There is something undeniably enchanting about the waterfront. The gentle lapping of waves, the breeze, and the serenity of nature add some delicious food, and what’s not to love about it?
Dockside cooking is popular because of these reasons. It offers the opportunity to enjoy a good meal while basking in the beauty of the outdoors. From barbecues to something as simple as cooking instant ramen over the fire, there is definitely something special about dockside cooking.
Let’s consider some of the benefits of dockside cooking and some tips to keep in mind.
Embrace the Freshness
One of the greatest pleasures of dockside cooking is using fresh ingredients. No matter how fresh the fish is at the market, it’s not nearly as fresh as the one you just pulled out of the water.
Catching fish adds the element of authenticity and makes you feel more satisfied with your meal.
Even if you can’t catch your own fish, you can get some fresh from nearby anglers. The ambiance and the freshness make for an incredible experience.
Simplicity Shines
One thing about dockside cooking is that you don’t usually have enough space for anything too elaborate, but the simplicity adds to the experience. There’s no need for any overly complicated recipes when the beauty of nature surrounds you.
You can, of course, pick out a complex dish if you like, but even something simple that highlights the quality of your ingredients will be good enough. You can create a culinary masterpiece at the waterfront with a few flavor enhancers.
Portability
Dockside cooking is not quite the same as a longer session in the kitchen, but it still allows you to be creative.
Portable grills, camp stoves, and even open flames can all be used to create a wide range of dishes. If you frequently cook outdoors, you can invest in some compact, durable cookware that can withstand the outdoor elements. The cooking and cleanup process also becomes a lot easier at the dockside.
Prep Ahead
To have a good time with dockside cooking, don’t forget to prepare in advance! You don’t want to do all the boring work like chopping vegetables and marinating the meat on the dock itself. Get all of that done beforehand to save time and focus on the cooking process.
If there’s any pre-cooking involved, you can get that done at home, so the amount of time you spend cooking on the dock gets reduced. This way, you can spend more time enjoying the food you make.
With dockside cooking, there is always the risk of the weather conditions affecting how long it takes you to get the food ready. Whatever you can get done beforehand, get it done!
Leave No Trace
A dockside cooking adventure is great, but remember to be mindful of the environment. After you’re done cooking and eating, dispose of your waste properly. In fact, even while cooking, try minimizing your environmental impact as much as possible.
Leave the area just as you found it, so the next person who comes around (which may just be you!) can enjoy the same gorgeous waterfront that you did.
Dockside cooking offers a unique blend of nature’s beauty and the pleasures of cooking. The food preparation process becomes much more enjoyable when done in the company of Mother Nature.
Nor Col offers dock-building services for the best types of docks, Nor Col. They also provide accessories that allow you to expand your floating dock and spruce up the platform. For more information, call (800) 654-8168.
