Campfire Smores Food

CAMPFIRE S'MORES (AKA ROBINSON CRUSOES)

Steps:

• Break cracker in half (the short way); set one aside for the top.
• Spread peanut butter on one cracker, set the candy piece on that and press gently.
• Roast the marshmallow over the WARMTH of a campfire (do NOT burn--it will not achieve the proper squishiness required for a PROPER s'more). Watch for the 'shmallow to swell up and get puffy looking.
• While still on the roasting stick, lay marshmallow on top of the chocolate, use the reserved cracker to hold the 'shmallow; pull the stick out, pressing down with the cracker.
• Viola! If you roasted the marshmallow properly, there should be a bit oozing out around the edges.
• OPTIONS: Instead of chocolate grahams, you can use regular ones or cinnamon/sugar ones. OR try fudge-stripe cookies or chocolate chip or even GINGERsnaps!
• ALTERNATIVE COOKING METHOD: Prepare everything up to the roasting marshmallow step. Place marshmallows on a plate, pop in the microwave for about 10 seconds (REALLY!)--watch carefully as you don't want them to explode (messy, messy!). Lift carefully with a spoon and set on the chocolate piece, top with the lid -- careful--the marshmallow can be quite hot!
• EASY CLEAN-UP: Bringing a box of crackers, a jar of p-butter and a knife AND the roasting sticks AND the bag of marshmallows can be a hassle--and in the dark, too yet! Instead, win your Martha Stewart "Organized Camper" certificate by putting everything into a cake pan and carrying it jauntily to the fire, say something like: "OOOh, look what good thing we'll be having tonight" -- and waggle your head in a knowing way. :rofl:
• PROPER PRONUNCIATION: S'more is a contraction of the words Some More. Do not turn this into a German phrase by calling them "Schhhhmores." Nope. They are Ssss'mores. Thanks.

CAMPFIRE S'MORES

Steps:

• Butter a 9- by 11-inch pan.
• Place the chocolate in a large bowl over a double boiler at a low simmer. Stir the chocolate until melted, and then turn off the heat. In a separate pot, bring the cream just to a simmer. Stir in the espresso and chile powder, and then remove from the heat. Add the cream mixture to the chocolate and whisk into a smooth, shiny consistency. Refrigerate.
• Melt the butter in a large pot over low heat. Stir in the marshmallows and cook until fully melted. Add the vanilla paste and popped popcorn, coating thoroughly.
• Press half of the popcorn mix into the prepared pan. Sprinkle with half of the salt and the chocolate mixture. Spread the remaining popcorn mix on top, sprinkling with the rest of the salt. Refrigerate until set.
• Once cool enough to easily handle, cut first into rectangles and then into triangles. Let sit at room temperature until slightly tacky.
• Crush 2 sheets of the graham crackers in a shallow dish. Place the triangles into the crumbs and press the crumbs into the bottom and sides. Place the triangles on a baking sheet and top with a few remaining marshmallows. Put under the broiler until light brown. Top with larger piece of graham for garnish.

CAMPFIRE S'MORES STRAWBERRIES

Steps:

• Build a campfire.
• Put the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl or pot and set near the fire so it melts but doesn't scorch, stirring occasionally if needed. Crush the graham crackers by massaging them in their sleeve, being careful not to puncture it. Once the crumbs are a fine as you can get them, open the sleeve along the lengthwise seam and place on a flat surface near the campfire.
• Skewer a strawberry through the hull so it is firmly on the stick and dip half of the strawberry in the marshmallow crème. Place over the fire and cook until the marshmallow is golden. Dip the uncovered half of the strawberry in the chocolate and roll the chocolate in the graham cracker crumbs. Repeat with the remaining strawberries, marshmallow crème, chocolate and graham cracker crumbs.