Some like it hot: cooking the perfect winter chili

In today’s post, Chef Deb Rankine, a.k.a. The Fridge Whisperer, shares her favourite campfire chili recipes.

Chili is perfect winter camping fare.

Cook it low ’n slow in a cast iron Dutch oven set over smoldering embers, or on a gas barbecue over indirect heat with the lid down. Or — if you’re on a serviced site — in a slow cooker according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Today’s recipes use everyday pantry ingredients that are easily sourced and, for the most part, require no refrigeration.

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10 hot chocolate hacks

In today’s post, Chef Deb Rankine, a.k.a. The Fridge Whisperer, shares her favourite hot chocolate recipe along with 10 BEST ways to kick it up a notch!

What’s more welcoming than a hot mug of cocoa after a day’s hiking or a nature walk through a frosty forest?

In addition to our recipe for a rich tasting, velvety smooth hot chocolate mix, we’ve given you 10 fun and creative ways to make your hot chocolate experience the best one ever.

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Master Chef: Ontario Parks backcountry edition

Today’s post comes from Will Oades, Discovery Program Educator
at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park.

Eating in the backcountry should be no different than eating at home!

Well-planned and prepared backcountry meals can taste amazing, satisfy your hunger, and foster conversations about your long day of hiking or paddling.

Tasty outdoor meals are a simple comfort fix that can exponentially enhance your backcountry experience.

There are many meal options available, however, there are three important things to consider when developing your meal plan: caloric content, size/weight, and taste.

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7 desserts for your next backcountry trip

Today’s post comes from Jill Sorensen, Quetico Provincial Park’s biggest sweet tooth.

Celebrating a birthday or anniversary while on your backcountry camping trip?

Here are some of my favourite trail treats to make your day extra special.

Even if there’s no occasion, food is such an important part of any trip and a total morale booster after long days. Why not add some sweetness to your next adventure?

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Backcountry basics: storing and disposing of food

We don’t know about you, but when we pack food for our backcountry trip, we plan on eating it.

That plan can go downhill quickly when raccoons, squirrels, and bears dip into your trail mix, or rain soaks through your pack, ruining your soft sausage buns.

You want to see a grumpy bear? A weekend away without food will turn us into one in no time!

Instead, learn how to store food and dispose of scraps so you don’t end up with soggy food or, worse, unexpected dinner guests.

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Autumnal campfire fare

In today’s post, Chef Deb Rankine, a.k.a. The Fridge Whisperer, shares recipes for two hearty seasonal soups that are quick to make and eat like a meal.

After a day of paddling, exploring trails, or hiking through forests awash in fall colours, who wouldn’t relish bowlfuls of goodness that warm mind, body and soul?

Here are a couple of hearty soups that do just that!

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Grilled fall salad with ribeye steak

We joined forces with the Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance and Butternut Productions to create some “tasty” new videos with some Feast On chefs (Feast On recognizes businesses committed to sourcing Ontario grown/made food and drink).

Planning a fall camping trip? You’ll DEFINITELY want to try this crowd favourite!

For this video recipe, we joined Chef Lucan Sutherland at Presqu’ile Provincial Park. Lucan discovered his love for cooking during childhood camping trips, and still loves cooking over the campfire.

We fell in love with the flame-grilled veggies and juicy ribeye steak, and we’re pretty sure you will too…

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Backcountry vegetarian cooking

Today’s post comes from Brittany Thatcher and Jill Legault of Quetico Provincial Park.

Going meatless on hiking excursions, canoe trips, or any outdoor adventures can be easy, nutritious, and delicious!

Vegetables and vegetable-based products can provide you with the energy and protein needed to lead successful trips.

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Halloween treats for little ghouls & goblins

If you’ve never celebrated Halloween in one of Ontario’s parks, you don’t know what you’re missing! You can decorate your campsite, carve a pumpkin, do a night hike, go trick or treating and finish up in front of a bonfire with a few spooky ghost stories and some devilishly good snacks.

Here are some scary good Halloween treats that are easy to make and will delight your little ghouls and goblins.

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Campfire Trout recipe

This summer, we joined forces with the Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance and Butternut Productions to create some “tasty” new videos with some Feast On chefs (Feast On recognizes businesses committed to sourcing Ontario grown/made food and drink).

Somehow, food always tastes better over the campfire!

We headed to Sibbald Point Provincial Park where Chef Ricky Casipe of Hawthorne Food and Drink showed us how to take our lunch to the next level.

Watch our Campfire Trout Recipe video to find out how to tickle your tastebuds on your next camping trip!

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