S’mores Time! Six New Takes on the Classic Campfire Treat

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Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Amélie Rousseau, GoLocalPDX Contributor

If you’re spending your last few summer weekends camping in Oregon’s State Parks, then you  need these six new takes on the classic campfire treat: s'mores.

If you’re not spending your weekends camping in Oregon’s State Parks, why the heck not? I’m sure I don’t need to wax poetic about the myriad of breathtaking mountains, coast, or craggy lava fields there are to explore in our majestic state. There are hundreds of campsites for $20 a night or less, and many even for free.

And if you're not one of those fair weather campers who needs a flushing toilet and running water within 20 feet of your tent, then pitch your tent poles anywhere within US National Forest land.

But then comes the almighty question: What to eat? Luckily you’ll have one nonnegotiable item in the bag: s’mores. But do you ever crave a modern makeover of this campfire treat? GoLocalPDX is here to shake up this favorite summer sweet.

Do you ever get annoyed about how despite a perfectly toasted marshmallow, the chocolate below it never melts, making it awkward and clunky to eat? Don’t suffer room temperature chocolate on s’mores again.

Makeshift a cookie sheet with a doubled over square of aluminum foil. Place a graham cracker square with two segments of chocolate on top of the foil. While your marshmallow is roasting, set on top of the campfire grill for 5-10 minutes until the chocolate gets shiny (the sign that the fats are liquefying). The graham crackers will get nice and toasty-tasting too.  

1. Raspberry Nutella S’mores: It’s ladies night!

Class up your s’more with a gooey smear of Nutella hazelnut spread. The nutty chocolate flavor marries perfectly with the tang of fresh raspberries. Upgrade from graham crackers to paper-thin waffle cookies.

2. Banana Boats: For the wee ones.

This gooey-ooey treat will make your kids the happiest on earth. Cut a slit out of the concave side of a banana and stuff with 2-3 marshmallows and chunks of chopped-up chocolate bar. Balance banana boats on the campfire grill and cook until the chocolate and marshmallow gets melty. As the banana slowly roasts inside its own skin, the sugars caramelize into a delicious gooey mess. Pass around the baby wipes.

3. White peach s’mores on Gingersnaps: Pretty enough for a tea party.

Slice really ripe white peaches or nectarines as thinly as possible. Layer onto spicy gingersnaps with a gooey marshmallow in between. Compete to see who can make the highest stack and shove it into their mouth in one bite (do not perform this when actually at a tea party).

4. Crustless Almond Joy: Here’s one for the gluten intolerant.

Dip a toasted marshmallow in a melted bowl of dark chocolate, then dip in shredded coconut. Luckily for us, many chocolate bars and marshmallows are naturally gluten-free. For chocolate, try Dove, Nestle, Hershey’s, or Endangered Animals.

5. Peanut butter and strawberry s’mores (PB&J): If chocolate isn’t your thing, grab for more nutritious peanut butter instead.

Everyone knows marshmallow fluff and peanut butter is the best snack ever, especially if you are 13, or really, really stoned. Then freshen the combo up with some juicy strawberry slices. Hey, fruit makes it healthy, right?

6. Mexican chocolate: The man’s man s’more.

After spicing up that fresh-caught trout, chase down those nips of whiskey with a spicy s’more. Sprinkle a dash of cinnamon and cayenne on a melty marshmallow and squish between chocolate graham crackers.

Photo Credit: hlkljgk via Compfight cc (image cropped)

An urban farmer and master gardener, Amélie Rousseau writes for fellow explorers and eaters of the plant kingdom. It's a jungle out there. 

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