On a recent evening, we challenged ourselves to put together a tasting comparison between California and Wisconsin cheeses and beers. We're happy to share our pairings below. 1st course: Clock Shadow Creamery Maple Quark on whole grain rye toasts Originating in Germany, this fresh, soft cheese tastes like a mix of soft goat cheese and [...]
In Praise of Pumpkins – Soup, Pierogis, and Pancakes
Pumpkins are simply a uniquely identifiable type of winter squash, indigenous to America, and now a globally recognized symbol of autumn. The flavors of winter squash can vary from relatively bland to rich and buttery. They can also take on vegetal qualities similar to summer squashes, such as zucchini. Pureed or roasted, they provide a [...]
The Humble Hamburger
The hamburger origin dispute is fun. The effort made to claim the invention of the hamburger is in stark contrast to effort needed to make one. There is one claim by Carlie Nagreen of Hortonville, WI, who claimed to serve them first at the Seymour County Fair in 1885. There are also claims for invention [...]
The Autumn Ritual – Apple Orchard Trip
A recent piece by James Norton over at HeavyTable on the "Noble Farce" of the modern apple orchard inspired me to comment here on our autumn ritual of visiting the folks at Barthel Fruit Farm in Mequon, WI. If you haven't read the blog, articles, and books by Mr. Norton over at HeavyTable, you are [...]
Fall Harvest – Apple Cider Brined Roast Chicken
If you are driving the stretch of land between Grand Rapids and Lake Michigan you will see a patchwork of farms around the town of Hudsonville and in late fall some of those farms will be harvesting winter squash, a seemingly endless variety of shapes in oranges and greens. If you happen to stumble across [...]
Great Lakes Cuisine 