Fall Garden Update #3

Make no mistake about it, fall has arrived in Minnesota. The lows are dipping into the 40’s here in Saint Paul, and my fall garden is running behind. It seems everything, from my radishes to my kohlrabi is taking a few extra weeks to get ready. But the seedlings started life with pounding rain, too much shade and the onslaught of slugs. Only the strong survived. One good thing I learned from this fall bed, is which...

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Stuffed Bell Peppers

I was on the search for simple dinner that wouldn’t take forever. I had some bell peppers from the Farmers’ Market and some ground turkey, so I figured I’d put together some stuffed bell peppers. Overall, this recipe was pretty good and simple. The ketchup, and worcestershire sauce mixture that goes on top of each pepper is the perfect combo of flavors. I used raw instant rice but I would recommend cooked rice....

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field trip: Searching for the SweeTango Apple

September is a great time for fresh apples. So I returned to the University of Minnesota Apple House to find some of their freshest. I first visited the area for a field tour of their experimental kiwi orchard. But this time I was on the search for a brand new apple that’s gaining some big press, the SweeTango. I called the Apple House’s apple availability hotline at 10:40 AM, and they listed limited quantities of...

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Eggs-The Truth Behind the Label

There seems to be a never-ending list of the kind of eggs you can now buy at the grocery store. Even designer eggs that promise extra health benefits are marketed heavily for the health conscious consumer. But are those labels what they’re cracked up to be?     Cage Free Eggs Most egg laying chickens in this country are maintained in cages. But if you ask me, 24-7 confinement isn’t the life...

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Peanut Butter Cheesecake with Chocolate Ganache

      I’ve been on a cheesecake rush lately. It’s not looking good for my diet, but cheesecake is one of my favorites IF it’s done right. This time I wanted to do something a little more rich. So I combined chocolate and peanut butter for a super creamy cheesecake. We’ve probably all seen the cheesecakes turned into peanut butter cup monstrosities in the grocery store and even some restaurants....

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Snails & Slugs Love Beer

I have a feeling snails and slugs are going to be an issue next spring. The snails with shells are EVERYWHERE, but I haven’t seen them eating on anything yet. The slugs are the immediate problem. I’ve spotted them eating on my lettuce seedlings and roaming about in my compost bin. Luckily there’s a simple and safe solution to control these garden pests, and that’s with Beer! During the day you can see the slug slime...

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Fresh Watermelon Granita

I hope everyone is having a good Labor Day weekend. Whatever you’re doing this holiday, one thing that will be at the center of many picnics and get-togethers will be watermelon. A fresh slice on the unofficial end of summer sounds like it was meant to be. But you could turn it into a frozen treat. During my recent visit to the University of Minnesota’s kiwi orchard, I was able to buy a few things from the nearby...

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Toasted Pine Nut Couscous

   I’ve been on a major sugar rush for way too long. Between cheesecakes and midnight snacks, I haven’t had the time to make healthier meals. I suppose cheesecake doesn’t count as a good lunch. Couscous has to be one of the easiest dishes out there. Once the water reaches boiling, you add the couscous, cover the pot with a lid, shut off the heat, and in 5 minutes it’s ready to serve. Talk about easy....

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field trip: Kiwi in Minnesota

While looking at the website of our local paper, I just happened to spot a two-paragraph article about a field tour. The fruit at the center of it all? Kiwi. That’s right. Kiwi in Minnesota. I traveled about 45 minutes from my home in St. Paul to the Apple House at the University of Minnesota Horticultural Research Center near Victoria, Minnesota. The big, metal building among rolling farmland and new home developments,...

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