There is a yearning in the human spirit to find companionship, fellowship, a sense of community, and the basic need to eat. It is even better if that meal is shared, but not just the meal, the creation of it, and the joy of working with your hands to make something greater than the sum of its parts, maybe even the foundation for hospitality. That is the nexus of Lakeside Cooks.
On an unseasonably warm Saturday afternoon in late January, 10 fearless adventurers assembled to prepare a meal, acquire some new skills, meet new people, and laugh together. Two tasks lay before them, prepare a meal with dessert to share, and prepare a meal to cook later.
The Recipes:
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- Chicken & Dumplings
- Double Cherry Crumble
- Pot Roast Stew
Please follow the links above for a complete recipe of each dish.
- Chicken & Dumplings
The crew jumped in with excited trepidation and soon the kitchen was filled with the sounds of knives on chopping boards, whisks whisking, pots bubbling, conversation, and laughter. Before long, pans of Pot Roast Stew fixings were filled and sealed for a later meal.
Chicken and Dumplings were up next. Bone-in chicken pieces were lowered into pots to partially cook before being submerged in boiling swirling broth and veggies. As this brew assimilated all its components into an olfactory delight, dough was being formed, kneaded, and rolled out, to create hand-made dumplings. The flattened mixture was sliced into squares and carefully dropped into the swirling bubbling pot to keep them from sticking.
Last, but certainly not least, Double Cherry Crumble ingredients were combined into a large aluminum pan and topped with a delicious combination of oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter. A quick trip into a waiting oven and then voilà, it was time to savor the fruits of their labor.
A gracious table was set and the team jumped in to a well-deserved and well prepared meal of Chicken & Dumplings, followed by dessert of Double Cherry Crumble à la mode.
A good time was had by all and we look forward to what new adventures await in future installments of Lakeside Cooks.
Until then, Bon appétit!
The team assembled.
