Sue Z.'s Finds

Spring has finally arrived, and with it comes an array of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors. To get your sweet-tooth fix, follow your nose to one of the Twin Cities’ three Candyland shops (435 Wabasha St. N., St. Paul, 651-292-1191; 811 Lasalle Court, Mpls., 612-332-3220; Dayton Radisson Arcade, Seventh St. between Nicollet and Hennepin avenues, Mpls., 612-332-7752; candylandstore.com) and get yourself a pail, box or bag of the delicious milk- or dark-chocolate-drizzled caramel corn. Not in the mood for popcorn? Have no fear: Candyland is stocked full with classic treats like salt-water taffy, chocolate-covered oreos, and peanut brittle, all made fresh.

For a little spice to counter that sweetness, check out Thai chef Supenn Harrison’s new cookbook, Thai It, You’ll Like It. The book is Harrison’s way of marketing her family’s 20th year of serving up great Thai cuisine at their nine Sawatdee restaurants in the Twin Cities and St. Cloud ($7, available at all Sawatdee restaurants or by calling 612-338-6451).

If you’re already planning for this summer’s camping and hiking trips, or are just looking for a healthy, hearty springtime meal, try the hand-harvested, organic, wild-rice meals from Sherry Rovig and Chris Heeter of Wild Side Trading Co. They can be prepared in a thermos when you’re on the go, or on the stove when you’re at home. My favorite is the cranberry-lemon, a mixture of fire-parched wild rice with dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, and lemon peel in a veggie broth (thewildinstitute.com).

Sue Zelickson is the former host of WCCO Radio’s Food for Thought.

Sue Zelickson (Sue Z.) is a James Beard Award-winning food media personality, philanthropist, and longtime contributor to Minnesota Monthly and WCCO radio. She has founded the Charlie Awards, the Women Who Really Cook networking organization for women in the local food industry, and the Kids Cafe at Perspectives, Inc., which improves access to nutritious meals for families in need. You can find her buzzing around from event to event throughout the Twin Cities, helping to raise funds for charitable organizations, including some she has had a hand in building.