Ice cream lovers, get yourself to Patisserie 46 (4552 Grand Ave., Mpls., 612-354-3257, patisserie46.com) for the creative flavors that award-winning master baker John Kraus and his wife, Dawn, churn out. Of course, you must have a triple-chocolate cookie or a French macaroon on the side.
Jay and Jane Bunting have spiced up the lives of many with the various spices and herbs that are handblended at their Wayzata Bay Spice Company shop and production facility (12820 Main St., Rogers, 763-428-5851, wbspice.com). I was thrilled to find a jar of their ras el hanout, the fabulous salt-free Moroccan seasoning, at Kitchen Window at Calhoun Square. They also make herbes de Provence, Chinese five-spice powder, and more than 120 varieties to make your cooking special.
Be sure to make time before or after a trip to stop by Surdyk’s Flights at the MSP Airport, the Minneapolis shop’s new extension for cheeses, sandwiches, and wine and beer flights. If you’re heading out on a European vacation, why not ask them to pack you a feast for lunch? It’s a great kick-off to vacation, and so much better than paying through the nose for chips.
For some easy cookie making while supporting a great cause, try my Lacey Sue Z cookie mix; together with an egg and a stick of butter, it bakes up nine dozen cookies. The dough keeps well in the refrigerator for baking a few at a time. The mix is available at Kowalski’s stores in Woodbury and Minneapolis, Local D’lish, and Golden Fig, and all proceeds benefit Perspectives Family Center in St. Louis Park.
Sue Zelickson is the former host of WCCO Radio’s Food for Thought.
