Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Spring Break

Tastebud will be on Spring Break next week (sorry!), but if you have seen our legs lately, you know that some major sun is in order. Not that I even like to sun, but I think I will be doing everyone a service if I try to get a little color on these bright white blights! Besides, traveling to my beloved Southern roots can only inspire the menus to come. So, in a way, YOU will benefit from this trip! Aren't you glad I'm going?

Tastebud will post a new menu next week for orders, delivery on Monday, April 6th!

Sunday, March 22, 2009

FOX 9 Cooking Demo


Hi, All! Here is a link to the cooking demo I did for FOX 9 on Saturday morning, for those that are interested!

FOX 9 Video

Also, for interested parties, both the
Tastebud Cocktail Party + Dinner Party for 12 CD-Roms are available at RedStamp.com!

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Sneak Peek!

A sneak peek of what I'll be cooking at the FOX 9 Studios on Saturday morning. Enjoy!

Sweet Pea + Mint Spread
makes approx. 1 1/2 cups

1 10 oz. bag frozen organic sweet peas, thawed (such as Sno Pac)
1/4c fresh mint leaves

Juice of 1 lemon

Olive oil
Salt + Pepper
Chive Blossoms for garnish (optional)

-Place peas, mint + lemon juice in food processor
-Pulse to incorporate

-With processor on, drizzle in olive oil until desired consistency
-Season with salt + pepper
-Serve atop crostini or crackers + garnish with chive blossoms.

Thanks!



A great big THANK YOU to Stephanie Ash at Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine's Juicebox for such a nice write-up! It's always nice to get a 'Momma holla'! You can see her kind words in the 'Meal Time' section.

In other news, I will be doing a LIVE (that means mistakes can be made, people!) cooking demonstration on Twin Cities FOX 9 this Saturday at 8:45AM (that means even more mistakes!). Check us out if you're not too bleary eyed!


And while we are on the subject, I am scheduled for a cooking demo at the Midtown Global Market on Saturday, April 18th for the Earth Day celebration. Come out and enjoy all of the fun activities for all ages, see lots of cooking demos and learn about local food and ways you can help out Mother Earth! The event is Saturday, April 18 from 11AM-4PM, so plan to enjoy some tasty eats while you are there!

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Cabbage


Cabbage is a wonderful veggie that often gets a bad rap. My family doesn't do a whole lot for St. Paddy's Day (my offer to make green waffles was de-nied by my toddler, as was my request for green clothing, crayons or anything. his current favorite color is blue.), but I did make a darn good cabbage dish for dinner. No formal recipe, just give it a try...


1 small yellow onion, diced
1/2 head large green cabbage, chopped
1 large apple, diced (I used Pink Lady)
olive oil, salt + pepper

saute onion in olive oil until translucent. Add cabbage + apple. Saute, stirring occassionally until you see some browning. Reduce heat, add about 1/4C water, cover and cook until cabbage and apples are just tender. Season with salt + pepper. Great hot or cold!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

A Homemade Life


If you are not familiar with Molly Wizenberg, or her blog Orangette, please become so post haste.

A lyrical writer and excellent photographer, her weekly blog posts make me want to cook even more than I do already! And her column in Bon Appetit is the first thing I read when it makes it's way to my mailbox. Fortunately, she has just come out with her first book, A Homemade Life. I must admit to not having finished it yet (due to an unfortunate shrimp allergy scare in my child...a story for another time!), but I have already baked her Banana Bread with Chocolate and Crystallized Ginger with praise-worthy results! I am hoping that since I did not divulge the source of the recipe to those whose praises I received, I am making amends by announcing it publicly at this time. Forgive me, Molly.

Buy it. You'll love it. And you will be supporting what I hope is more books to come!

Monday, March 9, 2009

La Belle Crepe

My promise to introduce you to La Belle Crepe was briefly interrupted by getting macarooned, but today I make good!

Mon amie and I visited La Belle Crepe for something sweet after our Barrio lunch last week. We had long been desiring to sample their crepes, and the opportunity finally presented itself. And oh, what a crepe! Le Belle Crepe is a charming little creperie tucked into the Medical Arts Building on Nicollet Mall downtown. Created by Alain Lenne, it is a perfect way to transport yourself to Paris on a budget. The menu offers crepes sweet and savory, all in the $2-7 range. Oh, and breakfast crepes are served all day! We shared the banana crepe with Nutella, and it was the perfect ending to our little lunch date.


Perhaps the best feature is the large window facing the Mall,where you can watch them make fresh crepes to order. The window steams up seductively, beckoning you to enter this little slice of heaven. Give in.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Coconut Macaroon = Love


OMG.
Go to the
Salty Tart at the Midtown Global Market.
Order a coconut macaroon.
Swoon.
Seriously.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Lunch on the Mall

In honor of Restaurant Week, my good friend Kimmie + I journeyed to Nicollet Mall downtown to partake of the offerings at Barrio,the groovy tequila bar that opened last Fall. With a mix of Small Plates, Tacos and Larger plates, there is something to appeal to everyone. The tequila menu is extensive, but (sigh), we did not partake since we both had to return to work. The made to order guac was very good, but it was the chips we couldn't keep our hands off of! They dust them with some yummy spices (cumin + chili powder?) to give them a kick all on their own. My shrimp taco was decent and Kim's Crab Soup was tasty... but needed lots of lime to cover-up the 'fishy' taste.

While we weren't blown away, I'm planning to try again when I can take advantage of the tequila and compadre (chaser for your tequila) offerings. The small plates are perfect for happy hour noshing.

Now, the really special treat was venturing just down the street to La Belle Crepe! I'll tell you all about that tomorrow. It deserves it's own space. :-)

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Cheeky Monkey


While not participating in Restaurant Week, the new Cheeky Monkey Deli is worth a visit..soon!
Located on Selby Ave in St. Paul, the Cheeky Monkey provides tasty sandwiches ($10 and under) and imaginative sides to please any palate. My visit was with a friend who has impeccable taste... and a 3 year old. We sampled the Pressed Cuban (with awesome cumin pork), Mushroom Ciabatta Sandwich and the 'Little Monkey' meal, all of which was met with enthusiasm and a promise to be back for more. The casual swanky (cas-swank?) atmosphere appeals to everyone from St. Paul politicos to families with little tykes. Try to score a spot near the fireplace, and pay attention to the artwork. Cheeky monkeys are everywhere. :-)

Cheeky Monkey Deli
525 Selby Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55102
T: 651.224.6066

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Restaurant Week March 1-6


In case you didn't know, it is officially Restaurant Week in the Twin Cities! Lunches and Dinners for $10, $20 or $30 at some of the hot spots.

Click here to get the scoop on the offerings around both towns...