Yellowknife (May 12/06) - Don Kindt was living the high life on his boat and he didn't even know it.

"Our new friends always said, 'Hey your group eats pretty good out here.'"

Don Kindt poses with his culinary creation, "Cooking Up a Storm, Volume 1," which he said supplies the reader with recipes to spice up the boredom of "boat food." - Adam Johnson/NNSL photo

It was true. When other families were getting sick and tired of hot dogs and canned beans, he and his wife were enjoying cheese fondues.

When other boaters were threatening mutiny over the idea of eating one more burger, the Kindts were making fresh omelettes and bannock.

This gave him an idea: why not share the wealth with a cookbook?

"Cooking Up a Storm, Volume 1," is the result; a self-made, self-published project that Kindt will test-drive at Yellowknife's Greatest Indoor Show 2006, held at the Multiplex this Saturday and Sunday.

Billing itself as "A Quick Guide to Fine Dining for Boaters, Paddlers and Campers," the book outlines the Kindts' favourite recipes, each of which is named after their favourite places in and around Great Slave Lake.

These include Back Bay Bruschetta, Taltheilei Tabouli and Francois Bay Fajitas.

Kindt said one of his personal favourites is "Don's Tipsy Fish Marinade," which includes a healthy 1/4 cup of rye whisky. However, Kindt said the "Lodge" from which this recipe was borrowed (with permission) must remain nameless. The book also includes tips on boating and camping gear, how to get the most out of your supplies and boating activities for when the group finally gets tired of fishing all day.

Still a little nervous about where this project is headed, Kindt said he did the writing, designing and photography and paid for the printing himself.

Well, maybe not all by himself.

"I steal all the credit, but my wife is always there," he said with a laugh.

If all goes well, and he has a feeling it might, Kindt said he might consider a "Volume 2," which will do its part to reduce the monotony of eating on Great Slave Lake.

"It's all about stepping it up a notch while you're out there," he said. "It doesn't have to be just hamburgers and hot dogs."