The Art of the Winter Feast
For the intrepid outdoor enthusiast, winter's embrace offers more than just short days, long nights and snow-laden landscapes. A canvas for a culinary escapades, where the chill of the air meets the warmth of gourmet delights, there is no better time to enjoy a meticulously prepped and ready-to-be-savoured meal amidst nature's grandeur.
From the kitchen to the campfire
The secret to a seamless outdoor meal, particularly in the winter, lies in the preparation. The comfort of your home kitchen is an excellent starting point. Here, you can take your time to front-end load your efforts so you can spend more time outdoors enjoying time with friends and family. I like meals that are cooked low and slow: think rich chilis, hearty stews or a creamy butternut squash soup. These types of dishes take their time, flavours get a chance to meld and develop, and are generally very straightforward to prepare. One of my favourite go-tos is a hearty seafood soup cooked up with some local Chinook, spot prawns and beer.
Once your masterpiece is ready, the next step is crucial: the transfer. This is where items like double-walled travel crock pots come into play. Designed to retain heat and maintain the integrity of your dishes, these vessels ensure that your food remains hot and flavourful, even hours after it's been cooked, which is ideal when you’re trying to bring meals into the outdoors.
Beyond the meal itself, double-walled vacuum flasks are indispensable. These vessels come in a variety of sizes and shapes to suit a variety of the food or beverage options on your menu. Whether you're looking to feed a crowd your signature pulled pork or fill some mugs with a rich hot chocolate, there’s a double-walled flask for the job. These essential tools ensure your hot food and drink remain steaming and aromatic. A couple of my go-tos are the Stanley three-quart Crock Pot, which is ideal for stews and chilis, and their classic two-quart bottle.
Embracing the chill
Balancing the chill in the air nipping at your cheeks with several layers of insulative gear can make even the coldest of days enjoyable. Putting some forethought into layering your clothing and having insulated boots and other essential winter accessories ensures the cold remains a backdrop, not a hindrance. In terms of base layers, I’m a merino evangelist. Everything from boxers to long underwear to socks are all merino. I’m a particular fan of Canadian brand Woolove (www.wool.love), who make some fantastic products. I try to avoid cotton at all costs and either wear wool or synthetic layers underneath a sturdy winter jacket. Temperatures can fluctuate during the day and in the presence or absence of a fire, so it’s good to be prepared for the coldest-case scenario with the option to take layers off as and when necessary.
While the dishes you've prepped at home are the stars of the show, the allure of cooking in the wild is undeniable. Lighting a fire amidst the snow not only provides warmth but also offers a rustic kitchen. If you're hoping to cook on site, it's an opportunity to toast some fresh bread for your stew or even roast marshmallows to go with your hot chocolate. I feel like no winter excursion is complete without a raging fire.
Final thoughts
A winter picnic, with its blend of home-prepped gourmet dishes and the rustic charm of outdoor cooking, is a celebration of nature, food and the joy of sharing a meal in an unconventional setting. As the first snowflakes of the season fall, consider venturing out with your travel slow cooker and flasks to embark on a culinary journey that’s a bit off the beaten path.
