Cookies!!! Umm-num-num-num-num!

Cookies!!! Umm-num-num-num-num! - Dara & Co. - November 2010 - Minnesota

November 10 is a day that changed my life forever. Why? On November 10, 1969, the beloved television program Sesame Street was first aired. Now, I’m not saying I was alive in 1969, but Sesame Street was a staple of my childhood, and continues to be popular today. Did they know in 1969 that Kermit and Big Bird would become international stars and heroes? Did they know that so many of us would share a kinship with a monster who ate cookies?

So, in honor of Sesame Street’s 41st Anniversary, today’s blog will be devoted to one of my favorite monsters and his favorite treat: cookies. The cookies I’ve highlighted here are whipped up in Twin Cities bakeries, where traditional cookie flavors are combined with sustainable practices for a tasty result.

• Iced Ginger Cookie at the French Meadow: Yes, they have chocolate chip for Cookie Monster as well, but I like their frosted ginger cookie, big enough to share.

• Short bread at Salty Tart: While Cookie Monster would probably prefer their heaping platters of Double Chocolate Chunk cookies at Salty Tart, I go for the simple shortbread cookies when they’re available.

• Molasses Cookies at Trotters: A classic, spiced cookie, great with a glass of chilled milk or a hot cup of Peace coffee.

Have you got a favorite cookie spot in the Twin Cities? Please share! And in the meantime, now that we’re all thinking about cookies, anyone want to sing a song with me?

[where: Minnesota, Food, Minneapolis, Twin Cities, 55418]

Celebrating National Sandwich Day in the Twin Cities

Celebrating National Sandwich Day - Dara & Co. - November 2010 - Minnesota

It’s National Sandwich Day! I’m glad that back in the 18th Century John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, ordered his meat served between two slices of bread. The preparation may have made playing cards easier for him, but it has made many meals tastier and many stomachs happier.

There are bountiful bundles of beautiful burgers, heaping handfuls of humbling hoagies, and sundries of sumptuous submarines available throughout the Twin Cities, so to pick a favorite would be impossible.

So today, I’ll pick of few of my favorites local sandwiches to highlight, and I hope you’ll do the same. Sourcing local ingredients, all of these restaurants are committed to sustainable practices, freshness, and big-time flavor, which is why their sandwiches rank highly with me:

• The Bánh Mì at Ngon Vietnamese Bistro—a grilled Duroc natural pork loin topped with pickled vegetables and cilantro, on a baguette, served with house cut sweet potato fries.

• The Citizen Joe at Citizen Café—savory ground beef wrapped in delicate pastry dough baked until gooey, wrapped in wax paper, and served with their house-made chips or fresh fruit. Similar to a pasty in construction, and a sloppy joe in flavor.

• The Black Bean Quinoa Burger at the Birchwood—a quinoa burger topped with smoked capriko cheese, sautéed cabbage and apples, Surly Furious mustard, and greens, on a toasted multi-grain bun.

• The Oyster Po’boy at Sea Salt Eatery—cornmeal-coated oysters fried and topped with tartar sauce, Tobasco, lettuce, and sliced tomatoes, on a seasoned hoagie roll.

• Grass Fed Beef Burger at Café Twenty Eight—a grass-fed beef burger topped with Fischer Family Farms bacon and sharp cheddar cheese, on a burger bun, served with a side of crispy French fries.

• The Smoked Lake Superior Trout Melt at Bryant Lake Bowl—smoked trout topped with white cheddar, on pumpernickel bread.

• The Wild Rice Brat at the Strip Club—a juicy wild rice bratwurst topped with kimchee and scallions, on a brat bun.

And a poll! Which sandwich is best for celebrating National Sandwich Day? Vote here, or leave your local fave in the comments below.

[where: Minnesota, Food, Minneapolis, Twin Cities, 55418]