Aptitude Outdoors

Here is another outdoor adventures blogger in the Toledo area that I enjoy and have adventured with.

http://www.aptitudeoutdoors.com/

Soot Covered Pot: Grape Pie

While hiking through Maumee Bay State Park I noticed tons of grape vines twisting around bushes and trees everywhere. After picking a few handfuls I thought "Hmm. I bet this would be great in a dessert!" Sure enough after Googling grape desserts I found a quick and easy grape pie recipe to make over a campfire. A few hours later I was roasting grape pie foil packets in a campfire.

I love foraging for edible and medicinal plants. Something about being independent from modern day amenities and luxuries makes me feel alive! Plus it's pretty cool to pull out a wild carrot for a group of friends. It's like pulling a white rabbit out of a magic hat!

Knowing what can make me sick and what is ripe takes time and practice. I always have an edible and medicinal plant identification book on me when foraging in the woods. Here are a few books to help you on your next expedition, beyond blueberries and raspberries, that I would suggest.
Peterson Field Guides to Edible Wild Plants
The Complete Guide to Edible Wild Plants, Mushrooms, Fruits, and Nuts by Katie Letcher Lyle (a long title but she has some great recipes as well as time of year and location to find each plant.)
Midwest Foraging by Lisa M. Rose.

Foraging for wild grapes is easy! The best location for finding grapes are bushes along the side of the roads. Grape vines are easily identifiable by the heart shape leaves and clusters of grapes basking in the sun. With a garden pruning tool in hand simply cut the grapes off at the top of the cluster and bag. Rinse the grapes and pick out the green or shriveled ones before cooking.

Now for the recipe!

Grape Pie

I based a lot of this recipe off of Andrea Meyers Campfire Pie post. http://andreasrecipes.com/campfire-pies/.

Prep Time 10 min

Cook Time 5 min

Total Time 15 min

Ingredients

Slices of bread
1c of grapes for every 5 people
Cinnamon & sugar mix
Wild grapes
1/2 cup butter

Cooking gear

Aluminum foil, enough to wrap around two slices of bread per person.

Fire gloves or tongs

metal spoon

fire safe pan

Directions

Build your fire about a 1/2 hour in advance. For fire building tips check out my previous blog Soot Covered Pot: Campfires.

Spread butter across one side of each slice of bread. This is to make sure the bread doesn't stick to the foil leading you to have grape pie scramble, which I would say is also delicious!

Next in the fire safe pan mix the wild grapes and cinnamon sugar mix. Set over burning coals while mixing consistently until juices begin oozing out of the grapes. I use the tongs for mixing because I'm all about packing as light as possible.

After taking the pan of the fire, spread the wild grape mixture on top of one slice of bread butter side facing down. Place the other slice of bread on top, butter side facing up. Wrap in foil. Place in burning coals.

No joke, your wrapped pie will take about 5 minutes to cook. Keep checking it and don't forget to turn the foil around so all sides receive equal heat.

When your bread is golden brown pull off the coals and enjoy!

Simple and delicious!

Keep an eye on my blog for more delicious campfire recipes!