Corn Chowder
Ingredients:
7-10 ears of sweet corn. (will come to about 3 cups sweet corn kernels)
1 large red or yellow onion
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups chicken stock
6 potatoes: cut into small cubes
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves: minced
1 cup heavy cream
Fresh ground pepper, to taste
Salt, to taste
Directions: (Serves 6)
1. Remove the corn kernels from half the the corn cobs. With the remaining ears of corn, use the large holes of a box grater to take off the majority of the corn. So this over a bowl so you don't loose any of the pulp and juices. If there is any remaining corn on the cob, scrap it off with the back of your knife.
2. Heat the butter and oil in a large heavy bottomed soup pot and saute the onion until translucent.
3. Add the chicken stock and the potatoes. Bring to boil and then reduce heat and simmer for a couple of minutes.
4. Add milk, the grater corn pulp and juice only, thyme and pepper. Let this simmer for about 8 minutes until the potatoes are tender.
5. Add the whole corn kernels and the heavy cream. Simmer for about 5-6 minutes until the corn kernels are cooked. (don't over cook them!)
6. Taste and adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper.
This recipe is courtesy of www.relucantgourmet.com.
|
Apples Will Be Early
Don't wait to get out there and visit your local apple orchard! Most local apples will ripen about 10-15 days earlier than normal. You can find your local apple orchard by ordering your FREE copy if the Minnesota Grown Directory or viewing it online. This year's Directory boast over 100 apple farms that have lots of fun activities to offer. 
You may hear some negative stories from the media saying the local crop is nonexistent due to the late spring frost. Please know, while some farmers may have damaged crop, many orchards are reporting a good crop. Many orchards will not only have apples, but also fall raspberries, pumpkins, corn mazes and all the other great fall fun activities for you and your family. The crazy spring weather just means it's more important for you to call ahead to the farm before heading off for a visit. They'll update you on hours, crop conditions and activities.
|
|
2012-2013 Minnesota Grown Directory!
 Find your local farmers markets, sweet corn growers and more in the 2012-13 Minnesota Grown Directory. Make sure you get your FREE copy today! Order online at MinnesotaGrown.com or by phone at 1-800-657-3878. |
|
THANK YOU!!
We appreciate every person who reads this newsletter and supports Minnesota Grown. If you have something related to Minnesota Grown foods that you'd like to know more about- please tell us! :)
|
Like us on Facebook
Facebook is a great way to have two-way conversations with our supporters. We try to give you the most up to date, relevant information about our activities and events around town. We love to hear what you have to say, see you liking our photos and posts. If you don't already like our page, please click on the "like us on Facebook" image below. And if you do, please suggest our page to your friends and let's keep the dialogue going! We look forward to hearing more of your thoughts and ideas as well as sharing what's new and local with you!
|
|
|
|
|
|
National Farmers Markets Week is Here!
National Farmers Market is this week, August 5th-11th. There will be lots of fun events taking place at markets throughout the state during this week. Be sure to like us on Facebook to stay up to date about what and where things are happening! Minnesota Grown kicked off Farmers Market week on Friday, Aug 3rd at the Capitol Farmers Market. There was an exciting "Name That Veggie" contest in which state agencies will compete against each other for a traveling trophy & of course, bragging rights! Check out the Minnesota Grown Facebook page for pictures and to see who won. You can get in on the fun too! Play an online version of the game here and have the chance to win some great Minnesota Grown products!
The start of Aug means a lot of Minnesota Grown produce is available and filling the stalls of markets across Minnesota. Sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, herbs, radishes, cucumbers, summer squash, potatoes... the list of produce goes on and on! Are you curious what else could be at the market? Take a look at the Minnesota Grown what's in season chart for a general guide to when produce will start to appear at your local farmers market. You can search the Minnesota Grown Directory online to find one of more than 150 farmers markets by you. Many markets have baked/canned goods, jams, jellies and other items that compliment the fresh produce. Some even have crafts, kids activities and music for your entertainment!
|
|
'In the Kitchen' With Minnesota Grown and MN Cooks
Minnesota Grown has partnered with Minnesota Cooks to find chefs who source locally for an "In the Kitchen" segment during the morning show on Fox 9. The segment aired Thursday, Aug 2nd at 8:45 and featured Minnesota Grown's own Jessica Miles and MN Cooks Chef JD Fratzke. He is co-owner and executive chef at The Strip Club Meat & Fish in St Paul, MN. You can click here to watch the video and to see the full (and oh so tasty) recipe for B.E.L.T that was demonstrated on the show.
JD is a Minnesota native, who grew up along the banks of the Mississippi River in Winona, MN. One of his first memories is of his grandma and himself in her kitchen kneading bread. His family installed the importance of food into his life and remembers all family events being centered around it. They appreciated the land they came from as well as hunting, fishing, gathering and taking care of that land. While his family loved food, cooking techniques were not the top of their lists. He did not come from a culinary sophisticated upbringing - but rather one that appreciated where the food came from and mainly, how it tasted.
JD moved to the metro area when he was just 18 with little experience in the food industry. (That is, if you consider working at a hot dog cart food industry experience). He began working in kitchen's in Minneapolis. JD understood that cooks were a necessary part of many people's lives and found it to be an "honorable position where you work with your hands and stand on your feet". After moving around to a few different places, he started to work at a fine-dining Italian restaurant. The restaurant turned out to be full of great teachers and a great place to work. Every month the restaurant would feature foods from a different region of Italy. They would teach their staff about the region, about the food and most importantly, about why the food was important to the region. From then on, JD was able to think about cooking as more than just a job. He knew every one of his interests could be put into flavor on a plate and that he could bring the WHY into every entree he created.
Years ago, an old friend Tim Niver, called JD and said he found an old building in the east-side of St Paul and said he wanted to turn it into a steak house. JD first laughed it off thinking Tim was crazy, but they went and looked at the place anyway. The Strip Club Meat & Fish's building was originally a green grocer and butcher shop. Seeing the location, knowing the rich history of the Dayton Bluff area- JD & Tim dove in. Both owners understand and truly believe that great, world-class food ingredients are raised in our backyards. They know the importance of serving fresh, locally sourced food- not only for the benefit of the economy, community but also for the taste of the food. JD and Tim will celebrate The Strip Club 5th birthday this January. The Strip Club has a rich atmosphere, decidable drinks made to your liking and of course, amazing food.
|
|
August events you CAN'T MISS!
The month of Aug is FULL of great events celebrating Minnesota. Here are three events you won't want to miss:
1) THE MINNESOTA GARLIC FESTIVAL. Saturday Aug 11th from 10a-6p at the McLeod County Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, MN. The cost is $5 for adults, $3 for kids under 12 and stroller/carried babies are free! This fun filled family event will surely please you and your taste buds. The tradition of unique entertainment will continue with some festival favorites returning and new acts, kite flying, old style country picnic games and more! There is also a Minnesota wine and craft beer tasting and contest. With over 100 varieties of garlic grown in Minnesota - you are bound to learn a lot and maybe find your new favorite variety! Check out the Minnesota Garlic Festival website for a schedule of events. Don't forget to swing by our booth to say hello and get your FREE copy of the Minnesota Grown Directory! 
2) THE HOMEGROWN EXPERIENCE. Sunday Aug 19th from 11a-4p at the Nicollet Island Pavilion in Minneapolis, MN. The cost is $20 in advance and $25 at the door. You get a free wine glass and market tote bag with admission. This is a 21+ event only. This event features chef local vintners and brewers, local food producers and new this year- an outdoor farmers market! This is a great event to learn about local, sustainable and organic foods. Check out the Homegrown Experience website for the demonstration stage schedule and a list of exhibitors. Also, our friends at Edible Twin Cities will be handing out Minnesota Grown Directories in addition to the latest issue of their great magazine.
3) THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR. Thursday Aug 23rd-Monday Sep 3rd at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St Paul, MN. The Minnesota State Fair is full of fun, food, animals and education! You can try new foods, like the Classic Walleye Roll. Tasty fresh walleye with Minnesota wild rice and minced celery on a bun-yum! Find it at Giggle's campfire Grill located on Cooper St & Lee Ave in The North Woods. Stop by great education places like the Ag-Hort building (where all the cool kids are- like Minnesota Grown, MN Christmas Tree Assn, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, MN Apple Growers, MN Honey Producers Assn, St Paul Farmers Market Assn, St Paul Farmers Market Assn and more!), Eco-Experience, the CHS Miracle of Birth Center and so much more! Head to the Minnesota State Fair's website for pre-sale tickets and more information.
|
|
|
Sponsors
Minnesota Cooks was started by Minnesota Farmers Union in 2003. We are happy to work with them to help us find fantastic Chefs who believe in sourcing locally for our "In the Kitchen" segments on Fox 9. The organization puts out a yearly calendar showcasing Minnesota farms and chefs, in addition to year-round promotion including a cooking demonstration at the Minnesota State Fair! The calendar is a testament to the superb growers in Minnesota and the talented sustainably-minded chefs and restaurant owners who work relentlessly to highlight farm-fresh foods.
The first 25 people who like the Minnesota Grown Facebook page AND send us a Facebook message with their mailing address will receive
a FREE Minnesota Cooks calendar!!
Minnesota Farmers Union is the lead sponsor for the Minnesota grown Directory. They work to protect and enhance the economic interests and quality of life for family farmers and ranchers and rural communities. They are a nonprofit membership-based organization. Did you know you don't have to be a farmers to be a member of the Minnesota Farmers Union? Check it out!
|
|
|
