The award-winning Kuskokwim Consortium Library in Bethel hosted a cooking class where participants learned how to prepare and cook delicious meals and desserts using dutch ovens outdoors. Students were invited to learn how to spice up their camp cooking repertoire and were taught by Kuskokwim Consortium Library Director Theresa Quiner.
The Gourmet Dutch Oven class participants made melt in your mouth Alaska Berry Cobbler, dreamy quiche, two different kinds of pizzas that drew oohs and aahs, filling corned beef hash and fried eggs that were cooked on the flipped lid of one of the dutch ovens, and tasty sesame soy camp greens – all the recipes were provided by Quiner and were a success. All the food was quickly eaten up by the hungry students as soon as they were done.
The group met on May 20th, 2023 at the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center to first learn how to safely handle a hot dutch oven, how to meal prep, and how to use hot coals to heat the ovens so that the food could cook properly. The actual cooking took place behind the library building. The day was perfect for outdoor cooking and everyone enjoyed the camp-like setting and company.
Dutch oven kits are available for check out at the library for folks who would like to try gourmet outdoor cooking at home or at fish camp.
The Kuskowkim Consortium Library is one of eight recipients of 2023 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities. The library hosts many community programs for all ages and interests, classes, educational outreach, seasonal activities, and is a supportive partner to help improve the safety net for vulnerable populations in Bethel.
For more library programs, check out our website!