Kitchen Notebook: Quick-cooking beef stew is big hit

Cooking, especially with friends, can be a joyful and heartwarming experience. "I have created a lot of fun memories with my friends," said Axelle Anadja. "I love being with them as I chop, mince, and sauté the foods."

Sierra Mernick, who is training for the Broad Street Run, said: "The food has been consistently good and I have learned a lot about cooking and the proper methods of preparing. Cooking from scratch is a much healthier way to eat." - Michelle Taplinger, Lauren Molish

Ding ding ding! We have a winner! This week's meal hit a home run. They thoroughly enjoyed everything and were pleasantly surprised by how delicious the homemade ranch dressing was. Alyssa Hudnell was a pro at sautéing the beef and onions, even sneaking in a light sprinkle of chili powder. When she tried a spoonful of the broth while it was still simmering, the look of surprise on her face at how good it tasted was priceless!

- Maureen Barrett and Mariann Owens

"The stew is juicy!" Lailah Gaymom exclaims. "It's a little salty but delicious," is how Gianna Pino-Ramseur described the beef stew, while Samantha Linares thinks the beef is "a little dry." Téa, after a teary onion-cutting session, said the veggies in the soup were, "great and crunchy." Their favorite meal so far!

- Welcome Furber, Irene Cabrelli

It was surprising to transform nutritious ingredients like potatoes, carrots, onions, and beef into a complex beef stew in under one hour! Since the stew was such a quick-cooking recipe, the meat was flavorful and delicious but a touch chewy. We talked about the "low and slow" method of cooking, but the convenience of this quick-cooking stew really could not be beat!

- Stacey Polsky

Everyone wondered about the homemade ranch. "This tastes just like the real thing!" cried Sauliayah Hammond. We all nodded in agreement as we stuffed the fresh veggies into our mouths. "But it is a whole lot healthier," assured teacher Samantha Liesner. By the time the stew was done, all the veggies and dip were gone. "Wow, I have never seen students eat so many vegetables before," said Keisha Howard.

- Samantha Liesner, Keisha Howard