The Scented Kitchen: Fresh Air, Fried Fish & Fragrant Camp Tables
Spring has been soggy here in the Midwest—so soggy, in fact, that our little town made national news for record rainfall. But last week, we finally spotted a stretch of sunshine in the forecast. That was all the motivation we needed to uncover our camper and hit the road for our favorite lakeside campsite—just one hour north, but a world away.
As you can imagine, after sitting shut tight for six months, our camper smelled a little stale. To freshen it up fast, I reached for my Belle Aroma® Plugables® Fragrance Vase and dropped in a Crème Brûlée No-Mess Fragrance Tart. Within minutes, that warm, rich, vanilla scent had me convinced I’d been baking dessert inside. It’s one of my favorite ways to quickly refresh any space—especially small ones like campers.
Chasing Sunlight, Casting Lines, and Copycat Recipes
Despite the high lake levels (up 7-8 feet!), we found a dry patch high enough to set up camp and cast a line. Our tent-camping friend joined us—and with three sunny days ahead, the timing couldn’t have been better.
We’ve learned from experience that if you want a fish fry at camp, you’d better bring the fish. So, the "Scented Kitchen" moved outdoors, and our dinner lineup was full of comfort food classics:
Long John Silver’s Copycat Fish Planks (recipe below!)
KFC-style coleslaw
Long John Silver’s hush puppies
My own air-fried Parmesan potato wedges
We even added some rustic charm to the outdoor table with DIY mosquito-repelling luminaries that doubled as a centerpiece.
DIY Mosquito-Repelling Luminaries with Essential Oils
If you’re like me and don’t love the idea of chemical repellents near your food, these natural luminaries are a great solution:
What You’ll Need:
2 small jelly jars
Lemon and lime wedges
Fresh rosemary sprigs
Belle Aroma® Lemongrass Essential Oil (just a few drops)
Water
Floating tea light candles
Just layer your citrus and herbs in each jar, add water (leave about 1 inch at the top), and drop in your essential oils. Place a floating candle on top and light it. Lemongrass is a natural bug repellent, and when paired with rosemary, the scent is both pleasant and functional.
Retailer Tip: These luminaries are a great visual merchandising opportunity! Display Belle Aroma® essential oils with DIY instructions and seasonal outdoor decor for impulse appeal near your register or in your camping/outdoor living section.
Long John Silver’s Copycat Fish Planks Recipe
Ingredients:
1 lb catfish fillets
¾ cup all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp onion powder
⅛ tsp garlic powder
⅛ tsp paprika
¾ cup Sprite or 7Up
Oil for frying
Instructions:
Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl. Slowly stir in the soda until you have a smooth batter.
Pat dry fish fillets with a paper towel.
Dip two pieces of fish in the batter until fully coated.
Heat oil in a skillet to 350°F. Fry fish for 3-4 minutes per side or until golden brown.
Transfer to a paper towel-lined dish. Let the oil return to 350°F between batches.
Make the Outdoors Smell as Good as It Tastes
Whether it’s refreshing a musty camper or enhancing the ambiance at your campsite dinner table, Belle Aroma® fragrance products are a smart (and stylish) addition to any outdoor setup.
Attention Retail Buyers: Stocking outdoor-friendly fragrance solutions like No-Mess Fragrance Tarts and Essential Oils gives your customers the tools to elevate their spring and summer adventures. Think beyond the candle aisle—curate displays for camping gear, outdoor dining, and patio decor.
Lori Herr for Belle Aroma® Brand