While nibbling on a midday meal of raclette from Leelanau Cheese and Princess Alena's Slipper Bread from Patisserie Amie, I got to thinking about all the wonderful products available to us here in Northern Michigan. I've always enjoyed sending gifts to friends and family that offer a taste of the north, so I thought I'd start a list of what's available locally that would make great gifts for those on your list. And by all means, let me know what I've missed!
The Redheads go green...for the holidays, that is. The Landry sisters (aka The Redheads) are offering a collection of organic local goods, packaged in a recycled box, that they'll ship for you. It includes The Redheads stainless steel to-go mug and 1 lb. of organic, fair trade coffee roasted locally by Higher Grounds Trading Co., coffee cake mix, homemade granola, tamari toasted trail mix, and a bottle of The Redheads Balsamic Vinaigrette. Cost is $40, plus $13 shipping and handling. To order, call (231) 256-7720.
Chef Myles Anton entertained a full house Thursday night at the first class of the "Soup to Nuts" cooking series offered by Left Foot Charley winery. Deftly whipping up four delicious soups while passing along his methods for doing so, Trattoria Stella's executive chef blended humor, technique and his penchant for "matching foods," as in, using parsnips instead of carrots in a chicken soup because "white goes with white." He can put together whatever he wants, because it all tasted great, including his surprise soup in honor of the night, Riesling Apple. Rounding out the evening were three wines from Left Foot Charley, the 2006 Pinot Grigio, 2006 Riesling and Murmur 2006. Chef Anton kindly agreed to let us share his recipes here.
With the bounty of another CSA/farmers market season behind us, and the winter solstice just 5 weeks away, it becomes more of a challenge to buy locally in Northern Michigan. Fortunately, the wines, spirits, jams, cheeses, breads and other delicious local products are available year round (and make a great combo for gift baskets). But even local produce can be found. As Joan D'Argo points out in Oryana's recent "Natural Food News," during November and December Oryana will carry local certified organic apples and onions and local sustainable potatoes and garlic; and depending on weather, kale, collards and chard. Christopher Jacobs has created new signage to identify local produce. Look for green signs for local organic, and red for local produce grown using sustainable methods. Why does this matter? As Joan writes, "If each resident in Grand Traverse County spent just $10 a week on locally grown food, local products and local businesses, $3,000,000 every month would be invested in local people, local farms and independent local businesses." Something to take to heart when planning meals and selecting gifts for the upcoming holiday season!
Check out Janice Benson's Ready to Pick article on pumpkins on the Michigan Land Use Institute's Taste the Local Difference web site. You'll find a list of 37 farms in northwest Michigan that sell pumpkins, some interesting pumpkin facts, tips for preparing pumpkins, as well as recipes for Pumpkin Pancakes, Maple Roasted Pumpkin Salad, Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce.
Cari Noga writes in her column the November Traverse City Business News about two new research projects underway, led by the new head of viticulture at Michigan State University, Paolo Sabbatini. The goal is to identify grape varieties best suited to Michigan's cool climate and short growing season; and to map potential places to plant them.
A number of restaurants in the Leelanau & Traverse City area will be participating in the Toast the Season wine tour by donating 5% of your meal cost to charity when you show them your Toast the Season ticket stub. Get a great meal and support some wonderful charities! The first weekend has sold out, but limited tickets remain for the second weekend - November 17 & 18, 2007. Order yours now. The weekend event features holiday gift basket with each ticket and an ornament, special wine pour and holiday-themed gourmet food at each of the 13 wineries that are members of the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association.
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Farmers' markets aren't just for the warm months any more. This winter, some Up North markets are taking it inside on Saturdays!
