chefbari

Question: Have you ever been camping?

Answer : You bet I have !

Hey everyone, Chef Bari here!

If you know me, you know my love for the outdoors is as strong as my passion for cooking. And there’s nothing quite like combining those two things, especially when you’re out camping with the family. That’s exactly why I poured my heart and soul into creating my book, “Canadian Recipes of the Great White North.” It truly goes hand in hand with the camping experience for the whole family!

“Canadian Recipes of the Great White North“ isn’t just a cookbook; it’s your ultimate outdoor cooking companion. It’s a Theme Cookbook designed to represent the vast, wild Canadian Northwest Country, and it’s packed with fun for the whole family to explore, right there at your campsite.

One of the things I’m most proud of is how this book includes the children. Throughout the cookbook, you’ll find interactive sections specifically for them, including their very own recipes to try! Getting the kids involved in meal prep is part of the camping fun, and this book makes it exciting for them.

This book covers everything for cooking by the campfire, from delicious Appetizers to hearty main courses. It gives you a genuine taste of that wild Northwest Region. We explore unique ingredients like Kinnikinnick and Buffalo berries, used historically by Indigenous peoples like the Blackfoot and Cree to make things like Buffalo Jerky – a resourceful way to prepare for hard winters! But don’t worry, any themed wild ingredient I mention is easily interchangeable with a suggested domestic meat or vegetable dish at the end of each recipe, making them totally accessible no matter where you are.

You’ll find fantastic campfire recipes perfect for grilling and enjoying the outdoors, like my Cheddar Cheese Bannock – a classic you simply can’t go into the woods without making, great by itself or with something hardy like chili. Or my Cajun Blue Grouse Fingers (and yes, I share a funny story about how “easy” it can be to find one of those clever birds up in the Blue Spruce trees!). Even if wild game isn’t your thing, remember those easy domestic substitutions make these recipes doable for everyone.

Soups are a camping must, and my book features some favorites, including my Creamy Campfire Chicken & Wild Rice Soup, a warm, comforting, and extra hearty dish. Another great outdoor homemade soup you’ll find is my Dolly Varden Chowder, perfect if you happen to catch some fresh Dolly Varden (that delicious fish related to trout and salmon!) that morning!

But beyond the campfire mains and wild ingredients, “Canadian Recipes of the Great White North” is also a storyteller. It features remarkable adventures, from tales of the Great Gold Rush to amazing close calls, like an encounter with a 1200lb Bull moose. You’ll read about the incredible wildlife you might see in places like our Canadian Rocky Mountain National Parks – herds of whitetail deer, mother moose and calf, thundering caribou, charging Elk, wandering Grizzly, cougars, lynx, black bears, and even huge Arctic Char! These stories make the book more than just recipes; they bring the spirit of the Northwest to your campsite.

And it’s not just about wild game and campfire cooking. My book is also home to my ‘Home Sweet Home’ Chapter, offering delightful treats like Strawberry Cheesecake and my famous Double-Chocolate Mousse (moose 😉) Cake! You’ll also find easy pasta dishes and even a secret trick for Cornish Game Hens.

This book truly is the perfect companion to take camping. It’s adaptable, it’s fun for the family, it tells stories, and it celebrates the incredible tastes and experiences of the Canadian outdoors.

As the original Great Canadian Cookbook published by Chef Bari, I poured all my outdoor and culinary passion into its pages. I hope you and your family enjoy using it on your next camping excursion!

Bonus Recipe Snippet: Creamy Campfire Chicken & Wild Rice Soup

Just the essentials for this hearty campfire favorite!

Ingredients:

• 1-2 tbsp oil/butter

• 1 chopped onion, 2-3 chopped carrots, 2 sliced celery stalks

1 teaspoon Tomato paste

• 2-3 cloves minced garlic (or 1 tsp powder)

• ½ cup uncooked wild rice, rinsed

• 6-8 cups chicken broth

• 2 cups cooked chicken

• 1 tsp dried herbs

• Salt & pepper

• For Creaminess: 1 can condensed mushroom or celery soup

Quick Method:

Sauté veggies, add rice & broth, simmer till rice tender, stir in chicken & creamy element and tomato paste .Season & serve!

Connecting Your Culinary Adventure

My cookbook, “Canadian Recipes of the Great White North,“ is more than just recipes; it’s a Themed Outdoor Cookbook truly designed to captivate your interest by the roaring fire during the evening around the campfire. It’s your go-to guide for amazing outdoor and family cooking, packed with essential recipes and captivating stories from the Northwest.

Think of my website as the ever-growing companion to the book. While the book holds that fantastic curated collection of classics and outdoor favourites, my culinary journey is always creating new dishes!

So, if you’re looking for even more delicious ideas, or perhaps a brand new recipe I’ve developed since the book was published, head over to my website.

Together, the book and the website offer a complete culinary experience – the core themed collection for your adventures and cozy campfire moments, and the latest creations and extra content online. They truly go hand-in-hand!

Grab your copy of “Canadian Recipes of the Great White North” for your next camping trip, and keep exploring new tastes and content on my website!

Happy Cooking Outdoors!

Cheers !

Chef Bari