For the unfamiliar, the most pressing question when offered a jaffle is: what in the hell is a jaffle?
But if you have ever traveled to Australia, Indonesia, or South Africa, you are likely familiar with the toasted sandwich that is prevalent on most casual dining menus. While traveling around beach towns in Bali, I had jaffles maybe once or twice a day, their endless variations making me consistently intrigued and down right addicted. They were savory, they were sweet; they were always grilled to perfection.
A recent camping trip brought back many fond memories of the jaffle, a sandwich that is traditionally grilled in cast iron over an open flame. We used a jaffle iron (also known as a pie iron) to transform simple ingredients like cheese and tomatoes into a pressed grilled delight, similar to an Italian Panini or British toastie, but better, because you can make them right at your campsite.
Below are some ideas—starting points really—as to what types of culinary camping creations you can erect with a jaffle iron.
The Savory Jaffle
One loaf of sliced bread
Scrambled eggs
Grated or sliced cheese
Turkey, ham, pepperoni slices
Bacon
Pizza sauce
Sliced tomatoes
Grilled mushrooms
Grilled peppers
Onions
Butter or oil
Directions
- Line a slice of bread with ingredients of your choice. Top with other slice.
- Coat the inside of the jaffle iron with butter or oil. Squeeze sandwich into jaffle iron and close, hooking latch at end of wooden handles.
- Place in fire over coals, cooking for about two minutes each side. Undo the jaffle iron and cut into quarters or halves.
The Sweet Jaffle
One loaf of sliced bread
Sliced banana
Peanut butter
Honey
Nutella
Chocolate chips
Marshmallows
Sliced apples/pear/peaches
Caramel candies
Directions
Follow instructions for savory jaffle.
Photo courtesy of pieiron.com.
