Here’s the perfect idea to help you bring the great outdoors indoors this Valentine’s Day! We’ve curated a list of local, Ontario dairy inspired recipes that will set your table (or tent!) for that romantic or family evening in with your special someone(s). Our Ontario Harvest Board is the perfect way to impress your partner, packed full of beautiful local, Ontario artisanal cheeses and cured meats, or get the kids involved in the kitchen and whip up our delicious Creamy Ontario Cheddar & Garlic Dip using local, Ontario cheddar and fresh fruit and veggies.
Taking an existing space in your home and transforming it into a completely different landscape is a fun way to shake things up. Whether you live in a house, apartment or condo, an environmental change can create a sense of comfort and adventure. There’s no question this will be a blast for families with children, but even adults can benefit from a departure from routine.
Setting up your own indoor picnic or overnight camp out takes nothing more than a few materials most of us have around the house, along with a sense of fun and ingenuity. As newly initiated indoor campers ourselves, we suggest that you pull out the stops and take the concept as far as your space and creativity allow – we promise it’s worth the effort!
Setting up...
Step 1
Throw down a blanket or quilt (no need to worry about it getting dirty since you’re inside!), add a few comfy pillows to sit on and you’ve already got yourself a cozy spot to relax.
Step 2
Next, grab some string lights or lanterns to help set the mood.
Step 3
If you find that your food spread will be set too low, you can use a low table, crate or ottoman draped with a nice table cloth to bring your picnic spread to a more comfortable height.
Step 4
Set up an immersive environment by grabbing a few plants from around your home and arranging them around your picnic area - it’s not the great outdoors, but it will be a great substitute! If you don’t have any plants, consider ordering flowers from your local florist. Adding floral scents to your space can actually boost your mood and make you feel calm. Or, if you have any photos or artwork that have an outdoorsy vibe, try setting them up around your picnic area.
Step 5
Set up a speaker nearby and play a nature soundtrack to round out the outdoor experience.
Indoor Camping
To set up an indoor campsite, you’ll need all of the picnic supplies, with a cozy shelter to spend the night. The best time for indoor camping is at night. Set up your ‘campsite’ during the day to enjoy when the sun goes down!
Setting up…
Step 1
If you want to take your indoor picnic adventure to the next level and you have the space for it, add a small tent to the mix! Don’t have one? Do it the old-fashioned way and set up a sheet so that it creates a small fort over or by your picnic area. It’s all about the atmosphere – with no fear of getting rained out!
Step 2
If you have a working fireplace, you’re laughing. If not, screen a crackling campfire video on your television (you can find these on YouTube) or build an artificial campfire with sticks foraged from outside and some tissue or flame-coloured paper.
Step 3
When you’re all set up, turn off all of the lights and dine by fireplace or lantern light to give you a sense of camping outside. If you have a fondue pot and burner, use it as a mini campfire and melt some cream, chocolate and marshmallows for indoor s’mores! Just be sure to set your pot and burner on a safe surface away from any blankets.
Step 4
Set up a music station and play some of your favourite singalong camp songs, or, if you’re looking for a more romantic setting, maybe some of your favourite love songs.
Step 5
When it’s time to turn in, if you have a projector, point your projector towards your ceiling and project the night sky, or on the wall of your tent or fort to watch your favourite nature documentary from the comfort of your own fort!
If you’re really looking to impress, the Ontario Harvest Board is sure to do the trick. Using the bounty of Ontario, this board has been carefully curated by Maitre Fromager and Ontario Cheese Ambassador Afrim Pristine. Pair this board with a bold, local red wine to really elevate the flavours profiled on this unreal board.
Call up your favourite local bakery and put an order in for a beautiful loaf of sourdough – or make your own! This recipe is easy and quick to make with little mess involved and is a great way to get your kids involved in the kitchen. Adding your favourite fruits and veggies along with some fresh bread pieces is a great way to make this simple Cheddar dip create an elevated appetizer or first course.
This is not only a super quick and easy recipe, it’s one that can be done with the kids and is super fun to make. Using Canadian creamy ricotta and fresh arugula, these rolled bresaolas will give you the feeling of falling in love all over again!
Who doesn’t love a good Mac n’ Cheese recipe? This recipe is packed full of fresh, local ingredients and will most definitely satisfy your palate.
This classic recipe uses fresh, local, Ontario veal and cheese and is most definitely a recipe that we think will become a household favourite. It’s quick and easy to make, and can set the mood for a romantic night in.
This vegetarian dish has all of the flavours and textures you need to transport you to summer, the perfect fresh salad for an indoor picnic indeed. Halloumi, a unique and on-trend cheese that holds its shape and turns a beautiful golden brown when grilled or panfried is a great addition to any salad.
This recipe is essentially 'summer on a plate'. It's fresh, light, super easy to make. Using fresh ingredients this recipe is definitely sure to please. Quality Cheese in Vaughan, Ontario does an incredible job making Burrata cheese. It’s quite difficult to make, but they have perfected it!
These savoury seared duck bites are elevated by a simply divine cherry wine sauce and pair perfectly with some sparkling Ontario wine and sliced brioche bread. We promise you that these duck bites won’t last long!
Using local, Ontario Cheese, this focaccia is the perfect appetizer for any Cheese lover. This focaccia recipe is the serious version of a 'Pizza Bun’, taking a classic recipe and adding some fun toppings. It can be eaten cold or warm, and is perfect for sharing!
This marshmallow pie is easy to make and even easier to eat! Freeze it slightly for a semi-freddo dessert.
Using fresh Ontario ricotta cheese, and juicy raspberries this moist cake is a perfect dessert for any occasion. We promise you this cake won’t last long!
This cake is perfect for anyone craving a little slice of summer. Using fresh Ontario greenhouse-grown strawberries, and fresh, local Ontario Dairy, it’s almost impossible for this recipe to disappoint and makes great for any occasion.
Winter can be rough for many of us. Shorter days and tough weather can leave us feeling restless and stir crazy. Switching up our routines by creating a comfortable environment, keeping busy and creative, and giving yourself something to look forward to are great ways to fight off the winter blues. And, what better way to do that than with the people you love and care about?
We hope that this article inspires you to get creative and have a little fun in the comfort of your own home - you deserve it!