Cookbook Club: November

There are many pros and cons to living in every city, but one of the great things about living in the Midwest is the abundance of camping options. Affordable, scenic, safe, and close to the city, these spots are perfect for a quick getaway! Just a 45-minute drive away, my friends and I decided to camp for the weekend at St. Francois State Park. We found the perfect spot at the far end of the park, surrounded by trees and a small clearing for our tent and hammock! Since we were all together in November, we decided to hold our cookbook club meeting in the woods.

Episode 3: Under the Stars

Though it took a while to prepare the meal, the hard work paid off! After locating a gas station that sold firewood and setting up camp, it was finally fire time. My sister and I were the first to arrive at the campsite, and we both had extensive experience with "intense" camping throughout our childhood—think hiking 15 miles and setting up camp with only what we could carry in our backpacks. So, car camping felt like a vacation, except for the task of making the fire. That was definitely work. After several failed attempts with tiny flames and smoke trials, we finally got the fire going with the classic log cabin method (if you know, you know). While we waited for the rest of the group to arrive, we couldn't resist preparing the appetizer—luckily, it was my dish this month!

Rustic Charcuterie

You might be wondering, what makes a cheese platter rustic? Is it flannel doilies? Barrel-aged wine? Moose silhouettes? Not quite. For me, rustic meant no platter, and the baguette was cooked over the fire, speared on a stick like a marshmallow. I wanted to keep it simple for a night in the woods, and it ended up being a hit! I paired the fire-charred French baguette with cranberry cinnamon goat cheese and seedless green grapes. Easy, yet effective. Sometimes, basic foods can pave the way to a more fulfilling meal. There’s nothing wrong with simplicity that works!

When our friends arrived, the meal continued with angel hair pasta and cherry tomato sauce cooked over the campfire, s’mores martinis, and banana pound cake drizzled with warm coffee caramel.

We spent the rest of the night by the fire, catching up on the weeks that had passed, until our four bundles of wood turned to glowing embers. As the November chill started to settle in and we considered moving to the tent, I looked up at the sky. Although the stars were mostly hidden by clouds, the moon made up for it, casting a cool, calming light that illuminated our entire campsite. We didn’t need headlamps! The rest of the night was spent playing games in the tent, bundled in sleeping bags. The tent was strung with purple twinkle lights, creating a nostalgic feeling that took me back to high school sleepovers. Even the pancakes and bacon the next morning felt like a continuation of that special time.

The next morning was spent cooking breakfast and drinking fire-heated coffee to fuel up for a quick hike. The best part? I didn’t have to make the fire this time—my friend Heidi took over! The trail was beautiful, with the trees still holding onto some apricot-colored leaves, but the ground was covered in fallen leaves, making our journey a bit tricky. With the trail partially obscured and the signs minimal, we started to lose our way. So, we decided to turn around rather than risk needing the emergency trail markers for a helicopter rescue!

Forest Bathing

Have you ever heard of forest bathing? I just recently learned the term, and I think it perfectly describes a serene practice. Forest bathing is essentially immersing yourself in nature, and it’s become a respected concept after scientists discovered its mental, physical, and spiritual benefits. After returning from this short but rejuvenating trip, I could definitely feel those benefits. The soft breeze, dancing embers, and endless conversation with friends were just what I needed.

Life is a beautiful thing.