Month: May 2015


May
2015

5 Pie Iron Pizzas

categories: Camping Recipes

Summer is unofficially here! Later this summer we’ll be camping with another family. They have two kids, so I thought it would be fun to make pie iron pizzas.

pie iron pizza
{ Cookie Dough and Oven Mitt }

The classic pie iron pizza includes buttered white bread, pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese and pepperoni. I decided I wanted to mix it up a little. While searching for ideas, I found some great variations on a classic pizza pudgie pie.

Pie Iron Pizza Bar

pie iron pizza bar{ Love Sarah Schneider }

This pizza bar was part of an awe-inspiring camp-themed birthday party. I bet the kids enjoyed picking their own pizza toppings.

Pie Iron Caprese Pizza

pie iron caprese{ Runs with Spatula }

I’ve featured Caprese Skewers in the past, and mozzarella, fresh basil & tomato (sauce) work just as well on a pie iron pizza.

Pie Iron Calzones

pie iron calzone{ Mustard Seeds }

Aren’t all pie iron pizzas really just calzones? This recipe uses refrigerated pizza dough as the crust.

Ben - Parks & Rec

Pie Iron Frozen Pizza

It doesn’t get any easier than this: Defrost a small frozen pizza, fold it and cook it in your pie iron.

Find more pie iron pizza recipes on my Pie Iron Pizza Pinterest board.


May
2015

Pie Iron Fajita Quesadillas

categories: Camping Recipes

Quesadillas are one of my favorite things to make in our pie irons. Tortillas work really well in the pie iron, forming a pocket to hold ingredients without sticking. On our recent camping trip we made Pie Iron Fajita Quesadillas. At home, pre-cook peppers and onions in a skillet with a little fajita seasoning. 

Pie Iron Fajita Quesadillas At camp, put the cooked vegetables and cheese between two flour tortillas in a lightly oiled pie iron. Tear off the edges of the tortilla after you close the pie iron. Then heat over the campfire until the cheese melts and the tortilla is lightly toasted. 

Pie Iron Fajita Quesadillas Top with salsa and guacamole and enjoy!

Pie Iron Fajita Quesadillas

Makes 6, Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 3 bell peppers (some combination of red, yellow, orange or green)
  • 1 large onion
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Fajita seasoning, to taste
  • cooking spray
  • 12 flour tortillas
  • 6 slices cheddar
  • salsa
  • guacamole

Supplies

  • pie iron
  • butter knife

Directions

At Home

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add peppers & onions and sauté until onions are translucent. Add fajita seasoning to taste and cook for an extra 2 minutes. Let cool and store in refrigerator or cooler.

At Camp

  1. Spray pie iron with cooking spray. Place a tortilla in one side of the pie iron.
  2. Fill tortilla with cheddar slice and fajita mixture.
  3. Top with another tortilla and close pie iron. Tear off the edges of the tortillas.
  4. Heat pie iron over fire, turning occasionally, until the tortilla is toasted and the cheese is melted.
  5. Release quesadilla from pie iron, using butter knife if necessary. Serve with salsa and guacamole.

May
2015

Thomas Woods Campsite – Marengo Ridge Conservation Area

categories: Babies & Kids, Campgrounds

Recently, we took our first family camping trip with our 9 month old baby. We weren’t sure if he’d enjoy his first camping experience, so we decided to camp for one night at Thomas Woods Campsite, less than an hour from our home. Thomas Woods is in the Marengo Ridge Conservation Area in Marengo, IL. If you’re looking to camp somewhere scenic and close to the Chicago area, I’d highly recommend Thomas Woods.

Thomas Woods Campsite #39

Marengo Ridge is just over 800 acres with five miles of hiking trails. Thomas Woods campground offers both car camping and hike in sites. On the early May weekend we camped there were only a handful of sites taken. We chose site 39, but there wasn’t a bad site in the campground.

We had a hard time keeping our baby on the blanket we laid out for him. At this age he just loves to explore and hates being confined (getting him into his car seat is a challenge). He spent a lot of time crawling around on the soft moss that covered the ground. He had a blast playing with the rocks, sticks and pinecones scattered about our site.

We took a couple hikes and spotted a good variety of early spring flowers. There were a few lookout points with sweeping views of the grasslands and surrounding farms.

We brought along our clip-on high chair and tray, which worked well with the picnic bench at mealtimes.

To our surprise, the baby slept better in our tent than he does in his crib at home. I guess he liked being snuggled up between us in our double sleeping bag.

We packed light for this camping trip and managed to fit all our essentials plus our pup Lacy in my Jetta Sportwagen. We did bring our huge sleeping pads to make sure that the baby got a good night’s sleep. We kept our meals simple as well. We made veggie quesadillas in our pie iron for dinner and egg and cheese sandwiches for breakfast.

Judging by his smiles, I think our baby had a great time. We’re looking forward to our next family camping experience.

  • Thomas Woods Campsite website
  • Location: 3100 IL-23, Marengo, IL 60152
  • Reservations: Call (815) 338-6223, ext. 1200 by 11 am on the Thursday before you camp, or register with the camp host when you arrive.
  • Camping fees:
    Non-Electric Site: $10 Residents / $15 Non-Residents
    Electric RV Only Site: $20 Residents / $30 Non-Residents
    Holiday weekend surcharge: $2 Residents; $5 Non-Residents
  • Firewood: No outside firewood permitted. Good quality firewood available on-site for $5 a bundle.
  • Things to know: Dogs are welcome, though it is not mentioned on the website.