The smell of a woodfire combined with fresh lemon juice and rosemary makes for an unforgettable outdoor meal. It also works well indoors. Simply brown chicken over medium high in an oven-safe skillet, then transfer to a 375F oven for 20 minutes.
6 large chicken thighs (skin on or off)
10 fingerling potatoes, slice in half lengthwise and parboiled
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
4 cloves garlic
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 lemons
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp salt
freshly ground black pepper
Shel Zolkewich / Winnipeg Free Press
Remove leaves from one sprig of rosemary. On a cutting board, combine with garlic, red pepper flakes and salt. Mash into a paste. Transfer to a bowl, add the juice of one lemon (reserve the squeezed halves) and olive oil. Add the chicken and turn to coat.
Place a cast iron frying pan over hot coals. Add chicken and brown on both sides, about five minutes per side. Squeeze the juice of remaining lemon over chicken. Add potatoes, remaining rosemary, reserved lemon halves and black pepper.
Cover with aluminum foil, transfer to medium coals and cook for 20 minutes. Serves two.
Adding a touch of comfort
Noel Linsey said the market is flooded with gizmos and gadgets that can bring a little comfort to even the most extreme experiences. Here’s his list:
For me, the number one item that has improved my life dramatically in the backcountry is a good head lamp. I spent years trying to clamp a flashlight in my mouth so I could work with two hands (setting up a tent in the dark for example).
An insulated sleeping pad is a must. A pad will get you off the cold ground and help your sleeping bag perform correctly.
Finally, the easiest way to bring a touch of comfort to the outdoors, is to bring a good book! It doesn’t have to be Moby Dick but reading at night in a tent is one of my favourite things to do. I’ll often throw in a copy of A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold if I’m feeling particularly outdoorsy, but any book will do!
