Culinary Fun

Culinary Fun is one of the more pleasurable activities at Camp because campers get to eat their accomplishments!  Campers also get to pick their own herbs and spices from the Culinary Fun garden – like rosemary for our focchia, basil for our sauces and, especially pesto sauce, parsley for our meatballs and oregano to put into our fresh salads a la Sicilianno – with plenty of garden tomatoes, red onions, basil (again), virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar.  Of course, there are the customary pizza, cinnamon and marzipan cookies and garlic knots that remain highly popular.

Smack!  I lick my fingers when I think of all the delicious times.  In addition to becoming an Adirondack Camp Chef, those campers who learn the recipes, set a proper table, follow all the “safety-in-kitchen” directions and exhibit good table manners by, among other polite mannerisms, not gobbling up their works in less than thirty seconds – will an Excellence Award in Culinary Fun.  The Chef’s Hat Award is given to those campers who, additionally, take care of their workspace by demonstrating good prep and cleanup techniques.  Our highest award – the Adirondack Pizza Paddle – is awarded to one of the campers who has earned a Chef’s Hat and who had demonstrated the greatest enthusiasm and “kitchen respect”  in the course of cooking and eating his masterpieces. 

When parents visit during the summer they have a chance to sample the food their children make -- during a reception at the home of the owners. New Culinary Fun Cookbook’s are published each Fall and sent out to all our Adirondack families. 

Psst!  Here is one of the favorites, when it comes to cookie recipes – the one and only Adirondack Thimble Cookie…. 

Ingredients: 

¼ lb. butter

1 C sugar

2 C flour

¼ lb. margarine

2 egg yolks

1 tsp. vanilla

your favorite jam

mixing bowl

cookie sheet 

Directions: 

1. In a bowl thoroughly mix softened butter & margarine

2. Gradually add sugar and beat till light & fluffy

3. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition

4. Add flour & vanilla and mix well

5. Shape mix with your hands into little balls and place on cookie sheet 2 inches apart.

6. Using the tip of your finger, make a little dimple in the top of the balls. Fill with favorite jam.