Looking for a great dog park here in the Twin Cities
The location of the Lake of the Isles Off-Leash Recreation Area (https://www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?PageID=4&parkid=388) is as enticing for dog owners as it is for dogs. Located at the south end of Lake of the Isles, the woodchip-covered, fenced-in park, which has a separate area for smaller dogs, is serenely nestled between Lake of the Isles Pkwy. and the Midtown Greenway bike path. It’s well-shaded by trees, making it a comfortable spot for owners to relax even on the hottest days of summer. And after the dogs have burned off their excess energy, the owners can join them for a relaxing stroll around the lake. Or, by following the walking paths to nearby Lake Calhoun, you can venture over to Tin Fish, where you’re likely to see several other dogs sitting on the patio as their owners wolf down fish tacos.
Best of Minnesota is out. Today's entry: BEST BRUNCH
We are going to spotlight some of the finer posts from this years "Best of Minnesota" in the Star/Tribune this week. Get out and try some of these gems that are right here in your backyard. The Bachelor Farmer was made for lazy Sunday mornings (and early Sunday afternoons). This is no eggs-any-style setup. For starters, chef Paul Berglund puts a morning spin on his signature smørrebrød — artfully created toasts — before moving on to such swoon-worthy dishes as rye spaetzle topped with pastrami and a caraway hollandaise and divine brioche French toast smothered in cherries. A cute (please, it’s the Bachelor Farmer, of course it’s adorable) rolling cart boasts house-baked pastries and desserts, and service is so sweet you’ll expect an invitation to the staff’s Secret Santa gift pool. The one downside? No reservations. 50 2nd Av. N., Mpls.; 612-206-3920, thebachelorfarmer.com (https://www.thebachelorfarmer.com/) Get more of the Best of Minnesota issue right here: https://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/bestofmn/ (https://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/bestofmn/)
Special Presale opportunity for Michael Buble at the Xcel Energy Center
Grammy Award-winner Michael Bublé is coming to Xcel Energy Center for one night only on September 11. Touring in support of his new No. 1 selling release, “To Be Loved,” Michael Bublé has been called “one of the most likeable performers on Earth.” His previous Crazy Love Tour sold out in 80 US cities and was seen by over two million fans worldwide. His stage show is propelled by a string of smash hits including his current single “It’s A Beautiful Day,” “Haven’t Met You Yet,” “Home,” and “Everything,” along with Michael’s distinctive interpretations of classics like “You Make Me Feel So Young,” “Young at Heart,” and “You’re Nobody ‘til Somebody Loves You.” (https://click.tmclient.ticketmaster.com/?qs=5fb254081c3677df74691db3bf03a9c6076676109f00b586e149423a855eb8ccacda547f09bfac5a) PRESALE BEGINS Wednesday, May 15 at 10 a.m. PRESALE ENDS Thursday, May 16 at 5 p.m. TICKET PRICES $112, $76.50, $56.50 TICKET LIMIT 4 PASSWORD LOVED2013 ON SALE DATE Friday, May 17 at 10 a.m.
Summer Movies are here! Which ones are you going to see
Once you get into May you start to see a summer blockbuster movie coming out every week. We've put together the schedule of when you favorite movies will be coming out. - May 15 (https://www.movieinsider.com/movies/may/2013/15/) Star Trek Into Darkness (https://www.movieinsider.com/m5959/star-trek-sequel/) , Becoming Traviata (https://www.movieinsider.com/m11485/becoming-traviata/) - May 17 (https://www.movieinsider.com/movies/may/2013/17/) Star Trek Into Darkness (https://www.movieinsider.com/m5959/star-trek-sequel/) , Erased (https://www.movieinsider.com/m11337/erased/) , The English Teacher (https://www.movieinsider.com/m9573/the-english-teacher/) ,Black Rock (https://www.movieinsider.com/m9855/black-rock/) , State 194 (https://www.movieinsider.com/m11564/state-194/) , An Oversimplification of Her Beauty (https://www.movieinsider.com/m11191/an-oversimplification-of-her-beauty/) ,Augustine (https://www.movieinsider.com/m11490/augustine/) , 33 Postcards (https://www.movieinsider.com/m11551/33-postcards/) , Stories We Tell (https://www.movieinsider.com/m11153/stories-we-tell/) , Pieta (https://www.movieinsider.com/m11254/pieta/) , Frances Ha (https://www.movieinsider.com/m10859/frances-ha/) - May 22 (https://www.movieinsider.com/movies/may/2013/22/) 3 Geezers! (https://www.movieinsider.com/m11553/3-geezers/) , Plimpton! (https://www.movieinsider.com/m10927/plimpton/) - May 23 (https://www.movieinsider.com/movies/may/2013/23/) The Hangover: Part III (https://www.movieinsider.com/m9156/the-hangover-3/) - May 24 (https://www.movieinsider.com/movies/may/2013/24/) Fast & Furious 6 (https://www.movieinsider.com/m6838/the-fast-and-the-furious-6/) , EPIC (https://www.movieinsider.com/m3739/epic/) , Only God Forgives (https://www.movieinsider.com/m9000/only-god-forgives/) , Before Midnight (https://www.movieinsider.com/m11064/before-midnight/) ,Penguins 3D (https://www.movieinsider.com/m11375/penguins-3d/) , We Steal Secrets: The Story of Wikileaks…
Mother's Day brunch ideas part 5: It's not a quiche it's a breakfast tart!
One of the best ideas for a big family get together is a breakfast tart or what you might assume is a quiche. The difference here is the use of a crust underneath but the overall idea and ingredients are the same. This is much easier to make than you may think. Also, if you can't find pancetta or do not want to use it you can try regular bacon or ham. Ingredients Butter, for the pan Flour, for the pan 1 9-inch unroll-and-bake refrigerated pie crust 1 large egg white, lightly beaten 2 teaspoons vegetable oil 3 ounces pancetta, cut into 1/4-inch pieces 5 large eggs, at room temperature 1/2 cup (4 ounces) mascarpone cheese, at room temperature 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded gruyere cheese 3 scallions, white and pale green parts, thinly sliced 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Directions Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter and flour the bottom and sides of a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Unroll the pie crust and gently press into the bottom and sides of the pan. Trim any excess from the top. With the tines of a fork, prick the bottom of the pastry. Using a pastry brush, brush the crust with the beaten egg white. Put the pan on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes, until the egg white has set. Let cool 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring frequently, for 6 to 8 minutes, until browned and crispy. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate. In a medium bowl, lightly beat the eggs. Whisk in the mascarpone, gruyere, scallions, salt, pepper and the pancetta. Pour into the cooled crust and bake for about 18 minutes, until the mixture has set and the top is golden. Cool the tart for 10 to 15 minutes and then remove from the pan. Cut the tart into wedges and serve warm or at room temperature.
Mother's Day Brunch Part 3 : Let's talk cocktails
No great brunch can be truly great without a fantastic cocktail. Try this one out this weekend. It's a Peach Ginger Bellini and it is fantastic. Ingredients For the ginger simple syrup: 1/4 cup sliced fresh ginger, with skin 2 cups granulated sugar 2 cups cold water For the peach puree: 10 ounces semi-frozen peaches 1/2 cup ginger simple syrup For serving: Ice cubes 1 bottle Champagne Directions Begin by making the ginger simple syrup. Peel and grate the ginger. Add it together with the sugar and cold water to a saucepan. Bring it to the boil and stir until the sugar dissolves. Cover and let steep for 15 minutes. Strain, discard ginger pieces and set simple syrup aside. In a blender add frozen peaches and ginger simple syrup. Blend until completely pureed then place into the refrigerator to cool. For serving: Add ice cubes to a cocktail shaker and fill half way with peach puree. Top off with Champagne and shake vigorously to combine. Pour into Champagne glasses and repeat process as needed.
More Mother's Day brunch ideas
With the Mother's Day weekend approaching this weekend let's take a look at another great brunch recipe for French Toast. Get more great ideas from the Food Network website (https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes-and-cooking/mothers-day-breakfast-and-brunch-recipes/pictures/index.html) today. Total Time: 30 min Prep 10 min Cook 20 min Directions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Whisk 4 eggs, 1 1/2 cups half-and-half or milk, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon sugar and a pinch of salt in a shallow bowl. Heat 1/2 tablespoon butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, dip 6 thick slices white bread, challah or brioche in the egg mixture and cook in the skillet until golden, 2 to 3 minutes per side, adding more butter as needed. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake until puffed, 8 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, melt 4 tablespoons butter in the same skillet until browned, about 5 minutes. Drizzle the French toast with the browned butter and maple syrup.
Make a homemade Mother's Day Brunch
We have put together a few ideas for you if you are more the type of person who wants to make something special for mom and home versus jumping onto OpenTable.com (https://www.opentable.com/) and head out for brunch. We will be spotlighting a few great ideas that we found over at the Food Network (https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes-and-cooking/mothers-day-breakfast-and-brunch-recipes/pictures/index.html) . Today we are looking at some delicious Maple-Pecan Scones. Ingredients For the scones: 3 cups all-purpose flour 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled 1/4 cup pecans, plus more for sprinkling 1 large egg 3/4 cup heavy cream For the icing: 1 pound confectioners' sugar 1/4 cup whole milk 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted Splash of strongly brewed coffee Dash of salt 2 teaspoons maple flavoring or maple extract Directions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut the cold butter into small pieces. Cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles crumbs. Now finely chop the pecans and stir them into the flour mixture. Mix the egg and cream together. Add the mixture to the bowl and stir until just combined. Turn the mixture onto a cutting board. The dough will be very crumbly, but do not let your heart be troubled. With your hands, push the mixture together into a large ball. Do not knead or press too much; you want to leave that gluten alone! With a rolling pin, very gently roll out the dough into a 10-inch round, about 3/4 inch thick. With a sharp knife, cut the round into 8 equal-size wedges. Transfer the wedges to a baking sheet lined with a Silpat baking mat. (Or just spray the pan with cooking spray; either one will work!) Bake the scones for 22 to 26 minutes, until they're just barely starting to brown. Do not allow the edges to become dark or the Red Coats will come and get you.…
Get those pesticides off of your fresh fruit and vegetables
These days there are many ways to pick up organic fruit from your local grocery stores but they are typically 50% more than your non-organic choices. So what are you going to do if you are on budget and don't have that extra money to spend every week to go organic. There are a number of excellent choices out there for "fruit and vegetable washes". Here is a link to try one Karmalades (https://www.etsy.com/shop/karmalades) but if you do a search on Google (https://www.google.com/#hl=en&tbm=shop&sclient=psy-ab&q=organic+fruit+cleaner&oq=organic+fruit+cleaner&gs_l=serp.3...7759.9277.2.9542.12.11.0.0.0.4.611.4693.4-5j4.9.0...0.0...1c.1.8.psy-ab.9iEM2_iSgac&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.44990110,d.aWc&fp=4170bb7eb633a91&biw=1394&bih=677) you will many excellent choices. These products can take off the pesticides you don't want on your food without having to spend all that money every month going organic. We also wanted to spotlight a cool idea from Norwex (https://www.norwex.biz/PublicStore/stores/caitlineverett/product/Veggie-Fruit-Scrub-Cloth,740,202.aspx) that is a simple wash cloth that cleans off your fruit and veggies. We've got a video here for you to check out as well that shows off how cool it is.