Driftless Appetite

You’ve got to hand it to the Italians, they have it spot on when it comes to food; and they’re usually a step ahead of everyone else.   The slow food movement?  They never got the memo about eating faster.  Locavore?  They are so commited to local food, that even after they’ve moved halfway around the world they only eat stuff grow within 50 miles of the house they were born in!

This summer we had the chance to get to know one of the most interesting (and most Italian) chefs around, Salvatore di Scala.  Salvatore, a part time resident of Madison (and Tony Soprano’s twin), held a special dinner at his friend Vincenzo’s restaurant, Cafe Porta Alba.  Avid readers of the blog (I know you’re out there) will know that Leslie, crazy musical polyglot that she is, occasionally sings Neapolitan music at CPA (with the great Bill and Colleen on mandolin and guitar), and she was asked to sing at this dinner.  We were going to be out of town but it sounded so fun we rearranged our schedule a little so we could make it.

Continue reading “Tutto quello che vedete, lo devo agli spaghetti”*

Last Sunday, July 11th, the Wisconsin Innovation Kitchen was opened to the public for its grand reveal in Mineral Point.  The 10,000 square foot facility, owned by the Hodan Center, will serve as a connection between the community to local foods opportunities and resources.  It was wonderful to listen to the speeches and to see the many people who have been involved with the project thus far.  Remember, the Innovation Kitchen will be only as innovative as the people who use it.  It’s time for you to start thinking about some creative food products.

PS I’d love to be a taste tester

Wisconsin Innovation Kitchen Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

The contest is over and we have our winners.  And remember, even if you’re not one of the lucky winners, the Kickapoo Country Fair is a great event and I hope you all attend.

Country Road

Continue reading Kickapoo Country Fair & Organic Valley Giveaway – Results

(In honor of the return of Futurama to the airwaves) Good news, everyone!

Coming up on the 24th-25th of July is the 7th annual Kickapoo Country Fair.  The KCF is an organic food festival in LaFagre, WI .  We’ve not been before, but they have music, food, farm tours, Michael Perry, and more.

The festival is put together by Organic Valley, a dairy cooperative that started way back in 1988 (when you’re talking organic agriculture, that’s practically paleolithic).  I’m a fan of Organic Valley, they are a perfect example of how you can be big and sustainable.  And big they are; Organic Valley is the largest organic coop in the country.

Our favorite Organic Valley product (2% milk), Kickapoo Country Fair tickets, & our favorite companion to Organic Valley milk (strawberry-rhubarb pie)   

Continue reading Kickapoo Country Fair & Organic Valley Giveaway

Recently I received a precious package of dried morels from my friend Jean of The Silver Star Inn.  If you have not tasted morels yet, you don’t know what you’re missing.  People around these parts go crazy for it.  In fact there is even a festival dedicated to this fungi.  Mark your calendars for May 15th and 16th if you are/or will be around southwest Wisconsin for Muscoda’s Morel Mushroom Festival.  There will be fried morels, helicopter rides, the customary cheese stand, carnival and an antique tractor pull.  What more could you want?  If you cannot attend the festival you can also get morels by hunting for them.  I’ve never done so partly because I’m afraid that I might pick up ”false morels” which are toxic instead of the real ones.  Another reason is that it is easier to buy them from the numerous road stands that pop up during the second week of May (usually sold at about $20-$25 per pound).  This year, I’m excited to go on my first mushroom gathering with Jean and her daughter Ayla around their property so I can be an official “shroomer”.  What did you think I was talking about anyway?

Continue reading Are you a “Shroomer”?

Hello everyone   We have a special treat for you this week– guest blogger Rick Terrien, the Iowa County Area Economic Development Director:

Early Spring at the Bures Berry Patch. 

Acres of delicious strawberries getting ready to come to life!

Hi.  I’m Rick, and I’m working on an amazing opportunity to celebrate and create commercial opportunities for local, healthy, artisan foods.

I work for a local non-profit (social-profit) economic development organization, the Iowa County Area Economic Development Corp (ICAEDC) as its Executive Director.  We started in December of 2008, and I have worked on some exciting local foods initiatives during this launch.

 First to emerge is a wonderful new facility opening in Mineral Point this summer. The Wisconsin Innovation Kitchen is the name for the Hodan Center’s new commercial food processing facility, now being completed on the site of the former Dairy Queen on Dodge St. in Mineral Point.  I get to help organize and evangelize for this amazing artisan foods opportunity. The Wisconsin Innovation Kitchen will be a new kind of value-platform for launching artisan foods enterprises of all kinds and scales.  The number and scope of the opportunities for artisan food entrepreneurship emerging through this facility will be amazing.

Continue reading Welcome to the Wisconsin Innovation Kitchen

How to tell it’s springtime in Wisconsin?

1.  It’s 45 degrees out and all the houses along my street have their windows open.

2.  The minute the last fistful of snow melts, my neighbor Mr. R revs up his lawn mower and works on his yard.

3.  There is an aroma of HAPPY COWS in the air.

4.  When Keith is chasing, throwing sticks, and yelling at Ollie dog in the yard because he is trying to swallow a prized delicacy (something furry, bloated, and stinky).

5.  Something nicer, finding a cluster of lily of the valley on the side yard.

Continue reading Event: 3/27 Open House at Cooks’ Woods

On February 14th, Chef Steven Shoemaker and Cari Stebbins will be preparing a 4-course dinner at Brewery Creek Inn in Mineral Point.  Steven and Cari are ardent supporters of the local food culture and love to showcase the bounty of this land.  They will have seatings at 6 & 8 o’clock.  Show your support for local food producers (and local chefs) and make your reservations now!  Check the link above for further information.

MENU

Pear and Parsnip Soup

Sweet Onion Tart with Spinach Salad,
Toasted Hickory Nuts, Chevre, Beet Vinaigrette

Pan Seared Rushing Waters Trout
Root Vegetable Mashers, Roasted Celeriac

Grilled Lamb Chops
Roasted Winter Squash Puree
Wine Soaked Cherry and Shallot Sauce

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Desserts

Chocolate Pot de Creme

Wine Poached Pears

Producers/Growers of Ingredients

Hidden Valley Mushrooms
New Century Farms
Harmony Valley Farm
Two Onion Farm
Tipi Produce
Ridgeland Harvest
Rushing Waters Trout Farm
Future Fruit
Monte Chevre
KeyWaydin Organics
Green and Green
Elegant Foods