Mary & Steve's State Fair List

It is that time of the year again...The Minnesota State Fair. Probably the best state fair in the country. Boy, experiencing the fair as an adult is a lot different than as a child. I have found I really like the MN agricultural building, probably because they have wine.

Went this year with the fam, and Steve and I kept a list of everything we ate. I have left off drink because really they don't count!

1. Corn Dog - A classic. Usually the first thing I get at the fair. Though there is usually an argument over which is better: a corn dog or a pronto-pup.

2. Cheese Curds - Another classic. This year we bought from the stand that is not in the food building. There was a smaller line and they were just as good.

3. Hot Dish on a Stick - A new item for us this year. It was interesting. They alternate meatballs and tatertots on a stick, dipped in batter then deep-fried. They give you a side of mushroom gravy for a dip. It was good, but I wasn't a fan of the corn-meal batter.

4. Key Lime Pie on a Stick - My hidden favorite. Located just outside the food building, next the the entrance for the gondolas. The pie is frozen and chocolate covered, need I say more!

5. Walleye on a Stick - Once again, another classic. Inside the food building, covered in tater sauce!

6. Wild Rice Corn Dog - We are big fans of the wild rice bratwurst from the farmer's market. This was along the same lines, just make into a corn dog.

7. Garlic Fries - Another new item for us the year. These are not french fries seasoned with garlic salt, but fries with sauted garlic. They were amazing if you are a garlic lover like me. Huge portion though, we didn't finish it all.

8. Fried Green Tomatoes - Another Zanmiller/Bohn staple. Perfectly deep-fried, served with a side of ranch dressing.

9. Frozen Apple Cider - So Good! We found this inside Minnesota Agricultural building. Probably the best deal at the fair. $1 for a 12-oz cup of cider, $1 for a cider icy.

10. Pork Chop on a Stick - I remember the year they introduced this, the lines were insane! Still very good, though a little too salty for me.

11. Strawberry Short-Cake - A family tradition for us. Something sweet after a day a salty foods.

12. Mashed Potato on a Stick - Yum, my new favorite! Deep-fried cheese and bacon mashed potatoes served with a side of sour cream, ranch, ketchup or gravy.

13. Rootbeer/Orange Float - At the Dairy Bar in Heritage Square. A good item to end the day and cool down with :)

One more picture...my favorite thing to do is stand uphill on the streets and look down at the massive crowd of people.

Changes

I have made a few changes in my life. First, I changed the title of my blog. When I started doing this I imagined sharing my experiences at different restaurants around the Twin Cities and sharing my favorite recipes. I will continue to do so, but there was so much more I wanted to contribute. This is my little corner of the world that I get to control.

Second BIG change....I am moving September 1st!!! After three years of being back home with my parents and little brother, I am finally getting a place of my own (well, with a roommate...Hi Robin!). While, I have never felt unwelcome moving back in with the family I just felt it was time to take this big step. I am totally done with school (for now) and starting to look for full time work as a teacher. This change will be a big one and I am going to need to make some personal changes (reigning in some of my spending!) but I am excited to finally starting to feel like more of an adult. I am totally going to miss seeing my family everyday (especially the big black fur ball sitting next to be right now) but they will only be a fifteen minute car ride away.

Third (hopefully) big change....getting a job. Many people have asked me this summer about job prospects. I am applying everyday, I have had a few interviews this summer for full time positions. So far nothing, but I remain hopeful. The right job will come at the right time. So, it could be another year of substitute teaching, which has its perks. The more experience I get, the more desirable of a candidate I become.

So, changes. They can be scary and change is something that I have struggled with in the past. But, the changes happening in my life right now are excited changes and nothing to be afraid of.

I would totally hang out with Suri Cruise

Alright...anyone who knows me knows that I love gossip magazines. USWeekly, People, InTouch, OK. If I could afford it I would subscribe to each one. For my birthday three years ago my parents got a subscription in USWeekly, and I would slowly read it each week to savor the celebrity gossip. A co-worker for mine (Ms. Linda!) and I would bring in our old magazines and swap. These magazines help me through boring days and gives me a chance to escape for a few hours.

Now onto the title of the post. I often fantasize what it would have been like to have famous parents. Don't get me wrong, I love my family and wouldn't change them for anything in the world. But, imagine how different your life would have been with infinate possibilities. That is how I feel Suri Cruise's life is. Now, I am sure all celebrity kids have the same possibilities but for some reason it seems like Suri is focused on so much more when it comes to the perks of being a Hollywood child.

Now, I don't think I would want Tom Cruise or Kate Holmes as a parent (he seems bat-shit crazy and she seems like a mindless robot) but I would totally hang with Suri. She always seems to be dressed in the cutest clothes (which often cost more than I spend on clothes a year), she gets to jet-set all over the world at the age for five, go to Broadway shows and probably meet some of the coolest people. I am sure once she is older she is headed for a major meltdown, but to see the world for one day through her eyes I think would be super awesome.

My Family of Friends

This week my little brother went up to Bemidji to register for his first year of college. As I drove the familiar roads to my of favorite places in the world, I was over-whelmed with memories of my time there. My family has vacations up near that area for many years and Bemidji State University of my top pick of schools when I graduated.

For me high school was just okay, it wasn't bad but it wasn't the best years of my life like many people claim. I was excited to go off to college. It was a time to prove to myself and other people in my life that I had grown up and could start to do things on my own. Bemidji was far enough away from the Twin Cities that I couldn't come running home each weekend, but close enough that I could come home when I wanted.

Leaving home and living on my own for the first time in my life was a scary yet exhilarating experience. As many of you know, I am very close to my mom and depend on her support and inspiration. But, I was very lucky to meet a group of girls who became my support as well as my life long friends...we dubbed ourselves "The Herd."

These eight girls became my family. They became the people I turned too with my immediate family 300 miles away. They were with me through one of my most important years of my life. They were with me through tears, frustration and doubts about my abilities to make it through my freshmen year of college. Most importantly they were with me throughout the year that shaped me to become the person I am today.

My best memories from that year involve these girls. Midnight swimming in Lake Bemidji, going out Friday and Saturday nights, tequila rollerblading through Bemidji, meeting all the cute college boys, eating at Perkins at one o'clock in the morning, hanging (partying) out in the dorms, our Spring Break trip to Canada, road trips to Grand Forks, Fargo and St. Cloud, midnight trips to WalMart, keggers out in the middle of nowhere.

There girls became my life long friends. We are now spread throughout Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. We do not get to see each other every often, but when we do we fall right back into our friendships. I know each and everyone of them would be there if I needed them to be. And I would do the same for them. Long live "The Herd."

Restaurant File - Twisted Fork Grille

So my mom and I were driving down Grand Ave the other day and saw a new restaurant on Grand and Hamline....okay it could be a few years old but it was new to me! It is in the same building on The Green Mill and it is called Twisted Fork Grille. So I decided to try it out one night...and then again the next day!

So my first experience was dinner with my friend Erin. We met on a week-day night and were able to get a table right away without a reservation. The menu is mostly American bistro food, such as a Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad, Warm Turkey Sandwich with Cranberry Chutney, Bison Meatloaf, and Walleye with Rice Cakes. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.

My friend Erin and I both ended up ordering the same entree. We had the Chicken with Mushroom Risotto. It was described in the menu as a, "natural Amish roasted chicken with wild mushroom risotto and a tomato-garlic broth. Served with grilled asparagus." I like ordering risotto at restaurants because when I make it at home it usually ends up too thick or too loose. I was a little hesitant about the tomato-garlic broth, but is was very good addition to the meal. And I am not a huge chicken person (I would take a nice steak over chicken any day), but is was cooked perfectly. For dessert we both ordered the Lavender Creme Brulee which comes with almond cookies. And it was AMAZING! I really need to get my own little kitchen blow torch so I can start trying to make this at home.

So the next day I was out running errands with my mom and our friend Rosann when we decided to grab some appetizers and dessert. They wanted to try out Twisted Fork after I had told them about the creme brulee. We ended up splitting the Caramalized Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Spinach Artichoke Dip. Even it you think you don't like Brussels sprouts by caramelizing them in butter and serving them with bacon they become delicious. The Spinach Artichoke Dip is make with garlic, onion, cream cheese and spinach and served with a baguette. Both appetizers were very good and the others on the menu looked just as delicious.

I would definitely recommend you try out the Twisted Fork Grille. It is a nice addition to the Grand area restaurants. They have a daily happy hour from 3-5 and 9-close, at that time they serve half-priced apps, tap beer and wine. It is moderately priced, but the food is worth the price.

Twisted Fork Grille
Corner of Grand and Hamline Avenues
http://twistedforkgrille.com/index.php

Recipe Box - Veggie Tomato Soup

This is the recipe I get the most requests. I adapted it from a Rachael Ray recipe, but put my own twist on it. I hope you enjoy!

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 carrots, sliced
1 medium zucchini, sliced
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 carton portebello mushrooms, sliced
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 15-oz can diced tomatoes
1 15-oz can tomato sauce
4 cups chicken stock
1 cup frozen green beans
1/2 cup quick-cooking barley

1. On large soup pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and crushed red pepper; cook for 5-7 minutes. Add carrots cook another 3 minutes, add zucchini cook another 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook about 1 minute. Add mushrooms and basil and cook until tender.

2. Turn hear to medium-high and stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and chicken stock. Bring soup to a boil.

3. Add frozen green beans to soup and bring back up to a boil. Add in barley and cook for ten minutes.

4. Serve. I usually sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on top and serve with some sort of crusty bread.

Restaurant File - Jensen's Cafe

When I was younger I did not like breakfast foods. As I have gotten older I have found I to enjoy certain foods for breakfast. I am still not a cereal and scrambled egg eater but I have found I really enjoy waffles, pancakes and Eggs Benedict.

Let me start by telling you that I love Eggs Benedict, well actually I love hollandaise sauce and would eat anything covered in it! So usually when I go out for breakfast I end up ordering Eggs Benedict and my trip to Jensen's Cafe was no exception. Many restaurants have multiple types of Benedict and at Jensen's Cafe you can order regular, chipolte, Florentine with tomato and spinach, salmon with dill hollandaise, steak with chipolte sauce, and Montreal with sausage patties and sausage gravy. Seriously! So many choices, it took me forever to choose. I finally decided on the chipolte Benedict, which is like the regular but with a chipolte hollandaise sauce. And the best part about Jensen's Benedict...? Instead of coming on an English muffin, they serve it on top of mini pancakes. At first I thought this would be gross, but the sweet pancakes with the salty sauce was amazing.

My friend Laura who went with me ordered the Garden Ome-Alot, and it was actually an Ome-Alot. It was one the the biggest and fluffiest omelets I have seen at any restaurant. She seemed very happy with her choice.

Most breakfasts come with a side of breakfast potatoes, which are diced, seasoned red potatoes. You can substitute cheesy hash browns or fruit for 99 cents. I chose the cheesy hash browns and they were the best I have had for awhile. Laura said she really liked the breakfast potatoes.

The breakfast menu is quite extensive. There are a wide variety of pancakes, waffles, omelets, egg dishes and plenty of side and a la carte options. The daytime menu also offers lunch options.

We went on a Sunday about 11 in the morning. It was about a twenty minutes wait for a table. But, there is a gift shop attached so you do have something to do while you wait. Overall, I found Jensen's Cafe to be a fun bunch option.

Jensen's Cafe - 12750 Nicollet Ave. S. Burnsville, MN

Recipe Box - Cornbread and Beef Skillet Pie

Tried this out for the first time Wednesday night and it was a hit with the whole family (even Sam!).

1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1/2 cup plus 2 T all-purpose flour
1 t baking soda
1 T olive oil
2 red bell peppers (ribs and seeds removed), thinly sliced
1 medium red onion
1 package (10 ounces) white button mushrooms, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, chopped (this was not in the original recipe, but I added it)
1 1/2 pound(s) ground sirloin
1/4 cup tomato paste
3/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1 large egg, lightly beaten

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a small bowl, whisk together cornmeal, 1/2 cup flour, baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; set aside.

2. In large ovenproof skillet (I used a dutch oven) heat oil over medium heat. Add peppers, onions, and mushrooms. Cook until tender, about 6-8 minutes, tossing occasionally; season with salt and pepper.

3. Raise heat to high; add sirloin and tomato paste. Cook, stirring, until meat is no longer pink about 3-5 minutes. Stir in remaining 2 tablespoons flour and 2/3 cup water (or beef broth, which is what I used); season with salt and pepper.

4. Make cornmeal batter. Add sour cream and egg to reserved cornmeal mixture; stir just until moistened. Drop tablespoons over beef mixture in skillet, 1 inch apart. Bake until biscuits are golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes.

Adapted from Delish.com

2011 Academy Awards - My Best and Worst Dressed

Yea! It's that time of the year again....The Academy Awards. It's like the Superbowl of fashion. I watch the red carpet and telecast every year with my mom. One year when I was still in college, she drove up to Bemidji, brought Chinese food from Wong's Kitchen and stayed over in my dorm room to watch with me...isn't she the best! We like to sit in our living room, eating fatty food and drinking fake champagne and pass judgement on what the stars are wearing. So here are my picks for best and worst dress this year.

Best Dressed:

1. Jennifer Lawrence in Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein. One word: FLAWLESS! The whole look is very minimal and I think that is why I like it so much. She doesn't over-do the hair and jewelry and looks perfect for her first Oscar appearance.
2. Scarlett Johansson in Dolce & Gabbana. This lovely plum color was perfect with her skin coloring. I love the form fitting style, the bare back, and the lace overlays. That being said, she could have done something with her hair, or at least brushed it!
3. Hailee Steinfeld in Marchesa. Seriously, how cute is she? Can you imagine being nominated for an Academy Award at fourteen? She is just undeniably cute and so age-appropriate in this beautiful pink gown.
4. Mila Kunis in Elie Saab. Mila is just stunning, she is my girl crush. This lavender gown was the perfect choice for the award show. The dress was romantic, yet sexy at the same time.
5. Reese Witherspoon in Armani Prive. I love Reese's entire look because it reminds me of my all time favorite look which is Julie Roberts in vintage Valentino at the 2001 Academy Awards. The black and white dress, the high 60's pony-tail.....just flawless.

Worst Dressed:

1. Nicole Kidman in Christian Dior. I always look forward to seeing what Nicole Kidman is going to be wearing on the red carpet, but this year was a let down. The dress is a beautiful work of art, but I don't think it was the best choice for the Oscars.
2. Marisa Tomie in vintage Charles James. I love vintage dresses on the red carpet, but Marisa's dress just didn't work for me. The straps were awkward and the top didn't seem to match the bottom.
3. Florence Welch in Valentino. I really wanted to like this dress, but I just couldn't. The color was all wrong on her and it didn't seem grand enough for the Academy Awards.
4. Mandy Moore in Monique Lhuillier. Okay, I have to admit that I am probably biased about this look because for some reason I can't stand Mandy Moore. She reminds me of that girl in high school who thought she knew everything about everything and acts like she is above everyone else. That said, I do feel the dress washes her out and it is to too similar to the Monique Lhuillier she wore to the Golden Globes this year.
5. Sharon Stone in Christian Dior. Just, no Sharon Stone. Please go back to the Gap t-shirt under the Valentino suit. Sometimes simpler is better.

Twenty-Somethings and Politics

Recently I was having a lively political discussion with someone around my parents age and they said to me, "you are too young, you just don't understand." At the time I let the comment roll by, but later the more I thought about it the more the comment made me angry. Yes, I am young but that doesn't mean I don't know or understand what is going on in the political world. I have found that many twenty-somethings feel this way, regardless of political affiliation. While we may not have the same experience as the older adults in our life's, we have had our own and from those experience we shaped our political beliefs.

I consider myself a liberal. Many people assume this is my political affiliation because of my parents and my upbringing. This may be true to an extent, but it is not the only thing that has gone into my political decisions. My undergraduate minor was Political Science, I have had the opportunity to have professors from both sides of the political spectrum and through my education I have found that I lean more towards the left. I didn't pick to be a liberal because I thought is was in or the cool thing to do, I choose to be a liberal because my core values fall closer with that group. I have friends and family who come from all areas of the spectrum and I respect each and everyone of their beliefes and I know they respect mine.

So my message to the older generation....you may have more life experience than us twenty-somethings but please do not talk down to us when it comes to politics. Many of us have done our research and we understand what is going in the political world.

Search for the Perfect Bloody Mary: Bonfire

Mmmmm the Bloody Mary. What a perfect breakfast cocktail. When I turned 21, I was most excited to go to brunch at the Green Mill in Bemidji to get french toast and a Bloody Mary. Since moving back to the Twin Cities, some friends and I started a "Breakfast Club." We meet one Sunday a month for brunch, Bloodies and conversation. My mission is the find the best Bloodies in the Twin City area. First stop.....Bonfire on Grand Avenue.
Bonfire on Grand Avenue in St. Paul is famous for their dueling pianos. On Sundays they offer a brunch and a Bloody Mary bar, which quite possibly are the greatest invention ever. They bring you your vodka and you get to choose your tomato juice and garnishes. I choose to mix mine with Calmato Juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco and garnished with pickles and blue cheese stuffed olives. Other options are Bonfire's house made tomato mix, green olives, green beans, cheese, pepperoni and shrimp. The plus side is you can take an appetizer plate for the other garnishes you don't put into your drink! The Bloody Mary's are $4, which I think is pretty reasonable.
Bonfire has a small brunch menu, but you are also able to order off their regular menu during brunch. I would recommend the Eggs Benedict which comes with cheesy hash browns and fruit. They offer $2 Mimosas as well, which are another great breakfast drink. They do take reservations, but if you don't make one there usually isn't a huge wait.

Why All the Teacher Hate?

Something is going on in Wisconsin and I am not going to pretend I understand completely the fight between the Wisconsin GOP and the teacher's union. I try to stay up to date with current politics, but sometimes life gets in the way. I have read a few articles on various websites and I am appalled by the backlash against teachers in the comment sections (I need to stop reading the comments, they just get me fired up).

There is a misconception that many teachers go into teaching because of summer vacations, this is not true. Thousands of teachers across the United States either work in year-round school districts, teach summer school or work a second job in the summer. We spend our winter breaks, spring breaks and summer breaks preparing for the upcoming months of lessons, tests and workshops. We spend our weekend worrying about our lesson plans for the upcoming week. Many choose to further their education and attend Master's programs in the summer, as well as going to night school throughout the school year. We are also required to keep our teaching license up to date with continuing education credits.

Alright, here is where I am going to get on my soap-box...I am fed up with people telling me how I should do my job as a teacher. I would never walk into an operating room and tell a surgeon how to do their job. If you have never worked in a school then you have no idea what it is like to work in a school. Yes, you have attended school that does not make you an expert on school as a business and job. I do my job and I do it well, I don't need someone who thinks they are better than me telling me what they think I am doing wrong.

Like any profession there are some teachers who probably shouldn't be a teacher, those of the teachers who get all the publicity (sleeping with students, harsh punishments and abuse, dealing drug...the list can go on and on) but most of the teachers I know pour their heart and soul into their profession and care deeply about the impact they have on today's students. A teacher is always trying to think of new and creative ways to reach their students, fun ideas to incorporate into their classroom, and how we are going to cover everything that the tests of No Child Left Behind measure. We are under increasing pressure from state and federal government to produce high test scores or funding will be cut.

We are constantly told by students and parents we are doing a bad job. The other day I heard a story about a parent who called to yell at a teacher because their child was not allowed to go out for recess because they did not finish their homework. WAKE UP PEOPLE, LIFE HAS CONSEQUENCES! I do not go into my classroom unprepared each day, if I did there would be consequences. Parents, please do not treats us like we are idiots. I will tell you the same thing I tell my students, I will treat you with respect and I expect the same in reverse.

Being a teacher is hard and can be physically and emotionally exhausting, but I love it anyway. There is no better feeling than finally seeing the light bulb go on for the first time a student gets something.

St. Paul: A Love Story

Today while looking at the CNN website I came across a slideshow entitled "National Trust: Distinctive Destinations." I am always looking for ideas for where to travel to next so I clicked through. Imagine my surprise when the last entry was St. Paul Minnesota! Often I feel the state of Minnesota is over-looked in many travel pieces, especially the beautiful capital city of St. Paul.
Anyone who grew up somewhere is the Twin Cities is either a Minneapolis person or a St. Paul person. Because of my location and family I am a St. Paul girl. While it is true that Minneapolis is an easier city to navigate, I feel St. Paul has the charm of the grand, old cities of Europe (I am just guessing, I have not had the opportunity to travel over in Europe yet). As you walk down Summit Avenue or by Cathedral Hill area you see the beautiful houses and buildings built during the time of railroad and lumber barons. If you venture down to the Wabasha Caves, you are instantly transported back to the years prohibition and Al Capone. On University you see a melting pot of the many different cultures that have come to Minnesota. During the spring, summer and fall the Farmer's Market comes to lowertown, with a beautiful array of flowers, fruit, vegetables, meat and diary all grown and made here in our wonderful state.
I could go one and on for pages about the many wonderful things about St. Paul, but I want to ask you....what is your favorite part of this amazing city?

I wish I could take credit for the beautiful picture above, but I can not. That honor goes the the very talented Rosann Jorde.

Restaurant File: Fasika and Flamingo

On my mom and step-dad's first date they went out for Ethiopian food. Those who have experience eating Ethiopian cuisine may know that most is eaten with your hands, perfect for a first date, right? And when I was younger my family was invited to my Aunt Mary's every New Year's Day to celebrate Kwanzaa. We were always treated to homemade Ethiopian treats. Ethiopian food often consists of spicy vegetable and meat dishes call wat (or wot), it has the consistency of a stew that has been simmering for hours. Potatoes, cabbage, carrots, lentils, beef, lamb, chicken and fish are all used to make different varieties of wat. The wat is served on a flat bread called injera, which has a slight sour taste with a spongy texture (the description sounds gross but trust me it is delicious!). Injera often comes on the side to use as a utensil to eat your wat. Berbere, a mixture of white pepper, black pepper, fenugreek, garlic, chili pepper and salt, is used to spice many of the dishes.
My quest the last couple of years has been to find the best places to eat Ethiopian cuisine in the Twin Cities, and I believe I have found it. The first is the restaurant Fasika located in St. Paul on University and Snelling. Just walking into Fasika you senses are over-whelmed with the smells, sights and sounds of Ethiopia. For a first timer I would recommend the Vege-Sampler, you are able to try all of the different vegetable dishes. Anyone of the chicken dishes are a good choice though I prefer the lamb dishes but I realize that many people would probably choose chicken over lamb.
The second restaurant is Flamingo, also is St. Paul it is located on University and Syndicate. It is directly behind on SubWay so it can be easy to miss. I have only been to Flamingo once, but enjoyed it immensely. Flamingo is owned by two women and merge together the cuisine of both Ethiopia and Eritrea. When I asked where the name Flamingo came from I was told that the Flamingo is native to Ethiopia, learn something new everyday! My mom and I ended up splitting the Vege-Sampler (which included an amazing wat made with mushrooms!) and one of the chicken dishes. Both were delicious. The table next to us ordered a dish that came out sizzling like a plate of fajitas, it smelled amazing. Also, I recommend ordering the strawberry lemonade, it is freshly made and the tart taste helps mellow up the spice of the dishes.
There are plenty of other Ethiopian restaurants throughout the Twin Cities that have great Ethiopian cuisine, the two listed above just happen to be my favorite.

Fasika: 510 N Snelling Ave, St. Paul MN
Flamingo: 490 N Syndicate Street, St Paul MN

A Teacher's Valentine

Valentine's Day can be a depression holiday when you are single. Everywhere you look there are people celebrating their relationships. Even if you are secure with not being in a relationship, sometimes there is a part of you that wishes you had that special person to tell you how much they love you on the over sensationalized holiday. That is why Valentine's Day is one of the best holidays to be a teacher. It is a day to make your students realize that they are a special in their own unique way. It is a day to teach them about differences and accepting others. And that you don't always have to love or like someone, but you do need to treat them with respect and understanding. Also, the candy is an added bonus to a day filled with hearts and flowers!