Great Taste

'Real rye should be the first requirement'

Here's a note from a reader regarding patty melts, the star of the show in today's Four Stars column:

Patty melts are my favorite item to try everywhere in the country.  There are some bad ones and a few good ones.  It seems that in the  midwest, tastes are a bit blah.  We don't often see real rye bread.  It's the rye/white swirl,  which has no taste or texture.  Real rye should be the first requirement.  Next, the patty should be shaped to fit the bread.  Usually the meat is a round patty on oval bread, so two inches of bread hang off of each end.  Some good Swiss and American cheese, quality thousand island island dressing, on the side, and well cooked onions are essential criteria.  If you find three or four of this quality, I'll be there to try them.  The worst one I ever had was at a truck stop in WI and they had barbeque sauce on it.  Thanks for holding our interest in strange and unusual things. 

Sandy

Eat for Equity helps out Lanesboro Local

If you haven't checked out the Lanesboro Local Marketplace, add it to your list -- it's a great little shop with plenty of fresh local/area meats and produce.

Eat for Equity Feast Coming to Lanesboro
 
LANESBORO MN (February 1, 2012) Eat for Equity is coming to cook up a local feast in Lanesboro, to benefit Lanesboro Local’s Marketplace.
 
You may have read about this incredibly fun and conscientious non-profit funding-raising group based in Minneapolis. Founder Emily Torgrimson and board vice president Laura Nethercut both grew up here and attended Fillmore Central, Class of 2002. The Eat for Equity concept is simple. They organize volunteers to prepare a special meal, tied to a cause, engaging the generosity, ingredients, cooking skills and good will of many individuals to raise funds and create a better, more equitable world.
 
Eat for Equity has volunteered to put on a pre-Valentine’s Day spread of locally produced delectables in Lanesboro. The dinner will benefit Lanesboro Local, which helps rural southeastern Minnesota growers, producers and artisans secure better opportunities to produce local goods and find local markets for their products.
 
The evening begins at 6:00 pm on Saturday, February 11, at the home of Peggy Hanson and Frank Wright at 500 Calhoun Ave S, Lanesboro (formerly the Cady Hayes Bed & Breakfast establishment). Drinks and dinner will be prepared and served by volunteers.
 
The Eat for Equity message is, “Come as you are. Give what you can.” Participants will be helping to strengthen our rural communities while enjoying a delicious feast of cooked-from-scratch local food. Who knows? Such good eats may cause you to imagine a bigger role for local foods in your household. Good folks, good food, good times. All for the greater good.
 
A $20 donation at the door is suggested, or a higher level of generosity if it suits you, to raise funds for Lanesboro Local to sustain its programs and the Marketplace. Reservations are encouraged. Email info@lanesborolocal.org or leave a message at the Marketplace, 507-467-2944. Better yet, stop in at the Marketplace and sign up, from noon to 6 PM Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays through the winter.

                                                                                                                        For more information contact:
                                                                                                                        Andrea Miehlisch andrea@lanesborolocal.org
                                                                                                                        507/467-2944
 
 
Julie Kiehne
Executive Director
Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce
www.lanesboro.com
800-944-2670
Partnering with Explore Mississippi Bluffs www.exploremississippibluffs.com

Final words on bread pudding

Readers had plenty of tips on good sources for bread pudding, after last week's Four Stars report:

I haven’t tasted the bread pudding at the places mentioned, but I can’t imagine that they could be better than that served at Michael’s and it has raisins in it.  I never used to order dessert, but after sampling theirs, I can’t resist.  I’m going there for dinner tonight and I can hardly wait.
 
Jane M. Scanlon, Rochester

++++

the bread pudding at famous dave's is excellent and big enough for two people if one wants to share.  if you fill out the survey on your receipt you can get a free dessert the next time you shop. we usually take ours home and share it.. rick wood

++++

Hi Jay,

Good article on bread pudding.  I concur 100% with Area 57.  Another really good and new restaurant you need to go to is Reads Landing Brewing Company.

It's got a charming old decor.  The food is very good and very different than anywhere else around her.  It has a southern flair.  The menu is small but has a lot of unique combinations of foods.  You have to trust the chef's tastes and go with it.  You won't be sorry.

Tim Meyer
Zumbrota

++++

Boy, what a great job tasting all that delicious food, I have not tried any of the places you mentioned to have bread pudding, but I have saved the article in the hopes of doing so. I was surprised that there was no mention of the Hubbell House `s bread pudding, the only one I have had, it is to die for. I enjoy your sense of humor and look forward to reading more. English bread pudding is totally different, more solid, but good. --  Maureen "Mo" Maass

++++

I have never taken the time to respond to any article in the paper, but I just had to tell you about the Banana Bread pudding at Saints on 2nd.  It is so very good with a vanilla caramel sauce and no raisins.

Yummy!
Please check it out.

Thanks.   TJ

++++

The raspberry bread pudding with whiskey sauce at Hubbell House is worth saving room for!
Carol Gronseth