On a gorgeous sunny May evening recently, the Canadian Yachting staff were treated to an evening sail aboard Lynn and Pat Lortie’s Adamant 1, complete with delicious snacks and Lynn’s custom audio soundtrack, which may have taken us back a few years.
After a long winter and a cool, wet spring here in Midland, ON, it was such a welcome change to be out on the Bay on a calm, warm evening. Prior to setting out from the Midland Bay Sailing Club we enjoyed a glass of wine and a selection of appetizers that were all prepared using the Carnivore Club’s Meat of the Month box. The meats that were offered in this particular selection ranged from a Sweet Coppa to a sliced Prosciutto to a Hot Sopressata. (Please see the end of this article for a full description of detail on the meats etc.) We created some appetizers that would both allow the flavours of the meats to shine through as well as ones that were easy to make and transportable onboard the sailboat.
The flavours of the different cured meats were all distinct on their own and all offered something different to the palate. The hot Sopressata had a nice brand of heat that was not overpowering but really added to its flavour. The sliced prosciutto we had paired with some fresh cantaloupe and it made a delicious marriage of complementary flavours. The sweet Sopressata went deliciously with a grape tomato, a piece of bocconcini cheese and a basil leaf while the sweet Coppa took the flavour lead when combined with a button mushroom and a slice of cucumber. The Milano and Genoa Chubs were left up to individuals to combine with crackers, red pepper jelly, savoury spreadable goat cheese and some wasabi or salmon flavoured caviar.
Because it was such a calm day on the water we headed out under power with the sails still furled. Lynn anchored us out in Gawley Bay where we continued sampling the snacks and admiring the 360 degree view. It was race night at the Sailing Club so not far off to the East the boats were queuing up to attempt a race without much wind to leverage.
It was a fine night for a spring cruise and everyone enjoyed the scenery, the company and the appetizers. For more info on the Carnivore Club and details of how you can start receiving your monthly selection of meats visit: https://carnivoreclub.co/
The image above describes visually the contents of the box we sampled.
Looking for a great Grey Cup recipe that is sure to please but won’t take you away from the game? Give the Dean Brothers’ ‘Tastes Like Lasagna Soup’ a try. Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large nonstick saucepot or Dutch oven. Add the sausage, onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is crumbled and browned, 8 – 10 minutes.
Cooking onboard can sometimes be a challenge. At Canadian Yachting we are impressed with the new SilKEN Induction 2 Burner Cooktop from Kenyon. This comes with special high-temperature Silicone mats. The biggest benefit is that induction heats the inside of the pot (and quickly) right through the Silicone mat. The mat holds the pot in place and is shaped to offer spill retention and quick heat dissipation.
Cheese Covered, Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Popper Burgers with Roasted Jalapeno Mayonnaise These burgers have all of the flavours of jalapeno poppers with their jalapeno and cream cheese filling and their bacon wrapping and coat of melted cheddar cheese. Servings: makes 4 servings Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes
This recipe is adapted from Seasonings: Flavours of the Southern Gulf Islands by Andrea and Spalding (Harbour Publishing 2012), who credit it to Chef Hubertus Surm of the Saturna Café. The base is easy to make and refrigerate overnight, then serve with fresh West Coast seafood. We enjoyed it first with halibut, spot prawns, scallops and mussels, then saved the leftover stew for a second meal with calamari (squid). Squid is delicious, quick to prepare, and will travel well frozen in your boat’s new portable freezer. Freezing and thawing also helps tenderize squid meat. We found this dish especially tasty the second night, when the flavours of stew and seafood had time to blend.
Seemingly part sailboat and part spaceship, the new Jeanneau Yachts 55 just busted through the boundaries of traditional yacht design. I couldn’t take my eyes off the bubble hardtop that met me at the dock and I stepped aboard with trepidation. A few hours later, I was planning how to spend my not-yet-won lottery winnings.
Over the past seven decades, Ontario’s marina industry has developed alongside some of Canada’s largest freshwater lakes. Boaters have been able to enjoy the beautiful scenery and create lasting memories on the water, with certain marinas dating back to the 1960s. As we reflect on this rich history, we can begin to see trends in how our footprint may have had an effect on the environment, in not-so-positive ways. However, by embracing innovative solutions and adopting sustainable practices, both marinas and boaters hold the key to preserving and enhancing the quality of our lakes and marine life for generations to come.