Each Friday, this list will track five of the best things Heavy Table’s writers, editors, and photographers have recently bitten or sipped. Have a suggestion for the Hot Five? Email editor@heavytable.com.
Smoked Salmon with Dill from Northern Waters Smokehaus
There are a lot of things going on at Northern Waters Smokehaus that are worth raving about, but the smoked salmon with dill is a favorite among favorites. Completely covered with dill, the fish is mildly smoky, fatty, and herbal tasting. At $19 a pound, it’s not cheap, but a little goes a long way. Try it on toast with cream cheese, or better yet, with their own green-onion cream cheese. No plan to make it to Duluth? Keep an eye out next summer for their periodic visits to the Fulton and Kingfield farmers markets.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by Ted Held]
Bloody Mary with Bacon-Infused Vodka from Smack Shack
A huge shrimp, summer-style sausage, pickled banana pepper, a cheese curd, and an olive — lightly dusted with Old Bay — garnish this “breakfast-in-a-glass” adult beverage. Not too spicy, with a ton of flavor, it’s the perfect way to start your afternoon football / golf / soccer viewing. It comes with a chaser to boot.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by Brenda Johnson]
Chestnut Crab Apples
I discovered these last year, and with the first bite I thought, “Where have you been all my life?” And now I’m seeing chestnut crabs in the co-ops, the farmers markets and a bunch of pick-your-own orchards. They’re doll-sized and taste like they have been dipped in honey, with a fantastic snap.
[Last Week on the Hot Five: #1 | Submitted by Tricia Cornell]
Fall in Sweden from 
Swedish Crown Bakery
Cardamom sprinkles, Swedish pearl sugar, apple filling and a lingonberry jam topping combine to make the croissantesque Fall in Sweden one of our favorite local pastries. Like all of the offerings at Swedish Crown, it shows a European sensibility in terms of how it balances the sweetness of sugar with the tart brightness of fruit, resulting in something ultimately a lot tastier than the vast majority of American doughnuts.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by James Norton]
Chicken Tikka Dosa from Copper Pot Indian Grill
Great Indian food is bold. It’s got texture, fiery heat, and a tremendous depth of spice that you can get lost in. Copper Pot is serving up some of the best Indian in the region, and we were particularly delighted with their chicken tikka dosa. Filled with charred chicken and earthy, pungent onions, this massive crepe is built to be dipped in an accompanying vegetable soup that packs a serious hot-’n’-spicy flavor wallop. All in all, fireworks on the palate.
[Last Week on the Hot Five: #2 | Submitted by James Norton]