Great Taste

A raw vegan Thanksgiving?

You may be tempted when you check out this blog!

http://www.addictedtoveggies.com/2010/11/raw-vegan-thanksgiving.html

'Their turkey is the best!'

Turkey tip is trotted out by a reader -- better late than never!

Dear Jay,
 
I hope I am not too late to give my vote for the hot turkey sandwich and/or turkey dinner. It would be Grandma's Kitchen - Hands down! They have both items on the menu every day. Their turkey is the best! The hot turkey sandwich comes with mashed potatoes topped with the best gravy ever. And if you get the turkey dinner, it comes with dressing too, as well as a choice of other side items. So please check them out. Thanks!
 
From,
a regular customer

Do a good deed for your favorite restaurants

If you haven't already cast your ballot for the Rochester Magazine "Best of Restaurants" awards, time's a-wastin -- check out the website or pick up a copy of the November issue.

It's the 12th annual contest and you can win $50. Deadline for nominations is Nov. 30.

One of my favorite categories is: Best restaurant when someone else is paying.

Hear ye, hear ye: Ferndale Market's Turkey Fest

Holiday food samples, recipes, and live music are featured today from 10 am to 3 pm at Ferndale Market, 31659 County 24 Blvd., Cannon Falls.

Ferndale's own fresh free-range turkeys will be available for pick-up.

The market also offers locally-raised meats and fowl, including pork, beef, chicken and bison. Locally produced dairy products like milk, cheeses, and ice cream; locally produced organic frozen vegetables; locally baked goods; locally produced condiments--the "local" list goes on--are on sale as well. Some area farmers and producers will be at the fest.

 

 

 

 

This cappuccino elegantly completes holiday dinner

If you have an espresso machine with steam attachment and not too many guests, considering finishing your holiday meal with a flourish. Ingredient list is short--though potentially pricey.     Freshly ground Milano-style European Espresso beans from www.kofficoffee.com OR your fave freshly ground espresso beans A quality caramel sauce, made with all-natural ingredients One ounce extra bitter chocolate (preferably Valrhona), shaved Whole milk Express two to three shots espresso into cup. Stir in a teaspoon of caramel and some chocolate shavings. Pour at least a cup of milk into metal container and steam as frothy as possible. Place dollops of froth over espresso and add a few tablespoons of hot milk. Squeeze one to two tablespoons of syrup in swirls on top of froth. Sprinkle chocolate shavings over frothy top. Serve immediately.

Get zzzesty for the holidays

Check out rrrrrr-recipes for Thanksgiving and December holidays at Zzest Market & Cafe's website:

http://www.zzestmarket.com/recipes.htm

Yours truly devoured ideas for using white truffle spread and fell hard for the likes of wilted cabbage salad with bacon and Cashel blue cheese, cheddar corn pudding "kicked up for the holidays," and roasted butternut squash soup with fresh Parmesan shavings (plus optional Marsala and wild mushrooms). 

Note: If you are going to "go for it" with myriad animal fats that make almost anything taste scrumptious, let yourself enjoy but avoid seconds.  

'Pomegranate deseeding problem solved by father of six'

I'm not sure what the guy's paternity has to do with this invention, but I like the headline on this news release, and you might be interested in the device and technique.

Pomegranate deseeding problem solved by father of six

Do you like pomegranates, but hate the mess and effort it takes to get all those juicy arils out?  Well, you’re not alone.  An inventor and father of six daughters decided there must be an easier way and he came up with a simple product which will put a smile on your face and arils in your bowl.

Dix Frampton of Washington, Utah, has six lovely daughters who simply love pomegranates.  Like everyone else, he would dissect the pomegranates in various ways and use his thumbs and fingers to push and pry the little rascals out.  It was quite a messy and tedious process and he, being an inventor, decided to make a tool to make the job easier for everyone.


First, he got on YouTube and looked at all the different methods people were using to get the arils out.  One method, he observed, was to cut the pomegranate in half and then thump it aggressively while holding it over a large bowl.  He tried it.  It was a little messy, but it worked.  He knew that if he could make it easier and less messy, he would have a winner. 

Thus we have the 60 Second Pomegranate Deseeder.  The name says it all.  One really can deseed a whole, ripe pomegranate in less than 60 seconds and with no mess at all.  The product looks like a defective dog dish and it’s simplicity is what makes it great.


The 60 Second Pomegranate Deseeder can be found at various retailers and grocery stores.  It is best to check out the website to find out where.  For more information and other helpful hints, visit http://www.seedout.com.     

Good gravy!

Can gravy make or break a Thanksgiving dinner?

Yes it can....Gravy adds flavor and moisture--and helps cover if other traditional dishes, a.k.a. turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing, turn out less than perfect.

So.....out of cyber cosmos pops an online gravy contest. Heeeere's the winner: 

http://www.food52.com/recipes/7483_vegetarian_mushroom_thyme_gravy

The tricky part to this recipe--at least for moi--would be the vegetable stock. It is, after all, the main ingredient, and stock--homemade or store-bought--can vary in strength, thickness, and flavor.  

Have a Thanksgiving gravy recipe that you'd care to share with Great Taste? Bring it on!

MN Locavores: Here's a list for ya!

Or, a good starting point for those intrigued by the local food movement: http://slowfoodmn.org/local.html

 

The latest from chef Lenny Russo

Has anyone dined at Heartland Restaurant since its July relocation next to St. Paul Farmers' Market?

Great Taste can't wait for any excuse to make the trip. Menu looks as imaginative as ever....Chef Russo's Heartland is surely one of the best gourmet locavore experiences in America.

Adding to the foodie experience is Farm Direct Market, opened in September.  

Website here:  http://www.heartlandrestaurant.com/index2.php#/home/

MM review: http://www.minnesotamonthly.com/media/Minnesota-Monthly/November-2010/Best-New-Restaurants-of-2010/