The Grand Quarantined Bivouac
During the Covid-19 pandemic that we are living through, the advice is clear: stay home. It's the best way to protect yourself and others. by applying this advice to the letter, we can hope to enjoy some camping this summer… fingers crossed. In the meantime, we are all dreaming of camping! Here’s a great idea from the Grand Quarantined Bivouac crew to scratch that camping itch:
Good news N°1: We all have a room, some space on the floor, a terrace, or a garden
Good news N°2: IT’S POSSIBLE TO CAMP in your room, on a space on your floor on your terrace, or in your garden
So, campers of world, let’s unite! On Saturday April 4th, everywhere on the planet, each of us at home alone can come together to #homebivouac! Get your bivvy out from Apr 4 at 7:00 PM – Apr 5 at 12:00 PM!
1. Objective: the objective is to spend the evening and the night in the closest conditions to wild camping in your garden, living room, tent, tarp, bivy bag or dawn jacket. No matter the place and the equipment, camp at home. You can curl up in a sleeping bag but you can also enjoy a #coffeeoutside, cook on the stove and practice outdoor recipes and drink a little from your flask.
2. Sharing is caring: share your story, your night, the preparation, everything with the #homebivouac, on the grand quarantined Facebook event page and on Instagram tagging @the_grand_quarantined_bivouac.
All contributions are welcome.
How to enjoy the #homebivouac with great recipes from Messkit
Our favourite part of camping, as you can guess, is the food! What do you eat when you camp out in the living room? We’ll reveal our gourmet #homebivouac right here.
Supper time
Once the sleeping pads have been blown up and the sleeping arrangements are in place, it's time to whip up supper!
Loaded sweet potato recipe
I like to roast the sweet potatoes ahead of time then rewarm them by flattening and crisping them in a skillet until lightly browned. Find the recipe here.
Want some other ideas? Try some of our other great recipes: Baja tacos, skirt steak with salsa verde, noodles with peanut sauce, tofu and veggie surprise.
Sit on your floor in the living room and turn off the lights. It's time to take out your headlamps or your camping lantern to create the atmosphere for camp time at home. And why not accompany your dinner with the sounds of nature? Eating with birds singing and the rustle of the wind in the trees... is that a woodpecker I hear (or is it your neighbour whistling)?
Dessert
Home Alone S‘mores
For dessert, we don't blame you for craving the classic s'mores. Here's how to prepare them in the comfort of your own home.
Graham crackers
chocolate
marshmallows
Directions
On a baking sheet, spread out as many graham crackers as desired and place a square of chocolate on each one. Add a large marshmallow to each square and broil. Keep an eye on the baking at all times, the broil function won’t take long! Your s'mores will go from perfectly golden to charred in an instant... just like on a real campfire!
When you take them out of the oven, place the graham crackers on top of each golden marshmallow to make the s’more. Squeeze it together and enjoy! (careful this could be hot!)
Or try this popcorn recipe from Dinette magazine:
Popcorn inside
To make the basic popcorn:
85 ml (1/3 cup) popcorn kernels
15 ml (1 tbsp) olive or vegetable oil
1 good pinch of salt
Place the corn kernels in a saucepan and heat over medium high heat. As soon as the first grain bursts, quickly add the oil and salt, mix and put the lid on. Stir the pan occasionally until the beans are popped. Flavour to taste.
Add your favourite flavour combo:
One
Ground ginger, Roasted sesame seeds, Nori algae minced, Coriander powder, Sunflower oil, Salt
Two
Honey, fleur de sel, cajun spices, avocado oil, grapefruit zest
Three
Brown sugar, cinnamon, lime zest, melted salted butter
Four
Well-cooked bacon, finely chopped, cracked pepper, maple syrup, melted butter
Five
Nutritional yeast, melted butter, onion powder, sea salt
Breakfast
When the birds (or kids) wake you up early, it’s time to start preparing your oatmeal.
Mason jar oats (makes 1 portion)
You can make this mix ahead of time and assemble in small mason jars, just add the boiling water for a hearty breakfast to be savoured while tucked into your sleeping bag. Best served with a big cup of #coffeeoutside (or inside!).
½ cup (125 ml) quick oats
1 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp dried or fresh fruits (use what’s in your pantry)
2 tbsp nuts (use what’s in your pantry)
Pinch cinnamon, ginger and / or cardamom
1 tsp of ground flax, ground pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, and / or chia seeds
¾ (180 ml) Water
Directions
Place all the ingredients except the water in a small Mason jar of 500 ml (2 cups), Close and keep until ready to serve.
Bring the water to a boil.
Pour the boiling water into the jar, stir and close. Let stand 3 or 4 minutes before tasting.
Top with milk, cream or even a dollop of yogurt and enjoy!
Hiker's pancake
If everyone is feeling a bit hungrier try some of these simple and hearty pancakes to satisfy the bottomless appetites of your living room campers.
1 ½ cups Whole wheat flour
1 ½ cups Milk
2 Eggs
1 tsp Vanilla
1 tsp Butter or coconut oil
Extras
Fresh fruit, maple syrup, peanut butter, jam, greek yogurt, chopped nuts, seeds
Directions
In a large bowl, vigorously whisk the flour, milk, eggs and vanilla.
In a large non-stick skillet preheated over medium-high heat on the stove, melt the butter.
Pour about ⅓ cup of batter into the pan and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
Repeat with the rest of the batter to make 6 pancakes. Add extra butter to the pan if needed
Top off with your favorite extras to taste and serve.
Here are a few other suggestions for some great morning meals: Carrot cake breakfast cookies, Double chocolate granola, banana oatmeal pancakes.
Snacks
Then, off you go! Everybody out to explore... the backyard! Who knows, there's bound to be hidden treasures there... I'm sure everyone will be hungry for a snack when you are exploring your yard, so here’s our favourite energy balls recipe. If you have the time try some of these other great snack ideas: sweet potato tots, cranberry cacao energy bars, or these granola bites.
Good luck during the pandemic. Take care of yourself and your family and... let's say it again, please stay home safe and sound! See you at the Grand Quarantined Bivouac!