Family Favourite Recipes to Make at Skipping Rock Cottages

At Skipping Rock Cottages, some of the best memories aren’t just made around the fire pit or down by the bay. They are made in the kitchen.

From slow mornings with coffee brewing to big family dinners that linger late into the evening, food has a way of bringing everyone together.

Here are a few family-favourite, crowd-pleasing recipes you can make during your stay. They are simple, hearty, and made for sharing.

Whether you are planning a weekend at a Georgian Bay cottage, a Blue Mountain family getaway, or a cozy retreat in Meaford, these meals make it easy to bring everyone to the table.

Breakfast: Blueberry Cottage Pancakes

Perfect for: Lazy mornings with a pot of coffee and a view of Georgian Bay.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• 3 ½ tsp baking powder

• 1 tbsp sugar

• ¼ tsp salt

• 1 ¼ cups milk

• 1 egg

• 3 tbsp melted butter (plus extra for the pan)

• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

• Optional: Maple syrup, whipped cream, or powdered sugar
  
  

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.

2. In another bowl, beat the egg and mix in milk and melted butter.

3. Combine wet and dry ingredients and stir just until smooth.

4. Gently fold in the blueberries.

5. Heat a buttered skillet or griddle over medium heat.

6. Pour ¼ cup of batter per pancake. Cook until bubbles form on top, then flip and cook until golden brown.

7. Serve warm with maple syrup and a view.

Skipping Rock Tip: Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or lemon zest for a little something extra.

Lunch: Cottage Club Sandwiches

Perfect for: Mid-day bites after a morning hike or paddle on Georgian Bay.

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf of fresh bread (sourdough or multigrain)

• 8 slices cooked bacon

• 1 tomato, sliced

• 1 avocado, sliced

• Lettuce leaves

• 8 slices roasted turkey or chicken

• Mayo or aioli of choice

• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Toast the bread lightly.

2. Spread mayo or aioli on each slice.

3. Layer lettuce, tomato, turkey, bacon, and avocado.

4. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

5. Cut into halves or quarters, and secure with toothpicks if serving a crowd.
   
   

Skipping Rock Tip: Wrap these in parchment and take them down to the water for a cottage picnic lunch.

Snack Time: Easy Cottage Bites and Treats

Because every good day at the cottage needs something to nibble on between adventures. Whether you are packing a cooler for the dock or serving up something cozy for game night, these snack ideas are made for sharing.

1. Campfire Popcorn Mix

Ingredients:

• 6 cups popped popcorn

• 1 cup pretzels

• 1 cup mini marshmallows

• ½ cup chocolate chips or M&Ms

• ½ cup mixed nuts (optional)

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.

2. Store in an airtight container or zip bag for easy snacking.

Skipping Rock Tip: Try tossing the popcorn with a drizzle of melted butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar for a sweet twist.

2. Cottage Veggie Dip Cups

Ingredients:

• 1 cup ranch or dill dip

• 1 cucumber, sliced

• 1 bell pepper, sliced

• 1 cup baby carrots

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes

• 6 small cups or jars
  
  

Instructions:

1. Spoon a few tablespoons of dip into the bottom of each cup.

2. Add a mix of vegetables standing upright for easy grabbing.

3. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.

Skipping Rock Tip: Great for kids, or to set out as a quick snack before dinner.

3. Cheesy Pull-Apart Bread

Ingredients:

• 1 round loaf of sourdough bread

• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella

• ½ cup melted butter

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tbsp chopped parsley

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

2. Using a serrated knife, cut the bread diagonally in both directions without cutting all the way through.

3. Mix melted butter, garlic, and parsley together.

4. Drizzle the mixture between the cuts and stuff with mozzarella.

5. Wrap in foil and bake for 15 minutes, then uncover and bake another 10 minutes until golden and gooey.

Skipping Rock Tip: Serve this one hot out of the oven with a movie or board game night in the loft.

Dinner: Skillet Cottage Lasagna

Perfect for: A cozy night in after a day exploring Meaford, Thornbury, or Blue Mountain Village.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage

• 1 jar (650 mL) marinara sauce

• 8 oz ricotta cheese

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella

• ½ cup grated Parmesan

• 6 oven-ready lasagna noodles, broken into pieces

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• Olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste

• Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions:

1. Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat with a drizzle of olive oil.

2. Add ground beef or sausage and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.

3. Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

4. Add the marinara sauce and ½ cup of water. Bring to a gentle simmer.

5. Break the lasagna noodles into pieces and add them directly to the sauce. Stir to coat evenly.

6. Cover and let simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until noodles are tender.

7. Spoon dollops of ricotta cheese over the top, sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan.

8. Transfer to the oven and broil for 3 to 5 minutes until bubbly and golden.

9. Garnish with fresh basil and serve straight from the skillet.

Skipping Rock Tip: Pair with garlic bread and a simple green salad for a no-fuss feast that feeds a crowd.

Dessert: Warm Apple Crumble with Vanilla Ice Cream

Perfect for: Ending the day around the fire or enjoying a cozy movie night in the loft.

Ingredients:

For the filling:

• 6 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled and sliced

• ¼ cup brown sugar

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 tbsp flour
  
  

For the crumble topping:

• ½ cup oats

• ½ cup flour

• ½ cup brown sugar

• ¼ cup white sugar

• ½ cup cold butter, cubed

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. In a large bowl, toss apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, and flour. Pour into a greased 9x9 baking dish.

3. In another bowl, combine oats, flour, both sugars, and butter. Use your fingers to mix until crumbly.

4. Sprinkle topping evenly over apples.

5. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until golden and bubbly.

6. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of Windswept Cider for an adult twist.

Skipping Rock Tip: If you visit in fall, grab your apples fresh from Grandma Lambe’s for a local touch.

Gather, Cook, and Connect

At Skipping Rock Cottages, food is more than a meal. It is a memory waiting to happen. Whether you are flipping pancakes for the kids, preparing snacks for a beach day, cooking lasagna for a family gathering, or sneaking an extra scoop of apple crumble after everyone’s gone to bed, these recipes are meant to be shared and savoured.

So next time you visit, gather around the kitchen island, pour a drink, and cook something that feels like home.

Ready to make your own cottage memories? Book your stay at Skipping Rock Cottages and bring your favourite recipes to life, one meal, one memory, and one beautiful moment at a time.