Four Great Tips for Cooking on Your Boat

Cooking while at sea is part of the adventure. Prepare for your voyage as if you were camping in the woods: space is limited, as are fuel and refrigeration. Luckily, with a little planning and the following handy tips, your taste buds (and your guests) will be content and satisfied out on the boat!

Use Space Wisely: No matter how you slice it, the galley on your boat is smaller than your kitchen at home. When you’re working with a single-burner stove, a small microwave or even a propane or electric grill, you’re going to need to scale back your production. Small cooking surfaces mean small food. Appetizers, salads and single-pan meals can be pulled together quickly and easily. Let the cozy confines be your inspiration!

Think Light: Being able to enjoy a long, hot summer day on the water is what boating is all about. However, the rocking motion of the waves combined the afternoon sun, means you want to steer clear of a menu filled with hot and heavy and stick to cool and light. Ditch the recipes that would require your guests to sit down with a knife and fork. A good steak may be your idea of a great boat meal. Can’t argue with that. But why not transform it into a quick-cooking kebab that includes your veggies and can be eaten easily while relaxing on deck.

Clean as you go: Whether on land or sea any chef can benefit from the mantra: Clean as you go. But in a galley, things can get out of hand quickly if you leave all the mess until the end. Get in the habit of tidying up while you’re cooking. A little bit here, a little bit there, and you’ll have more room to work, you’ll be more relaxed, and the meal will add to your fun, rather than just adding another chore.

No matter what you are able to whip up, everything tastes better on a boat. Busy days of exploring beaches and hiking will lead to hungry guests who will be pleased with whatever food you have made. And when you are in need of a break from the galley, or simply a special treat, there are usually restaurants at the top of the dock in all the local hot spots. Van Isle Marina for example has the Sea Glass Waterfront Grill. Just be careful, one meal there and you will never want to cook for yourself again!