Paddle Meals: Kayaking Takes the Cake

April-May 1997

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.

by Deb Leach

This winter Maria Coffey and Dag Goering, an author/photographer team, were home on Protection Island long enough to share some paddling recipes with us. After journeys by bicycle and other boats they are looking forward to kayaking in BC and leading trips in Vietnam and Greece this year. Here are a couple of culinary creations they've tested on their adventures. Enjoy.-Deborah

SALAL BERRY SOURDOUGH PANCAKES

For those new to the coast, salal is a seemingly ubiquitous shrub with wiry stems which grows in humid coastal rainforests to 55° latitude. Leaves are leathery and oval-shaped with saw-toothed edges. In late summer, berries are dark blue to black, hairy and fleshy with numerous seeds. Juicy salal berries are tasty.

Before the trip:

Make the sourdough

Mix 1 tbsp dried yeast, 1 tbsp sugar and 1 cup of warm water and milk. Leave to sour at room temperature for several days. 2) Feed the starter with 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup of warm milk (canned or dried). Mix and leave at room temperature for a day, then refrigerate. Do this several times before setting off.

On the trip:

Store the starter in a plastic or glass container with a tight lid. The night before you make the pancakes:

1. In another container, mix 1/2 cup of starter with 2 cups flour (any combination), 1 cup milk and 1 cup water.

2. In the morning:, add 1 tsp baking soda, sugar or honey to taste, 1 pinch of salt and 1 egg (optional). Stir in 1/2 to 1 cup freshly picked salal berries*.

3. Moisten a frying pan with oil, cook the pancakes on both sides and slather them with real maple syrup.

Serves 4

Don't forget to feed the starter again so you have enough for another breakfast. (Recipe courtesy of Doreen Boal, Gibson's, B.C.)

LAKE MALAWI FLY CAKE

On the other hand, if you're paddling on Lake Malawi, in Africa, watch for lake flies (nkhunga) hatching beneath its surface and rising up in clouds. When a cloud drifts to shore, take a winnowing basket that has been dipped in water and waft it around in the cloud. The flies will drop to the beach-when you have a heap of them take handfuls and press them into small firm cakes. Wrap them in banana leaves and bake the cakes in burning grass. When cooked, remove the banana leaves, cool and slide the cakes. Eat with nsima (maize porridge) for a memorable meal. Enjoy!

Deborah Leach, her kayak and computer are based in Victoria.