Food Find: Lunchbox

Summer is over and school is here! My little guy is starting kindergarten, and he is very excited. Being his mother's son, he is most excited about taking his lunch everyday (it's always about food!).

Since we're new to the whole lunchbox thing, I searched high + low for items that were eco-friendly AND easy for kids to use. Throw in a few über-cute items, and I'd be excited too!

Here's what we found:

Bento Box, über-cute accessories + lunchskins

 pictured: 

Leaflet Bento Box, Animal sauce holders, Bento forks + picks all from Amazon.com.

lunchskins available at Seward Co-Op + online.

Once we got the lunchbox items squared away, we headed to Seward Co-op to let AJ pick out his favorite foods to pack. This is a great way to get your kids involved in making lunches...and making sure they eat it! It's amazing how many healthy foods they'll pick out when left to their own devices. Seward makes it extra fun because they can get their own mini cart to load up.

I'm hoping to feature a great lunchbox meal every now and then to help us all get a little more creative. And I work better under pressure. ;-)

What's your favorite way to pack lunch? Got any great packable meals to share?

Food Find: Chile Chutney

We are just back from vacation, and this must be said...the Twin Cities has got it goin' on. Yep. I really did say that after a week in San Diego. Call me crazy.


One of the things we've got is Cafe Nepal's amazing Chile Chutney. Now, you may have had her Momos at Mill City Market, but you MUST try the Chile Chutney. It has been the favorite thing in my fridge for the last year. I make sure to always keep it on hand to spice things up. It has a nice heat, and the 'Himalayan Spices' give it a flavor that is downright addictive. Confession: my new obsession is mixing it with Donnay goat cheese for a zesty little spread.


Rashmi, the owner of Cafe Nepal, is also a partner in the new Gorkha Palace. Her momos are on the menu with more varieties than are on offer at the farmer's market, as well as some truly unique dishes. Yak, anyone? I especially like the Potato + Egg Curry, and the Pakoras should not be missed.


Now, I am just waiting for that delicious chutney to show up at the tables! For now, I'll have to get my supply from Mill City Market...but I don' think I'll have to wait too long.

Food Find:Cork Dork Wine Sale!

Did someone say 'Wine Sale'? 


Cork Dork is a fabulously unpretentious little gem of a store on Cedar Ave, near Minnehaha Parkway. Russell Fay, the owner, spent many years buying wine in the restaurant industry, so he know a thing or two about good vino!


I always go to Cork Dork with no pre-conceived thoughts on a bottle, and come home with the perfect selection (or 2 or 3 or 4) from Russ.


And now is a great time to visit, if you haven't already. Cork Dork is celebrating their One Year Anniversary with a sale. On top of already great prices, you should be able to stock up quite nicely!

Food Find: Dishes

My husband has forbidden me, more than once, from procuring any more 'little' dishes. I am sorry to say that it has not been very effective! I love pulling out interesting, vintage and lovely little plates, bowls and the like. They are perfect for noshes, entertaining and even snacks for the little guy, and I wind up using all of them come summer time. I found a few recently that I wanted to share....


W7 Collective

This little artist's collective is a treasure trove of locally made wares. Jewelry, hats, purses, plates, bowls. All sorts of wonderful stuff.  I fell in love with these handmade plates that have screen prints of iconic St. Paul landmarks. Cool, local and muy interesting. Special thanks to Sara Glassman for the photo!





Crate & Barrel


I always find some little something at c & b. I was even a little overwhelmed by a recent trip. The summer colors are EVERYWHERE! And gorgeous! I picked up these cute little square bowls for dips, olives, nuts, salts and such. Perfect for entertaining.

Found anything for summer entertaining you would like to share?

Food Find: Recipe Cards from RedStamp.com

Have you seen these? RedStamp.com has the freshest sets of recipe cards. And they can be personalized! 


What better way to share your precious family recipes or pen new ones for the upcoming holidays? Grandma's Matzo Ball soup for Passover, Aunt Jean's Rosemary Lamb for Easter, your own fabulous shortbread for Mother's Day. Jot them down on these pretty cards to share and make everyone glad you did.

Check out RedStamp.com for more saucy styles, plus loads of gorgeous cards + stationary!

Food Find: Pretzel Rolls

Whew. We just got back into town from visiting family in Florida (ahhh. nice, sunny), and did the grocery run to re-stock. I found these lovely gems at Trader Joe's...Pretzel buns! Super fun for kids of all ages, and yummy sandwich rolls. Or burger buns. Or super-duper grilled cheese bread. Really, whatever you desire. Foolproof!


Another Trader Joe's Fave is their almond butter. Really, really good and the best price in town. $4.99 for a whole jar! We also buy their Reduced Sugar, Organic Jams. So very scrumptious...


Got any great food finds I should know about?

Food Find: Sugar, Sugar

President's Day was a confusing one. Kid's daycare was closed, but banks were open. Friends who did NOT have off on MLK, had off today. Hubby had to work. DMV closed. Very confusing.

So, in honor of President's Day (and to entertain said kid at home) I turned to some stash I had from a previous Sugar, Sugar visit. Ever been? It is perhaps one of the most pleasant and beautiful candy stores I have ever visited! Very boutiquey, with everything from luxe licorice to $1.50 grape wax mustaches. Which is how we honored our Presidents today....

Visit Sugar, Sugar

3803 Grand Ave S

Minneapolis, MN 55409

612-823-0261

Food Find: Green Gifts Fair 2009

If you have never been to the Midtown Global Market, this would be a great weekend to go. Do It Green! Minnesota hosts their annual Green Gifts Fair this Saturday, November 21st from 10AM-5PM. Great Christmas shopping opportunities, as well as eco-activities for kids + adults. So, why is this a Food Find? Two reasons....

1) The Global Market has some of the best ethnic cuisine in the cities under one roof (please, please try La Sirena Gorda. You will not be disappointed with their ridiculously delicious Mexican Seafood!)

2) Yours truly will be having a Low-Carbon Cook-Off with Chef Paul Lynch from Firelake. I'll need all the support I can get, as the dishes are judged by the audience and a celebrity panel of judges!

Come enjoy the day, get some Holiday shopping done, enjoy some good food, and celebrate Local businesses in a unique way.

Food Find: Atlas of Ethical Eating

HeavyTable.com has just released its Atlas of Ethical Eating, a guide to eating + shopping at establishments in the Twin Cities that participate in ethical practices for food. What are the guidelines? In broad terms, the welfare of animals (grass fed, pasture-raised, no hormones), a living wage for employees, and reducing their environmental impact in a variety of ways.

The Atlas is in its infancy, but we look forward to watching it fill up with folks that we will be visiting. Tastebud is thrilled to be included in this list as a caterer with ethical practices. Thanks for taking on this task, Heavy Table! As so many have your commenters have suggested.... when will we get an iPhone app?

Visit HeavyTable.com to view the Atlas for Ethical Eating!

Food Find: Silverwood Park Grand Opening

Well, helloooo! It feels like forever since I've written for the ol' blog. My apologies. Work has been so busy (that's a good thing!), that I have barely had time to do much else.


BUT, I did want to let everyone know about a great new Food Find. Silverwood Park, located on beautiful Silver Lake in St. Anthony, is having their Grand Opening this weekend. What's food got to do with a park? Plenty....


Silverwood is a sustainable park focusing on art + nature, and they are doing something significant with their Coffee Shop. Silverwood is comitted to serving local, sustainable food to their visitors. Local, sustainable, tasty, healthy food. What?!?? Of course, I am a little biased as they have contracted with me and some fellow Kitchen in the Market folks to provide this food. They even have fair trade coffee + tea, so you can go to the park and truly have a great dining experience while you gaze out on Silver Lake. I reently got a cup of their Moroccan Mint green tea, sat in a rocker ont he porch and felt like I was transported to a cabin up North. Really. Relaxing.


Our friends over at the Chef Shack will be there tomorrow serving up even more tasty eats, as well as lots of local artisans and such. If the weather holds, it will be a great day to be at the Park. If you simply can't make it, be sure to give it a go soon. You'll love it!


Here's the details....


http://simplegoodandtasty.com/events/silverwood-park-grand-opening-celebration

Food Find: Good Bite

Have you found Good Bite, yet? Well get on it. A new and wonderful foodie site that brings together some of the webs most admired food writers and bloggers.

Good information, good recipes, and good tips from good folks... all in one place.
GoodBite.com

(That's not really their slogan, but it was fun to write!)

Food Find: Unpeeled Kombucha

Okay. So part of the appeal (pun intended) of this kombucha is that it is locally made right here in the Twin Cities. The other part? Unlike the other commercially bottled kombucha out there, this one is as smooth as a baby's bottom and does not have the vinegary bite that some folks dislike. Now, I happen to like the bubbles + bite in the GT Dave's version, but this 'unpeeled kombucha' has won me over with it's drinkability and lovely ginger flavor.

Give it a try yourself at Linden Hills CoOp, Midtown Produce Exchange, Seward CoOp and other fine stores near you. You'll be glad you did!

Food Find: La Belle Crepe

Nestled in the lower floor of the Medical Arts Building in Downtown Minneapolis, right next to Zelo, is the epitome of the adage 'good things come in small packages'. La Belle Crepe is a gem of restaurant offering 'healthy fast food'. The owner, Alain Lenne, has an extensive background in fine dining and hails from France...which explains the ease with which he works the crowd.

The crepes are divine! I enjoyed a Smoked Salmon Crepe on a recent visit. With smoked salmon and capers, I was a little concerned it may be too salty, but Alain pairs it with goat cheese, fennel and a little apple that brightens up the whole taste. By the time he came around the crowded patio to check on me, my plate was clean. I didn't lick it, but I thought about it.

During the warm months, La Belle Crepe has sidewalk seating which makes for a great bistro setting and fantastic people watching along Nicollet Mall. The restaurant itself is a tiny, slip of a walk-up more suited for take-out in the winter months. They do have a bar for eating inside, but it quickly becomes crowded. My favorite thing about visiting in winter, though, is the sidewalk window where you can watch them make crepes through the steam. It warms me right up, and then I go in for a dessert crepe and coffee. Truly heavenly.

If you haven't visited, do. You won't be disaapointed. Just make sure to visit in both summer AND winter to get the full effect.

La Belle Crepe
825 Nicollet Mall #100
Minneapolis, MN
55402

Food Find: La Vida Local Salsa Contest

If you're in the Twin Cities tomorrow evening, head over to Linden Hills Co-Op for music and fun at Linden Hills Livefrom 6:30-9PM! Most importantly, they will be having a local salsa contest (for eating...not dancing). And guess who gets to be a judge and taste all that yummy salsa-ness? Me! Well, I'm pretty excited. :-)

Click here for info on Linden Hills Live and the La Vida Local Salsa Contest. Judging starts at 7PM. Hope to see you there!

Food Find: Serrated Peeler

'Tis the season for this little gem of a gadget! I didn't even know it existed until a couple of months ago, when I found out that the serrated peeler is THE perfect tool to peel butternut squash. Know what else it's really good at peeling? Peaches. Nectarines. Plums. Even tomatoes. Takes the skin off likes it's butter. Try it for your next stone fruit cobbler or tomato coulis. Or just for kicks... if you go for that sort of thing.


I found my Zyliss Serrated Peeler at The Produce Exchange in the Midtown Global Market, but there are many brands widely available.

Food Find: OOBA!

What in the world is OOBA, you ask? Why, it is a refreshing, all-natural sparkling beverage made with hibiscus flowers. And it's muy tasty!

Hibiscus was making it's presence known about 2 years ago in our fair country. I even blogged about using dried hibiscus flowers in salads and champagne (oo-la-la!). Now it seems that the tropical flower has firm footing in he healthy foods niche. Packed with antioxidants and vitamin C, it makes a fair case for a tasty, healthier soda alternative.

Annnnd, just in time for July 4th, Linden Hills Co-Op will be sampling OOBA on Friday, July 3rd from 10-Noon. How cool! Give it a taste and then buy a case.

Find out more about Ooba here.

Have a Happy 4th of July!

Food Find: Bounce (yup, the fabric softener)

You know those emails you get from friends and family, forwarded over and over again? Usually some sort of list or heartbreaking story that you are asked to pass along? I typically delete them, but I was sent an email a few weeks ago by two different members of my family. Titled simply BOUNCE, I skimmed before hitting the delete button.

Fast forward to an event I was catering at a personal home. Long story short, pork loin, maple syrup, foil + pan. The pork loin was delicious, the pan was a wreck. As my assistant was shaking her head (that pan is a goner!), I suddenly remembered that skimmed email. I visited the laundry room, came back with a fabric softener sheet, placed it on the pan and covered with water. Fifteen minutes later, the foil + goop were lifting themselves off of the pan. Seriously. I washed the pan and showed my assistant who immediately declared, "That's not the same pan!". Yup, it was. Unbelievable. So, while I will still delete most viral emails, this one provided an awesome little tip for the kitchen. Try it with your next pan/pot disaster and let me know how goes...

Food Find: Baby Bananas

n. /bəˈnænə/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [buh-nan-uh] small, plump banana; subtropical variety grown at higher altitudes; also known as Lady Finger, Oritos or Manzanos.

I bought some baby bananas for the kids at a party we were hosting, and they were a big hit! Small enough to fit into the littlest hand, they are a perfect snack. I get tired of my little guy wanting a banana and then not finishing the whole thing. These are just right. They have a slightly sweeter taste, but otherwise taste just like their larger cousin. Freeze them for a frosty treat, eat them out of hand or use them in smaller doses for kiddie smoothies. Baby bananas are available year-round. I purchased mine at the Produce Exchange.

Since we are already going bananas, I'm excited to pick up a book recommended a friend. Bananas: The Fate of the Fruit That Changed the World by Dan Koeppel chronicles the history of this seemingly harmless fruit and the havoc it has wrought for over a century. From Adam + Eve to labor wars, and a killer disease threatening to wipe out it's very existence, the banana is steeped in drama. Thanks for the tip, Mike!

Food Find: Neighborhood Fruit

Wow! This week deserves two' food finds', 'cause I just couldn't wait to share this with everyone!

From the New York Times (via friend Tammy), an article about ways folks are finding + sharing fruit + veggies with their neighbors. You can't get more local than that!

Read article here

http://neighborhoodfruit.com/
http://veggietrader.com/

Thanks to Tammy ( who has delicious radishes to share) for sending it my way....

Food Find: Stabby's Cafe

Okay. So we are pretty excited to have a new neighborhood joint. Especially excited that they serve breakfast all day (open until 3PM), the portions are huge, and it is very kid friendly. What's not to like?

I also have to admit that my two forays to Stabby's Cafe have only included sampling breakfast items. I'm a breakfast gal. Eggs anytime of the day. So, while I have not comprehensively tasted their menu, I can give you a few observations....

1) Their omelets are good and HUGE. Great bang for your buck. They also have as much meat and terrific veggie options you could want.

2) Their gingerbread pancakes rock and are HUGE. Really, really good pancakes. However, I recommend trying the gingerbread sans banana. It lost a little something for me.

3) The kids meals are HUGE. you could totally split this between 2 kids. Or perhaps, order yourself an omelet and snag some of your kid's pancakes. Not that we would ever do that.

4) The burgers looked great and HUGE. Lots o' folks were ordering the burgers and seemed pretty darn happy.

5) Stabby's specialty is something called a Flint Style Coney Island. I am not a hot dog fan, and therefore have not tried it. But, it really doesn't matter because I'm happy to have omelets, hashbrowns and pancakes in my 'hood at a reasonable price. Oh, and good coffee. Very important.

Stabby's Cafe
corner of 42nd Street and Cedar Ave
South Minneapolis