Camping meals should be simple and delicious, with little need for the typical kitchen utensils required to make a traditional meal. One of the most versatile tools in the camping meals arsenal is the pie iron.
A pie iron is simply a square cast iron vessel on the end of a stick. It can be found in virtually any camping store, and you can even get a double-size model if you’re always cooking for more than one. You can easily make all kinds of meals in a pie iron with a little preparation before the trip, resulting in a handheld meal that won’t require a fork.
A simple and delicious pie iron meal that appeals to people of all ages is a grilled ham and cheese sandwich. Place a slice of any bread in one half of the iron. Then, add your favorite cheese, slices of deli ham, and any other toppings you enjoy, like sliced tomato or caramelized onions. Top with another slice of bread and close the iron. Place it in the fire for a few minutes until the cheese melts and you have a delicious hot lunch or breakfast. To make the caramelized onions, cook sliced onions in one half of the iron until they are caramelized. Set them aside and build your sandwich.
Dinner over the fire is just as easy. You could start with a piece of bread and top it with pulled pork, either store-bought or homemade. For crunch, spread a spoonful of coleslaw mix on top, and if you like things spicy, add some chopped jalapeno peppers. Add the other piece of bread and secure the pie iron. This recipe is versatile, and can be substituted with other meats and toppings — like tuna fish salad, green peas, and crushed potato chips!
A campfire dinner can’t go without dessert, and your options for pie iron desserts are just as plentiful as the savory options. A couple pieces of cinnamon raisin bread and canned apple pie filling will make a tasty, fire-baked pie, or you could put a twist on the traditional s’mores with chocolate pieces, mini marshmallows, and crumbled graham crackers between two pieces of white bread. Your imagination is the limit!
Camping meals needn’t be either too simple, and therefore boring, or require a lot of prep beforehand and onsite, making them more of a chore than an enjoyable part of the experience. These three recipes are just a few examples of the great food that can be made in a fire, with no need to bring along much in the way of table settings.
Image via brettneilson
