A time-tested, tried-and-true cooking method, stick cooking is a way all family members can be their own cook and prepare foods to the desired “doneness.” You’ll like the fact that stick cooking is easy and quick, with very little cleanup afterward. And the sticks are usually free!

The best “sticks” to use don’t have to be sticks at all. A wooden dowel or a coat hanger that has been untwisted into a straight wire will also do an efficient job. (If you use a hanger, you can make an easy handle using three empty wooden thread spools. Place them near the end of the wire, bend the handle up over the spools, and twist the wire to secure.) But if it’s a stick you really want to use for its old-time authentic feel, choose one about 4 feet long, a little on the green side, trimmed and sharpened to a point at one end.

If the sight of a charred cooking stick brings forth tasty memories of hot dogs and toasted marshmallows of long ago, you’ll definitely want to add one “more” memory to the list. So grab a couple of twigs and head for “the sticks” to try out this virtually carefree cooking method. 

New-Method S’mores 

   2 marshmallows
   8 milk chocolate chips
   2 graham crackers 

With a sharp knife, cut slits in the four corners of the flat side of a marshmallow. Into the slits insert (pointed end first) 4 milk chocolate chips. Repeat with second marshmallow. Fit the chocolate-chip ends of the 2 marshmallows together, slide them onto the sharp end of a stick, and toast them slowly over hot coals. When the marshmallows are golden brown, sandwich them between 2 graham crackers. After tasting this one, you’ll definitely want s’more!