Our delicious meals are the result of several years of collaboration with one of the all-time great kayak guides out here in the San Juan Islands. I met Patrick Neri about ten years ago. We were both leading people on kayak trips off of San Juan Island at the time. One thing we shared a passion for was creating gourmet meals that were simple enough to take out on hiking and kayaking trips. Patrick, my wife Megan, and I spent a lot of time in our little beachfront cabin, conjuring up all sorts of great food. After perfecting a recipe indoors, we would head out into the field to test our concoction for ease of use. Needless to say some worked, and some.....well, ...not so much. In time, however, we had a pretty good menu that we could enjoy when we went camping by ourselves, or with guests out in the islands.
We try to change up the menus on our trips to keep the dining experience fresh for our returning guests (and our guides). While this is not our entire menu, here are a few of the dishes that you may see out there.
Breakfasts:
Croissant pastries: Fresh croissants with a choice of berry spreads.
Berry Pancakes: Megan's favorite, in late summer we can pick wild blackberries, huckleberries, or even Salal berries for a unique Pacific Northwestern flavor.
Samscram: From a roadside diner off the northern California coast, salmon scramble with local ingredients, it always satisfies.
Granola/fruit/oatmeal: An easy breakfast for those days when we may need to get going quickly, or when something simple is desired.
Bagel Sandwiches: With ham, cheese, eggs, and chives, served with a side of fresh fruit. This meal "sticks to your ribs".
Lunches:
We like to keep lunches as simple as possible so that we can enjoy the maximum amount of paddling, walking, or goofing around time as possible.
Typically we will provide a selection of sandwich ingredients for you to choose from.
Dinners:
Laotian Red Curry: Free-range chicken and vegetables simmered in a Southest Asian red curry sauce, garnished in Basil, and served on a bed of Jasmine rice. This may be the most popular dish that we have ever served!
Vegetable chowder: Classic comfort food that pleases the body as well as the soul.
Blue cheese white wine butter cream sauce pasta: What the heck is this kind of food doing out on a camping trip?! Well, it's actually pretty easy to make, and if everything tastes good after a day's paddle, imagine how your taste buds will respond to this dish!
Vegetable Spaghetti: A fantastic combination of fresh organic (where possible) veggies and delicious spaghetti sauce, served with fresh basil and parmesan.
Greek Lamb and Falafel Pitas: Flavors to delight the senses. This dish has been a staple for Patrick and I on many outings in the Utah desert. You'll love it here in the San Juans.
Wild Caught Salmon: Being friendly with our local fishermen sure has it's advantages. We always use wild caught salmon, and when the locals are catching them, you'll be eating fish from the same stock that you see jumping out of the water near your kayak. When the season is closed here we will use Alaskan salmon.
Mediterranean Couscous: Fresh organic vegetables cooked in our specially prepared Mediterranean sauce and then served over warm couscous. Your belly will thank you!
Fajitas: Everyone loves fajitas, wait until you are enjoying it as you are watching the sky turn red over the water!
Ginger soy chicken with a mango salsa: This one comes compliments of Steve from "The Place", a restaurant next to the San Juan ferry landing in Friday Harbor. This dish would cost you nearly $30! Of course, you will have to excuse our lack of linen table cloths.
Fettucini Alfredo: There is nothing as satisfying as eating a warm pasta dish while sitting on an old piece of driftwood. Especially when it has smoked salmon and mushrooms in it.
Spinach and Pine Nuts Pasta: My personal favorite. Fresh spinach blanched with pasta and then tossed with a special garlic and oil dressing, served with toasted pine nuts, fried garlic, and parmesan. I eat this meal once a week, all year long. Yum!
-And more: We have many more dishes up our sleeves, and Patrick keeps sending us recipes, so look out!
Snacks and Appetizers:
In between meals we have a variety of snacks and appetizers for our guests. Things like chips and salsa will keep the hunger at bay while our guides prepare your food. We encourage you to bring along a favorite snack if you feel that you may want more.