Camping Sandwiches

Directions

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   To make these at home, cook them over a gas burner.
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   Hold the press directly over a medium-high flame and cook for 2 minutes, turning multiple times.
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   The heat is more concentrated, so they cook faster than over a campfire.
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   You'll need: Campfire, sandwich presses, foil-wrapped bricks
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   Prep-Ahead Tip: Set the sandwich presses over the fire to heat up as you prepare the sandwiches so they're nice and hot when you're ready for some toasting action.
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   Camping Sandwich Combos:
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   Make other pressed sandwiches by stuffing a variety of camping leftovers into the sandwich, such as pulled pork with BBQ sauce; shredded smoked chicken and sliced green chiles; steak and peppers from fajitas; or ground turkey with Jack cheese, fire-roasted tomato salsa, and black beans.
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   For a breakfast sandwich, try diced roasted potatoes and crumbled chorizo with shredded Cheddar and scrambled eggs.
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   You can make dessert camping sandwiches as well.
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    Slice them or serve whole: sauteed peaches and sweetened ricotta; peanut butter and strawberries; sliced apples and caramel sauce; roasted pineapple, bananas, and honey; chocolate chunks, marshmallows, and graham cracker crumbs; sliced ripe banana, brown sugar, and Nutella.
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    Camping sandwiches can be prepared ahead of time and made in either square or circular presses-both work fine.
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    Depending on your make and model, adjust the filling amounts so the sandwiches are full but not too full (or they'll ooze while being toasted).
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    The fillings can vary, and it's a good way to utilize leftover chili, mac-n- cheese, and other ingredients when camping.
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    For circular sandwiches, punch out the bread into 4-inch circles or the size of your sandwich press.
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    Prepare a campfire with wood and wait until the flames die down and the coals glow red with white ash.
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    Place a grilling rack so that it sits just above the coals.
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    Place the presses on the grill so they heat up.
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    Assemble each sandwich with the desired fillings, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges.
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    Remove the presses from the hot grill, open, and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
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    Place a sandwich in each press (it will sizzle-this preheating helps it form a nice crispy crust) and close tightly.
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    Place on the grill and cook for 1 or 2 minutes per side.
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    You can check the sandwich as it cooks by opening the press and checking the color-it should be golden brown and crispy on both sides when done.
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    (Depending on how hot your coals are, you can also place the press directly on coals to make it cook faster-just keep an eye on it!)
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    Be sure to use room temperature (versus cold) ingredients in the filling-otherwise lower the flame and toast the sandwich for a longer amount of time to sufficiently warm the filling.