Good Food Awards 2013: Wisconsin Finalists

Congratulations to these fine Wisconsin artisans and producers who are finalists for the Good Food Awards 2013.  Wisconsin has been nominated in four categories out of nine.  9 total products.  I know we’ll be having some or all of these products at our table during the holidays.  Cheers!

BEER  

Lakefront Brewery, My Turn:Luther & Wisconsinite

CHARCUTERIE 

Underground Meats, Coppa & Goat Salami

CHEESE

Carr Valley Cheese Company,Cave Aged Marisa

Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese, Petit Frere

CROPP Cooperative/Organic Valley, CROPP Blue

Uplands Cheese Company, Pleasant Ridge Reserve

COFFEE  

Kickapoo Coffee, Organic Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Haru Cooperative

 

 

 

Thanksgiving at the Button Hill

Hello all.  How was your holiday weekend?  I hope it was spent well with the people you love.  This year Keith and I threw a “Friendsgiving” party.  We had quite a delicious menu and some great company.  We brined and spatchcocked (butterflied) a couple of turkeys raised by Stacey & Bill of My Fine Homestead.  It only took an hour to cook, much faster than when roasting the turkey whole.  The skin was crisp and the meat was moist and flavorful.  It was also a nice re-introduction to Thanksgiving turkey for our friend Dawn who had not had it for about ten years.  Speaking of Dawn, she is quite the baker.  She brought a galette filled with three types of thinly sliced squash, caramelized onions, and some ricotta and parmigiano cheeses.  The buttery crust had an exquisite balance of the thin flaky and tender layers.  Another hit was her pear and ginger cheesecake.  Mike brought a sinfully good pecan pie.  I’m not a disciplined baker so my contribution was a pumpkin pie made by Grant Achatz‘ family.  Thank you Whole Foods Madison for stocking it!  Our friend Kiley brought some delicious extra aged Pleasant Ridge Reserve and Rush Creek cheeses which she helped to make.  We went traditional for the sides: turkey gravy, cranberry sauce, Brussels sprouts, green bean casserole, and my “must have” sweet potatoes with marshmallow.  I love an American Thanksgiving.

My Plate

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Attention Hopheads

Matt Sweeny of Simple Earth Hops has recently told me about a great opportunity to help and be involved with his passion for hops.  He is fundraising through Kickstarter, a web based platform for creative projects all over the world.  The individual/group present their ideas, selects a deadline date, and a monetary goal.  They receive funding  for their project only if the goal is met by the deadline.  Please check it out!

Continue reading Attention Hopheads