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.
Scones from French Meadow Bakery at the Fair
The fresh-baked strawberry and peach filled buttermilk scones from French Meadow Bakery (at the fair) are remarkably tasty — and feel healthy for fair food!
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by Brenda Johnson]
Oklahoma Cinnamon Rolls at the Minnesota State Fair Food Building
Fair food can often be ersatz, canned, decanted-from-a-bag food, but sometimes it’s pretty real. You can watch bakers make the Oklahoma Cinnamon Rolls from scratch in the Food Building — rolling out the dough, sprinkling on the cinnamon sugar, and baking each tender, sweet, delicious bun in the oven. The show makes the inevitable wait in line downright enjoyable.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | From an Instagram Post by James Norton]
Charred Onion and Goat Cheese Bruschetta from Bar La Grassa
The charred red onion and goat cheese bruschetta at Bar La Grassa is an example of simple ingredients coming together elegantly to create something otherworldly. The sweetness of the onion paired with the tart cheese is perfection on toast.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by Paige Latham]
Sour Cream Raisin Pie at Lange’s Cafe in Pipestone
This is road trip food exactly as it was meant to be. Lange’s will serve you dinner at noon and supper in the evening and pie at every meal if you want it — even after one of their famously mammoth cinnamon rolls at breakfast. Sour cream raisin pie is a diner tradition crying for a comeback. Lange’s is so thick it is almost spreadable and sweet enough to make your teeth ache. In other words: exactly right.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by Tricia Cornell]
Kimchi Pancake at Black Cat Natural Foods
The Black Cat Natural Foods breakfast stand at the Mill City Farmers Market expanded its menu this summer, and now offers a kimchi pancake: a sizable, tender pancake with kimchi both inside and on top, along with a fried egg, chili aioli, and cilantro. Tons of flavor with a bit of a spicy kick … this is a great way to wake yourself up on a cool farmers market morning.
[Debuting on the Hot Five | Submitted by Amy Rea]