St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, and you probably have your festivities planned. They might include corned beef. They probably include green beer, or at least a guinness. Hopefully they include some live Irish music, with corned beef AND green beer.

I’m not yet sure what Saturday will bring for me, but we celebrated a little early with some reubens the other night. Homemade reubens (sometimes even made with tofu) are a favorite of mine. Here are some great recipes to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with!

(source)

Savory:

Corned Beef with Cabbage – via Epicurious

Ploughman’s Platter – via Vegetarian Times

Soda Bread Scones – via Vegetarian Times

Braised Lamb Shoulder Chops with Root Vegetables - via Epicurious

Classic Reuben Sandwich - via Epicurious

Shepherd’s Pie – via FoodNetwork

Irish Stew – via Food Network

Sweet:

Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes – via Will Cook for Friends

Guinness Brownies - via Heather Christo Cooks

Guinness Caramel Sauce – via Fresh Tart Steph

Chocolate Stout Cakes with Irish Cream Frosting – Avid Appetite

Do you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? With beer, food or both?

After trying Victor’s 1959 Cafe Champagne Mojito, I knew I had to try and re-create it at home. Ok, I admit it, I picked up all of the ingredients the following weekend. I need to try to re-create it and I needed to do it asap.

Mojitos made with champagne are quite delicious. They are bubbly, bright and oh so refreshing. Perfect for these last days of summer but I’ll probably be drinking them year round.

Thankfully I had two tasters that evening (Mercedes was over) because it took a few tries to get the right proportions of simple syrup, lime and champagne. Really hard work I tell you but don’t worry, I’m here to help.

It is really easy to make, in fact it reminded me a lot of the Basil, Cucumber  & Mint Vodka Spritzer I made earlier this summer with a basil and cucumber simple syrup. Simple Syrup is so easy to make and adds such a nice touch to cocktails.

Make it this weekend and enjoy your labor day holiday!

Please tell me that summer isn’t over!

If it must come to an end, I can’t think of a better way to enjoy the long weekend than celebrating with friends; sitting by the pool and sipping cocktails. Oh and of course, eating amazing foods.

Labor Day Weekend Eats

Snacks & Starters: 

• Burrata Cheese
• Veggies and hummus
• Cheese and crackers (duh)
• Smoked Salmon Dip 
• Pimento Cheese 
• Grilled Vegetable Crostini

Main: 

• Grilled Chicken Za’atar
• Bahn Mi Hot Dogs
• Salmon Burgers with Greek Salsa
• Brats (on our menu)
• Crispy Shrimp Sandwiches (How Sweet It Is)
• Peach Whiskey Barbecue Chicken (The Pioneer Woman)

Sides: 

• Orange & Ale Vinaigrette & Arugula Salad
• Greek Potato Salad
• Spicy Crunchy Asian Slaw (Eat, Live, Run)
• Sweetcorn, Bacon and Tomato Saute (Eating for England)

Cocktails/Desserts: 

• Mango Cucumber Wine Cooler
• Cucumber, Basil & Mint Vodka Spritzer
• Coffee-spiked Chocolate Caramel Bars (Satisfy My Sweet Tooth)
• Grilled Peaches and Pound Cake (Fake Food Free)

Add your favorite links/ideas below!

We are actually making a dent in our Diners, Drive-In’s & Dives restaurant list here in Minneapolis. Let me tell you, it hasn’t been exactly easy, the list is rather lengthy, but slowly but surely we’ve been making our way around town. I have to admit it has been rather fun! The latest crossed off the DDD list: Victor’s 1959 Cafe.

Victor’s 1959 Cafe has been inching its way towards the top rather quickly however as I love small, kitchy, restaurants that serve delicious food without being overly fancy and stuffy. Located in South Minneapolis, Victor’s itself is tiny. The walls are bright, the patio upbeat with cuban music and the vibe is what I would consider to be eccentric. And absolutely perfect on a summer day.

I was surprisingly in the mood for a mojito (I’m normally just a wine girl) but Victor’s doesn’t have a liqour license so it is beer and wine only. I was a little disappointed until I saw a champagne mojito on the menu….

It was amazing/life-changing/completely delicious and I’m actually glad they didn’t have a regular mojito – this was bubbly, refreshing and we will be making them at home soon. Seriously.

In terms of food though, which was the whole reason we were there, we started with the Cubano Mix – a plate of fried tostones, croquetas and empanadas. Much of the food reminded me of the food I ate in Haiti- fried plantains, rice, beans, etc. and brought back many good memories.  The appetizers were pretty average – they were good, but nothing amazing.

We weren’t really there for the appetizers though, we were there to try the “as seen on the food network” specialties: the Sandwich Cubano and Ropa Vieja. The Cubano was the classic sandwich – ham, pork, pickles, swiss and mustard between pressed bread. It was simply delicious. And everything I had hoped for.

The Ropa Veija (literally “old clothes”) was outstanding. Served with your choice of rice and beans (we went with rice + black beans) and some plaintains, this was amazing. You can tell that the meat simmers for hours, it is so flavorful.

I love living in a city with so many cultural food dishes to experience – it is one of my favorite things to do! Victor’s was great and definitely a trip if you are in the twin cities!

Victor’s 1959 Cafe

3756 Grand Avenue South

Minneapolis, MN

612-827-8948

I’ll be working in Florida this weekend at the Gluten Intolerance Group Conference, but hopefully most of you will be celebrating the 4th with a long weekend, delicious eats and maybe a fun summer cocktail or two!

4th of July food is a must, right?

Which is why I’ve compiled this list of some of my favorite foods and drinks this 4th of July! Some are healthy, some are not. Either path you choose, enjoy your meal, enjoy your family and/or friends and enjoy our freedom!

Mains:

Italian Chicken Burgers

Tijuana Dogs

Mexican Black Bean Burgers (The Healthy Everythingtarian)

Parmesan Pesto Veggie Sandwich (Pinch of Yum)

Chipotle Steak Sliders (In Good Taste)

Shrimp Po’ Boys (baked not fried from The Avid Appetite)

Starters and Sides:

Guacamole Bar (so fun!)

Greek Potato Salad

Orange Ale Viniagrette & Arugula Salad

Grilled Cauliflower, Sage & Brown Butter

Grilled Green Beans with Dill Feta (Fake Food Free)

Peach, Proscuitto & Chevre Crostini (Eating for England)

Bean & Feta Salad (A Fit & Spicy Life)

Quinoa with Zucchini, Blueberries & Feta (Bran Appetit)

Drinks and Sweets:

Heirloom Tomato Bloody Marys

Cucumber, Mint & Basil Vodka Spritzer

S’mores Bars (Satisfy My Sweet Tooth)

Firecracker Whoopie Pies (Annie’s Eats)

Summer Desserts (Foodily)

Have something to share? Add a link below!

I have to admit, I kind of love doing the daily eats posts from time to time – I hope you do too!

Weekends are often quite different in terms of eating for me…no 6am yoga (thankfully!), breakfasts at home, hopefully made by the Taster and perhaps one my favorite things? Coffee out of a real mug! It’s the little things. Sometimes it is mainly snacking, sometimes it is a few larger meals throughout the day.

Saturday May 28th:

Morning workout: 45 minute spin class – 1st time I’ve done spin in a while – love spin!

Followed by lots of water and some coffee + coconut creamer.

Breakfast #1: overnight smoothie ala Michelle from A Lively Kitchen

Ingredients: 1 small banana, 2 Tbsp oats, 1 Tbsp PB Flour, 1 Tbsp Chia Seeds, 1 cup Almond Milk  - soaked overnight and blended the next day with a little extra almond milk + cocoa nibs. *I probably drank about 1/3 of this – bananas don’t always sit well with me!

A trip to the Mill City Farmers Market was definitely in order this weekend (first time of the season) and food was definitely at the top of our minds.

Breakfast #2: Meat Momo (Tibetan dumpling) – shared with the Taster and so delicious. I can’t wait to order from Gorkha Palace - it is an Indian/Tibetan Restaurant in our neighborhood and have always wanted to try it!

After some wandering we made an amazing purchase – an herb planter containing cilantro, basil, parsley, sage, rosemary and marjoram – let’s just hope this stays alive longer than my previous gardening experiences.

Instead of waiting in the crazy Chef Shack line, we decided to grab a bite at Spoonriver which ended up being rather average and pretty disappointing. Our last trip to Spoonriver was great, but I think we could have done a better job ordering this trip.

Lunch: I had the Greens Salad: Sunflower Sprouts, Pumpkin Seeds, Fig Vinaigrette. Which I actually enjoyed, the fig vinaigrette was very different.

The Taster ordered the Spoon Burger: Minnesota Farm Lamb, House Ketchup, Corn Chips. He was a little disappointed – there was also quinoa in it (hehe) which he didn’t really think was that great.  I thought it could have used a little something but the house ketchup was delicious. It was just a little blah and I think we both expected a little more since it was almost $15. Lesson learned.

After an afternoon of website work (like the new look?), camp work and a pedicure, I came home just in time for cocktail hour. Which in our house means a drink and a snack, most likely involving cheese and crackers.

Cocktail Hour: wine + crackers + smoked gouda spread (from whole foods)

Dinner: Tijuana Dogs and coleslaw (1 +1/2 dogs) – more to come on those.

Weekends can mean more snacking and less vegetables but in my mind, it’s all about balance. And that’s one thing I’m pretty good at.

Today I have a fabulous cocktail recipe for you all –  because I’m thinking its about time for summer cocktails on the patio. This weekend is the official beginning to summer, right?

I am honestly not a huge “cocktail” drinker, but if it involves cucumbers, my interest is piqued.

My interest was more than piqued when I  found a recipe for a Cucumber, Basil & Mint Soda. I added the vodka on my own – sometimes it makes life a little more interesting.

Simple syrup was surprisingly easy to make – and I love that I have the control over how sweet I make it. Because I don’t like overly sweet food/drinks, I used about half the sugar that is typically used in simple syrups. The Taster has also requested that we have home-made simple syrup in the house at all times.

Cucumber, Basil & Mint Vodka Spritzer -  1 serving – inspired by Bon Appetit

• 1 oz vodka
• 1 oz cucumber, basil and mint simple syrup (see below)
• soda water
• garnish of cucumber slices, basil and mint leaves

Fill glass with ice, pour vodka and simple syrup over ice. Top with soda water and garnish.

Cucumber, Basil & Mint Simple Syrup

• 1 cup sugar
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 english cucumber, sliced
• 1 oz mint leaves
• 1 oz basil leaves

Heat sugar and water over medium heat, stirring occasionally until sugar has dissolved.

Bring to a boil, add cucumber and herbs to sugar mixture.

Cover and let steep for at least 1/2 hour.

Strain out syrup mixture, reserving all liquid.

Enjoy!

Brunch at Salut is anything but bacon and eggs, although if that is what you are in the mood for, it can certainly be worked out.

I had always heard good things about Salut and on Easter Sunday we took the leap. Crab Cakes Benedict can sell the Taster on anything, I swear. Perhaps I should use some food persuasion for that black diamond ring I’m lusting after…

With a 1pm reservation – leaving plenty of time for a morning yoga session – I was more in the mood for lunch than breakfast. This is typical and the reason we don’t go out to breakfast often, although a number of the “breakfast” items on the Salut Brunch menu sounded amazing and I would have been happy with many of them.

With the sun shining and the patio doors open, a gentle, but cool Spring breeze greeted us in the safety (aka warmth) of inside. Cocktails were had – proscecco for her and a bloody for him alongside an appetizer of escargot bourguignon…when in a France…or a French Restaurant.

{we were a little disappointed that our server didn’t tell us that mimosas and bellinis were half-off on Sundays but now we know!}

I ordered the Ahi Tuna Sandwich – I wish it had been a bit rare, but I failed to mention how I wanted it cooked and they didn’t ask – it was still delicious and perfectly light and satisfying at the same time. I loved the cucumber and spicy mayo that came along with it. {I resisted their famous frites and went for a salad on the side…must have been the morning yoga!}

The Taster “decided” on the Baked Crab Benedict, which seemed pricy at $15.95, but the portion was huge! In addition to being delicious, the sweet corn hollandaise was an interesting twist on the breakfast staple.

We left with full bellies and happy hearts – well worth the price of an amazing meal from time to time don’t you think?

Salut also has a great happy hour, so we’ll be headed back again soon.  {Next time I’m trying the frites!}

Salut

Edina: 50th & France – 952.929.3764

St. Paul: 917 Grand Ave – 651.917.2345

This dinner party started like all of the other dinner parties I have.

With prosecco. Prosecco with ume plum wine to be exact.  I was lucky enough to participate in an Annie Chun’s Dinner Party, which meant I was to host an Asian Dinner Party, choosing between Korean, Thai or Chinese fare. I decided to go with a Korean theme, mainly because the Korean Flank Steak recipe sounded amazing!

Menu

Starters: Chicken and Pork Pot Stickers, Rice Crackers & Roasted Seaweed

Main: Korean Flank Steak with Sticky Rice, Pickled Cucumber Salad and Sigumchi Namul (Korean Seasoned Spinach)

Dessert: Black Sticky Rice with Coconut Mango Ice Cream

This dinner party was a lot of fun to plan – with a little guidance from Annie Chun’s and plenty of creative room – I decided on a menu that like most of my dishes, is healthy, simple, full of vegetables and delicious as ever.

The starters were Pork and Chicken with Vegetable Pot Stickers served alongside some Rice Crackers and Roasted Seaweed for munching. (We did have a slight fiasco with the pot stickers sticking to the pan because I don’t think I used enough oil, but thankfully my guests didn’t judge me too much and they still tasted good!)

A marinade of Korean BBQ sauce and gochujang sauce flavored the Flank Steak impeccably, and the Taster cooked it to perfection! After some quick internet searches for some side dishes to go along with the Korean Steak I decided on a pickled cucumber salad (so simple!) and Sigumchi Namul. Both side dishes allowed me to do most of the prep work ahead of time and the great thing about spinach is that it literally takes 2 minutes to cook. Since there would be rice twice during the meal, I knew I wanted strictly veggie sides. The greens also add a beautiful contrast to the plate.

Dessert was easy. But I can’t really take credit for it. You see, desserts have never really been my strong point and I just happen to know someone who makes home-made ice cream in all sorts of flavors. Yes, home-made! So Kate made some Coconut Mango Ice Cream for me and I served it over the black sticky rice. The ice cream was great – not too sweet, with hints of mango and coconut. It really was the perfect ending.

It is actually quite rare for me to have dinner parties. I love to entertain, but because our table only seats 4 and our dishes are less than desirable, entertaining is usually limited to appetizers and cocktails. Since this was a bit of a special meal, I also wanted to really think about the table settings and decorations. Just like dessert, decorating is not something I really excel at so I wanted to keep it simple. Flowers and candles were easy, and always warm up a table; and the little cards on each place setting read Jalmukesumneda, which essentially means, I’m looking forward to this meal.

And I really was.

Annie Chun’s provided me with various products and compensation for other ingredients for hosting this dinner party.

My weekend search for my cooking mojo took me all the way to Chicago. We also missed the biggest snow storm Minneapolis has seen in a long time. I’m not sure if I’m happy or sad about that – I think being snowed in sounds kind of fun!

I’m happy to report that my mojo is on its way back – our trip started with an amazing afternoon meal at Surdyk’s Flights. I always (repeat, always) go to French Meadow Cafe, but I just had to try it out. It was everything I dreamed it would be. A flight of Spanish wine, some marinated chevre and a frisee salad with crispy pancetta and a poached egg later, I was ready for the weekend and I was ready to start thinking about food again. Just as the Surdyk’s Cheese Shop has those interesting little gems that I just have to get, the airport location has the same. Charcoal crackers and aged goat cheese to go? Oh yes.

Friday we spent as tourists – on the list for the weekend was the ChristKindlMarket to celebrate heritage (complete with potato latkes and hot mulled wine), a walk through Millennium Park, and a delicious pork belly reuben and my first Scotch Egg at The Gage.

Saturday morning started with a hot fusion yoga class – delightful and sweaty. Just how I like it. Then we started hearing about the 15 inches of snow that Minneapolis was getting and the thought of a cancelled flight crossed our minds, but not for long. We had shopping to get to and a show to see! Bright and early Sunday morning I received an email, and our 2 day trip to Chicago turned into a 3 day one. So a leisurely brunch (amazing), bloody mary and packer game ended the weekend on a relaxing note.

It was the perfect weekend, and really what I needed: relaxation and sleep, good food, tall buildings and a touch of yoga – all surrounded by new family!

I’m ready to get back in the kitchen – and I’ve got a lot of recipes waiting for me.