Lunch with Liz
Cavatappi & Cheese
A delicious twist on everyone’s favorite comfort food.
Ingredients (40 servings)
- Butter 1 lb
- Flour 1 c
- Milk 3 qts
- American Cheese 4lbs
- Salt 1 T
- Cayenne pepper 1 tsp
- Cavatappi Pasta 1 lb
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta to al dente.
2. Melt butter in the bottom of a large stock pot.
3. Whisk in flour to form a roux; let bubble for a few minutes, whisking occasionally .
4. Slowly add the cold milk, whisking constantly.
5. After milk is completely incorporated, add the salt and cayenne.
6. Add in the American cheese in steps; stir continually until completely melted.
7. Add in the cooked pasta.
8. Transfer to serving pans. If holding, cover and put in a warming oven. Be sure to stir before serving.
Lunch with Liz
Tuscan Chicken Sandwiches
A fresh, savory sandwich that’s perfect for spring and summer meals.
Ingredients
- 4–6 chicken breasts or thighs
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Lemon pepper
- Dried oregano
- Red pepper flakes
-
Bread of choice (Schiacciata (what we use at Camp), ciabatta, or baguette)
- Provolone, mozzarella, or favorite cheese
- Pesto
- Pickled red onions
- Roasted red peppers, sliced
- Arugula or spring mix
Instructions
-
Season the Chicken
Place the chicken in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Season generously with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, lemon pepper, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Mix well to evenly coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight if time allows. -
Cook the Chicken
Preheat a grill, flattop, or skillet over medium‑high heat. Cook the chicken for 4–6 minutes per side, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove from heat and let rest, loosely covered. -
Toast the Bread
Scrape down or deglaze the cooking surface if needed, then add a bit of oil or butter. Toast the bread until warm with lightly crisped edges. -
Assemble the Sandwiches
While the bread is still warm, add a slice of cheese to each piece. Top with grilled chicken (sliced if desired), a spoonful of pesto, pickled red onions, roasted red peppers, and a handful of arugula or spring mix. -
Serve Warm and Enjoy!
Optional Sides
- Greek Fries: Regular fries tossed with Greek seasoning and finished with feta cheese
- Kettle Chips
- Tomato Soup: Roast fresh tomatoes, peppers, onion, and garlic with olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, and thyme. Blend with chicken or vegetable stock, then simmer with fresh basil until warmed through.
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Paddle it Forward Reflection 3
For a number of years, the September canoe trip began and ended at Tuscarora Lodge, owned by former Wilderness staffers Andy and Susan Ahrendt. Often I would call Sue and ask for recommendations on where we should go that year.
In 2007 her immediate response was to tell me that the water was unseasonably high and we should consider taking the Frost River.
I had been on the Frost a few years before with the youth from my church in Racine. Ryan Larson was our guide that year and urged us to take the Frost. Even though the Frost River winds its way through a swamp, the valley itself is incredibly beautiful.
I remember two special things from that trip. First, as we departed Frost Lake and headed north weaving our way through the swampy path, Kristin, who was in the bow of my canoe began to whine as she was forced to step out onto a spongy bog to get through. As a pastor who always promised my kids they would never confuse me with Jesus on a canoe trip, I said, “ Kristin, don’t piss me off today”. The others heard it and that became the phrase for the rest of the trip. When we got back they presented me with a cap which had a canoe on the front and the words Don’t Piss Me Off on the back. I spent three years going on trips with that same marvelous group of kids.
The other thing I remember is that in the middle of the Frost is a portage, about 40 or 50 rods that has an uncommonly steep rise right in the middle of the portage with some tricky footing as one descends. When we got to that point, there stood Ryan at the top saying, “let’s just pass these canoes down, should we?” Many guides would have simply let the group gut it through. It wasn’t overly difficult. But we were also probably 2+ days from a road head. I had always respected Ryan. What makes a great guides is not machismo, but care for the group and knowing where you are.
As to the September trip, 2007 was the second year five of us had been together. This year it was just the five of us. Usually we loved to have a Wilderness guide with us, mostly to keep us in touch with what was going on in the life of the camp.
The five of us became the constants, the core of the group for the next several years and friends for life.
We put in at the Cross River, made it down to Frost Lake where we had a good bout of rain and then headed up the Frost River on a cloudy day. And yes, the water was high. We had to search for many of the portage entrances, sometimes having to wade through running water to get to them. We even managed to take a 10 rod portage into a wrong lake…whoops.
The day got long. The sun never came out and we never made it to Little Sag as we had planned. We ended up camping on a small lake, (Clove?)toward the end of the river. Still nestled in a beautiful valley, dog tired but feeling that peace had wrapped its arms around us, we sat for the longest time laughing and talking. I think that was a signature moment in our group building which extended far beyond a canoe trip.
We spent a night on Little Sag….waded though more water to get to Tuscarora Lake. Encouraged each other over the 480 rod portage out of Tuscarora. After the celebratory moment of finishing Tuscarora , you sort of forget that the portage from Missing Link into Round is no cupcake either.
We didn’t care….we were having fun.
Paz, Jeff
Paddle It Forward Reflection 2
Make no mistake…I love the Boundary Waters beyond measure…so many of the great things that have happened in my life have happened there.
At the same time, I have always said that if the BWCA is the church…Quetico Provincial Park is the cathedral. Farther removed from population centers it gets about one third the traffic of the BWCA and has remained remarkably pristine.
In 2002 seven of us ventured into Quetico, heading from Saganaga Lake to Lake Kawnipi. Kawnipi is a 15 mile long lake which connects the Fall’s Chain to the Poet’s Chain on the great Hunter’s Island circle. But like a spider it also has many legs (not sure there are 8) which branch off from the main body.
That year we took one of those spider legs and branched off to the east toward MacKenzie Lake, a place rich in native history where we spent a splendid night of peaceful existence and joy.
The next day we headed north into Ferguson Lake, a beautiful lake which felt entirely off the grid. From there our plan was to portage from Ferguson to the Cache River and then head back west into Kawnipi.
The Ferguson portage was far more than we expected. I want to say it was 200-300 rods which went through a swamp. At one point, Patty Peters sunk up to her knee in muck and had to remove her pack to get unstuck. Thankfully she tied her shoes well or we would still be trying to retrieve her boot.
When we finally got to the end of the portage (a few days later we encountered a Canadian forest service group who told us that portaged had been closed), we thought we had arrived.
The map indicated 2 or 3 small portages, perhaps even lift overs, which would lead us back to Kawnipi. But the water was low and so 2 or 3 quickly became 10 or 12. We also got a strong rainstorm which complicated everything.
After a long, long afternoon we finally made it back to Kawnipi. We thought we had arrived!!
Kristen Nielsen was in the bow as we exited the portage. Suddenly she turned around and said, “There is no water in this bay”
Well, there was water, about 6 inches to a foot of water. For well over an hour we slogged through one of those spider legs of Kawnipi, rarely getting anything that amounted to a full stroke.
Finally, finally we got enough water to paddle freely. We arrived at the wide part of Kawnipi just as darkness fell.
Les Miller thought he remembered a campsite across the lake. He set a compass as we traversed in what seemed like total darkness.
Somehow we hit that campsite right on the money. We scurried to set up tents and dinner amounted to hot chocolate and Lipton noodle soup.
It was one of those days on the trail for which no one ever plans. It demands more of one’s stamina than you think is in you. It taxes your heart and soul. It is what makes you grow, not only as an individual but as a blessed community.
After that, the trip was filled with joy. We laughed a lot and sang hymns in four part at trail lunch.
Paz, Jeff
Paddle it Forward Reflection 1
Celebrating my 25 consecutive September canoe trips into the Boundary Waters, inspired by a $25k challenge grant, I promised to do some reflections on those 25 years. My hope is that it will rekindle your own blessed times of being in the wilderness.
Most of the reflections will involve little glimpses of beauty, and friendships and holy moments.
This first one will be a little longer….the story of how it all began.
It was just a few days after the awful events of 9-11 when we embarked on a journey around Hunter’s Island in Quetico , an historic route of the voyageurs.
Having spent six summers on staff at Wilderness and then bringing young people from the churches where I was a pastor over a 20 year span, I was invited by Jim Wiinanen to accompany some of the principal staff at both Wilderness and Wapogasset as a kind of get to know you (wonder if this proposed marriage will work) time.
In a world rocked by the tragic events of 9-11, we wondered if we should cancel the trip altogether were it not for some key folks who encouraged us to go. Six of us, Joel Rogness and Larissa Gothschalk from Wilderness, Tim Knutson and Peter Tonn from Wapo along with Jim Wiinanen and I set out, not really knowing what the world would look like when we returned.
In no small way, along with our packs we carried much of the world’s angst in our hearts and minds. At the same time, as it often does the wilderness offered a measure of peace and freedom for which our weary souls longed desperately.
We had 8 days to complete that journey, which meant we had to rise early and paddle late every day. I thank Jim Wiinanen for making sure we took the time to visit pictographs, marvel at the changing fall colors, take a detour through a swamp, get within 20 ft of a bull moose swimming as we exited a portage.
We were blessed with remarkably placid waters through much of the trip, which made the long days more than manageable. When we got to Basswood Lake, thinking that a prevailing west wind might carry us home through Knife Lake and up the Ottertrack, everything changed.
As we entered Basswood, there was a driving rain storm which forced us to take shelter on the Canadian side. The rain subsided but the temperature began to drop and our last big paddle days were into the face of a stiff east wind. We paddled across a two mile stretch of Basswood against two foot waves and not even the dot of an island to offer relief. Even though I knew every one of my companions would risk their lives to rescue a capsized canoe, swamping was not an option.
The trip across Knife and up the Ottertrack posed no danger but it was a tough slog against the wind. As we paddled up the Ottertrack, one could begin to feel a change in the air. The clouds above began to play games and suddenly the wind began to shift again. We took a good while exploring the place where Benny Ambrose had lived and then headed for Monument Portage.
One never knows what you will find when you emerge onto Saganaga Lake. Wind is usually a factor one way or the other. It is sort of like Lake Superior. You take what it gives you.
On this day, remarkably, Big Sag was perfectly placid. We brought the three canoe together and sat in the stillness for over an hour, looking into Cache Bay where the journey had begun 8 days ago. Jim read us something the Sigurd Olson had written about Saganaga as it captured the heart of the wilderness.
As we sat there in silence for a good while in that holy space, I looked over at Larissa as she whispered , “ I made it…”
It wasn’t about covering the miles of that incredible journey. It wasn’t about putting up with 5 male companions for a whole week. It wasn’t about having escaped from a world reeling.
It was about finding the center of her soul again.
It’s why she came.
It’s why we all come back to the wilderness.
Paz, Jeff Barrow