As August 1st rolled around, a new group of tenants moved into my small apartment building in Detroit. Last night, my roommate and I heard a soft knock on our door. It was our new downstairs neighbor, apron donned, holding a bowl of still steaming, hot food. The gesture was small, yet extremely impactful. That simple offering of food said, “Nice to meet you”, “I hope we can be friends”, and “I’ll look out for you”, all at once. Food is an extremely humanizing experience, one that everyone can relate to and share in. No wonder some of Jesus’ most memorable moments were centered around food (the Last Supper, feeding the 5,000, water into wine, etc.).

This notion holds at camp, as campers gather in the lodge three times a day for some delicious meals. Meal times allow campers to re-fuel and get to know fellow campers better. The sense of community fostered at meal times would not be possible without Hoan, camp’s amazing chef. Hoan puts love and care into every meal she cooks for campers, from taco night to breakfast burritos. As a former counselor, I have fond (almost cathartic) memories of diving into a pile of mashed potatoes with my corn mixed in. The smorgasbord that is spaghetti night (spaghetti, broccoli, garlic bread, and brownies!) is enough to bring someone to happy tears. This week, we get the inside scoop on some of Hoan’s most loved camp recipes. Bon appetit!

-Elspeth Muzzin

Mashed Potatoes (Serves 5 people)

Ingredients:

  • 3 pounds Idaho potatoes
  • 1 stick butter
  • 2 tbsp sour cream
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/3 cup of milk (optional for creamy potatoes)

Directions:

  • Peel and dice potatoes into big cubes
  • Boil until soft (stick toothpick into potato to see)
  • Strain and mash everything together

French Toast (Serves 4 people)

Ingredients:

  • 8 pieces of white bread
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 tbsp of brown sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • powdered sugar
  • butter

Directions:

  • In a large bowl add the eggs, brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon together. Mix together
  • Soak the bread into the bowl
  • Butter the pan
  • Cook bread until golden brown on each side
  • Plate
  • Lightly coat with powdered sugar to serve