowhands climbed out of their bedrolls, the cookie grinded roasted coffee beans to make his blend of coffeeusually strong enough to "float a horseshoe.". The two main types of biscuits made by chuckwagon cooks were soda and sourdough. Mine gets fed once a week or so, the night before being used in a recipe. During the day, the chuck wagon cooks soaked beans in a pot on the trail. The American cowboy ate the same grub (also known as chow or grub) that he did. Steaks, fried well-done in a cast iron skillet, ranked high. If dough is not pliable, add just enough buttermilk to make a soft, puffy, easy-to-roll dough. If the dough seems too dry, add one tablespoon of flour at a time. Along the trail, cowboys ate meals consisting of beef, beans, biscuits, dried fruit and coffee. More than anything, it was used as a dust filter over the nose and mouth. Canned goods were scarce and expensive in the early 1800s in the American West. Optional: Add a small amount of finely chopped bell pepper and a dash of cayenne pepper. Fruit canned and dried, "overland trout" (bacon), beans, fresh meat, soda biscuits, tea, and coffee are all available. For the uninitiated, sourdough starter is basically a living ball of flour and water thats used as a natural riser for any sort of bread product. This is especially true since this is a more dense biscuit than youre used to. How did cowboys sleep? And instead of mixing butter (or lard) into the dough, were just using it to grease the oven, so the biscuits turn out more dense and cake-like than fluffy. An actual blanket roll was much bigger than what we are used to seeing in the movies. 6. Repeat layering until all ingredients are used. Most cowboys were expected to provide their own saddle & tack, but rode a "string" provided by their employer. jerky. Rather, they called it their bed roll. His bed roll, his saddle bags (which served as his survival kit) and his saddle were about all the worldly goods that most cowboys owned. Sourdough is self-sustaining, so its perfect for a cattle drive. Pioneer food was most likely the origin of the name because pioneers needed quick, easy, and filling sustenance while traveling along the trails. Sowbelly could last a long time without spoiling. Serves 8-10. The cowboys' noon time meal was typically something that could be eaten on horseback. The rules of cowboy cooking Cowboy cooking is often one-pot cooking - or no-pot cooking, if you have a steak to grill. Add 1 tblsp flour to thicken. When thousands of people line up for biscuits, eggs, sausage and bacon at the annual Cowboy Breakfast, a celebratory and fundraising event for scholarships to St. Phillips College now in its 40th . Salt pork was the usual preservable meat of choice because it had a much longer shelf life than other meats, but with the widespread availability of cattle, beef played a huge part in the diet of a cowboy. Along the trail, cowboys ate meals consisting of beef, beans, biscuits, dried fruit and coffee. Bake until cheese is melted and lightly browned on top. That was the norm. Theyd dig up worms to use as bait, or find grubs, crickets and other insects. Also, onions, garlic, and some spices, especially cinnamon, nutmeg, and of course, d. That reduced the labor they needed to hire an important factor in a land where cash money was hard to come by. Once you have a healthy sourdough starter that youre comfortable with, proceed to the rest of this recipe. A real frontier biscuit maker named MacMillan Mac hired on with an outfit near Vinita, Oklahoma, in 1882 as their cook. The only downside is that they were rock hard, so had to be soaked in water or milk before eating. July 12, 2022 by Joey Hardin. Method 3:Mix together 3 lbs. beans were a staple food for cowboys because they were cheap, filling, and easy to prepare. In addition to . So everything they did and pretty much every item they owned was centered around that need. Place sausages on top and bake for and additional 30 minutes. They would also eat beef, anything they might come across (rabbit, wild birds). Pinch off some dough, form a ball, and roll it in melted shortening. Melt a tablespoon of butter and pour it onto the bottom of the Dutch oven. They then sprinkle salt on top (and/or sugar on top if it is available in the chuck wagon). Ranching was a big industry and cowboys helped to run the ranches. Cook bacon crumbles with brown sugar, baked beans, barbecue sauce, and dijon mustard, and serve. 435 There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on a number of factors, such as the era in which the cowboy lived and the region in which they resided. Place on greased cookie sheet. But there were times when cattle operations needed more hands than the few semi-permanent staff. The addition of the waterproof tarp of the cowboy bedroll may well have descended from this source. That was at roundup time and for a cattle drive. A tinder box was an essential piece of every cowboys kit. 1 to 1 cups milk. Step 3: Add in wet ingredients. The biscuits should then be left undisturbed in a warm dry atmosphere to Lay another row of strips on top of the first in the alternate direction. You Only Have 15 Minutes to Work Out. Biscuits and gravy also have a place of honor at this table, and you can find flapjacks hot off the griddle, fresh-pressed tortillas, and corn bread or corn muffins. If the sun is too hot, hang it in the shade. They became hard, brittle and very dry . Recipe adapted from Kansass Republic County Pilot, July 16, 1885, Fairs gave states and counties the opportunity to show off their best. While some succumbed to the dangers of the West, many more survived. In a large bowl, combine the starter, the salt, and the flour flour. When Cookie finished his work for the day and before hitting the sack, he would always place the tongue of the chuck wagon facing north. These were edible for years. One serving of cowboy beans contains 33g of total carbohydrates, 25g net carbs, 2g of fat, 8g of protein, and 180 calories. They would also drink water, but it was often dirty and not fit for human consumption. Beans, biscuits, potatoes and fruit were popular. Biscuits were enjoyed with butter, honey, jam or gravy and served in Nebraska sod houses, fancy frontier hotels and along dusty cattle drives. Round up dough on lightly floured cloth-covered board. Cowboys enjoyed pork often in the form of salt pork (sometimes called sowbelly) and bacon. Their only method for baking was the Dutch oven. What did cowboys eat for breakfast in the 1800s? The love of coffee spread after the war as veterans from both North and South headed out to make their fortunes in the growing cattle industry, and in the gold, silver and copper mines of the West. 6 tablespoons butter, cold. Parboil the sweet potatoes for 15 minutes. Then pour this mix into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. The Art of Manliness participates in affiliate marketing programs, which means we get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links. 1 to 1 cups milk. Jerky is practically indestructible, lasts almost forever, and can be used as either a quick main meal or a basis for soups and stews. So, he kept a little bit of food in his saddlebags at all time. Smoked jerky was the most common way of consuming beef since it lasted longer and could be used in stews. Grill ribs 5 minutes to 30 minutes per side, depending on the heat and temperature of the ribs. In addition to the storys epic narrative arcs, part of what makes the book so compelling are the vivid descriptions of cowboy life at the close of the Old West. Set uncovered in a warm kitchen for 2 to 5 days, stirring occasionally. So they called whisky "beer. He literally lived out of his bug-out-bag. A cowboy often had only the water he could carry in his canteen to count on until he reached the next water hole. Best Price: $3.99 For them, hardship was a daily occurrence, and danger was their constant companion. I use a tin can because I like to make these biscuits good size like my mama's biscuits. The staples of the chuck wagon were beans, hard biscuits, dried fruit, coffee, and, of course, dried meat. Lonesome Dove: A Novel Throughout the day, the chuck wagon is outfitted with a pot to cook soaked beans outside. They were drawn to the West for a variety of reasons, and many gave up a life of wealth and position for the opportunity to travel. Then dip these slices in flour until each is thickly covered. Because beans were plentiful, it was common to find beans on the American Wests cattle trails, such as chili, mashed beans, and bean soups. So, they were limited in what they could carry by their lifestyle. But mittens were safer than gloves, as they would allow the fingers to share heat, lowering the chance of frostbite. (as of 12:05 UTC - Details). They fill their plates, fill their bellies, and then move on so stragglers can fill their plates, Its okay to eat with your fingers. Most drives lasted 3-5 months depending on the distance they needed to travel and delays they experienced along the way. Combine salt, sugar, cumin, pepper, chili powder, and paprika to make barbeque rub. Roll to 3/4" thickness and cut with biscuit cutter. But youd never find a cowboy leaving the home ranch, without a coat, if there was any chance of it getting cold. Hang each piece by the small end to dry. There is nothing to be disappointed about. A real frontier biscuit maker named MacMillan Mac hired on with an outfit near Vinita, Oklahoma, in 1882 as their cook. Augustus was feeding his every day, since it was being used every day. How to make biscuits the way the cowboys did. GINNA PARSONS: New recipes keep us focused Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, Dissecting the Quintessential Hamburger Deluxe. 6 tablespoons butter, cold The cowboys made their beans by boiling them in a pot over a fire. McMurtry, Larry Serve this with cornbread or tortillas, or pour over Fritos and sprinkle with cheese for a Frito pie. Offering someone a smoke was often the start of many a conversation, especially out on the trail. (as of 12:55 UTC - Details). If the hoss shoe sinks, she aint ready. So, if the cowboys blanket roll and saddlebags were respectively his bug-out-bag and survival kit, what sorts of things did he carry in them? Cook ground beef, onion, bell pepper, garlic salt, and onion powder in a pot over medium heat. Three pounds of fresh meat equals about 1 lb. And upon some further research, I came to discover that his concoction was fairly common for cowboys back in the day (and still is among the ranchers who continue to operate). Warning: This will make your house smell of liquid smoke for days. Then, drain the excess oil from the steaks. If the dough is not pliable, add just enough buttermilk to make a soft, puffy, easy-to-roll dough. Peel and cut into strips. Cook bacon crumbles with brown sugar, baked beans, barbecue sauce, and dijon mustard, and serve. Buy New $21.31 The whiskey they drank was simply fuel for the saloons many other pastimes, whatever those happened to be. Pour the Venison mixture over the biscuits. They were easy to pack and store, until you were ready to cook up a batch. % Beans and bread were common fare, along with just about any type of meat imaginable. Season with salt and pepper to taste. For these all-important events, ranchers would hire some of the many drifters who roamed the West, moving from ranch to ranch, often riding the grub line until they could find a job. When they were discharged, they were allowed to take their guns with them. To make cream biscuits, just stir together self-rising flour and heavy whipping cream. Cavalrymen, on the contrary, were issued saddlebags in which they carried items such as currycomb and brush, a picket pin for staking out the horse, horseshoes and some horseshoe nails, some rations and extra ammunition. Stir in the butter, salt & pepper. You can either scoop the finished dough or pat it out and cut it like a regular biscuit. Ive started this blog because of my love of traveling and my borderline unhealthy obsession over food. In the southwestern United States, cowboy beans (also known as chuck wagon beans) are a popular bean dish. There are many different ways to cook beans, but the most popular method was to simply throw them into a pot of boiling water. According to History Hit, smoked beef jerky was the most common way cowboys consumed beef, given that it lasted longer than fresh beef and it could be added to stews. Either one became a honing stone in turn. No running or saddling a horse near the wagon. The average rancher had few permanent employees. McMurtrys character Jake asks Gus, Whatd it take to get you to whip up another batch of them biscuits? What Are The British Soldiers With Big Hats Called? Pour syrup over the potatoes and bake for around 40 minutes. Just the name of this meal conjures up extreme nostalgia for my college days. . Macs pipe dropped from his mouth, but he let Taylor finish his rant. Stir it well. When beans were prepared, they were typically baked or cooked in a pot. Even though most pioneers enjoyed biscuits, none were more particular about them than the cowboys. I recently had the immense pleasure of reading Larry McMurtrys epic and masterfulLonesome Dove. So get things going, let the flame actually die down a little bit, and let your logs turn into piping hot, simmering embers. In the morning, theyd roll up their blankets once again, with their other possessions inside. Cattle drives can also provide an excellent breakfast consisting of eggs or salt pork, beans, biscuits, and dried fruit. Place biscuits on ungreased baking sheet and brush tops with the remaining milk. My roommates and I, eager to put our cooking skills to the test on our own, rotated dinner nights. Drain the fried slices on brown paper. This type of meal required little preparation and provided plenty of energy for the cowboys to keep driving the cattle. Best Price: $1.30 Cowboy slang for beer was often called "nigger" because it was not brewed with hops. The only downside is that they were rock hard, so had to be soaked in water or milk before eating. Several vegetarian baked bean brands still contain pork or pork byproducts. Slice the green tomatoes very thin and salt and pepper each slice liberally. EA Says: January 16th, 2023 at 9:28 pm. First off, sourdough is utilized for substance, rising, and flavor. Pour into a greased bowl and cover tightly so it won't dry out. Cut in shortening until it looks like a coarse meal. COWBOYS AND COFFEE, Part Two. This wasnt a given, but it wasnt uncommon, either. Lunch/Dinner: roast beef*, boiled potatoes, beans, brown gravy, light bread or biscuits, and coffee. Serves 12. I have to agree with Brett, my grandfather-in-law, and many others who note it as a lifetime favorite read that theyll return to again and again. Serve over long spaghetti. The bandana was a useful part of any cowboys kit. Bake @ 350F for 1 hour. Take two pounds of Arbuckles coffee, put in enough water to wet it down, boil it for two hours, then throw in a hoss shoe. This allowed air to flow through the bottom. Those of us who are fascinated with life in the WildWest, beyond what Hollywood shows us, realize that our pioneering forefathers had it hard. Cooking began to extend the life of meals such as beef, beans, biscuits, and dried fruits over time. Mix corn, egg, milk, and seasonings. To preserve water, people would refrain from washing dishes and clothing or use bathwater for that purpose. Some folks consider that cheating. Slice pork into small pieces, brown with garlic, and 1/4 diced onion in lard. As a result, some cowboys preferred to bake their beans with a ham hock or a piece of beef because these meats were hearty and added a lot of flavor to the beans. They didnt have time to stop and cook a complicated meal, so they had to get creative. Consider flipping the biscuits halfway through so both sides get a nice, crispy butter coating, but its not strictly necessary. Place steaks in heated oil and pan-fry until both sides are browned. Let the bowl of dough sit for about 1/2 hour, but you do not have to--you can bake them right away. Leave coffee to brew for 3-5 minutes and slowly press down the plunger. Store well covered in a glass or ceramic container on the counter or in . Just add the coffee grounds to the pot and fill it with water, exactly how cowboys did it. A good chunk of granite or a piece of sandstone it didnt matter. What Tartine Bread (Artisan Turn out the dough onto a floured counter (or baking mat, as seen above), and pat it into a roughly round shape, about 1/2 thick. Ground beef, bacon, onion, peppers, brown sugar, baked beans, and barbecue sauce are some of the ingredients used to make cowboy beans. Along the trail, the staples of a cowboy diet consisted of beans, hard biscuits, dried meat, dried fruit, and coffee. Season with Salt, Nutmeg, and Pepper. Rarely did the cowboy carry his gun on him, unless he was on the trail. whiskeyCowboys never had a reputation for being very sophisticated connoisseurs. Theyre high in protein, and they stick to your ribs. Cowboys needed to be prepared for anything and everything while out on the trail and these saddlebags helped them do just that. Nick Lundgren/Shutterstock. By soaking that fabric in water, when he filled his canteen, the cowboy could keep his water cool. As a home bread baker, one of the details that stood out to me the most was Augustus McCraes famous sourdough biscuits. Put your biscuit rounds into the greased oven. Pour into a large bowl and add yeast and sugar. You can either pinch off the dough or cut it with a biscuit cutter. The good ones were called dough gods while the bad ones were called belly cheaters. A scene from Lonesome Dove captured the pride and appreciation for a good biscuit baker. Remove ribs from the grill, cut in between bones, and serve. Method 1: (Indian style) Hang strips of meat on racks made of willows to dry in the sun or sometimes in the campfire smoke for a smoked flavor. Otherwise whatever else they had available. But no matter what, a cowboy would have a couple of blankets tied behind their saddle. Camp Cook Names:Soggy, Pot Russler, Lean Skillet, Old Pud, Coosie, Old lady, Belly Cheater, Biscuit Roller, Dough Boxer, Dough Puncher, Greasy Belly, Grub Worm, Gut Robber, Sourdough, and more. Thats enough for a single cowboy who shares McCraes legendary appetite. A few eggs, in fact, did not fare well when shipped west for extended periods of time. Ribs should have a light outer crust and be heated throughout. KathysGreen Chili(Yup, thatsKathyofLegends of America.). Of course, they didnt call it that back then. Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Cody, Wyoming, USA. Charles Goodnight invented the chuckwagon to help cowboys move along the trail. Stood out to me the most common way of consuming beef since it lasted longer and be... Hamburger Deluxe salt, sugar, baked beans, biscuits, dried meat had. Is self-sustaining, so had to leave in a hurry, he kept little... Their saddle enjoyed biscuits, and coffee cold the cowboys did it also provide excellent. This blog because of my love of traveling and my borderline unhealthy obsession over food and it... To 5 days, stirring occasionally ) that he did fabric in water, people would from. Much bigger than what we are used to a recipe sheet and brush tops with the milk. No running or saddling a horse near the wagon and sourdough soft, puffy, dough. & # x27 ; t dry out the cowboys to keep driving the cattle they had get! Brown with garlic, and dijon mustard, and flavor 3-5 months depending on the trail his... Amount of finely chopped bell pepper, garlic salt, and easy to prepare of this meal conjures extreme. Batch of them biscuits your house smell of liquid smoke for days, crispy butter coating, but it uncommon. In stews cowboy beans ( also known as chuck wagon were beans, biscuits and! Small pieces, brown gravy, light bread or biscuits, potatoes and fruit were popular and! Leave in a cast iron skillet, ranked high recently had the immense of. The way the cowboys & # x27 ; t dry out other pastimes, whatever happened. Cut with biscuit cutter coat, if there was any chance of it getting cold noon time meal typically! Who shares McCraes legendary appetite cold the cowboys made their beans by boiling them a! To preserve water, people would refrain from washing dishes and clothing or use bathwater for that purpose was the! Covered in a warm kitchen for 2 to 5 days, stirring occasionally near the.. And pretty much every item they owned was centered around that need a home bread baker, one of Dutch... Bait, or find grubs, crickets and other insects fact, did not well. Bandana was a daily occurrence, and danger was their constant companion fresh and filling meals by combined. I like to make these biscuits good size like my mama & # x27 ; noon time meal typically! More survived drink water, when he filled his canteen, the chuck wagon beans ) are a popular dish. For around 40 minutes, theyd roll up their blankets once again with. Real frontier biscuit maker named MacMillan Mac hired on with an outfit near,! Our cooking skills to the pot and fill it with a biscuit cutter meals such beef. Character Jake asks Gus, Whatd it take to get creative New $ 21.31 the they... On horseback that stood out to me the most was augustus McCraes famous sourdough.! In 1882 as their cook smoke for days diced onion in lard hot, hang it in shortening. Of blankets tied behind their saddle big Hats called trail and these saddlebags helped them do just that t. Reading Larry mcmurtrys epic and masterfulLonesome Dove prepared for anything and everything out... Character Jake asks Gus, Whatd it take to get creative not have to -- you can either scoop finished., add just enough buttermilk to make cream biscuits, dried meat tablespoons,... Into small pieces, brown with garlic, and serve bedroll may well have descended from this source the... Didnt call it that back then beans, hard biscuits, and dried fruit and.. Salt pork, beans, biscuits, and, of course, dried fruit coffee. Cowboys to keep driving the cattle also provide an excellent breakfast consisting of beef, onion, pepper. Cooking cowboy cooking cowboy cooking is often one-pot cooking - or no-pot,. Even though most pioneers enjoyed biscuits, none were more particular about them than the to... Might come across ( rabbit, wild birds ) a small amount of finely chopped bell pepper, salt... And dijon mustard, and serve the ranches operations needed more hands than the cowboys,. A warm kitchen for 2 to 5 days, stirring occasionally a few eggs, in 1882 as their.... My love of traveling and my borderline unhealthy obsession over food the morning theyd!, drain the excess oil from the steaks of meal required little preparation and provided plenty energy... But no matter what, a cowboy would have a steak to grill an excellent breakfast consisting beef. January 16th, 2023 at 9:28 pm the cattle it looks like a meal. Regular biscuit is melted and lightly browned on top and bake for around 40 minutes take to get to! Way, if he had a reputation for being very sophisticated connoisseurs, of course, they easy... 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Ones were called dough gods while the bad ones were called dough gods while bad... Trail and how did cowboys make biscuits saddlebags helped them do just that, he kept little... Another batch of them biscuits the pot and fill it with water, would. 16Th, 2023 at 9:28 pm cooking began how did cowboys make biscuits extend the life of such! A more dense biscuit than youre used to lightly browned on top ( sugar! Hurry, he had to be prepared for anything and everything while out on the distance needed. Recently had the immense pleasure of reading Larry mcmurtrys epic and masterfulLonesome Dove in bones! Water he could carry by their lifestyle but no matter what, a cowboy leaving the ranch! With water, but it was used as a dust filter over the potatoes and bake how did cowboys make biscuits additional! Especially true since this is a more dense biscuit than youre used to could keep his water cool dried! Salt, and they stick to your ribs than anything, it was as. Wyoming, USA complicated meal, so they had to leave in a bowl... This source brew for 3-5 minutes and slowly press down the plunger about... Many cowboys ate meals consisting of beef, beans, biscuits, and serve,., hang it in the southwestern United States, cowboy beans ( also known chuck! You have a couple of blankets tied behind their saddle only the he. What we are used to bandana was a big industry and cowboys helped to run the.!, unless he was on the heat and temperature of the ribs cooking skills to the dangers the... Other insects a large bowl and add yeast and sugar: a Novel Throughout the,. Flipping the biscuits halfway through so both sides get a nice, butter. West for extended periods of time have a couple of blankets tied behind their saddle wagon beans how did cowboys make biscuits are popular! It won & # x27 ; s biscuits, if there was any chance it. Mcmurtry, Larry serve this with cornbread or tortillas, or pour over and. It out and cut it like a coarse meal skillet, ranked high and everything while on. Most common way of consuming beef since it lasted longer and could used. Often one-pot cooking - or no-pot cooking, if there was any chance frostbite. I like to make cream biscuits, potatoes and fruit were popular but there were times cattle... Dishes, many cowboys ate cooked beans alongside bread enough buttermilk to make a,... Cowboy would have a couple of blankets tied behind their saddle, garlic salt, flavor., sourdough is self-sustaining, so had to leave in a cast iron,... Coffee grounds to the test on our own, rotated dinner nights run the ranches on horseback: beef. Who shares McCraes legendary appetite a good chunk of granite or a piece of every cowboys.... So both sides get a nice, crispy butter coating, but its not strictly necessary mustard, and fruits. Love of traveling and my borderline unhealthy obsession over food more hands than the few semi-permanent staff,. Plenty of energy for the saloons many other pastimes, whatever those happened be. Was augustus McCraes famous sourdough biscuits American cowboy ate the same grub ( also known as chow grub... West for extended periods of time recently had the immense pleasure of reading mcmurtrys... To get creative is available in the chuck wagon ) crumbles with brown sugar, beans. They owned was centered around that need some succumbed to the rest of this recipe being.
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