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Still a few weeks of summer to enjoy outdoor activities

Still a few weeks of summer to enjoy outdoor activities!

With back-to-school and the long Labour Day weekend just around the corner, summer is slowly giving way to fall. Take advantage of these last summer days to the max by organizing backyard activities, like a BBQ get-together, followed by an outdoor movie night!

Burgers and sausages on the BBQ: keep it simple

Because hosting a group of people can be a bit stressful, avoid complicated recipes that require too much prep or attention. After all, as the host, you want to be able to have fun too! A true summer classic, hamburgers are ready in just a few minutes and are loved by all. For a boost of flavour, consider adding fresh herbs, onion and garlic powder, Dijon or grainy mustard, or shredded cheese to your meat. You can also serve a variety of original condiments, such as spicy mayo, pesto, salsa (tomato or mango and avocado), and different sauces. Coleslaw or grilled veggies are also delicious burger toppings. And if you’re feeling a little pressed for time, opt for ready-to-cook frozen patties. 

Another BBQ must: sausages, grilled for 20 minutes over low heat! Mild or spicy, they can be prepared a variety of ways. And you have your pick of protein: pork, chicken, beef, lamb, tofu, legumes, etc. Have you ever tried the salmon sausages by La fée des grèves? Available in merguez or mild Italian style, they’re sure to impress your guests—especially if served in crispy baguette bread! 

A light salmon Carpaccio

If you don’t feel like sweating in front of the grill, this salmon Carpaccio with strawberries and beets is perfect! Only the croutons require a few minutes of cooking.

Carpaccio de betterave, saumon et fraises par TOUGO

4 portions
15 minutes
60 minutes
Total time 75 minutes
Carpaccio de betterave, saumon et fraises par TOUGO

Ingredients

Carpaccio

  • 8 to 12 Medium-sized beets
  • 500 g 1 lb. Fresh, tartare-grade salmon
  • 750 ml 3 cups Fresh strawberries, sliced
  • to taste to taste Microgreens of your choice (broccoli, sunflower, beet, radish…)

Herb croutons

  • ⅔ Whole-wheat baguette
  • 45 ml 3 tbsp. Olive oil
  • 45 ml 3 tbsp. Fresh herbs of your choice (oregano, thyme, basil, rosemary…), finely chopped
  • 1 pinch Salt and pepper

Herb vinaigrette

  • 60 ml ¼ cup Olive oil
  • 1 Lemon (zest and juice)
  • 10 ml 2 tsp. Fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • 20 ml 4 tsp. Fresh basil, finely chopped
  • 10 ml 2 tsp. Green onion, finely chopped
  • 1 pinch Salt and pepper

Directions

  1. In a large pot of boiling water, cook the beets for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until tender. Make sure there is always enough water in the pot to cover the beets during cooking. Once thoroughly cooked, plunge the beets into a large bowl of ice water for a few minutes. Then, peel and cut into thin slices using a knife or mandoline.
  2. While the beets are cooking, preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F).
  3. Cut the baguette into 1 cm (1/2 inch) thick slices. Arrange on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
  4. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, fresh herbs, salt and pepper. Brush mixture onto the bread, then bake in the oven 10 minutes, or until golden. Set aside.
  5. In another bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for the herb vinaigrette. Set aside.
  6. Take the salmon out of the fridge and, using a very sharp knife, cut into thin slices.
  7. Assembly: in a large plate, alternate 1 slice of beet, 1 slice of salmon, and 2-3 slices of strawberry (depending on size). Garnish with the herb vinaigrette and microgreens. Serve the croutons on the side. 

This recipe is courtesy of montougo.ca.   

Stay hydrated with flavoured water

For something to sip on between beers, wine, cocktails, and other alcoholic beverages, prepare a pitcher (or drink dispenser) of flavoured water for all to enjoy. The flavour combinations are endless: lemon, cucumber, and mint; grapefruit slices and sprigs of rosemary; raspberries, apricots, and ginger; strawberries, lychee, and basil; apples and cinnamon, etc. Simply place your chosen ingredients in a pitcher of tap water and let infuse at least one hour in the fridge. When serving, you can add a handful of ice to keep the water extra cold. And make sure to add ice and water throughout the night to ensure everyone stays hydrated!

Croquet, Frisbee and co.: outdoor games that entertain

To entertain and amuse adults and children alike, offer them a variety of backyard games to choose from. Think croquet, Frisbee, darts, badminton (you can even play without a net), kubb (a Nordic lawn game that combines bowling, horseshoes, and chess), and mölkky (a throwing game). Then, after supper, clear the table and play a few rounds of your favourite card or board game!

Happy hour under a tent

If you feel like it, set up a happy hour area at the end of your lawn, next to a mature tree. You can use a parasol or a shade sail to protect your guests from UV rays and the sometimes-blinding sunset. Lay a blanket on the ground, toss in a couple of comfy pillows, and a few battery-powered lanterns for when it gets dark. Children will be charmed by this outdoor “fort” and will lay claim to it immediately!

Lanterns, candles, string lights: set the ambience

Once the sun has set, turn on your lanterns, candles (LED candles are a great option), and string lights, for an enchanting ambience. Opt for dim, warm, or soft white lighting; the orangey tints are a lot more relaxing than cool white lighting, which tends to give off a blue glow. Bamboo torches are also a great option—not only are they reminiscent of exotic beaches, but when filled with combustible citronella liquid, they help keep the bugs away!  

Backyard movie night: to end the evening on a high note

Treat all your cinema fans to a movie night under the stars! And don’t worry—no need to be super tech-savvy to set up an outdoor cinema: all you need is a basic HD or 4K projector connected to your smartphone, laptop, or Chromecast or Apple TV, as well as a white sheet in lieu of a screen. When it comes to audio, forgo all the wires and use a Bluetooth speaker paired with your projector. Enjoy the show!

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