Category: Outdoor Cooking

Top 10 spots for a family picnic

It’s the perfect time to pack a picnic and spend a relaxing afternoon at Ontario Parks. Without the summer crowds, it’s a snap to find a quiet picnic shelter, table or spot for your blanket and basket.

We’re asking everyone to do their part to minimize the risk to yourself and others by following all public health advice, including physical distancing, and only engaging in outdoor activities close to where you live.

Here are ten parks with gorgeous picnic areas that are easy drives from Ontario urban centres.

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Campfire Breakfast Oats with Baked Apple

In 2017, 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).

Breakfast will never be the same again.

We woke up early for our Presqu’ile Provincial Park breakfast date with Lisa and Cassandra of Earth+City. And was it ever worth it!

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Then and now: cooking in an RV

This post was written by Deb Rankine, a.k.a. The Fridge Whisperer.

For camping enthusiasts, there are lots of options of where to lay one’s head at the end of a day filled with adventurous hikes, exploratory canoeing, and refreshing swims. Your choice comes down to creature comfort must-haves.

Today’s recreational vehicles do not disappoint! With Ontario Parks celebrating its 125th anniversary, we thought it would be fun to look back on how camping (and cooking) in a travel trailer has changed over the years.

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Campfire fare that stands the test of time

For seasoned and novice campers alike, Ontario’s provincial parks hold cherished memories for generations of visitors.

And while modern-day camping features feather-light freestanding tents, fuel efficient radiant burner cookstoves that boil water in 90 seconds, and electronic gadgets that take campground games like Hide and Go Seek (a.k.a. geocaching) to New Ager heights, basic camp kitchen equipment has stood the test of time.

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Why not cook Thanksgiving Dinner in the park this year?

Imagine turkey seasoned with fresh herbs, hot off the grill. Add a nice hot cup of coffee, maybe a s’more or two for dessert, and you’re ready for a relaxing Thanksgiving under the stars.

This year, why not head to your favourite park for a weekend away and hold your Thanksgiving dinner amid the fall colours?

Move over Martha Stewart, this is Thanksgiving…Canadian style!

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Summer on hold

In today’s post, Chef Deb Rankine, a.k.a. The Fridge Whisperer, shares two made-in-minutes warm dinner salads that are perfect fare for autumn around the campfire.

Can it really be September?

Here are two warm dinner salads to gently (and deliciously!) guide you into shorter days and cooler evenings around the campfire, keeping summer on hold for as long as you can.

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The 30-minute campfire gourmet

In today’s post, Chef Deb Rankine, a.k.a. The Fridge Whisperer, shares two impressive campfire recipes sure to capture the oohs and aahs of fellow campers.

Kefta, kofta, brochette, kebab: the aroma of these subtly spiced ground lamb skewers grilling over slow-burning embers will have everyone near your campsite pining for a dinner invitation.

And a colourful ’n crunchy Orange, Radish and Fennel Salad is the perfect accompaniment to round out this gourmet meal. Continue reading The 30-minute campfire gourmet

Have loaf; will travel

In today’s post, Chef Deb Rankine, a.k.a. The Fridge Whisperer, shares two of her favourite on-the-go sandwich recipes. 

Summer means longer days and warmer nights. And that means fun times spent outdoors birding, hiking, and canoeing.

It also means packing a hearty lunch that will really go the distance.

Here are a couple of sandwich loaf recipes to enjoy on your next trekking adventure.

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