Cooking up something special

NEW MADRID, Mo. —Karen House has a favorite photo. It is a picture of her at about 2 years old standing on a stool in the family kitchen. Even then, she said, she liked to cook.

“I was always right there in the kitchen with my grandmother and my mother,” she recalled. “We would create recipes, nickname them. We canned. We did everything.”

Now, House is back in the kitchen. In July, she was named head cook for the New Madrid Nutrition Center, 925 Pinnell Lane.

According to House, her new job combines her many interests.

She has worked in restaurants and over the years baked cakes for friends. However her primary career was in social work with the state of Missouri

After her retirement, a friend approached her about the job as head cook in New Madrid. She said yes.

“I have been in social work for over 30 years so it is in my blood to provide a service to the community and the individuals that can benefit from the Nutrition Center are just close to my heart,” she said. “This is their place, their social hour and hopefully it is a good meal at least once a day.”

The Nutrition Center provides a well-balanced meal to either eat in or carry out for those age 60 and older Mondays through Fridays. Hot meals are delivered to Matthews every Tuesday and Thursday and frozen meals are delivered from the New Madrid Center to the homebound in New Madrid, Howardville, Lilbourn and Marston as well.

House said there are guidelines she must follow as far as nutrition, portion sizes and spices when preparing meals. Each meal is designed to offer a protein, two vegetables, fruit, grains and milk.

“They keep telling me to do what I want but I want to do what the community wants. So I am always asking them: “Did you like it? Did it have enough of this or enough of that? Or what would you like different?’ Slowly we are going to make a few changes,” House said.

She has made a few of her own tweaks to the menu. Her chocolate cake is a hit and her meatloaf earned rave reviews.

She has many of her grandmother’s recipes that she wants to try.

“And I am looking forward to the holiday cooking because that is where I rock,” House added with a grin.

John Travis, who serves as assistant area supervisor and oversees the Nutrition Centers at Caruthersville, Portageville and New Madrid, said in the few weeks that House has been on staff she is making a difference.

“We have had a number of compliments on her food, her personality and how kind she has been to everybody. We really lucked out when she decided she would come work for us,” he said. “We are extremely happy to have her here and excited to see what she will bring to the Center going forward.”

Although much of her time in the first few weeks was spent in the kitchen, House said she is now able to spend more time meeting those who come into the Center. She is interested in bringing in additional activities for the seniors to enjoy before and after their meals.

Currently the New Madrid Center hosts bingo twice a month. A group of domino players regularly gather for games as well.

Pointing to the piano sitting in the corner, House said she is in hopes of having it tuned and filling the room with music. She has discussed adding crafts and card games with some of those at the Center as well.

“My goal is to see these tables full of people eating, enjoying themselves and filling this room with conversation,” House said. “The amount of knowledge that would be at each one of these tables would be astronomical.”

She knows the goal won’t be easy. Currently nutrition centers across the region are facing budget cuts. House also worries that many people aren’t aware of the New Madrid Nutrition Center.

She pointed out the menus offer a wide variety, ample servings and all at a great price. For those age 60 and over a $4 donation is suggested for each meal. Those 59 and under who are guests of those 60 and over are encouraged to make a $6 donation for their meal.

House urges people to stop in for lunch.

“We welcome the community. I would like see eligible business people and others in the community come in for a meal and ask questions,” she said. “Come see what we are all about and bring a friend.”