Mastering the Art of Outdoor Cooking

Savour the Warm Weather: Master the Art of Outdoor Cooking!

Days are finally getting longer, and the sun’s warm rays are gently embracing us. It’s official: spring has arrived! What could be better than cooking outdoors to fully enjoy this delightful weather?

We’ve scoured the internet to find the best tips for mastering the art of outdoor cooking!

Various Types of Outdoor Cooking

When you think about cooking outdoors, a BBQ is usually the first thing that comes to mind. But there are other very interesting cooking techniques for the chef in you to make the most of summer, even while cooking.

Rediscover Your Recipes with Planchas

Planchas are a fantastic option for outdoor cooking enthusiasts looking to break away from the usual BBQ routine.

First off, a distinction should be made between two similar terms: planchas and planks.

Originally from Spain, planchas are cooking plates heated with gas or electricity, providing an even cooking surface for a variety of foods, from grilled vegetables to seafood, eggs and even pancakes.

The high and consistent temperature of planchas ensures quick and even cooking, while their non-stick surface makes cleaning a breeze.

Meanwhile, planks are made of wood such as cedar, which are placed on the grill to heat the meat and infuse it with a distinct flavour.

Here are a few recipes you might want to try:
- Tacos cuits sur la plancha (recipe written in French only).
- Saumon sauce moutarde sur planche de cèdre (recipe written in French only).

A Classic Outdoor Cooking Item: the Grill

A classic in most countries, barbecuing is a simple and easy way to cook outdoors. Whether you prefer charcoal for its smoky flavour, or gas grills, plenty of options are now available for BBQ enthusiasts.

Of course, the trick to tasty barbecuing is marinade. For juicy and perfectly grilled meat, nothing beats letting the meat soak up the flavours of a good marinade for a few hours or overnight.

Pro tip: Let your meat temper for about 30 minutes before cooking. This will prevent the outside from burning while the inside remains uncooked.

Porterhouse Steak with Cowboy Butter - Chicken Under a Brick by Laurent Dagenais

Here are a few recipes to whet your appetite:

- Porterhouse Steak with Cowboy Butter
- Chicken Under a Brick by Laurent Dagenais

Smoker

To add a different and more refined taste to your cooking, why not try smokers? They are now available at affordable prices in many stores and come in all sizes.

By using beech, oak or cherry wood, the smoker infuses rich and complex wood flavours into your food.

From the classic smoked salmon, herring or chicken, you can experiment with all sorts of recipes according to your preferences, including smoked tofu!

Here are a few recipes to inspire you with smokers:
- Rôti d’agneau du Québec fumé avec risotto (recipe written in French only).
- Recette de tofu fumé (recipe written in French only).

What Are the Benefits of Cooking Outdoors?

Mosquitos are not exactly your cup of tea, so why you should go outside when you are perfectly comfortable inside your air-conditioned home? Here a few reasons why:

- Connect with nature and relax: Treat yourself to a moment of peace with lemon sparkling water or a glass of white wine, listen to the birds singing, take in the scents. Simply enjoy being outdoors!

- Soak up a friendly atmosphere: Cooking and eating outdoors creates a different vibe and lightens the mood.

-Explore new flavours: Whether you are using a grill, plancha or smoker, you can experiment with cooking methods different from those used in other months. Let’s be honest, who can resist the enticing aroma of a BBQ?

- Reduce heat in the house: Cooking outdoors helps prevent excess heat inside the house. It’s both a practical and pleasant solution on sweltering summer days!