Cooking Clubs are the New Book Clubs

The inventor of the Book Club was definitely onto something. Women (and men rather) decide on a book most likely from Oprah’s book club list, read it and then have a get together to discuss the book. Let’s talk about how to discuss these books shall we? Usually everyone involved brings food to the host’s house and wine is supplied. The members sit around the table or living room and then… eat and drink. Usually not much of the book is discussed if any at all. Now, your book club could vary greatly from the ones I’ve been involved in but this is what I’ve experienced.

Surely, I love reading and most definitely read the book but never actually sat down to discuss it. The club is purely an excuse for people to get together to have a nice leisurely night to consume delicious food and flowing wine. What is always discussed usually involves the food that is eaten, recipes used and whether we prefer Pinot Noir or Merlot.

   A friend of mine had a fabulous idea to create a Cooking Club and to forget about the Book Club all together. The premise is quit simple and can be adjusted to whatever the group decides. Our Cooking Club (which needs a hip name by the way) meets once a month rotating houses throughout the group. The host is responsible for preparing and purchasing dinner and drinks (depending on the group it may be cost affective if attendees each brought a bottle of wine or such). The host can either prepare the food ahead of time or cook in front of the guests giving them a mini lesson, think Rachel Ray minus the annoying voice and acronyms. Recipes are available for each guest to take home at the end of the night and they leave having learned a delicious and simple recipe to make for their family. The host should make something that is a favorite of theirs that they have made before. This wouldn’t be the best time to experiment with something unfamiliar or very difficult. Attendee’s can also help prepare the food along the way.

Here is a recipe for you to go away with and make at your next Cooking Club. This recipe belongs to my friend Lisa who hosted our last event.

Caramelized Onion Chicken/ Salmon

1 pound Chicken or Salmon

½ tps. Salt

¼ tps. Pepper

Olive Oil

1 ½ sliced onion

1 clove of garlic minced

½ cup seedless raspberry jam

1 Tbs. red wine vinegar

1 tps. Low sodium soy sauce

½. tps Dried Rosemary

Coat chicken with salt and pepper and cook in olive oil on medium heat until done. Juices will run clear and chicken will read 165 degrees. In the same pan cook the onions and garlic until caramelized (low heat for 30-45 minutes). They will be sticky and nice and light brown. Add jam, vinegar, soy sauce and rosemary whisking continuously and serve atop of the chicken or salmon.

 

Food is love, xoxo Jami's Delish Kitch

for more recipes please check out my personal blog

www.jamisdelishkitch.blogspot.com