the churn

Skimming the cream of local food news

• March 12 Recipe Roundup

  Supper club potato pancakes and a Wisconsin fish story, grilled chicken fajitas, coffee cake with sweet almond topping, and stovetop mac and cheese.

• March 12 Tweet Rodeo

  @GuseGreenGrocer sets the date for their official grand opening, @DMBiteAndChew enjoys his meal at @BarLaGrassa, @MNBeer announces MN Craft Beer Week (two months in advance), @128Cafe hosts a @LiftBridge dinner, and @GastroNonGrata urges you to attend tomorrow night’s Eggs for Africa event.

• Behold the Glory of Mangalista Pork [1]

  As per an email from Chef Lenny Russo, Heartland will begin this weekend to serve pork from locally raised Mangalista pigs. He notes that the lard-type pigs “have a depth and intensity of flavor that is unlike other pig breeds that are currently available in this market.  Both the French Laundry and The Herbfarm are featuring Mangalista pork.” He adds: “I sampled the first of these pigs a couple of weeks ago.  Mega and I had some of the bacon for breakfast followed by some loin chops for dinner.  While it was quite delicious and unlike any other pork I have had outside of Europe, I have to admit that, like foie gras, it should be consumed in moderation.” [Click here for a PDF of the detailed and highly interesting email]

• March 12 Morning Roundup

  The Journal-Sentinel covers a packed raw milk hearing in Eau Claire [via Chef Chris], a rumination on seeds, Glenn Beck, and the apocalypse, Dara reveals that Wild Acres turkey drumsticks will be served up at the new Twins Stadium, there’s a new pizza place opening near the excellent Cave Vin, MNBeer’s got the pretty new Surly Four (double espresso milk stout) label, Grain Belt commercial nostalgia from Nokohaha, and Rick’s top five fish fries.

  Also, the mint in my garden is actually green and growing already. Crazy. And — hey — Fork the Fire. This Sunday.

• Yelp Review of the Week: Mandarin Kitchen

  Yelper Rhonda G. writes of Mandarin Kitchen: “The experience of dimsum reminds me of the minor eating disorder called ritualistic eating.”

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