Three Iconic Heritage Foods

Photo Credit: Mette Nielsen Remember the year the New York Times dubbed Minnesota land of Grape Salad in its Thanksgiving issue? In response to “Grapegate” we showcased our honest, long-standing, delicious heritage foods that reflect our region’s bounty. Here are just three old favorites for today’s table. Lefse with Smoked Trout Lefse, the delicate, potato … Continued

Why Sustainable Turkey Matters

Not all turkeys are birds are of the same feather. To get the highest quality best-tasting turkey for your Thanksgiving table, let sustainability be your guide star. Choose a local, free-range turkey raised by a farmer who cares about the animals, the environment, and the people who work on the farm. Fresh local turkeys taste … Continued

Exploring Your Roots + Maple Mustard Glaze Recipe

Photo Credit: Mette Nielsen When it comes to fall vegetables, I root for those parsnips, kohlrabi, rutabagas, and celery root. Unlike the delicate garden vegetables of summer–sweet peas, vine ripe tomatoes, tender lettuces–kale or cabbage don’t need to be enjoyed right away. Fall is a relaxed season for any cook; nature’s way of acknowledging that … Continued

5 Ideas for In-Season Corn

Photo Credit: Mette Nielsen Finally! It’s corn season–the golden taste of summer itself. Nothing beats the delicious messiness of corn on the cob, except of course, the ease and elegance of delicate corn soup and zesty corn salsa. This time of year, I figure corn into just about every meal from weekend brunch to snacks … Continued

Grilled Corn with Sriracha Mayo

Photo Credit: Mette Nielsen This simple grilled backyard BBQ favorite gets a nice kick from the chili-spiked Sriracha mayonnaise. Add more or less chili sauce to taste! Serves 4 to 8   Ingredients ¼ cup good quality prepared mayonnaise 1 to 2 tablespoons Sriracha chili sauce, to taste* 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice 8 ears … Continued

Polenta with Corn, Fresh Tomatoes and Ricotta Salata

Photo Credit: Mette Nielsen Top crisped slices of pan-fried polenta with a quick mix of tangy tomatoes, briny olives, fresh fennel, sweet corn. Crumbly, salty ricotta salata is the finishing touch. This makes great use of leftover polenta or use prepared polenta in tubes from the pasta aisle. Serves 4 to 8   Ingredients 3 … Continued

Spicy Corn Tostados with Señoras de Salsa

Photo Credit: Mette Nielsen Tostados are like open faced tacos loaded with a variety of fresh seasonal vegetables, cheeses and sometimes, chicken, beef, or pork. Here we’ve layered on spiced black beans, bell pepper and corn along with the lively heat of chipotle salsa (Señoras de Salsa). This makes great use of any leftover cooked … Continued

Corny Corn Bread with Tomatillo Salsa

Photo Credit: Mette Nielsen Sweet nubs of fresh corn add texture and freshness to this rich cornbread. It gets a bright color and a lively kick from tomatillo salsa (we used Senoras de Salsa Verde). If you’re in a pinch, use a good quality corn bread mix. No need to cook the corn kernels in … Continued

Creamy Cream-Free Fresh Corn Soup

Photo Credit: Mette Nielsen This bright, light corn soup is creamy tasting, but cream-free. It gets its rich corny flavor from the corn stock. Serve this with plenty of fresh basil as soon as it’s ready. Serves 4 to 6   Ingredients 10 ears corn, shucked 1 tablespoon coconut or vegetable oil 1 small yellow … Continued