Rockstar inspired recipes:

I think it was Homer Simpson that said, "Rock stars, is there anything they can't teach us?".  It's always good to know a rockstar. Two words from Kenn Kweder,  Dinty Moore inspired these three dishes! The first two are simple variations on a theme. All you need is a casserole dish, something to grease it with, a couple of cans of Dinty Moore beef stew (or one really big one) and either instant mashed potatoes or Stovetop stuffing (a cheap storebrand version will do). Grease your casserole dish, dump in enough Dinty Moore (fill the dish to about halfway to a little less than two thirds full). Now, make up your instant mashed potatoes or stuffing according to package directions.  If you choose to use instant mashed potatoes to top Dinty Moore casserole you would be making a hobo Shepherd’s pie. If however you go stuffing route, you would be making a hobo beef potpie, either way it goes in the oven at about 350° for 20-25 min. Check it after 20 min. to see if it's set up, ie: knife test it.

Now the third dish. This one is based on a regional favorite in the Minnesota Iron Range(Dylan) and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (The Stooges, Alice Cooper, Nugent, the White Stripes, etc.). It's a little more complicated and no less hobo. Once again you'll need Dinty Moore. This time though you're going to be using it to fill meat pies known as pasties, no, there are no sweaty dollar bills involved! .  You’ll need, a box of storebrand rollout piecrust, some flour, a six-inch or so inch diameter bowl, an empty 40 bottle and a knife. Do not get pie shells they won't work for this! You will also need something to thicken up the Dinty Moore, either 2 tablespoons each of butter and flour or small glass of cold water and cornstarch.

Get out a pot for the Dinty Moore. If you want to go the flour and butter route (a roux) start by melting 2 tablespoons of butter in the pot.  Then slowly add new flour as you whisk it into the butter. Keep whisking until it reaches a light brown color then add your Dinty Moore. Keep stirring, you don't want Lumpy Gravy (again, is there anything rock stars can't teach us?). Cook this uncovered until it thickens up and can be spooned out without being runny. If you want to go the cornstarch and water method just start out by pouring the Dinty Moore right into the pot. Mix up a teaspoon of cornstarch in a small glass of cold water (a slurry) and slowly stir into the Dinty Moore, again leaving it uncovered to thicken.

Meanwhile, unroll the rollout piecrust onto a floured surface. Place your bowl over the piecrust and cut out as many rounds as you can. Flour your hands and take the leftover pieces of piecrust and mash them all together. Spread some flour and rollout your mashed piecrust dough mess with empty 40 bottle(rolling pin).  Use your bowl and knife and cut out as many rounds as you can. I think you know where this is going. Spoon some Dinty Moore into the center of each round. Be generous but not over generous. At this point fold the rounds in half and crimp the seams were edges. Take your knife and cut some cool looking vent slits in the top of each meat pie. If you're in a Martha Stewart kind of mood, feel free to bust open an egg, beat it and give the pasties an egg wash.  Put some aluminum foil on a baking dish or anything that won't melt in the oven, grease the foil and bake your pasties at 350°. Check them at about 15 min. then maybe 20 min. or until they look like something from a restaurant.  Hobo pasties!