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Blogs / yum! / Summer 2010 / Eternal summer camp

yum!

A blog about food

Eternal summer camp

After two weeks of storing my belongings, boarding my dog and couch-surfing until my new house closed, I am yet to settle into my new home. My stuff is still in boxes. I am in a new town in the Valley, with a new yard for my dog to mark as his territory. A new roommate. New creaks and croaks of a house to learn. And a new kitchen to settle into. With all this uproar, it seems my life has been consumed with the Right Now, and I feel I have missed a few things around the Valley. Sure, I have done a symphony. But ONE when I should have done them all. And I've managed a handful of hikes, but why didn’t I do it every day and discover some new gems?
 

Sitting down to write this blog, I finally realized what I am longing for in all this: I miss camp. Two whole weeks (for some lucky kiddos, it was the whole summer!) of days completely packed full of fun—reveling in the popularity and cool of being the ping-pong master, meeting new friends while catching up with old ones, indulging my crushes on counselors, getting the royal beat-down days later at pong and losing said cool and embracing mudslides while exploring lakes and mountains. The shenanigans of summer camp litter my childhood memories much like my still-boxed belongings in my new garage.
 

Thinking about my days and activities at Strong River and YMCA camp, I realize the similarities between them and the outdoor fun available in the Valley. I think it is why so many of us live here. And we joke about it, but still all know someone that has the Peter Pan syndrome (embracing it fully and with wild abandon). And thinking about it, why shouldn’t they?! The Wood River Valley is like the end-all, be-all summer camp. It has it all for anyone looking for it, which is probably why visitors flock here in untold numbers. As locals, we are lucky to get the views and outdoor-love every time we walk out of our abodes.
 

And just like when I was in summer camp (except nearly 20 years later), I received a package from my mom yesterday. She was always great at sending mail filled with fun little "happies" as I like to call them. In her most recent adult care package, I found the "Taste of Home: BACON" edition (Thanks mom! You know me well). Not only does it have, and I quote, "78 Sizzlin’ Ways to Eat Bacon," it also has a bonus section of "bacon-wrapped everything." Just amazing. I loved the recipes I tried on the grill while setting up some group outdoor fun. Bocce and croquette anyone?
 

Bacon-Pecan Stuffed Mushrooms

This recipe is by Beverly Pierce. Page 29. Taste of Home, Bacon Issue, August 2010. I threw it all down on the grill instead and it was awesome.

 

• One Pound large fresh ‘shrooms

• 4 T butter, divided

• 2 T canola oil

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion

• 1 cup soft bread crumbs

• 6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

• 2 tablespoons chopped pecans

• 2 tablespoons sherry or beef broth

• 2 tablespoons sour cream

• 2 tablespoons minced chives

 

Remove the mushroom stems (discard or save for another recipe/use). In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons butter and oil over medium-high heat. Sauté the mushroom caps for 2 minutes on each side, spring with salt. Remove with a slotted spoon to paper towels. In the same skillet, sauté onion in remaining butter until tender. Remove from the heat; stir in the remaining ingredients. Spoon into the caps. Place on a broiler pan; broil 5 inces from the heat for 2-3 minutes or until filling is browned. Serve warm.