By Jori Hanna | Echo
The sound of forks hitting plates, the murmur of intentional community and the wafting mixtures of various foods. Welcome to the Hodson Dining Commons, where one can eat as much as they want as long as they don't leave. Creative Dining Services recently chose to host a family recipe contest. The winners of this contest had their recipes featured in the Home Kitchen section of the DC. On Sept. 22, I had the pleasure of trying them all.
Breakfast: Baked French Toast
Rating (out of 5): 5
For breakfast, I had the absolute pleasure of eating some incredible Baked French Toast, submitted by freshman Lily Walter. Between the perfect consistency and the hint of cinnamon, this breakfast dissolved in my mouth without being too hard to cut or chew. I'd definitely eat it again.
]Lunch: Cajun Chicken Pasta
Rating (out of 5): 4
I returned again for a lunch of Cajun Chicken Pasta, submitted by sophomore Rachel Chambers. I admit, I was a little apprehensive for this one, as the word "Cajun" usually indicates more heat than I prefer. So, to cover all my bases, I brought a friend with me who enjoys spicy food. We both agreed this pasta was good. She didn't notice the spice as much, and it wasn't too much spice for me to finish. This pasta was surprisingly creamy and smooth.
I enjoyed it. I'd rate it 4 out of 5, and I would eat it again. However, because of my intolerance of spice, it may not be my first choice. My friend, on the other hand, would definitely eat it again, and thought there was just enough heat.
Dinner: Moroccan Chicken Stew
Rating (out of 5): 5
Finally, after my long day of classes, I settled at a table for dinner. I was incredibly surprised by senior Rachel German's Moroccan Chicken Stew. It was both sweet and savory at the same time, like a party on my tongue. It was sweet in a citrus and honey kind of way, while maintaining the wonderful taste of spiced chicken. Again, I was apprehensive as I smelled it, since a few spices were evident. However, there was no heat as there had been at lunch. The stew managed to maintain the integrity of the crispness of the vegetables without losing its soupy quality. I would eat this dish again in a heartbeat.
Creative Dining Services hopes to host this contest again next year, so if you have a favorite home recipe, yours could be featured as well, and you could have a little taste of home.
