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.
The Hot Five is a weekly feature created by the Heavy Table and supported by Shepherd Song Farm.
Beef Stix at Thielen Meats
If you’re a connoisseur of beef sticks, then a trip to Thielen Meats in Pierz, Minn. may be in your future. Someone told us that Martha Stewart buys her bacon from Thielen, so heck, the Beef Stix must be awesome … and they are. The natural sheep casing had a nice snap, and the texture of the meat was granular without being pasty. The seasoning was mild and not overly salty, letting the taste of quality beef show through. Thielen Meats is a full service butcher with a vast selection of meats, both fresh and frozen. Definitely worth the hour+ drive from the Twin Cities.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by Brenda Johnson]
Halibut at Tenant
The passing of the torch (and site) from Piccolo’s Doug Flicker to Tenant’s seems to have been a success. Tenant’s 6-course tasting menu is an affordable luxury full of creativity and comfort. The halibut course was a stunning juxtaposition of fresh, meaty fish and pungent lobster broth with charred scallion.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by Paige Didora]
Honeynut Squash from Loon Organics
The adorable honeynut squash (set next to a small tomato for scale) is like the baby sister of the butternut squash. It’s similar in flavor, somewhat sweeter, and is lovely either just roasted on its own or paired with more savory fillings. This one was found at Loon Organics at the Mill City Farmers Market.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by Amy Rea]
Black Ice Cream at Milkjam Creamery
True chocoholics are a different species entirely from sugar addicts. They crave some sweetness to enhance and balance the power of cacao but are really drilling down into the soulful, mind-altering heart of chocolate as opposed to wallowing in mere sugar. In that regard, Black ice cream from Milkjam Creamery is among the most serious chocolate ice creams ever conceived, so perfect a vector it is for deep chocolate flavor. Some of us are dairy fanatics from the Dairy State, and we didn’t even miss the milk in this perfect vegan ice cream.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by James Norton]
Everything Bagel from Rise Bagel
Rise Bagel occasionally makes an appearance at the Kingfield Farmers Market, and the everything bagel is incredible. The fluffy texture and chewy exterior make an ideal vector for scallion cream cheese. It’s perfect for pumpkin shopping!
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by Brenda Johnson]