Minneapolis Taste Buds

Even though it's been 90 degrees out all week I can tell Fall is on its way. The young maples are starting to turn and the bees are angry because they know they'll freeze to death soon (one stung my running friend's head this morning). I can't wait to turn off the A/C and bundle up in the down comforter. That will have to wait a few more days according to Kare 11's weatherman, Sven. Fall is my favorite season and it makes me crave hearty soups and stew-like meals. The green crockpot I have is definitely older than I am. It's been in the family for decades and has seen many a Boeuf Bourguignon. Yes, I had to check the spelling of that meal in my handy Rival Crock-Pot cookbook. It's good to see crock-pot cooking coming back in style. Cooking Light's September issue featured Beef Daube Provencal , which I made last week, and I may buy a new cookbook dedicated to slow cooking. We bought a half-cow this summer (we filled our entire deep-freeze) and have a who...

After another crazy weekend in Chicago, I need to get back on track. We went to my very first game at Wrigley on Sunday. Ever heard the catchy, but annoying Cubs song? It's been in my head for days now. Go Cubs go . . . Cripes - there it is again. Mark was able to reunite with the Starbucks apple fritter for 2 consecutive days, and we had a lot of quality time with our friend, Jackie, who took care of us and fed us well. I have today off to recover and to try to salvage our very thirsty garden in this sweltering heat. Meeting Mark for lunch, and then I think I'll workout and plan a nice dinner for us. It will be hard to beat sister Beth's fabulous Labor Day feast of grilled salmon and succotash though. Last week I made a great recipe from the September issue of Cooking Light that my dad and I just loved - Beef Daube Provencal . I'm not afraid to make it again this week.