Minneapolis St Paul Food Finds

Not getting to cook much these days, because I seem to be going-going-going non-stop! However, one benefit is certainly making new friends and finding awesome food joints! This weekend in Minneapolis-St Paul, MN did not disappoint!

Check out these incredible local hangouts I discovered this visit--all worth a re-visit and some worth a trek regardless!

These operations are about local support and giving back to the community while providing exceptional fare, flavors and dining experience! 

Here are my Top 4 Choices this trip followed by other options if you happen to need a solid and well-priced meal! 

Black Sheep Pizza

Multiple locations. The restaurant on Washington Street in Minneapolis is in the  heart of city commotion and near the stadium. Skip the lines and head over to the St Paul's location! 

I tried the Persian Beef withe Feta, Parsley and Harissa Pizza and the Roasted Olives & Garlic for a starter. But the menu is full of surprises and great combinations! Salads are  freshly prepared with seasonal ingredients. Local microbrews are just the "icing on the cake"!

Surly Beer Hall

Grab a bike and ride the back trails in and around Minneapolis with the goal of finding your way to Surly Beer Hall for a full smattering of their standard, and seasonal, microbrews along with some incredible food--BBQ, brisket, phenomenal authentic German pretzels, and farm-to-table options--what a great venue and endpoint to wrap up a day of activity and motion!

Salut

Across the river, St Paul offers another fantastic option for lunch or dinner with a French flare!

Looking for a break from city life, this place will cheer you up on a sunny day and make you feel you crossed the Atlantic! Again, seasonal fare, great drinks with cool concoctions such as the French Riviera and Leetal Beeg Cheezeburger with Pommes Frites!

Finally, I saved my favorite place for last: 

The Birchwood Cafe

Located in the heart of the neighborhood, this cafe is about more than just good, real food--they are involved in change, community projects, charity, mindful living, and promoting social justice, equality, and awareness! 

But, as wonderful as this may sound...the food rocks your world--fresh, local, organic, healthy, delicious, interesting--Birdseed Bread Avocado Toast garnished with edible flowers and fresh herbs or what about Sweet Pea & Basil Pancakes with Grapefruit Marmalade

Before You Leave...

Take advantage of Minneapolis' awesome outdoor space for walking, biking, reading, relaxing! Really some cool options worth exploring close to or within the city:

Lake Harriet & Lake Calhoun

Minnehaha Park & Falls

Downtown Gold Medal Park

Downtown Old Stone Bridge

...and Dogwood Coffee

Strawberry Rhubarb Bars

School's Out!! Summer's Here!  Sorry for the May absence, but sometimes life can get away from you! The exciting stuff certainly happens,i.e. graduations, summer jobs, traveling abroad, falling in love, post-graduate work--but, oftentimes, it is the tedious errands and day-to-day tasks (not necessarily important) we are all at risk of falling victim to!

Literally, slow down and smell the coffee and make sure you pick some strawberries, hit a few farmer's markets, grow some herbs, and get outside! Try this super awesome recipe for college students to ensure a warm homecoming or make someone's day with a homemade treat--you only need the pan you bake it in--perfect for college cooking!

(Great concoction from The Smitten Kitchen--doesn't get any simpler to spoil yourself!)

Strawberry Rhubarb Bars

Equipment:
8" x 8" pyrex baking dish / baking pain
Parchment paper

Ingredients:
1 cup of rolled old-fashioned oats
3/4 cup of flour plus 2 Tbls of flour
1/2 cup of light brown sugar
1/4 tsp salt
6 Tbls of butter, melted
1 tsp cornstarch
1 Tbls lemon juice
1 Tbls sugar, divided
1 cup small diced rhubarb
1 cup small diced strawberries
Powdered sugar

Instructions:
1. Wash your hands and fruit.
2. Preheat the oven to 375F degrees.
3. If you have it, line the pan with parchment paper.
4. Combine oats, flour, light brown sugar, salt and melted butter in pyrex dish until clumpy. 

5. Set aside 1/2 cup of the mixture.
6. Flatten the remaining mixture into the pan as your base.

7. Add half of the fruit. Sprinkle cornstarch, lemon juice and half of the sugar.

8. Add remaining fruit and half of sugar before crumbling 1/2 cup of oat mixture on top.

9. Bake 35-40 minutes at 375F degrees until crisp. 

Let cool in fridge before dusting with powdered sugar and sharing.

Even your mom will ask for this recipe!

Spaghetti DeepDish 4 College Cooking

Finding new ways to have traditional meals is always fun and great for putting a twist into dinner.

I have seen this concept of a "spaghetti pie" on multiple occasions, but when I realized how darn easy it was to make (and super delicious)...it seemed perfect for college cooking!! Let's go!

Spaghetti DeepDish

Equipment:

12" Springform (or plain old pyrex rectangle)

Large mixing bowl

Large skillet

Ingredients:

1 lb ground hamburger or sirloin

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 lb spaghetti, cooked al dente and drained

1 medium yellow onion, diced

2 cups marinara sauce

1/2 cup ricotta

1 cup mozzarella, divided half

1/2 cup parmesan, grated

1/2-1 tsp red pepper flakes

1 tsp salt

Fresh ground pepper

1-2 Tbls freshly chopped parsley (optional)

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands.

2. Preheat oven to 350F degrees and spray your pan with non-stick PAM.

3. Saute onions until translucent.

4. Add meat, garlic, 1 tsp salt, and ground pepper. Brown meat. Set aside.

5. Boil and drain pasta. Drizzle with oil. Set aside.

6. In a large mixing bowl, add marinara, ricotta, 50% mozzarella, parmesan, pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.

7. Add pasta and cooled meat mixture.

8. Stir well and pour into the prepared form.

9. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and a little extra parmesan.

10. Bake at 350F degrees x 25-30 minutes until top is golden brown.

Always try to invite a few friends for this dish. Prep some extra marinara sauce and parmesan for sprinkling! Add awesome Garlic Bread or a simple salad.

Day 1 NYC

Travelling this week to foodie heaven: NEW YORK! No recipes to post, but hopefully a few suggestions and pics!

1. Russ & Daughters

Family-owned since 1914. 

Consistently rated above other shops which makes the short and easy subway ride from downtown evenmore worth the effort.

2. Nathan's Hot Dogs

Since 1916. Make the trek to Coney Island along the 'F' line which practically drops you onto the boardwalk to sample this taste of Americana!

Normally, I hardly ever have hotdogs, but we are talking Nathan's Hot Dogs at the place of origin!

3. Coney Island Wall Art

Dont miss the 'Coney Island Wall Art' on your way to the boardwalk. Pretty cool stuff developing. The pics below were a few finished pieces set to be featured Summer 2016.

4. Brooklyn Bridge Park

On your way home from Coney Island, head over to the Brooklyn Bridge Park where you can soak up great city views and Instagram-to-your-hearts-content! 

But...before you leave after roaming the incredible path along the river, stop by @thebrooklynicecreamfactory to nourish your aching muscles from the mileage and calories you are logging (and burning)!

5. Don Antonio's at Starita

After walking over 18,000 steps, or approx 7 miles, today...I just wanted simple and good! Found this recommendation from @tastingtable on @instagram. 

Totally worth the endless stairs of the Metro and walking all day--eat your way thru a city--best thing!! We shared most bites in order to sample everything!

All said and done: 19,354 Steps / 8.08 miles with phenomenal eats and sites along the way! 

Day 1 NYC. Check!