Sandwich or pie? Hot and tasty campfire treats!
Let’s start with the basics: Just what is a pie iron? It’s a nifty tool for cooking sandwiches and desserts over the campfire. You put two pieces of buttered bread inside the cooking compartment, which is formed by metal castings hooked together by a hinge, then add the filling (usually cheese or canned fruit) between the bread. You close the compartment and heat the sandwich over the fire, holding it by the wooden handles at the ends of two long metal rods. Just a few minutes over the campfire and your tasty sandwich or pie is ready to eat!
We brought along our pie iron (and borrowed a neighbor’s) on our camping trip to Frontenac State Park. We had one goal in mind: to create the perfect pie iron sandwich. We bought a variety of ingredients for our recipe testing: marshmallows, chocolate, pie fillings (strawberry, cherry, blueberry), cream cheese, mascarpone, and a variety of fresh fruit. We set out the ingredients on the picnic table and started experimenting. Everyone had his or her own idea of the best possible combination.
I have to admit, no combination was unpalatable; in fact, all of them were pretty good. However, one sandwich was outstanding. My son Max created it, and it was the perfect blend of flavors and textures. His masterpiece tasted like a fruit turnover and a sweet cheese croissant, or rather, a gourmet Pop-Tart.
The next day, our camping group was inspired to use the pie irons for lunch. After our pie iron fun, plain sandwiches seemed boring. So, into the fire they went! We used cold cuts, cheese, and fried onions and made tasty grilled panini. They hit the spot after a long hike.
For those of you who don’t envision yourselves near a campfire this year, both recipes can be made in your backyard fire pit. Wherever you make them, be sure to supervise the entire cooking process with your kids. The pie iron and the ingredients inside get very hot, and kids don’t always realize this. Be safe and creative – and enjoy!
For more recipes and sources, go to PieIron.com.
Max’s Pie Iron Sandwiches
Serves 2-8, about 8 sandwiches
1 loaf of white bread (Pepperidge Farms recommended)
1 can strawberry or cherry pie filling
1 8 oz. container mascarpone cheese
1 pack chocolate bars (Hershey’s recommended)
2 sticks butter (room temperature)
Butter two slices of bread. Place one slice of bread, butter side down, on the lower half of the cooker. Spoon pie filling on the center of the bread. Place chocolate squares (usually 3 squares per sandwich) on top of pie filling. Take second slice of buttered bread and spread mascarpone cheese on the unbuttered side. Place on top of fillings (butter side up). Latch handle; trim off excess bread if necessary.
Place the pie iron in the campfire (over the hot coals is the best place; otherwise the flames will burn the bread), for 4-6 minutes, turning over once. Repeat for other sandwiches.
Roast Beef Pie Iron Sandwiches
Serves 2-8, about 8 sandwiches
1 loaf of white bread
1 pound sliced deli roast beef
8-10 ounces Cheddar cheese (sliced)
2 sticks butter
Optional – fried or raw onions, mustard, ketchup
Follow the instructions for Max’s pie iron sandwiches, but substitute the meat and cheese for the sweet ingredients. This sandwich should take 5 minutes to cook, but it depends on how hot your campfire is. Peek at each side before you remove it from the fire, it should be golden brown and crispy.
Bridget O’Boyle teaches kids and adults to cook at Cooks of Crocus Hill.
