XENIA — Join Greene County Parks & Trails (GCP&T) for “Beyond the Hot Dog – Campfire Cooking” beginning 5 p.m., Sunday, July 30, at Indian Mound Reserve, 2750 US 42 E, Cedarville.
Participants will learn how to create meals using cast iron cookware and will then enjoy the meal together. These one-pot meals appeal to families and adults alike.
Jackson’s Farm Market in Xenia is partnering with GCP&T for the event.
The program is designed for participants 20 years and older. Complete with the meal, cost is $15 for Greene County residents and $20 for non-residents. Pre-registration is required by Monday, July 24.
Below is a sample of recipes that can be cooked in a cast iron skillet over a campfire.
Simple Cast Iron Skillet Ratatouille
A classic comfort dish, made with squash and eggplant in an herbed red pepper and tomato sauce. Delicious simplicity that cooks in a cast-iron skillet.
Ingredients
For ratatouille:
1 1/2 small eggplants
1 red bell pepper
3 small zucchinis
3 small yellow squash
For sauce:
3 cloves of garlic
1/2 medium yellow onion
1 red bell pepper
1 – 15 oz. can of diced tomatoes
3 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. sea salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 tbsp. dried oregano
1 tbsp. red pepper flakes**
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375º. Add the ingredients for the sauce into a blender and blend until smooth.
Save 1/4 of the sauce for later and pour the rest into the cast-iron skillet. Spread around to smooth it out.
Wash all of the veggies and slice them very thin – less than 1/4″ thick is best.
Start arranging the slices in a spiral around the skillet, alternating between veggies.
When the skillet is full, drizzle the remaining sauce over the top of the veggies.
Lay a piece of parchment over the top of the skillet and bake for 1 hour.
Cheesy Sausage Skillet Lasagna
Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 cups white onions, finely chopped
1 pound ground Italian Sausage
26 ounces pasta sauce
9 strips oven ready lasagna noodles
15 ounces Ricotta cheese
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan Cheese
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan Cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add onions, sautéing until softened. Add sausage, cooking until browned. Add pasta sauce, stirring to combine. Reduce heat to a simmer.
Boil broken lasagna noodles for 5 minutes to soften slightly. Drain and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, parmesan, salt and pepper.
Spoon about 1 cup of meat sauce into the bottom of a 12 inch cast iron skillet. Layer evenly with broken pieces of semi-cooked lasagna noodles. Spoon about 8 mounds of ricotta cheese over noodle layer then sprinkle with additional Parmesan and shredded mozzarella cheese. Top with 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce. Continue this layering until you reach the top of the skillet. Top layer should be a layer of noodles, sauce then shredded mozzarella cheese.
Bake skillet lasagna for 20-30 minutes, until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbly around edges. Remove and let cool 10 minutes before serving.
Makes 6-8 Servings
Filled Pancake Roll-Ups Recipe – with Apples
Ingredients
1-1/2 cup milk
3 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp. sugar
Butter
Sweet or savory fillings as desired (berries, jam, diced ham, cooked sausage, shredded cheese and/or cooked vegetables)
Whipped cream, flavored syrup, honey or salsa, optional
Instructions
Preparation
In a large bowl, whisk together milk, eggs and vanilla. Add flour, salt and sugar, blending until smooth.
Over the Fire or on the Grill (About 20 hot coals)
Place skillet on a grate over medium heat (hot coals or gas grill) and melt 1 to 2 teaspoons butter; spread evenly over bottom of pan. Pour 1/4 cup prepared batter into skillet and tilt pan so batter spread out thinly and evenly. Cook until top looks dry, about 30 seconds. Carefully flip pancake with a spatula; cook on other side for several seconds, until golden brown. Adjust the number and placement of coals as needed for even cooking.
Repeat to make additional pancakes with remaining batter. Wrap pancakes in foil and set over indirect heat to keep warm.
For more information, call Greene County Parks and Trails at 937-562-6440, visit www.gcparkstrails.com or email [email protected].
