Outdoor dining is not only for the spring and summertime. Surely this is what we think of because we mentally combine the joy of eating with soaking up the sun, or enjoying a cool evening breeze. But you can enjoy outdoor dining year round, especially in the winter.
Setting up a dining area in your backyard is quite simple. You can use the same patio furniture used in the summertime. But when you set the table use metal charger plates to rest your dining plates on. Metal acts as a heat conductor and will allow your food to stay warmer for a longer period of time. Start the meal with a hot soup instead of a salad. Serve fresh baked or at least warm bread.
The main course should be a hot dish. But there are certain dishes to be avoided outside, such as pasta. The sauce will respond quickly to the cold air and it will stiffen. Avoid complicated dishes such as mussels and clams. Too much time will be invested into opening the shells, and the rest of your dish will become cold.
Substitute cold drinks for warm drinks such as hot chocolate, coffee or warm apple cider. If the meal or occasion calls for alcohol, try hot alcoholic beverages such as Hot Brandy Toddy, Cafe Brulot, The Snuggler and Hot Irish Nut. These drinks are either coffee or hot chocolate based. The alcohol should be warmed, but not boiled prior to mixing with base.
Set up your food buffet style. Use aluminum foil trays (covered with foil) with aluminum stands and place candle burners beneath the trays to keep the food warm. This also encourages guests to help themselves, as well as return for second helpings.
Many of us are familiar with jubilee cooking. This is the dramatic art of cooking, seen at fancy restaurants, using sherry wine and fire to cook and ignite food into flames. You can recreate this scene in your back yard with a grill and a pan. A frying pan or a wok is suitable for this task. There are many winter recipes from the infamous cherry jubilee to chicken jubilee. Remember that the use of the grill isn’t limited to summertime either. You can either grill directly or use cast iron pots and pans to cook dishes on top of the grill.
Concerned about keeping warm while dining outside? That’s a minimal concern. The same torches used in the summertime for lighting can be used in the wintertime to generate warmth. You can also use electric heaters at the base of the table, to bring the warmth even closer.
An additional way to generate heat is to use an outdoor fireplace. Outdoor fireplaces come in many styles that can provide an intimate and/or romantic ambiance to your dining experience. There are fireplaces that resemble round coffee tables, some are traditionally square and some are chimney style. They are often affordable, with a starting price of one hundred dollars. This can be placed near the table or lounge chairs for warmth and ambiance at night.
Using an enclosed patio is another version of outdoor dining. This is an especially useful option when the weather is a little harsher with snow or rain. Similar to an enclosed patio is a screened gazebo. This will protect diners and food from the wind. Also gradually body heat will be generated and remain within the patio or gazebo.
Wintertime does not mean staying indoors all the time. Dining is not limited to the dining room or the den. The whole family can continue combining eating with nature, in the warmth and comfort of your back yard.
