Recipe & Photos by Tom Judkins
We’ve all been there--holding up a hand-forged stainless steel ladle, thinking, “When will I use this”? If you’re serving up a hearty soup or stew, there is, of course, no better option than a ladle. This tool is meant to pour the perfect amount of liquid into a serving bowl with limited spillage.
But what else can you use a ladle for? The below recipes will affirm just how important it is to have a ladle in your kitchen & camp arsenal. If you’ve ever wanted a simple way to make a fried, high-calorie, absolutely insane delicious “bomb”, here’s your chance. Plus the Cowboy Grill Ladle is designed with a smooth, extended walnut handle that stays cool even over high heat, providing extra comfort and safety when working around hot coals and open flames. (So, it’s perfect for these bombs.)
How to Make A Fried Calzone Bomb
Servings: Make as many as you’d like! | Prep Time: 15 minutes + time to build a fire | Cook Time: ~10 minutes | Total Time: ~25 minutes
Ingredients
- 1-2 pizza dough balls (halved or quartered)
- Mozzarella cheese
- Italian sausage
- Bacon
- Pepperoni (mini)
- Basil leaves
- Marzano tomato sauce
- Vegetable oil
Materials
- Cowboy Grill Ladle
- Kuska Cup
- All-In-One Cast Iron Grill
- Chef Knife
Instructions
- Get about 1-2 quarts of vegetable oil into the All-In-One Cast Iron Grill over an active flame until temperature in the oil reads 350-375°F.
- Prepare pizza dough by cutting it in half, flattening it out (best to be on the colder side), and placing it into the Cowboy Grill Ladle.
- Sequentially add cheese, pepperoni, sausage, bacon, and more cheese, and close up the pizza bomb by pinching the ends of the dough together
- Place in hot oil using the ladle and stir it around until it has a rich, golden brown color.
- Remove and place onto a warming rack.
- Douse on Marzano tomato sauce, top with cheese, roast with culinary torch, and top with basil leaves. Cut in and enjoy!
How to Make A Fried Chimichanga Burrito Bomb
Servings: Make as many as you’d like! | Prep Time: 15 minutes + time to build a fire | Cook Time: ~10 minutes | Total Time: ~25 minutes
Ingredients
- 1-2 pizza dough balls (halved or quartered)
- One pound of ground beef (with taco seasoning)
- 1 can black beans
- 1 can corn
- 2 cups Colby Jack cheese
- Pico de gallo
- Cilantro
- Lime
- Rice
- Tomatillo sauce
Materials
- Cowboy Grill Ladle
- Kuska Cup
- All-In-One Cast Iron Grill
- Chef Knife
Instructions
- Get about 1-2 quarts of vegetable oil into the All-In-One Cast Iron Grill over an active flame until the temperature in the oil reads 350-375°F.
- Prepare pizza dough by cutting it in half, flattening it out (best to be on the colder side), and placing it into the Cowboy Grill Ladle.
- Prepare your burrito by adding all the ingredients inside the ladle bomb. Close up the pizza bomb by pinching the ends of the dough together. (Be careful not to overload it or it won’t close!)
- Dip the ladle and burrito bomb into the oil and allow to fry for about 5 minutes (until golden brown and crisp).
- Remove and place onto a warming rack. Top with tomatillo sauce, cheese, and cilantro. Cut in and enjoy!
More Creative Uses With Your Ladle
Feeling super creative? Try out the below. But, please send us photos if you try the popcorn.
- Serve soup or stew – The classic use for a ladle.
- Portion pancake batter – Use the ladle to pour consistent amounts onto a griddle.
- Make poached eggs – Gently lower the egg into boiling water with the ladle to keep it intact.
- Skim broth – Remove excess fat or foam from the top of a broth or soup.
- Baste while roasting – Scoop up juices from the pan and pour them back over roasting meat or vegetables.
- Serve punch – Serve drinks like punch, batch cocktails, or mulled cider.
- Form meatballs – Use the back of the ladle to press ground meat into uniform meatballs.
- Melt butter or chocolate over an open fire – Use the ladle to melt small amounts of butter or chocolate directly over the flame.
- Cook eggs over an open fire – Crack an egg into a ladle and cook it slowly over the flame (best fried or scrambled).
- Roast marshmallows – Place marshmallows in the ladle and hover over an open flame. (if you’re sans roasting sticks.)
- Make open-fire popcorn – Add oil and kernels to the ladle and cover it with foil to pop directly over the fire.
About
Tom Judkins is a Kentucky-based backyard cook, dad to two girls, and major outdoor lover. His cooking journey started in 2020 when his family started doing a weekly “Pizza Sunday” dinner tradition. At the time it was only a mild hobby, but this unique family tradition ignited an interest that would bellow into a career passion- bringing people together through food. Follow Tom on Instagram at @thebkydpalate.
