Sandwich Makers

Jenne and I were introduced to “Sandwich Maker Night” while camping with the Nyhuis clan many years ago.  It inspired us to concoct gourmet versions (complete with recipe cards) using fun “foodie” ingredients… they fast became a favorite!

Sandwich Makers use a cast iron hinged pocket-griddle with a long handle.  They are sometimes called Pie Irons, Sandwich Makers, or Hobo Pie Cookers.  These cookers can be purchased on Amazon or at sporting goods stores.  Between two slices of well-buttered bread, a savory or sweet selection of ingredients are cooked in the pie iron over the fire.  Part of the fun is in choosing your own filling, part is in cooking over the fire…testing the doneness, then sharing bites of your creation.  It makes a perfect potluck night with everyone bring ingredients and taking turns cooking.  If you don’t like to wait for your turn at the fire (and you have electricity) you can also use a regular griddle or panini press.

Generously butter two slices of white bread.  On the non-buttered side, fill with ingredients being careful to avoid the outside edge.  Place your sandwich in the pie iron, buttered sides out, and clamp the pie iron closed.  Cut off any bread crust sticking out – it will burn.  Cook over fire until bread is golden brown.  The first sandwich will cook more slowly as the cast iron heats up; subsequent sandwiches will go faster.

Here are some of the crowd pleasers:
Reuben (pastrami or corned beef, sauerkraut, swiss cheese, 1000 Island)
Pizza (pizza sauce, pepperoni, canadian bacon, pineapple, olives, mozzarella, arugula, etc)
Italian Grinder (pesto, balsamic, salami, ham, grilled onions, pepperoncini, provolone)
Turkey Club (turkey, bacon, havarti, mayo, tomato, avocado)
Taco (taco meat, tomato, mexican cheese blend, avocado, salsa)
Breakfast for Dinner (scrambled egg, pepper jack cheese, ham or sausage, grilled onion, bell pepper)
BACM (crispy bacon, thinly sliced apple, sharp cheddar, whole grain mustard)
Caprese Plus (mozzarella, tomato, fresh basil, balsamic, olive oil, prosciutto)

More savory add-ins:
Roasted garlic paste (roast garlic and mash with butter until it makes a paste)
PB & J

Dessert:
Pie Filling (cherry or blueberry pie filling, sour cream or sweet cream)
Peach Cobbler (peaches, sweet cream, granola)
S’mores (marshmallow cream, fudge, graham cracker crumbles)
Nutella (Nutella…need we say more?)
Reese's (peanut butter, fudge)
Cinnamon Roll (sweet cream, cinnamon/sugar)
Black Forrest (cherry pie filling, fudge)

More sweet add-ins:
Sweet cream (blend 2 parts sour cream + 2 parts cream cheese + 1 part sugar)
Banana