Adventures: Porch Camping

 

May is the month we usually circle with a fat red crayon in our appointment diaries. It is The Turning Point, the month where buttery sunshine, freshly lacquered toenails, and placid cross-breezes in otherwise stuffy apartments lure one away from indoor obligations in favor of outdoor frolicking.  It is a just reward for slogging through the harsh wallop of winter and insulting slush of early spring.

May is meant to be camping season.

Assuming that the sky simply could not--wouldn't dare--unleash one more torrent, we determined last weekend would be the season's inaugural firepit lighting. Dismissing dismal weather reports, we cockily hatched plans for Dutch oven stews and improved-upon baked beans and spring-worthy champagne cocktails. We even hoped to squeeze in a rousing round of badminton. So much optimism--and all of it dashed against the cold, entirely unmoved, slate-gray sky. But as the rain continued unabated, so did the beckoning of the outdoors. Finally, we pulled on galoshes, piled a platter high with spring edibles, and set up a campsite beneath the (somewhat leaky) overhang of our front porch. From this vantage point, we had a lovely vista of Brooklyn's alternate-sides parking, the untrammeled expanse of a newly laid speed bump, and the neighborhood's stray cat wrestling with a squirrel.

But the cool, damp air refreshed and the food more than satisfied. We were in the mood for a ploughman's platter kind of meal, but lighter: whole smoked trout (procured at the farmer's market, but tasting of campfire nonetheless); a lemony, hazelnut-studded salad of spring vegetables that requires no blaze, just one's trusty vegetable peeler; crumbled aged cheddar; crusty bread; and the first strawberries of the season. Naturally, we included a frequently topped-off carafe of rose wine.

In the event that you, too, are flushed with a cabin fever that ought to be spring fever, we present this delicate, no-cook salad of shaved asparagus, carrots and parsnips. It is perfect for drizzly May dining, comes together awfully quickly, and will probably have you gazing longingly at your macintosh in a week or two. Just be sure to dig up the smallest and crispest vegetables you can find, as those will be the sweetest and most tender.

A mound of leftover carrots and parsnips also provides an opportunity to practice one's whittling skills.

 

SHAVED SPRING VEGETABLE SALAD WITH TOASTED HAZELNUTS

Serves 4

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 pound small, crisp parsnips, trimmed and peeled

1/4 pound small, crisp carrots, trimmed and peeled

1/4 pound medium, crisp asparagus, ends trimmed

1/4 cup toasted, coarsely chopped hazelnuts

2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Crumbled cheese, such as aged cheddar or feta

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

 

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice and salt. Whisk in the oil.

2. Using a vegetable peeler, peel the vegetables, head to toe, into long pretty ribbons. Continue ribboning until the vegetable is just a stub of its former self. Transfer them to a bowl, then toss with the vinaigrette, hazelnuts, and chives.

3. Arrange salad on a rustic-looking platter that wouldn't be out of place in wild environs. Garnish with cheese and black pepper and serve.

 

Comments

[gerber knives]

Try using a survival knife for cutting food to get the distinct feel of camping.

[Ice Coolers]

Sitting and chilling at your front porch or simply porch is cool and porch camping is cooler. Both allows you to relax and unwind as well as noticing a lot from your environment, your neighbors and probably even their cat. Coolest would be your porch camping recipe, very ideal for such activity. Thanks for sharing!

[kershaw knives]

I must try this porch camping. I have a porch as well as camping gears that I don't even use. This sounds fun.

[Gerber Knives]

I like the idea you have here and that fish looks good. you could fillet it with a knife as well and remove the head.

[identity theft protection]

You know, let's let some people make big fortunes because that provides spice in life and some adventure, something to look forward to-- that you might get this.

[rc helicopter]

Swich to wordpress, make your blogger nicer. -My 2 cents

[UGG Boots]

the thankful great universe provides the environment of existence for us and give us sunlight,air, water and everything in keeping with we

existence of space, bring storm to let us accept to toughen for us, bring to us mysterious let us look for.

[Moncler Sverige]

If you wish to be the best man, you must suffer the bitterest of the bitter.