What to eat under your patio canopy in the winter!

A garden is a special part of the house, it brings family and friends together to enjoy good weather (sometimes) and to enjoy really good food! Many people treat the garden as a summer area only, but installing a patio canopy can create new dining opportunities to enjoy in your garden all year round.

When summer ends, don’t feel as though your outdoor dining experiences have to end too. Simply swap ice-cream for smores, and salads for soups! You will be well on your way to enjoying winter dining out in your garden!

Here are three great ways to eat under a patio canopy in the winter.

#1 Winter BBQ

Forget about summer, a barbeque means good, hot, tasty food. What a better way to enjoy a BBQ then under the comfort of your canopy. Take advantage of this extra heat source while enjoying piping-hot home cooked meals with your loved ones. Just don’t forget gloves!

Take advantage of the in-season produce, and BBQ up something sizzling and savoury. Here are some of our favourite dishes:

Sweet chilli sausages with mustard mash

Sausages are a family favourite! Grilling sausages on the BBQ gives them a characteristic smokiness that everybody loves. When they are almost cooked, pour on some sweet chilli sauce for a sweet and sticky dish. If you are feeling adventurous, mix mustard into mashed potato and serve with freshly steamed winter greens.

For the veggies: Garlic mushroom burgers

No need to panic if there is a vegetarian in the mix. Brush a mix of oil, garlic and rosemary onto freshly washed Portobello mushrooms, wrap them in foil and place on a hot barbeque until they are soft and cooked. Sandwich a mushroom in between a ciabatta, add some rocket, and finish with a squeeze of lemon for a super-tasty healthy burger.

#2 Bonfire Fondue

A fire pit or chiminea is the perfect place to gather around under your canopy, and treat yourself to a delicious melted dessert! Fondues have something for everyone, no matter if you prefer a savoury or sweet treat. Can you go wrong with melted cheese or chocolate?! We think not…

Cheese Fondue

Brie, Gruyere or the crowd pleasing Camembert are three great cheeses to make the perfect fondue. To make this dreamy dessert, wrap your chosen cheese in aluminium foil, add some seasonings, then pull up the sides of the foil and crimp them together to make a package. Place your cheesy package on smoking coals, check regularly and remove when the cheese is soft and gooey – but watch out for the steam when opening the package!

Chocolate Fondue

If you have a sweet tooth, a bonfire and smores go hand-in-hand. Simply warm milk in a pan on the fire, when the milk has warmed through remove from the heat, add the chocolate pieces, and stir until you have a rich and velvety mixture. Dip strawberries or marshmallows in this delicious chocolate mixture and place the chocolate covered goodies in between crackers to make irresistible smores!

#3 Hot Drinks

There’s nothing worse than not being able to enjoy a night under your canopy when the weather gets too harsh. When gloves aren’t enough, holding a mug of something warm might just do the trick!

Soup

A delicious home-cooked soup can easily be warmed in a pan on a fire, providing not only a hot and tasty mug of soup, but also some wonderful aromas! For an extra rustic element, chargrill a few slices of Sourdough or Tiger Bread on a fire or BBQ.

Mulled wine/cider

Enjoying a crisp glass of wine in the garden after a long day is one of the best parts of summer. In winter we find ourselves craving something a little cosier. Mulled wine or cider is the perfect winter alternative – and so easy to make! Add a bottle of red wine, a couple of cinnamon sticks, some slices of oranges and a splash of maple syrup into a big pot and let it simmer on the fire. Let it brew while stirring occasionally, drink when at the optimum temperature for your taste. Tip: Even the cheapest bottle of red wine will work perfectly!

While winter dining might be more challenging, our winter favourites are no less delicious than summer dishes! Fancy getting yourself a canopy to enjoy some winter treats under? Give us a call on 0800 783 3835, or download one of our brochures.