Over An Open Fire
One of the earliest known innovations of humankind, harnessing fire, has changed the world time and again for hundreds of thousands of years. From modern day electricity and heated shelters to coal fired motor cars and trains, fire has had its hand in shaping the world as we know it.
Although open fires have been a center of community gathering and celebration for millennia, somehow, cooking in this setting has become a lost art. For our friend, Max Ablicki, this form of cooking has become a passion inspired by both his Uncle and renowned Argentinian chef, Francis Mallmann. We recently joined a small group of friends for a night of oysters, dinner, and drinks on the beach this Fall and it was one of the most memorable occasions we’ve had in a long time.
A photographer based on the coast of Maine, Max began hosting open fire dinners with friends years ago and has developed a passion for the process.
Starting with a small bonfire, friends gather to spark up the wood and get the party started. Then you’re forced to wait. While the fire heats up, everyone has a role. It takes a small village to chop up to vegetables, prepare the meat, shuck some oysters, and make sure everyone has a cold beverage of choice.
After 45 minutes to an hour, the open fire is hot enough for cooking and you’re able to add vegetables to the coals or add a grill top for meats. Taking note of the food temperatures for an additional hour or so, you’re able to actually relax and enjoy the outdoor setting with friends surrounding the fire.
This night we had a mix of vegetables; organic carrots farmed locally, onions, golden beets, and red beets. We cooked a beautiful piece of salmon fit for a king and some skirt steaks for all to share.
After a long night of food and drinks, a ton of laughs, a few questions about life, and some planet gazing through a friends’s telescope, we retired to our respective homes with a sense of fulfillment rarely achieved by a microwave or a menu.
A huge thanks goes out to Max and the Maine crew for letting us join the beach dinner. Please be sure to follow @ablicki for more open fire excursions and we can’t wait to join again soon.
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