Boat Bites for Any Boating Season
There’s something magical about summers on Big Pine Lake. The water sparkles, the boats glide by, and the air is filled with laughter and good food. That’s exactly what inspired the very first episode of Lake Life Cooking: Boat Day Boards.
When you live lakeside, food isn’t just about what’s on the table — it’s about how it fits into the rhythm of your life. For us, that means recipes that are quick to make, beautiful to look at, and easy to enjoy on the boat, at the dock, or around a campfire.
What’s on the Board?
For this episode, I created the perfect travel-ready charcuterie board, designed for afternoons cruising across Big Pine Lake. Here’s a peek at what made it onto the board:
Fresh Cheeses: Creamy wedges of brie and sharp cubes of cheddar for the perfect mix of soft and bold flavors.
Cured Meats: Salami and prosciutto, rolled and stacked for easy snacking.
Seasonal Fruits: Juicy strawberries, blueberries, and grapes — fresh, colorful, and refreshing in the summer heat.
Crunchy Bites: A mix of crackers and breadsticks that hold up well when packed.
Little Extras: A jar of green olives, a drizzle of golden honey, and nuts to round everything out.
The secret to a great boat board is balance — sweet and savory, creamy and crunchy — and packing it in a way that still looks beautiful when you open it up on the water.
From the Garden to the Lake
Before putting the board together, I slipped into my small garden and snipped fresh basil and parsley. Those bright green sprigs not only add flavor, they make the board come alive with color. There’s something about picking your own greens right before dinner that makes every bite taste like summer.
Don’t Forget Dessert
Of course, no boat day is complete without a little sweetness. That’s why I love preparing an elevated s’mores board for evenings around the firepit. Think homemade marshmallows, gourmet chocolate squares, pretzels, peanut butter cups, and fresh fruit — a playful mix-and-match spread that keeps everyone coming back for seconds.
Lake Life, Food, and Family
Lake Life Cooking is about more than recipes — it’s about celebrating food as part of a lifestyle. Whether it’s grabbing a quick dip for a sunset cruise, grilling fresh fish caught right off the dock, or putting together a board to share with friends around the fire, these meals are made to be shared in the moments that matter most.
Stay tuned for more episodes where we’ll be cooking fresh-from-the-garden salads, dockside fish dinners, and cozy cabin comfort food when the rain rolls in.
P.S. Did you know we also offer custom lake gear? We’ll put your lake name on hats, tees, and more — so you can show off your lake pride in style.
