Cooking with a Pie Iron

Celebrate the Great Outdoors by getting out of town! Head for the nearest park or campground and take advantage of true peace and quiet. Make a trip to your nearest outdoor supply store before you go and purchase a Rome Pie Iron. When your stomach starts to rumble, look for the nearest firepit, collect some downfall and start dinner. Build a small fire (in an approved area) and assemble your meal.

Pie irons, for the pie iron novice, are cast iron mini cookers. Rome, Inc. has been making them for over 50 years and this company has a great variety of sizes and shapes.

PBJ takes on a new form when cooked in a pie iron. For this delicacy, 2 pieces of bread, butter, peanut butter and jelly are required. Butter 2 piece of bread and place in the iron, butter side out. Then place a teaspoon of peanut butter and a teaspoon of jelly on the inside of the bread. Clamp the cooker closed and trim away the excess bread. Hold the cooker over the fire for 1-2 minutes and then turn over, cooking 1-2 minutes longer. Check for toasted bread. When the pie is golden brown, remove from the cooker. The peanut butter will be quite warm, so be careful not to burn yourself! Otherwise, relax and enjoy.

Make an apple pie in the same fashion: 2 pieces bread, butter and prepared apple pie filling or applesauce. Butter the bread, place in the cooker with butter side out and then place a small amount (2 Tablespoons) of pie filling or applesauce in the cooker. Toast as above.

Grilled cheese is the best! Assemble as above with a slice or two of cheese place in the middle of the bread. Toast! Add ham, turkey or your favorite deli meat for a hearty fare. The cheese melts down through the meat and is a real treat.

Pie cookers are great for camping with kids. They also serve as a treat for picky kids or sick ones who are refusing food. Pull out a pie iron and suddenly food will have appeal again. This also works for sick husbands!

Pie cooking is limited only by imagination!If you have tried a few simple recipes with the Rome Pie Iron, perhaps it is time to move on to something a little more challenging.

Build your fire outside in an approved place using deadfall for firewood. Get a nice blaze going and reduce the fire to mostly coals.

Prepare the pie iron by spraying it with non stick cooking spray.

Our first recipe is for steak and mushrooms. Prepare a double size pie iron with cooking spray. For this recipe: 1 pound skirt steak (cut into 1" pieces), 1/2 cup sliced white mushrooms, 1 T. butter, and 1/2 sliced onion. Add a bit of salt and pepper and 2 dashes of worcester sauce to the meat. Place the mushrooms in the cooker, layer with meat and onions last. Close the cooker and hold over the fire for 2-3 minutes, then turn and cook for 2-3 more. Check for desired doneness. Place back on the fire for short intervals and cook until the steak is to satisfaction.

Another favorite: Hobos

These are common in Boy and Girl Scout Cooking but still taste great if you are past that age!

Use a the same double pie iron in order to have room for all the ingredients.

Make a patty out of ground beef or turkey. Top with sliced onions, thinly sliced carrots and potatoes. Place the burger in the iron with the vegetables on the side. Add 1 teaspoon butter to the veggies and desired seasonings to meat and veggies. Place pie iron over the fire. Grill for about 4-5 minute and then turn. Burger cooking is a bit more specific as the meat should be thoroughly cooked to avoid any problems. However, cook until the desired degree of doneness is to your liking. Remove from cooker, reload and wait for the next round. Fresh air always makes hunger more intense!