Crazy Cooking

Whenever Kathe and I get together to cook, there’s an energy in the kitchen that verges on frenzy. We don’t cook together often enough so we try to get as much done as possible when we do. Yesterday was no exception. I came with a bag in each hand and with my toddler holding onto the tip of my pinky. Our agenda was ambitious — pumpkin bread to donate to the upcoming Food Pantry Easter Basket event, chicken tenders to freeze for family dinners, and for an added challenge, a dozen “bonus” empenadas. With five pounds of raw chicken sitting on the counter top, there was no time to kick back and contemplate how to get the task done. We dove in full force. I took on the job of breading and frying the chicken, playing bouncy ball with my toddler as he ran in and out of the kitchen, and Kathe handled the bread baking. It was a productive and crazy two hours as I literally ran out the door with 14 loaves of pumpkin bread, 2 dozen mini muffins and 2 gallon bags filled with chicken tenders. Crazy yet gratifying cooking!