The forecast is for snow: have a winter picnic.
by Mary Bailey
The forecast is for a snowy and chilly spring.
All the better for winter sports and winter picnics. Think of warm soup, hot chocolate with a twist, a delicious grilled cheese sandwich or a hand pie.
Gin Tomato Soup with Rosemary
The alcohol in the gin cooks out, leaving a subtle hint of wintery juniper flavour. Creamy or brothy soups are best in a thermos. Adapted from the original Le Crocodile recipe; we use canned tomatoes instead of fresh.
| 1 | medium onion, chopped |
| 2 T | butter |
| 2 lg | canned tomato |
| 1 | potato, cut into chunks |
| 4 c | chicken broth |
| 2 T | tomato paste |
| 2 | bay leaves |
| sprig | rosemary |
| kosher salt and fresh-ground black pepper | |
| ½ c | cream or milk (or to taste) |
| ½ c | gin |
| dash | nutmeg |
In a large saucepan, sauté the onion in butter until soft and translucent. Add the tomatoes, potato, chicken broth, tomato paste, bay leaves, rosemary sprig, salt and pepper and cook over medium heat for 30 minutes. Remove the herbs. Purée the mixture with an immersion blender or food processor, then put through a strainer to make it silky smooth. Return the strained mixture to the saucepan and stir in the cream and gin. Add the nutmeg and simmer for an additional 10 minutes. Pour into a thermos to keep soup warm for your winter picnic.
Makes 6-8 servings.
Carrot Soup
This soup is creamy without the addition of milk or cream. You could garnish with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt.
| ½ sm | onion, chopped |
| 2 T | butter |
| 1-2 sprigs | thyme |
| 3 c | chicken or vegetable stock |
| 1 c | carrots, peeled and chopped (about 3) |
| ½ c | potatoes, peeled and cubed |
| kosher salt and fresh-cracked pepper | |
| chopped parsley, optional |
Soften the onion and the thyme sprigs in the butter over medium heat. Add the carrots, potatoes and stock. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer gently for about 20 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. Use an immersion blender or food processor to purée the soup until smooth. Check for seasoning. After pouring into the thermos, garnish with parsley.
Serves 2-4.
Gouda with Roasted Onion Garlic Jam Grilled Cheese
Easy to make—we love a grilled cheese with onion jam. Use Sylvan Star Gouda (or other good melty cheese—medium cheddar, Comté or Swiss) for a tasty sandwich.
| Sylvan Star Gouda | |
| butter to spread evenly | |
| 4 T | roasted onion garlic jam (Zinter Brown’s is delicious and easy to find) |
| 4 slices | sourdough or French bread |
Slice enough cheese to cover two slices of bread generously. Spread butter evenly on the outside of each slice. Spread the onion garlic jam on the inside and layer the cheese on top. Close the sandwich. Grill on medium low, until the cheese has completely melted, and the outside is golden, 4-6 minutes per side, turning once. Wrap in foil to keep warm.
Makes two sandwiches.
Gorgonzola, Walnut and Pear Hand Pies
Savoury and sweet, these hand pies are ideal for a winter picnic. Easy to make with store-bought puff pastry too.
| 2 | Bosc pears, peeled and thinly sliced |
| 1 T | butter |
| 2 T | light brown sugar |
| pinch | salt |
| 2 sheets | all-butter puff pastry, thawed |
| ½ c | toasted walnuts |
| ½ c | crumbled Gorgonzola |
| 1 large | egg, lightly beaten |
| Maldon or other finishing salt for topping |
Preheat over to 500ºF.
Melt the butter with the pears and brown sugar over low heat. Cook until the pears begin to caramelize. Reserve. Roll out the puff pastry to form two 12-inch squares. Cut each into 4.
Put equal amounts of pear mixture, cheese and walnuts on to each square, keeping to the centre. Brush the edges with melted butter, then fold opposite corners into the middle. Pinch to seal tight. (Some filling will be exposed.) Brush the tops with the beaten egg and sprinkle with finishing salt.
Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until puffy and golden brown. Serve warm or at room temperature. Wrap in foil to keep warm for a winter picnic.
Makes eight pastry.
Crustless Mini Quiche
These are delicious warm or cold. You can vary the veg, use shredded chicken instead of ham, or no meat at all. Easy to pack.
| 50 g | butter, at room temperature, for greasing the pans |
| 1 small | head broccoli or cauliflower cut into small florets |
| 250 g | pkt frozen chopped spinach |
| ½ c | red pepper, sliced thin |
| 3-5 slices | (approx.) thin-sliced ham, finely chopped |
| 1/3 c | finely grated parmesan |
| 12 | eggs |
| ½ c | milk |
| 1 t | smoked paprika |
| kosher salt and fresh-cracked pepper |
Preheat oven to 350ºF.
Grease a mini (18) or a regular (12) non-stick muffin pan.
Blanch the broccoli or cauliflower by boiling for one minute, then drain. Refresh under cold water and drain again.
Meanwhile, use your hands to squeeze the excess liquid from the spinach. You want it to be dry. Place the spinach in a bowl and add the broccoli or cauliflower, red pepper, ham and half the cheese. Toss to combine.
Divide the vegetable mixture among prepared muffin pans. Whisk together the eggs, milk and paprika until well combined. Season. Pour egg mixture evenly into each muffin tin. Top with the remaining cheese. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until quiches are golden and just set.
Makes 18 mini or 12 regular.
Red Wine Hot Choc
Not your traditional mulled wine or hot chocolate, but give it a try. Lovely berry flavours from the wine and a little less of a boozy kick than hot chocolate made with spirit.
| 1½ c | whole milk |
| ½ c | cream |
| 1 T | granulated sugar |
| 8 oz | good-quality dark chocolate, at least 70 per cent, finely chopped |
| 1 T | pure vanilla extract |
| ¾ c | mellow, not too tannic red wine, such as Merlot or Malbec |
Whisk the milk, cream and sugar together in a saucepan over low heat,
Bring to a gentle simmer, then remove from heat. Whisk in the chocolate, vanilla and the wine. Pour into a thermos.
Serves 2-3.
Winter Picnic To Go
Feeling spontaneous? Find handy takeaway at these great spots.
- Pick up a sandwich at Farrow or the Italian Centre.
- Pick up a savoury sausage (or lentil) roll at Awn Kitchen or the Butchery.
- Going skating at Hawrelak? Make Culina on the Lake your spot for takeaway vittles.
- Pick up fried chicken at Northern Chicken.
- Pick up kouignn amnan, scones, English muffin sandwiches or the savoury tartine at Lock Stock.
- Get a toasted bagel slathered with Truffala Cashew Cheese and coffee at Coffee Bureau.
- Pick up a few cans of wine, non-alcoholic wine or beer at your favourite wine shop.