Dreaming of campfire cooking

I was driving to work the other day when my commute was interrupted by some exciting culinary serendipity. The radio was tuned to CBC’s The Current and host Matt Galloway was talking to a guest about cooking risotto and paella over a camp stove. My ears immediately perked up.

The guest was food writer and Top Chef Canada judge Chris Nuttall-Smith discussing his new cookbook, Cook It Wild; Sensational Prep-Ahead Meals for Camping, Cabins, and the Great Outdoors.

The interview (which you can hear here) felt like divine intervention. This is a cookbook concept I’ve been willing into existence for years. Years! Manifesting works, apparently.

I love camping and am blessed with like-minded friends whose wilderness excursions also revolve around food. Whenever we’re planning a weekend away, the first topic of discussion is what we’re going to eat and drink.

Camp cooking need not be limited to weenies and beans. (Supplied)

We’ve enjoyed charcuterie at the top of a hiking trail, cooked gyros over a campfire and eaten shakshuka at a picnic table. There’s always at least one elaborate cocktail, and mimosas are a must. We definitely don’t pack light.

Still, I often struggle with inspiration and find myself scrolling through unappetizing photos of make-ahead meals on Pinterest. I’ve been craving something like Cook it Wild.

What excites me about the cookbook is that it offers recipes for all types of outdoors people, from cottagers to backpackers to car campers (hello). There are also tips for proper food storage while off-grid.

Like many Manitobans, I made a pile of camping reservations last month. As the season quickly approaches, I’m looking forward to trying out some new campgrounds and stretching my campfire cooking skills.

Dish readers: do you share my affinity for camping food? What’s your go-to meal? Reply to let me know.

Eva Wasney, arts reporter

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Tasty tidbits

• Riding Mountain National Park is getting a new spot for wine, deli service and groceries in June. Located at Danceland in Wasagaming, Camp Cantina will offer takeaway/picnic fare by day and will transform into a wine bar with small plates by night.

• Last week, Travel Manitoba launched a new dumpling-fuelled tourism contest. The Manitoba Perogy Trail celebrates the province’s prolific perogy scene, while encouraging residents to explore their own backyard. Participants who check into 25 of the 50 participating restaurants will receive a limited edition perogy pin. Visit Travel Manitoba for contest rules.

• Winnipeg’s third annual Taco Week and Margarita Madness events kick off next Saturday (June 2). Dozens of local restaurants took part in the food and drink festival last year, which has raised nearly $20,000 for Harvest Manitoba and CanU since its inception.

• Head down to Club 200 this Sunday for Garden of Eatin’, a vegan buffet brunch from Roughage Eatery and drag extravaganza. Tickets for the Pride-adjacent event are $65, plus fees, on Eventbrite.

• The former Scout Coffee + Tea location at 859 Portage Ave., is now offering the purrfect pairing for cat lovers. Cleocatra Cafe is a by-appointment spot offering drinks, desserts and one-on-one time with all manner of kitties. The cafe has partnered with the Winnipeg Humane Society and Freedom Rescue Group to help find some felines a new forever home. Cleocatra is open from 8 a.m.-10 p.m. daily; see their Instagram page for details.

• While Passero preps to move from The Forks Market to Corydon Avenue this summer, another eatery has set up shop elsewhere in the market. The Crafted Crust will bring their brand of sandwiches and more to The Forks starting in June. For updates, check in on their Instagram page.

Recommended fare

Ben: I just read Winnipeg veterinarian Philipp Schott’s new mystery Six Ostriches, which he launches Wednesday, May 31 at McNally Robinson Booksellers’ Grant Park location.

Published by ECW Press, it’s his second book to feature sleuthing rural Manitoba vet Dr. Peter Bannerman, who this time tries to help solve the mystery of a Norse trinket found on the grounds of an ostrich farm, and the critters (and people) being brutally attacked in the area.

Oh, and we took my mom to Smith for Mother’s Day dinner, and I was reminded just how good their pounded cheese and buttermilk fried chicken is.

Eva: My first patio experience of the season took me over to Barn Hammer Brewing last weekend. The Wall Street brewery has a relatively quaint patio and some fun seasonal offerings at the moment.

I enjoyed the Still Life, a peach pale ale, and took home a few cans of their new Michelada, a rice lager with Clamato juice. I also tried The Wurst, a weirdo sauerkraut mustard lager that, surprisingly, wasn’t as offensive as it sounded. If you’re in the neighbourhood, I recommend stopping by Wall Street Slice for a bite — their garlic knots are top notch.

Homemade

Homemade is a Free Press project celebrating home cooking in Manitoba. Want to share a recipe with readers? Visit Homemade to fill out the submission form.

Enjoy this week’s recipe for barbecued trout from Gale Petreny.

Dreaming of campfire cooking

Tasty tidbits

Recommended fare

Homemade

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