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First international meal well received at Chinook Center

Ginger Hansen recently became Director of the Chinook Senior Center. Last week she helped facilitate the first "international meal" at the Center. She explained, "I wanted to shake things up a bit with some new dishes and different taste experiences for our diners."

The first international menu was Greek, a salute to Mary Pyette who is a regular at the Center for meals and activities. Mary's never bashful about sharing her Greek heritage from language to the baklava she brings regularly to share with folks at the Center. Ginger said, "I thought Greek food would be a good start, a way to honor Mary's Greek heritage."

The menu was chicken souvlaki, orzo salad, skewered vegetables and lemon yogurt cake for dessert. Ginger said, "The Center cooks did a great job preparing the chicken dish, vegetables and salad. Souvlaki is basically meat on a stick. Orzo salad features orzo ( a 'short-cut' pasta) with "bright tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, herbs and tangy feta (white) cheese tossed in a lemon vinaigrette dressing."

Ginger, already known locally for her catering and baking fancy cakes, made the lemon yogurt cake. Cake made with yogurt tends to be very moist and Ginger's cake was drizzled with honey slowly simmered with cinnamon sticks and whole cloves. Ginger explained after the long simmer the cinnamon are strained out of the mixture leaving the rich, sweet flavor.

Of the Greek lunch Director Hansen said, "The dinner was well attended and diners seemed to enjoy the diversity of an international meal." She announced the next international was "Italian" with lasagna as the feature of the meal servedon Tuesday, July 25.

If you want to enjoy upcoming meals be certain to reserve ahead of time by phone to the Center.