THERMAL COOKING - where have you been all these years?

Last week we visited a small town called Dowerin which is about 70 kms away.  It holds an annual "Field Day" (for 2 days) where an extrordinary amount of small and very large farm machinery and technology is displayed.  It also showcases local produce (for example wine and olive oil) and various stalls are set up for handy kitchen equipment.

Now I am not one for looking at kitchen equipment, but I found the most amazing time saving, energy efficient method of cooking dinner.  This is not a new invention but as I have not spent holidays in tents or caravans, I didn't know this existed.

Thermal Cooking. 

I have purchased a Thermos Shuttle Chef which is comprised of an outer Thermos which holds 2 pots inside.  The principle is that you start the cooking process on the regular stove in the 2 pots and then put the pots into the Thermos to finish off the cooking.  I tried the pork spare ribs - which I have never in my life managed to cook with the meat falling off the bone.  In 20 minutes I had one pot of pork spare ribs and another pot with 2 large whole potatoes and 2 whole carrots ready for the Thermos.  I put them in, locked down the lid and came back 3 hours later and had the most superb meal.

This meal only used 20 minutes of gas and then cooked on its own for 3 hours - how energy efficient is that?  Tonight it was the Thai chicken curry in one pot and rice in the other. 

The biggest bonus of all is that I can cook my nightly meal at lunch time and come in from the paddock at 6.00pm and there is my hot meal waiting for me.  And - nothing is over-cooked.

I can't wait to try the carrot cake and corn meat.  150 + recipes await.