To get warm and stay warm this January, I’m hoping to warm my hands on nice steaming mugs filled with good things. For instance, the savory hot-cocoa and mocha mixes from the connoisseurs at Legacy Chocolates. Order online or head to Legacy’s shop in western Wisconsin for a full-fledged chocolate experience (632 S. Broadway, Menomonie, Wis., 715-231-2580, legacychocolates.com).
Still feeling chilly? For a quick and hearty winter meal, try one of the delicious soups offered by The Secret Garden, based in Park Rapids (800-950-4409, secretgardengourmet.com). Some standouts from the selection of mixes include the barley lentil, corn tortilla, and 12-bean with vegetables. In Shakopee, the soups at Maggie and Mary’s North Aire Market are sure to make you feel toasty. Two of my favorites are the Hungarian mushroom and creamy pumpkin (1157 Valley Park Dr., Suite 130, Shakopee, 800-662-3781, northairemarket.com). For extra-healthy, ready-to-go soups, I love the chicken-noodle and vegetable-beef options from Local Roots, a new Minneapolis-based, sustainably produced frozen-food delivery service (612-802-2282, localrootsfinefoods.com). (Their products can also be found at local co-ops).
I’ll pair my soup with a crusty bread or a delicious dessert from one of Minnesota’s great local bakeries, like the Finnish Bistro (2264 Como Ave., St. Paul, 651-645-9181, finnishbistro.com) or Franklin Street Bakery (1020 E. Franklin Ave., Mpls., 612-879-5730; 3904 Sunnyside Rd., Edina, 952-929-2253, franklinstreetbakery.com).
