State Fair diary: Is it hot enough for you?
|
So, twelve of us went in the fair, three of us come out and the heat took the rest. Continue Reading
Dear Diary: State Fair gazing and grazing
|
We are cattle. Load em up, move em out. Continue Reading
Dear Diary: 2013 State Fair, day 1
|
What kind of stuff do they pump into the air on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds? As soon as I hand my ticket over to the gate watchers and enter the Promised Land a lovely familiar euphoria lifts me and I am home. Continue Reading
State Fair confidential
|
The line for the baking competition drop-off yesterday at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds was long and giddy. The ladies in front of us were first timers. Their cookies were pretty enough to be contenders. We peeked into the stroller of the new mom behind us, searching for her 2-month old son. Instead we found beautiful gluten-free cookies, caramel chocolate bars, and three quick breads. Those were really really pretty babies. Continue Reading
The fun begins: Competitive cooking at the 2013 Minnesota State Fair
|
The first of four Minnesota State Fair cooking contest drop-offs was yesterday and the line of competitors didn’t disappoint. I chatted with a twenty-something about her savory mini-pies (a pretty tater tot hotdish-inspired dish with Mexican flavors) and her boyfriend’s caramel apple dessert pie. I met a former Pillsbury Pie Blue Ribbon Winner who, according to new by-laws, can no longer compete in any Pillsbury Pie competition. She was toting some gorgeous turtle cookies for Ghiradelli’s Bite-Sized Championship and peered through the window of my pastry box to scrutinize my tiny mocha donuts. We compared baking notes. (Her trick to successful pie crust? Apple cider vinegar.) Continue Reading
Best grilled chicken wings ever, headed for the state fair
|
Last year was my first year competing at the Minnesota State Fair and as is my usual mode I didn’t think too deeply before stringing a few ingredients together and calling it a recipe. To win a few ribbons that first time out was, well, super neat. But, having that first taste of success made me anxious about hitting the sophomore slump this time around. I am spending a lot of time this summer concocting recipes that I think have a shot in this year’s Creative Activities and Ag-Hort-Bee contests. Continue Reading
The art of butting in line
|
Minneapolis loves her art festivals. What other city boasts three art fairs in one city on one weekend each year? The Uptown Art Fair is the older, popular sister with good looks and hip friends. The Powderhorn Art Fair is the middle child who wants to be noticed but always pales in comparison to her eldest sibling. And the Loring Park Art Festival is the youngest child: precocious, pretty, and smart. This weekend we headed to Loring Park for their 14th annual art fair, eschewing Uptown’s 50th Anniversary for a kinder, gentler fest (and no fuss parking). And yet… Continue Reading
Fika and promises
|
A morning show guy on a local sports station once said, “A blog is a diary you keep online.” Brilliant insight, really. Continue Reading
Kitchenless cooking: A week in pictures and words
|
Creativity in the kitchen is always fun, even when the kitchen itself tests the cook. I’ve had my fair share of exploding cooktops, flaming ovens, and flooding sinks; but possibly the biggest and definitely the most enjoyable challenge is cooking without a kitchen. Continue Reading
Wisconsin weekend
|
Midwesterners know that there is a stern rivalry between Minnesota and Wisconsin. I’ve never understood it. I like Wisconsin, I like Wisconsinites, and I really like The Packers. While my favorite place in the world is NE Minneapolis along the Mississippi, my second favorite place (a close second, in fact) is Door County, Wisconsin. Funny that I remember both locations for the food. Continue Reading