Kitchen team musings

by Sandy Schaloske, prep cook

Being two of the first three up every morning at Shadow Lake Lodge is a part of the privilege of being on the kitchen team! As prep cook, I start every day by making a fresh batch of muffins for breakfast. Faze, as chef, starts in on hot breakfast. We are both grateful when the lodge manager pours us each a cup of coffee!

As we move on in our day, we each choose & collaborate to create the good eats for the day’s guests. This is one of my own recipes that has gotten rave reviews from both staff & guests alike. The look of joy of our service team’s faces as they figure out what’s in the oven, makes me giggle:

SANDY’S PEANUT BUTTER + M&M COOKIES

• 1⁄2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

• 1⁄2 cup sugar

• 1/2 cup butter

• 1 egg

• 1 cup peanut butter

• 1⁄2 tsp Sea Salt (Grinder)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 cup flour plus 1/2 cup extra (add the extra flour if your peanut butter is heavy in oil)

• 1⁄2 tsp baking soda

• 1 cup coarsely chopped peanut M&M’s

PREPARATION

• Preheat oven to 350° F (175° C).

• Cream butter and both sugars. Add egg and beat well.

• Beat in peanut butter, salt, and vanilla extract.

• Add flour and baking soda. Beat until smooth. Add chocolate.

• Roll cookies into 1" balls. Place on Sheet Pan lined with Sheet Pan Liner, and press flat.

• Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until lightly golden.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Per serving (1 cookie): Calories 140, Fat 9 g (Saturated 3.5 g, Trans 0.1 g), Cholesterol 15mg, Sodium 105 mg, Carbohydrate 14 g (Fibre 1 g, Sugars 9 g), Protein 3 g.

Of course one can’t survive on baking alone!

Here’s one of our staff’s favourites from Faze’s many delicious kitchen creations:

FAZE’S CURRY SAUCE

Photo by Xaviere Schneider

• 1/2 yellow onion, chopped fine

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 tsp curry powder

• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder

• 1 tsp ginger powder

• 1 TBSP tomato paste

• 1 cup 35% heavy cream

• 1 cup crushed tomatoes

• 1 TBSP lemon juice

• 1/4 tsp chili powder

PREPARATION

Sauté onions and garlic until translucent. Add spices on low heat, tomato paste and crushed tomatoes. Add heavy cream and, stirring often, keep over medium heat until reduced in volume by half. Add lemon juice to finish. As Faze says, “check-check” and taste, adding salt & pepper as desired. 

Serve over rice, roasted chicken, cauliflower or eggplant, or just dip bread in it or eat it with a spoon…it is that delicious!

The views of the amazing mountains & ever-changing skies accompany our every bite here at Shadow Lake Lodge.  We look forward to having you join us and making your taste buds sing!