The summer on the coast of British Columbia (BC) has been great this year. Lots of sunshine and temperatures in the mid to high 20s.
It’s hot but not too hot with refreshing periods of rain for the gardens and forests to cool off. Perfect weather for enjoying the sea, beaches and mountains around Vancouver.
There is a collective sigh of relief and appreciation expressed by residents here that this year BC hasn’t suffered the forest fires of the last couple of years.
We enjoy picnic suppers on the beach nearby and watch the marine life from commercial shipping and pleasure boats going in and out of the port to individual stand up paddle boarders confidently navigating the busy waters, as well as birds and seals going about their business.
My menu for beach picnics consists of different ways of preparing chicken thighs, which then get placed in individual foil parcels and taken to the beach together with individual parcels of roasted vegetables. Easy to empty onto a plate and easy to clean up; important considerations for beach picnics!
A really easy preparation is to roll chunks of Greek feta cheese in dried oregano and stuff them under the skin of the chicken thighs, which I then bake til cooked in the oven. Sometimes, I add some fruit to bake as well, and on this occasion, fresh peach sections from the Okanagan Valley.
A delicious combination.
A variation is to combine Prosciutto di Parma with the feta in stuffing the chicken thighs. Also popular!
My summer sipping picks for patio entertaining this year are a Rosé from British Columbia and an Italian White.
My rosé choice is from Quails Gate Winery in the Okanagan Valley here in BC. Quails Gate have a reputation for reliable quality and they don’t disappoint with their 2018 Rosé: a blend of Gamay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. Herbal, dry. refreshing wine at 14% Alc./Vol. and reasonably priced at C$17.99.
My white wine choice is Italian: Ruffino Orvieto Classico. For me, the blend of Trebbiano, Malvasia and Verdelho from the Umbria area of Italy is excellent value at C$13.99 and 12%Alc./Vol. This dry, crisp light bodied wine with tones of citrus and green apple is perfect on a hot day.
September is here already, the summer holidays are over, children go back to school this week and the days of beach picnics are almost over…but not quite!!
Aren’t we lucky to live in this part of the world? None better. Your tantalizing post reconfirms it.
Thanks so much. Yes, Its a special place and I think we all appreciate it. x
très heureux que vous ayez passer un bel été. Au plaisir de vous voir en France à nouveau. Guy et Annie
Beach picnics with sandy feet and crisp wine – lovely! Enjoy the autumnal colours in this glorious part of the world and sniff out a smooth, fruity, warming red from your region to take us into Autumn.
Thank you for your lovely comment. Still beach pic nic weather! And, yes, we have beautiful reds on hand for the Autumn -what a good plan! Enjoy your long summer too!