November 2012 – January 2013 THE JOY OF GOOD FOOD At Home with Kowalski’S THE JOY OF THE SEASON PARTY-READY DIPS & SPREADS Risotto 101 MINNEAPOLIS’ URBAN SAINT: MARY JO COPELAND Entertaining the Gluten-Free Guest ITALIAN WINE & CHEESE PAIRINGS WWW.KOWALSKIS.COM thoughts from the KOWALSKIS I t’s been said that the only real constant in life is change, and that’s certainly true here at Kowalski’s. You’ve probably noticed changes in your local market – in many cases, they’re hard to miss. From the new Wine Shop at the Hennepin store to the remodel of the White Bear Lake Market, there’s been a lot of activity in and around all of the stores. What we offer on the shelves is critical to what we do, but the experience of shopping one of our markets is just as important, and that’s why we may from time to time relocate a salad bar or shorten an aisle or install a new floor – to make your shopping experience the best it can possibly be. www.kowalskis.com With the opening of our Hennepin Wine Shop, we now have three markets where you can pick up the perfect bottle for every meal, every occasion, every night. We’re also making sure you can pick the right bottle for every cheese, too. You may have noticed new signs in our Imported Cheese Department, each featuring a suggestion for pairing. You can learn a little more about these cheese cards on page 14. Wine and cheese are often the starting point of holiday entertaining, and we’re offering ideas for entertaining with style and flavor throughout this issue of At Home with Kowalski’s – from shrimp and spreads to slow roasted meats and vegetables that will positively stun your guests. Our Nutritionist, Sue Moores, is offering some tips on entertaining gluten-free guests on page 23, and our Culinary Director is even sharing one of her favorite “showoff” dishes: risotto. It’s one of her several Italian-themed recipes you’ll find in the pages that follow. Finally, we’re happy to tell the story of Mary Jo Copeland, a humble servant of Minneapolis’ most needy, on the facing page. As the founder and director of Sharing and Caring Hands and Mary’s Place, Mary Jo is an inspiration, dedicated to the proposition that the community can make a difference in the lives of others without expensive bureaucracy that saps the resources necessary to carry out its vision and achieve its goals. Neither Sharing and Caring hands nor Mary’s Place receive government or United Way funding, relying solely on private donations to do their work. Kowalski’s is proud to support the work of Mary’s Place, having donated $175,000 in the last five years. As always, we love to see you in the stores! Jim and Mary Anne Kowalski, Kris Kowalski Christiansen GRAND AVENUE MARKET 1261 Grand Avenue 651-698-3366 grandave@kowalskis.com WHITE BEAR LAKE MARKET 4391 S. Lake Avenue 651-429-5913 wbl@kowalskis.com WOODBURY MARKET 8505 Valley Creek Road 651-578-8800 woodbury@kowalskis.com LYNDALE MARKET 5327 Lyndale Avenue S. 612-822-2935 lyndale@kowalskis.com UPTOWN MARKET 2440 Hennepin Avenue 612-377-3448 hennepin@kowalskis.com PARKVIEW MARKET 5615 Chicago Avenue S. 612-824-2430 parkview@kowalskis.com EDEN PRAIRIE MARKET 16500 W. 78th Street 952-937-9585 edenprairie@kowalskis.com STILLWATER MARKET 5801 Neal Avenue N. 651-439-9161 oakparkheights@kowalskis.com EAGAN MARKET 1646 Diffley Road 651-328-8300 eagan@kowalskis.com Jim and Mary Anne Kowalski, Owners EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Rachael Perron Culinary Director, Kowalski’s Markets rperron@kowalskis.com 651-796-6043 Kris Kowalski Christi ansen, Chief Operating Officer DESIGN & LAYOUT Hooker & Company hookerandcompany.com FOOD STYLIST Maggie Stopera www.maggiethefoodstylist.com PRINTING & PRODUCTION Visual Expressions Holiday Entertaining Event – Saturday, November 10th at all locations from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Holiday Open House – Saturday, December 8th at all locations from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. To keep updated on all of our events, visit www.kowalskis.com or sign up for our “Keep in Touch” program in stores. PAGE 2 612-729-1649 PHOTOGRAPHER Phil Aarrestad © Kowalski’s Companies, 2012 All Rights Reserved. www.kowalskis.com Minneapolis’ Urban Saint: Mary Jo Copeland S he’s been called Minnesota’s Mother Theresa, featured in numerous national publications from Good Housekeeping to People. The people on the streets of Minneapolis call her their “street mother.” She’s received more than a dozen awards for her efforts, including KARE 11’s 11 Who Kare Award. But Mary Jo Copeland, the founder and director of Sharing and Caring Hands, isn’t looking for praise. She knows from experience what it is to live in poverty and brokenness, and she’s striving every day to make the world a better place for the poor and downtrodden. Mary Jo’s facilities serve as a safety net, providing meals, clothing, showers, shelter, transportation, rent, medical assistance, dental and eye care, beds, school expenses, funeral assistance and other miscellaneous needs to those who require them. Sharing and Caring Hands provides these with dignity, affirming God’s love for all His people regardless of their circumstances. 70-year-old Mary Jo has a personal tradition of twice daily washing the feet of those walking the difficult streets. She and her volunteers bathe and apply ointment to dozens of blistered, sore and tired feet, providing new socks and shoes along with the knowledge that in at least one place in this sometimes hard and heartless world, someone actually cares. With this touching, personal service and their efforts as a whole, Mary Jo and her army of volunteers reaffirm these individuals’ worth, acting as an emotional anchor and beacon of hope to any who are alone, afraid or otherwise simply in need. You can learn more about the mission and programs offered at Sharing and Caring Hands and Mary’s Place or make a donation by visiting www.sharingandcaringhands.org. Sharing and Caring Hands and Mary’s Place: By the Numbers • 93% of all donations directly assist the poor. • The facilities receive 100% of their financial support from private donors. • Over 240,000 meals are served to hungry men, women and children each year. • Sharing and Caring Hands arranges for more than 19,000 nights of shelter each year for single men and women at pay-for-stay homeless shelters. • Volunteers and staff arrange for more than 7,000 days of shelter for families in area hotels in a single year. • Over 10,000 showers per year are given to people with no other access to bathing facilities. • Over 375,000 lbs. of food is donated annually to people in need. • Roughly 20,000 needy people are served in some way every single month. • Sharing and Caring Hand’s drop-in center serves the needs of over 1,000 people each day. PAGE 3 www.kowalskis.com Copeland’s startup of Sharing and Caring Hands is all the more remarkable given her painful past. Born in Rochester, Minnesota, she grew up in a home full of emotional and physical abuse. As a result, Mary Jo was an emotionally deprived and socially awkward child with a sense of self-worthlessness. This troubled upbringing shaped her sympathy for their struggles, and Mary Jo made it her life’s work to bring relief, love and dignity to the disadvantaged and destitute. In 1985, Mary Jo started Sharing and Caring Hands, a bridge between a compassionate and concerned community to people in need of help. And in 1995, out of a special concern for women and children living in poverty, she built Mary’s Place, a transitional housing complex that today houses over 500 people, mostly children. Not content to stop there, Mary Jo is currently working to build Gift of Mary Children’s Home and Charter School to meet the special needs of children in the foster care system. TURKEYS TO GOBBLE UP N aturally, the Meat Department has some great turkey selections this season, no matter what you’re looking for: FERNDALE MARKET TURKEYS – Local turkeys grown free-range and free of antibiotics. From Cannon Falls, Minnesota. KADEJAN ALL-NATURAL FRESH TURKEYS – Fed a steady diet of whole grains, but no hormones or antibiotics. From Glenwood, Minnesota. KOWALSKI’S ORGANIC FRESH TURKEYS – Fresh from an organic farm in Owatonna, Minnesota and raised without antibiotics, hormones or animal by-products. PLAINVILLE FARMS PRE-BRINED TURKEYS – All-natural, humanely raised and antibiotic-free, they’re moist and juicy every time. www.kowalskis.com Selection and availability vary by market. Kowalski’s Teaching Kitchen: CULINARY DIRECTIONS Kowalski’s offers a variety of culinary experiences for our shoppers to learn about Kowalski’s products and services both in the Teaching Kitchen in our Woodbury Market and beyond. For the complete schedule and registration info, visit www.kowalskis.com. FEATURED CLASSES: ROASTED TO PERFECTION Just what distinguishes baking from roasting, and what foods are suited to which? Culinary Director Rachael Perron is taking roasting to the next level with flavor ideas and combinations for fruits and vegetables that go way beyond the basics. We’ll discuss parameters for successfully improvising a roasted vegetable recipe to suit any meal or season and experiment with oils, herbs, spices and other seasonings – even glazes. November 29, 6:30-8 pm, $29. • The Next Level – Woodbury Market rachael’s HOT list: What I’m buying now Prosciutto di Parma Kowalski’s Hummus Brussels sprouts Extra-aged goat cheese Kowalski’s Soup Mix (in Produce) RISOTTO 101 The student becomes the teacher as Chef Perron shares the nuances of risotto the way she was taught to make it in Tuscany. We’ll write original recipes and taste new combinations of flavors of both savory and sweet risottos. We will also discuss use of alternative grains, creative ways with leftover risotto and techniques that transfer to other pasta and rice dishes. This class is always extremely popular, so register early to guarantee your spot. December 6, 6:30-8 pm, $29. • The Next Level – Woodbury Market ROOTS ARE ALL THE RAGE It doesn’t matter if you know they’re local, organic, delicious, in season or nutritious if you don’t know what to do with them, so Chef Rachael Perron is showcasing a multitude of ways you can easily prepare all manner of root vegetables. From those you may know (like potatoes, carrots and beets) to those you may not (rutabagas, turnips, parsnips and celery root?), tonight we’re turning them into something unexpected. You’ll be craving these terrific tubers and taproots before you know it! January 10, 6:30-8:00 pm, $29. • The Next Level – Woodbury Market PAGE 4 Bartlett pears Le Trois Petit Cochon Pâtés Valpolicella Ripasso Halibut Walnuts Oat Bran Y getting Personal ears ago, I traveled to Figline Valdarno, Tuscany, Italy, to learn at the hands of Claudio Piantini and work in his charming ristorante, il Torre Guelfa. While Chef Claudio spoke little English outside the kitchen, he understood most of my “kitchen Italian” (typically mixed with a little French – which I don’t know either). For delightful, ever-smiling Chef Piantini, I would do practically anything – and did. I recall spending long days in his kitchen frying hundreds of squash blossoms, cleaning pounds of porcini mushrooms, rolling and hand-forming ravioli for hours and baking and re-baking cantuccini di prato (biscotti) until it was perfect. One of the highlights of my stage in his restaurant were daily trips to the farmer’s market, where I learned to truly appreciate the simplicity of fresh foods, produced locally and enjoyed in season. With the best quality olive oil, fresh herbs from his garden and a light touch, we transformed simple things like eggplant, grapes, almonds and eggs into sumptuous, luxurious dishes. The recipe I am sharing in this chapter of “Getting Personal” is literally the first one Chef Claudio taught me, as a way of illustrating that perfection is often found in the most simple of recipes. While Penne alla Caritierre (loosely translated to “cart-drivers” penne) has its origins in peasant cooking, it’s found on a surprising number of restaurant menus in Italy, testament to its mealtime magnificence. www.kowalskis.com Chef Claudio’s personal kitchen was also where I learned to properly make risotto, using the right kind of rice and without stirring it obsessively and anxiously the way most Americans do. “Non toccare!” he would yell to me whenever I would approach the pan too soon. Liberated from fear, I’ve been playing with risotto ever since and have come to regard it as a personal specialty, even teaching classes on making it properly. I hope you’ll find success with my fuss-free method. You’ll find it, and plenty of variations to inspire your own personal recipe, starting on page 16. Warmly, Rachael You can reach me at rperron@kowalskis.com, find me on Facebook or follow my tweets. I’m Twittering as @chefRachael. PENNE ALLA CARITIERRE 4 dried árbol chiles 4 cloves roasted garlic 1 o z. Kowalski’s Fresh Italian Parsley, stemmed 1½ tbsp. Kowalski’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil 4 cups canned crushed tomatoes 1 lb. dried penne pasta - k osher salt and Kowalski’s Coarse Ground Black Pepper, to taste ½ cup Kowalski’s Grated Parmesan Cheese Put first three ingredients in a food processor; process until finely minced. Heat olive oil in an extra-large sauté pan over medium heat. Sauté parsley mixture in oil until fragrant; do not allow garlic to brown. Add crushed tomatoes to the pan; increase heat to high and bring sauce to a boil. Add dried pasta to the sauce with enough water to just cover the noodles. Reduce heat slightly to medium-low. Simmer until pasta reaches desired tenderness (17-21 min.); continuing to add water as needed to keep noodles just barely submerged. Season to taste with salt and pepper; serve immediately, garnished with cheese. Serves 6. PAGE 5 Good to Know: •F ind dried árbol chiles in the Produce Department. • Find roasted garlic on the Olive Bar. T a Recipe for Success www.kowalskis.com heir recipe for presentation, menu and service makes Catering by Kowalski’s unique, and while all these ingredients are necessary, perhaps one is just a teeny-tiny bit more critical. Without a great base menu, great presentation and service mean next to nothing – and that’s what sets Kowalski’s apart. The same culinary approach to the recipes you see in Kowalski’s Deli, Bakery and Meat Departments also defines the standards of culinary excellence for Catering Director Roxanne Kielbasa and her team of professional chefs, servers and event planners. Her approach to thrilling customers big and small is grounded in exceptional food. What you’ll find in their incomparable new menu is a level of taste that’s reflective of the way Kowalski’s cooks in every aspect of their business. Catering by Kowalski’s combines top-notch technique with an appreciation for fresh, flavorful, healthful foods and a taste for modern style and easy sophistication. FEATURED HORS D’OEUVRES HANDCRAFTED CRAB CAKES (shown) Served with Garlic Aioli. GOURMET MINI BURGERS On fresh-baked Sweet Onion Buns with Red Wine Shallot Butter. CURRIED CHICKEN IN GOUGÈRE Sweet, mild Curried Chicken Salad in a Parmesan-Gruyère flavored choux pastry. CRUDITÉ CUPS Colorful, crisp veggie spears with Original, Eggplant or Red Pepper & Feta Hummus. PEAR AND PROSCIUTTO PLATTER With blue cheese, sage, candied walnuts and balsamic crema. also look for these UNIQUE DESSERTS CARAMEL WRAPPED CHOCOLATE DIPPED PRETZELS MINI SALTED CARAMEL TARTLETS (shown) VANILLA BEAN CHEESECAKE (shown) CHOCOLATE POTS DE CRÈME PAGE 6 1-888-972-7890 kowalskis.com Y Flowers: the center of attention our holiday table isn’t complete without a centerpiece, and we’ve got you covered all season long with selections both big and small, suited for any size set-up. You can order a custom piece made by one of our talented floral designers or improvise one of your own with our wide assortment of containers and stems. Whether you’re ordering a table arrangement or crafting one yourself, size matters. Keep these guidelines in mind when deciding how big to go. TABLE SIZE: Small tables deserve smaller arrangements, and big ones deserve bigger bouquets. Don’t crowd your place settings. TABLE SHAPE: www.kowalskis.com Round tables have less total space than square ones, so keep shape in mind as well. Try long arrangements on long tables or use a larger piece in the center with smaller complimentary designs running down the length. SIGHTLINES: Don’t put anything on a dinner table that will be at the same height as your guests’ heads. Generally avoid anything more than 15-16" at its tallest point. TABLE FUNCTION: Guests will be standing at a buffet table, not conversing over it; so here is where you can go big. Flowers that tower over everything else on the table can create unsightly gaps in overall table design – use risers to elevate some serving dishes to give dimension to the whole presentation. ROOM SIZE: Keep the size of the room and height of the ceilings in mind. If needed, add height to an arrangement with wispy, slender, structural design materials (such as curly willow) that you can see through. CONTAINER SIZE: The container should not provide more than 40% of the height of the total arrangement, and the base of the container shouldn’t interfere with table settings or contribute to a cluttered look. A mirror under a centerpiece base can be used to give the impression of a larger display without taking up valuable table space. ARRANGEMENT LOCATION: Save the largest, most dramatic arrangements for corner tables, mantles, pianos, entryways and other places where they won’t interfere with your guests’ sightlines. Selection and availability vary by market. PAGE 7 set your ovens to www.kowalskis.com FOODS k H T O e all know someone who claims they don’t like these or those vegetables. One of the most common reasons for such aversions is usually grounded in childhood, and mothers and grandmothers who boiled the life out of them. More than one skeptic, however, has been converted into a veggie lover when they’re roasted to perfection. Sure, steamed or stir-fried produce is pleasingly mild, sweet, subtle and friendly enough. Roasting, though, brings out a deeper sweetness in vegetables, adding a complexity and an intensity that makes them, well, hard-to-resist. With their concentrated sugars and their dark, caramel-like flavors, they’re positively intriguing. With this single technique you can master almost any vegetable (no more wondering what to do with rutabagas), but here we’re offering up a baseline for success with some familiar favorites. R FO 3 tbsp. Kowalski’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil, divided 4 oz. (about 2 cups) chopped kale 1 tbsp. chopped garlic ½ tsp. dried thyme 1M anoucher Rosemary and Onion Bread 6 o z. Kowalski’s Fresh Mozzarella Cheese, thinly sliced D k GO FALL HARVEST PIZZA GO O STUN W D H E AL - Roasted Butternut Squash and Onions -K owalski’s Grated Parmesan cheese, to taste -K owalski’s California Sea Salt and Whole Black Peppercorns, freshly ground, to taste DID YOU KNOW? Our local distributing partners provide us the ability for “just in time” produce deliveries, so we often get newer lots and newer varieties as soon as they become available. Heat 1 tbsp. of oil in a medium skillet over medium high-heat. Add kale, garlic and thyme; sauté 2 min. Remove from heat and set aside. Brush bread with remaining 1 tbsp. of oil; top evenly with mozzarella. Top pizza evenly with cooked kale mixture and roasted squash and onions. Bake in a preheated 400˚ oven 10 min. Drizzle pizza with oil, sprinkle with Parmesan and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serves 6. Good to Know: • Manoucher Bread is available in the Bakery Department. • Prepared kale is available in the Produce Department or on the Salad Bar. Nutrition Information per Serving: Total Calories 360 Total Fat 20 g Saturated Fat 6g Sodium 535 mg Fiber 4g Rich in vitamins A and C, folate and selenium. ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND ONIONS 14oz. prepared raw butternut squash (peeled, seeded and cut into cubes) ½ red onion, cut into ½" wedges 1 tbsp. Kowalski’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil ¼ tsp. kosher salt - p inch Kowalski’s Coarse Ground Black Pepper - p inch Kowalski’s Crushed Red Pepper Flakes Toss squash and onions with oil; season with salt, black pepper and red pepper flakes. Roast on a rimmed nonstick 15x12" baking sheet covered with parchment paper in a preheated 450˚ oven until edges are browned and squash is tender (about 25 min.), turning once. Good to Know: • Find prepared squash in the Produce Department. PAGE 8 D FOODS k T GO H k O HOW TO PREPARE IT HOW TO COOK IT ACORN SQUASH Cut in half; roast skin side up 50 min. ASPARAGUS Trim woody ends 10-15 min. D H E AL BEETS Leave whole; scrub but don’t peel (remove skins after cooked/cooled) 60-90 min. Cut evenly; completely but lightly coat veggies with oil. Season to taste. Roast on a baking sheet lined with parchment in a preheated 450° oven until browned and tender when pierced with a fork. BROCCOLI Cut 1 ½" florets 10-15 min. BRUSSELS SPROUTS Trim and halve lengthwise 40-45 min. BUTTERNUT SQUASH Cut in half lengthwise; roast skin side up or cut into 1" cubes 25 min. CARROTS Peel; cut into 1" pieces 18-20 min. HERB ROASTED MUSHROOMS CAULIFLOWER Cut 1 ½" florets 25-35 min. 1¾ lbs. shiitake, baby portobello, oyster or cremini mushrooms (or combination), stemmed, cut into 1½" inch pieces 2K owalski’s Fresh Rosemary sprigs, cut into ½" pieces 5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced ½ cup Kowalski’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil - k osher salt and Kowalski’s Coarse Ground Black Pepper, to taste 2 tbsp. chopped Kowalski’s Fresh Italian Parsley MUSHROOMS Clean well; trim stems from shiitakes, if desired 15-25 min. PARSNIPS Peel; cut into 2" sections then halve or quarter depending on thickness 60-70 min. POTATOES Do not peel; cut into ½" pieces (fingerlings and baby reds work best for roasting) 30-35 min. RUTABAGAS OR TURNIPS Peel turnips only; cut both into 1" wedges 60-70 min. In a large mixing bowl, toss mushrooms, rosemary and garlic with oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast mushrooms on two parchmentlined baking sheets in a preheated 450˚ oven until dark brown (about 25 min.), stirring occasionally. Remove rosemary stems; adjust seasonings and garnish with parsley. Serves 6. SWEET POTATOES Peel; cut into ½" pieces; cover with foil 20 min. TOMATOES Roast unpeeled, whole (time shown is for large tomatoes; grape tomatoes and cherry tomatoes may take 5-7 min. or less) 20-25 min. ZUCCHINI & YELLOW SQUASH Halve lengthwise; cut into 1 ½" pieces 20 min. Herb Roasted Mushrooms at right (before) and above (after). Kowalski’s Fresh Herbs are now available in the Produce Department. PAGE 9 www.kowalskis.com WHAT TO ROAST R FO GO O BASIC ROASTED VEGETABLES IDAY SHOPPING L O H around the L MARKET ook for these seasonal products that make for effortless entertaining and great gift giving in the Deli Department. STONEWALL KITCHEN DARK CHOCOLATE SEA SALT CARAMELS – Beautifully boxed, Stonewall Kitchen’s holiday confections are made from the highest quality chocolate and make especially lovely gifts. STONEWALL KITCHEN ITALIAN DINNER BOX – Featuring Stonewall Kitchen’s Garlic Parsley Linguine, Italian Dipping Oil, Balsamic Fig Dressing and Roasted Garlic Basil Sauce, this memorable meal-in-the-making is a party in a package. It’s wrapped for stylish gift-giving, too. www.kowalskis.com CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT MARTINI MIXER – Blended with extraordinarily rich chocolate and sweet natural peppermint, this is a holiday cocktail that will have you shrugging off plain ol’ eggnog! Mix it with your favorite libations or add it to coffee or hot cocoa. B.T. MCELRATH – Innovative flavors and unique presentations are a signature of B.T. McElrath no matter the season. Still, holiday time may give you an excuse to indulge or share a bit more frequently, which is fortunate because Brian McElrath’s holiday selections and assortments are awe-inspiring, delicious works of art (we especially love the Berry Poinsettias, shown, and Peppermint Buttercreams). Kowalski’s is proud to be a long-term supporter of our hometown chocolate hero and his wife, Christine, both of whom Twin Cities Business named “200 Minnesotans You Should Know” in the last year. Get to know them through their work, available this season and every season, in the Deli Department of your local Kowalski’s Market. JOHN WM. MACY’S CHEDDAR & ASIAGO CHEESE CRISPS – The ultimate cocktail snack! Crunchy squares of fresh sourdough, “double” sharp Cheddar & Asiago cheeses, and cayenne butter are cut into bite-sized squares and baked twice to create the perfect crunch! Originally concocted for the Grand Bar in New York from leftover CheeseSticks dough with a “double” dose of cheese and a little extra cayenne, square-shaped CheeseCrisps are now available everywhere. Also look for hand-twisted, twice-baked John Wm. Macy’s SweetSticks pastry twists. Pictures courtesy of Stonewall Kitchen, Le Trois Petit Cochons and B.T. McElrath. Selection and availability vary by market. LES TROIS PETIT COCHONS – Antipasto is made easy with charcuterie from Les Trois Petit Cochons. Find their sliceable, nitrite and nitrate-free saucisson (sausage) chubs in the Deli Department. Also look for cut-to-order bulk Pâté de Campagne (shown) where you find the sliced-to-order deli meats and cheeses. Many other great gourmet products from Les Trois Petit Cochons are available in the Imported Cheese Department [for the most elegant holiday entertaining]. PAGE 10 T’S FOR DINNER? WHA O Olives! ur Olive Bars are always popular at holiday time – they’re a nobrainer addition to a holiday entertaining spread. With their salty, briney, meaty goodness, it’s easy to love them with a glass of wine before a meal. That same savory umami makes olives wonderful in main dishes, too – and we’re talking beyond pizza toppings here! Puttanesca sauce includes ingredients common in Southern Italian cuisine: garlic, olive oil, tomatoes and capers. It’s fantastic on just about any pasta and even fish (we definitely recommend sea bass or halibut). The Neapolitan variation on the sauce includes anchovies, and you can easily add a little with anchovy paste if you desire. Because it’s a complete protein source, quinoa makes a satisfying choice for a lighter main dish. The almonds and olives give substance to this salad (which can be served warm or cold), while oranges add a wintry freshness to the dish. 1 cup quinoa 1 h ead cauliflower, cut into small florets 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil - salt and pepper, to taste 1 c up pitted Kalamata olives, drained, halved DID YOU KNOW? In a small saucepan, bring quinoa and 1 cup water to a boil; reduce heat to low. Simmer, covered, until water is absorbed (about 15 min.); uncover and fluff with a fork. Set aside. Toss cauliflower with olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Spread onto a baking sheet; roast in preheated 425˚ oven until lightly browned and crispy (about 25 min.). Let cool to room temperature. In a large bowl, combine quinoa, cauliflower, olives, almonds, orange zest, segments and any juices, parsley and mint. Season with salt and pepper. Serves 4-6. Kowalski’s carries the Sky Valley Heirloom Navel Oranges in the peak of citrus season. There isn’t a juicier, more classic navel orange in the Twin Cities. Look for it to arrive in late January. PUTTANESCA SAUCE 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 3 cloves chopped garlic chopped ½ tsp. hot chile flakes, or to taste 1 c up pitted Kalamata olives, drained, halved, 1 tbsp. brine reserved 1 tbsp. drained capers 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce 28oz. can tomatoes, diced or crushed (preferably San Marzano) - salt and pepper, to taste ½ cup fresh basil, torn In a large sauté pan over medium heat, heat olive oil, garlic and chile flakes; sauté until garlic is softened but not browned. Add olives and capers, sauté 2-3 min. Add Worcestershire sauce, brine and tomatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat; simmer 10-15 min. Season with salt and pepper; add basil just before serving. Serve over pasta, polenta, beans, chicken or seafood. Enough for 1 lb. prepared dried pasta. Recipes and photos courtesy of Divina. ½ cup roasted almonds, chopped 2 o ranges, zested, peeled, cut into segments 2 tbsp. chopped fresh Italian parsley 1 tbsp chopped fresh mint - salt and pepper, to taste PAGE 11 www.kowalskis.com QUINOA SALAD WITH OLIVES, ORANGES AND ALMONDS www.kowalskis.com 2 3 4 PAGE 12 6 5 1 7 1 WILD VEGGIE SOUPS All natural vegan soups from Wild Veggie are the first step towards a healthy, home-cooked meal in minutes. They’re great in recipes, too. You can find a variety of ready-to-enjoy flavors in the Grocery Department, including Simply Butternut Squash, Simply Broccoli, Simply Carrot and Simply Edamame. 2 SALEM BAKING CO. MORAVIAN COOKIES Made from a centuries-old recipe and featuring exotic flavors from the far-reaching corners of the world, these thin, crispy cookies are great for entertaining – or not. Look for Meyer Lemon, Spicy Ginger, Chocolate-Dipped Mint, Artisan Blend Chocolate and Chocolate-Dipped Toasted Coconut. Find these tasty treats (great with Imported Cheeses) in the Grocery Department. 8 This sustainably pole and troll-caught tuna is rich and clean tasting with no added oil or water. It contains six times the omega-3s and less than half the mercury of other canned tuna. Available in the Grocery Department in two varieties: with sea salt and salt-free. UN O R j the D A 3 WILD PLANET WILD ALBACORE TUNA 4 STONEWALL KITCHEN FARMHOUSE BRINE j T M AR K E 5 LUCY’S BROWNIE CAKES Gluten-free and made with no peanuts, tree nuts, milk or eggs, these delicious treats will solve any dessert challenge. Find them in the Grocery Department. 6 CHEFSPECS These readers, designed for the kitchen, are an ideal gift for someone who loves to cook. Taking reading glasses to the next level, these come in a stylish magnetic case, great for the fridge, and they’re dishwasher safe – yes, you can remove kitchen oils and residue in the dishwasher! Find them in the Gift Department. 7 PACIFIC NATURAL SEASONAL SELECTIONS Ready to use in your favorite recipes, these organic options from Pacific Natural are a preservative-free choice you can feel good about. Look for Pumpkin Purée, Turkey Gravy, Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce and Jellied Cranberry Sauce in the Grocery Department. 9 8 RUDI’S GLUTEN-FREE TORTILLAS Made with whole-grain flour, these tortillas are soft and pliable. Available in Plain, Spinach and Fiesta (made with peppers, onion and garlic). Find them in the Frozen Foods Department. 9 VELVET BEES GOURMET HONEY BUTTER Locally produced with honey from Minnesota bees with just five ingredients: butter, honey, cream, sugar and vanilla. Find it in the Imported Cheese Department. 10 HAZEL 10 PAGE 13 Turn her tail to easily grind whole nuts in this stainless steel squirrel with attached glass measuring cup. Makes a kitchy gift or a fun addition to your holiday table. Selection and availability vary by market. www.kowalskis.com An all natural, traditional way to enhance moisture and flavor in everything from turkey and chicken to pork. Find it in the Deli Department. recommended reading O www.kowalskis.com ur wine experts are often asked to assist in pairing wine with meat, seafood and pasta, but one of the most common requests for pairing is cheese. Given our vast selection of imported cheeses and the fact that wine and cheese are made for each other, we’ve come to expect it. It’s one of the reasons we created new tags for every cheese in every case – tags that not only offer valuable information about a cheese’s origin, production, milk type (look for the cow, sheep or goat graphic on the card) and flavor profile, but also the wine (and in some cases, beer) ideally suited to its maximum enjoyment. Look for them in the Imported Cheese Department this season. On this page, find some of our favorite Italian cheeses, and the wines we love with them. BOSCHETTO* A cow and sheep’s milk blend cheese with black summer truffles from Tuscany. Excellent with Pinot Noir. GORGONZOLA PICCANTE* A pungent blue cow’s milk cheese. It’s great with Amarone. TALEGGIO* A rich, creamy, buttery sweet cow’s milk cheese. This pairs well with Nebbiolo or Valpolicella Ripasso. CACIO AL TARTUFO Gorgonzola Piccante consistency, A semi-soft raw sheep’s milk cheese from Tuscany, finished with truffles. Wonderful with Sangiovese. Renowned for its lush plex taste. penetrating aroma, and com be made in just two By law and tradition, it can t and Lombardy. Aged Italian regions: Piedmon than its younger er at least 90 days, it is sharp Dolce. counterpart, Gorgonzola Dessert wine PIAVE* A raw cow’s milk cheese from Veneto, similar to Parmigiano-Reggiano. Great with Valpolicella Ripasso. AGED TRUGOLE From Piedmont, this herbal cow’s milk cheese similar to Asiago is great with Valpolicella Classico. Amarone *shown on this page DID YOU KNOW? Ask your Cheese Specialist or Wine Expert for more recommendations or assistance with special orders. Selection and availability of wines and cheeses vary by market. PAGE 14 URED PARTNER: FEAT SARTORI COMPANY beyond the I CHEESE BOARD t’s practically a Midwestern tradition to add cheese to almost anything. This season’s cheese recipe brings cheese to a less-explored arena: the dessert table. But cheesecake this isn’t. The Italian-inspired flavor combinations in this sophisticated yet simple pastry play perfectly with the tang and sweetness of one of our favorite dry, crumbly Cheddars. ITALIAN APRICOT PASTRIES WITH CHEDDAR 11 oz. Kowalski’s Dried Apricots - hot water ½pkg. puff pastry sheets, thawed but still cold ⅓ cup chopped walnuts - zest of 1 lemon ¾ tsp. kosher salt ⅓cup Kowalski’s Honey, plus more for garnish 1 tsp. fresh squeezed lemon juice ¼tsp. Kowalski’s Fresh Thyme leaves, plus small sprigs for garnish 1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp. of water - turbinado sugar 4 o z. Milton Creamery Prairie Breeze Cheddar Cheese, cut into 8 slices Notes: • Look for Kowalski’s Dried Apricots in the Bulk Foods Section. • The filling for these pastries makes a delicious mix-in for plain Greek yogurt. DID YOU KNOW? Our imported cheese is cut in-store, and our selection is one of the best in the country. Serveitup cake stand from fusion brands (shown on this page) is available in the Marketplace Department. With its attached silicone suction cup, it turns your favorite serving plate (not included) into a stylish elevated serving stand. Selection and availability of ingredients vary by market. PAGE 15 The Cheese Specialists will be selling the fruits of their labors, Sartori Rosemary Olive Oil Asiago, in their respective markets starting in November. www.kowalskis.com Soak apricots for 20 min. in a shallow baking dish with just enough hot water to cover; set aside. Cut a pastry sheet into 6 rectangles (about 4 ½" x 3 ½" each) and transfer 1" apart to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper; freeze for 5 min. Using a butter knife, lightly score a ½" border around the edge of the pastry sheet. Prick the center of the pastry squares all over with a fork; brush with egg wash. Drain apricots and squeeze to remove extra liquid; coarsely chop. In a medium mixing bowl, toss the chopped apricots with walnuts, zest, salt, honey, lemon juice and thyme leaves. Divide mixture evenly among the pastries, to the scored border (do not let mixture drip or fall off the pastry onto the baking sheet or it will burn); sprinkle border with sugar. Bake in a preheated 375° oven until puffed and golden (about 20-22 min.); let stand 10 min. To Serve: Transfer pastries to plates; drizzle with honey and garnish with a slice of cheese and fresh thyme sprig. Serves 6. Our Cheese Specialists recently traveled to Plymouth, Wisconsin, where they put their skills to work in Sartori’s cheesemaking hall to produce their Rosemary Olive Oil Asiago Cheese. A family-owned, fourth-generation cheese company established in 1939, Sartori is proud to use milk that comes from local family-owned farms averaging just 75 cows apiece, which are located within about 50 miles of their plant. In the last five years, Sartori has won over 100 awards in the some of the most prestigious cheese competitions in the world. In 2011, Sartori even took Third Place Overall at the World Cheese Awards in Birmingham, UK, which was the highest ever finish for a U.S. cheese company. cooking class: RISOTTO FOR BEGINNERS O ccasionally inspiring fear in even the most experienced of cooks, risotto is a dish that’s actually quite simple to master. Besides being absolutely doable, it’s also extremely versatile. Like soup, risotto follows a simple formula, with the flavor combinations being nearly infinite. www.kowalskis.com The most important thing to remember in cooking risotto is to start with the proper type of rice. Unlike longer grain rice, risotto rice naturally has and can release more starch into a cooking liquid, producing the characteristic sauce that defines the dish. Stirring helps the cooking liquid “wash” the starch from the grains as it is released, which is why the dish must be stirred while cooking. Contrary to popular belief, though, it must not be stirred constantly. While it won’t hurt (and may prove therapeutic to the chef) stirring occasionally is just as effective, allowing time for starch to push through BASIC RISOTTO TO MAKE 6 SERVINGS OF RISOTTO YOU WILL NEED: •6 cups cooking liquid (such as beef or chicken broth, vegetable stock, water or combination) • 1 ½ tbsp. Kowalski’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil • 2 cups risotto rice (such as Arborio or Carnaroli) •a romatics (such as: 1-1 ½ cups chopped onion and/or 2-4 cloves minced garlic) the expanding protein structure of the grain between “washings.” Like pasta, risotto is classically cooked to al dente, meaning to the tooth. This refers to the fact that you need teeth to bite through it, that the grain retains an obvious bit of structure. Traditionally, risotto is served on a plate, not a bowl, over which the sauce spreads easily. In Italy this is called all’onda, meaning wavy. Americans often prefer their risotto a little creamier or thicker and slightly softer, which is easily achieved by adjusting either or both the amount of liquid used or the cooking time. A good risotto recipe is flexible, and one should feel comfortable making such adjustments to accommodate each pan, each time. Once you’ve developed a feel for the technique, you should find you don’t even need a recipe, but we’re sharing some of our favorite flavor combinations to get you started. GORGONZOLA PISTACHIO RISOTTO (shown) Follow recipe for Basic Risotto, using the following as directed in that recipe: Cooking liquid: Vegetable stock (or chicken broth) Aromatics: 1 cup chopped red onion 2 cloves garlic, minced Stir-ins: ½ cup grated Kowalski’s Parmesan Cheese ½ cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese ½ cup toasted roughly chopped shelled pistachios - dash ground nutmeg • 1 cup dry white wine • s tir-ins (such as 1 cup cheese(s); fresh chopped herbs, kosher salt and Kowalski’s Coarse Ground Black Pepper to taste; cooked vegetables or meats) FOLLOW THIS METHOD: 1. B ring cooking liquid to a simmer in a small saucepan; keep warm but do not boil. 2. H eat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add rice and aromatics; sauté 5 min. 3. Add wine; cook until liquid evaporates. 4. A dd 2 cups cooking liquid to rice. Cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid is nearly absorbed (about 5 min.); if liquid takes much longer or much less than 5 min. to absorb, adjust heat up or down slightly. 5. A dd another 1 cup liquid; stirring occasionally and cooking until the liquid is almost gone again (another 5 min.). 6. C ontinue adding liquid, 1 cup at a time, cooking until rice is tender (about 15 min. more). 7. S tir in remaining ingredients until cheese is melted and ingredients are evenly heated through. Serve immediately while risotto is very hot. Note: You may not use all of the cooking liquid. If more hot liquid is required, add as needed. PAGE 16 BUTTERNUT SQUASH RISOTTO WITH PANCETTA AND FRESH SAGE (shown on the cover) Follow recipe for Basic Risotto, using the following as directed in that recipe: Cooking liquid: Chicken broth Aromatics: 1 cup chopped yellow onion 2 cloves garlic, minced Stir-ins: - Roasted Butternut Squash 2 o z. thinly sliced pancetta, cooked crisp and crumbled 1 c up grated Kowalski’s Parmesan Cheese 1 tbsp. thinly sliced fresh sage Notes: •C ook the pancetta first and reserve drippings. Add Kowalski’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil, if needed, to make 1 ½ tbsp. of fat in which to cook the rice and aromatics in. • Find a recipe for Roasted Butternut Squash on page 9. LEMONY CHICKEN AND PARMESAN RISOTTO Follow recipe for Basic Risotto, using the following as directed in that recipe: Cooking liquid: Chicken broth Aromatics: 1 cup chopped yellow onion 2 cloves garlic, minced Stir-ins: 1 ½ cups shredded rotisserie chicken ⅔ cup frozen baby peas, thawed 1 cup grated Kowalski’s Parmesan Cheese 1 tbsp. chopped fresh thyme 1 tbsp. lemon zest Follow recipe for Basic Risotto, using the following as directed in that recipe: Cooking liquid: 3 cups boiling water 1 o z. dried porcini mushrooms 28 oz. low-sodium beef broth (or vegetable stock) Aromatics: 1 ½ cups chopped shallots 4 cloves garlic, minced Stir-ins: ½cup Kowalski’s Parmesan Cheese ½ cup mascarpone cheese 2 tbsp. chopped fresh thyme Notes: •P our boiling water over mushrooms in a medium bowl and soak 10 min.; drain mushrooms, reserving 2 ½ cups liquid. Strain liquid in a fine mesh strainer to remove sediment. Combine strained mushroom soaking liquid with beef broth to create cooking liquid . • Chop mushrooms; add to cooked risotto when other stir-ins are added. PAGE 17 1 c up sweet wine or liqueur, such as Marsala, Kahlúa, Amaretto or orange liqueur (optional) 1 c up brown or white granulated sugar, or to taste - s tir-ins (such as ½ cup raisins and ½ tsp. cinnamon) 1-1 ½ cups warm cream (or half-and-half) Bring water, milk, vanilla and salt to a simmer in a small saucepan; keep warm but do not boil. Heat butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add rice; sauté 5 min. Add liqueur; cook until liquid evaporates. Add 2 cups cooking liquid to rice. Cook until liquid is nearly absorbed (about 5 min.); if liquid takes much longer or much less than 5 min. to absorb, adjust heat up or down slightly. Add another 1 cup liquid, stirring occasionally and cooking until the liquid is almost gone again (another 5 min.). Continue adding liquid, 1 cup at a time, cooking until rice is tender (about 20 min. more). Stir in sugar until dissolved. Stir in remaining ingredients until evenly heated through. Pour warm cream on top. Serve immediately while risotto is very hot. Serves 6. Notes: •F or breakfast, stir in ½ cup fresh blueberries. Before serving, drizzle with 3 tbsp. Kowalski’s 100% Pure Maple Syrup. •F or dessert, before serving, drizzle with up to ¼ cup warm caramel sauce, 1 ½ sliced bananas and ¼ cup toasted sliced almonds or chopped walnuts. www.kowalskis.com PORCINI AND MARSCAPONE RISOTTO (shown) SWEET RISOTTO 3 cups water 3 cups whole milk 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract or vanilla paste (optional) ¼ tsp. kosher salt 2-3 tbsp. unsalted butter 2 c ups risotto rice (such as Arborio or Carnaroli) words of comfort: W Braise, Roast and Stew hen the weather turns cooler, our thoughts turn from all things grilled to hearty, meaty mains – especially for slow-cooked cuts like roasts. Braised on the stovetop and then roasted low and slow in the oven or stewed all day in a countertop crockpot, there’s magic in taking an otherwise simple piece of meat and transforming it into something melty, succulent and deeply satisfying – the way you couldn’t even dream of with a grilled pork chop or steak. Look for pork and beef roasts, including Value-Added roasts that are seasoned and ready-to-cook in the Meat Department along with prepared roasting vegetables, too. OTHER GREAT CUTS FOR THE SEASON www.kowalskis.com PRIME OR CHOICE BONELESS RIB EYE ROAST AND STANDING RIB ROAST – also available in Wagyu ¾ tsp. kosher salt ½ tsp. coarse ground black pepper 1 tbsp. minced garlic 1 ½ tbsp. paprika 1 tbsp. dried parsley ½ tsp. dried mustard 1 tbsp. cornstarch 3 lbs. boneless beef chuck shoulder pot roast 1 tbsp. olive oil 1 cup diced onion 1 cup diced carrot 1 cup diced celery 2 tbsp. water ½ cup flour 6 oz. can tomato paste ½ cup dry red wine ½ cup beef stock Whisk together first 7 ingredients through cornstarch; sprinkle evenly on all sides of roast. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat; brown roast on all sides (about 15 min. total). Remove roast from pan; arrange in crockpot. Add vegetables and water to skillet used to brown roast; sauté about 5 min., stirring to loosen browned bits of roast. Pour vegetables over meat in crockpot. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together flour, tomato paste, wine and stock until smooth; pour over vegetables and meat in crockpot. Cover; cook on HIGH 5-6 hrs. or LOW 10-12 hrs. Serves 6. Good to Know: • Substitute 16 oz. container of Kowalski’s Mirepoix (found in the Produce Department with the prepared produce) for the onion, carrot and celery called for in this recipe. PRIME OR CHOICE BONELESS NEW YORK STRIP ROAST PORK SHOULDER ROAST BONELESS PORK LOIN ROAST WINE SUGGESTION: Donati Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon RACK OF PORK LOIN ROAST CROWN ROAST OF PORK RACK OF LAMB AND CROWN ROAST OF LAMB Selection and availability vary by market. CROCK POT ROAST PAGE 18 party-perfect I SHRIMP SPICY HOISIN DIPPING SAUCE Whisk together 2 tbsp. hoisin sauce, 1 tbsp. honey, 1 tbsp. rice vinegar and 2 tsp. fresh squeezed lime juice until honey dissolves. Whisk in ½ tsp. sesame oil. Stir in 1 tbsp. sliced green onions and ¼ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes. Makes about ¼ cup. t’s a cocktail party staple for a reason – everyone loves it. Most deveined shrimp is sliced down the back to remove the vein, resulting in a shrimp that splays open a bit. Our cocktail shrimp is special because it’s needle deveined, so it stays intact and beautiful. FRESH GREEN GODDESS SAUCE Whisk together ⅓ cup Kowalski’s Green Goddess Spread (find this in the Deli Department) with ⅓ cup lowfat buttermilk. Stir in 1 tbsp. chopped Kowalski’s Fresh Dill and 2 tsp. Kowalski’s Fresh Italian Parsley. Season to taste with kosher salt and Kowalski’s Coarse Ground Black Pepper. Garnish with 1 tbsp. sliced green onions. Makes about ½ cup. If you’re looking to amp up the glam factor on your next shrimp tray, we’ve got some ideas for fast and fresh-tasting alternatives to traditional cocktail sauce, so not only will your shrimp be the prettiest at the party, it will be the best-dressed, too. CREAMY LEMON HORSERADISH SAUCE ¾ cup mayonnaise 2 tbsp. Kowalski’s Polish Mustard 2 tbsp. lemon zest 2 tbsp. prepared horseradish ZESTY COCKTAIL SAUCE 2 tsp. fresh squeezed lemon juice ½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce ¼ tsp. hot sauce In a medium bowl, whisk together all ingredients until combined. Serve immediately or store covered in the refrigerator up to 2 days. Makes about 1 ¼ cups. In a medium bowl, whisk together all ingredients until combined. Serve immediately or store covered in the refrigerator up to 2 days. Makes about 1 ¼ cups. DID YOU KNOW? Kowalski’s fresh seafood is flown in daily, not trucked, resulting in fish that is 5-7 days fresher than what you may find elsewhere. PAGE 19 Selection and availability vary by market. www.kowalskis.com ½ cup chili sauce ⅓ cup ketchup 2 tbsp. Kowalski’s Polish Mustard 2 tbsp. prepared horseradish 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice ½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce - k osher salt and Kowalski’s Coarse Ground Black Pepper, to taste appetizing apps: DIPS AND SPREADS E GO O k T O BLACK BEAN SPREAD TUSCAN BEAN SPREAD SPINACH DIP H GO SWEET RED PEPPER DIP PIMENTO CHEESE SPREAD BETTY’S CHIP DIP FOODS R FO D k D H E AL SALSA DI PARMA - juice of ½ lemon ½ tsp. whole cumin seeds ¼ tsp. ground cumin, or more to taste - pinch cayenne pepper - k osher salt and Kowalski’s Coarse Ground Black Pepper, to taste 1½ - 3 tbsp. Kowalski’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil, as desired ¾ cup chopped walnuts, toasted 12oz. jarred roasted red peppers, well-drained 1 tbsp. molasses, plus extra for garnish, if desired 1 tbsp. sugar 1 tsp. lemon zest Combine all ingredients except oil in food processor and process until smooth. Slowly drizzle in oil through oil spout until mixture is glossy, smooth and reaches desired consistency. Adjust seasoning to taste; drizzle with molasses if desired. Makes about 2 cups. D FOODS k GO O H k T GO O Good to Know: • Substitute 4 freshly roasted red peppers (stemmed, peeled and seeded) for the jarred peppers, if desired. • Toast nuts in a dry sauté pan over medium heat or in a preheated 350˚ oven until fragrant and golden, stirring occasionally. (3-5 min.). R FO www.kowalskis.com Our Grab & Go Dips and Spreads are handmade locally just for us, using unique recipes you can’t find anywhere else. Visit the Deli Department for one of these tasty choices: GREEN GODDESS SPREAD ntertaining is often synonymous with parties, and parties usually mean dip. Whether it’s a cheese dip, onion dip or hummus, it’s not a party unless you’ve got somewhere to stick your crackers, veggies and chips! This season, we’re offering up three new recipes that are long on flavor but short on effort, leaving you more time for other party prep. LENTIL SPREAD grab-n-go D H E AL 1 tbsp. plus ½ cup Kowalski’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil, divided 1 cup Kowalski’s Mirepoix ½oz. Kowalski’s Fresh Thyme, stemmed and roughly chopped ½oz. Kowalski’s Fresh Rosemary, stemmed and roughly chopped 1 bay leaf 1 cup green or brown lentils, rinsed ½ cup dry white wine 4 c ups low-sodium chicken broth, divided (approx.) ¼ cup roasted garlic cloves 2 tbsp. fresh squeezed lemon juice - k osher salt and Kowalski’s Coarse Ground Black Pepper, to taste Heat 1 tbsp. oil in a large saucepan over medium heat; add mirepoix and herbs. Cook until vegetables are soft (about 5 min.). Add lentils; cook and stir for 2 min. Add wine; cook until almost evaporated, (4-5 min.). Pour in enough broth to cover lentils by 1"; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, adding more broth or water a bit at a time as needed, to keep lentils barely submerged and until lentils are tender (about 60 min.). Cool slightly; discard bay leaf. Purée lentil mixture with garlic cloves in a food processor; with processor running, drizzle in remaining oil through pour spout. Stir in juice; season with salt and pepper. Makes 3 cups. Good to Know: • Find Kowalski’s Mirepoix (or substitute Kowalski’s Soup Mix) in the Produce Department with other prepared produce. • Find roasted garlic cloves in the Deli Department on the Olive Bar. Find a recipe for Greek Dip and detailed nutrition information for these recipes at www.kowalskis.com. PAGE 20 Also look for several flavors of Kowalski’s Hummus in the Dairy Department. Selection and availability vary by market. Look for the colorful silicone Blossom Trivet (shown) from Spice Ratchet in the Marketplace Department. Use it as a trivet, coaster, hot pad or table décor. T A BIZZARE CHAT WITH ANDREW ZIMMERN he star of such shows as Travel Channel’s Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, Andrew Zimmern’s Bizarre World, new hit Bizarre Foods America, and author of two books with strikingly similar names, Andrew Zimmern positively bristles when asked if they eat anything “bizarre” or “weird” for dinner at his house. National TV star, renowned food writer and all-around celebrity foodie or not, according to Andrew, his is a “pretty average American family.” A rundown of his upcoming household menus plays this out. Simple dishes (often using 3 ingredients or less) feature chicken, skirt steak, snap peas with mint, a cucumber, tomato and feta salad, beans, corn and roasted sweet potatoes “in the jacket.” For those used to watching this local James Beard award-winner dig into such oddities as grilled rat and jellied moose nose, it’s almost a bit of a letdown. “We usually have 2, 3 or 4 vegetables on the table every night. Choices are key,” Andrew says, to getting his son Noah to dig in. Accordingly, Noah chooses many of the meals they enjoy at home, while Andrew and his wife, Rishia, alternate shopping for the required provisions. One thing Kowalski’s shoppers are likely to have an interest in is Andrew’s third and newest book, familiarly titled Andrew Zimmern’s Field Guide to Exceptionally Weird, Wild and Wonderful Foods. In part inspired by his own son, this book is geared towards kids. According to Andrew, Weird, Wild and Wonderful is intended to Look for Andrew Zimmern’s Field Guide to Exceptionally Weird, Wild and Wonderful Foods in early November, just after it is released, in all nine Kowalski’s Markets. This holiday season, Andrew is likely to revisit a recipe that’s become a bit of a tradition since he and his family moved years ago to their current home in Edina. In a neighborhood where there aren’t a lot of Jewish families, his Potato Latke Night brings together neighbors that typically don’t celebrate Hanukkah with piles of the crispy potato pancakes. He’s sharing his “killer” recipe below. KILLER POTATO LATKES 1 lb. Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 2" chunks - sea salt 2 lbs. baking potatoes 1 large onion, finely diced - vegetable oil, for frying 2 large eggs, lightly beaten - a pplesauce, crème fraîche, 1 cup matzo meal smoked salmon, salmon roe and ½ tsp. freshly ground white pepper dill sprigs, for serving In a medium saucepan, cover the Yukon Gold potatoes with cool water, season generously with salt and bring to a boil. Cook the potatoes until tender (about 15 min.). Drain well and immediately pass the potatoes through a ricer into a large bowl. Working quickly, peel and grate the baking potatoes on the large holes of a box grater into a medium bowl. Press with a clean kitchen towel to remove excess moisture. Add half of the grated potatoes to the riced potatoes. Transfer the remaining grated potatoes to the bowl of a food processor. Add the onion and pulse until the potatoes and onions are very finely chopped. Transfer to a fine-mesh sieve and press with the back of a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. Add the potato-onion mixture to the large bowl. Stir in the eggs, matzo meal, pepper and 2 tsp. salt. In a large, heavy skillet, heat ¼" of oil until shimmering. Working in 3 batches, spoon ¼ cup of potato mixture into the oil for each latke; press slightly to flatten. Fry over moderate heat, turning once, until the latkes are golden and crisp on both sides (about 7 min.). Drain latkes on a paper towel-lined baking sheet; sprinkle lightly with salt. Serve with applesauce, crème fraîche, smoked salmon, salmon roe and dill. Makes 20. PAGE 21 Photo by Stephanie Meyer courtesy of Andrew Zimmern. www.kowalskis.com Shopping at the White Bear Lake, Grand or Uptown markets, you might bump into Andrew in the Imported Cheese Department. He’s particularly interested in the detailed information provided on what he finds to be an impressively large selection, and he’d like to see more of that type of educational material on things like squash and horned melons. While he may not yet be able to get one of his latest interests – Minnesota-raised goat – in their Meat Department, he’s impressed with Kowalski’s variety of foods, particularly produce, not found just anywhere in the Twin Cities. Andrew says, “Kowalski’s is in a great position to be able to bring in a lot of foods from around the world that people have an interest in.” “get them excited about food and travel; to teach them without them knowing it.” Full of what he playfully describes as “factoids,” along with plenty of pictures, maps, graphics, quizzes and charts, it’s not difficult to imagine that juvenile Andrew was a big fan of books himself, especially those a la The Guinness Book of World Records. Andrew’s book may not feature the world’s smallest man or the tallest mowhawk hairstyle, but it’s bound to excite grade schoolers and parents alike with chapters on tarantulas, dancing shrimp and even (yes, we’re serious) zombies. “It’s a book you can start and stop and start up elsewhere. One families can look at together.” Strange as it may seem, there’s something perfectly normal (even wildly wonderful) about that. wake up to a Bakery-Fresh breakfast W hether you’re putting out a simple morning spread for overnight guests or just looking for something delicious any day of the week, make the Bakery Department your first stop. Our vast breakfast selection is fresher than our competitions’ – that’s because much of it is baked fresh in store. That which isn’t is probably made in our Central Bakery and delivered fresh to each market, every day. If you’re like many customers, you already have a preferred selection, but you might just find a new favorite among these choices: www.kowalskis.com MAPLE STICKS – All the flavors you love in French toast, these are made with a cinnamon spiced dough with a decadent caramel glaze, maple icing and a crunchy sprinkling of sliced almonds. A customer favorite for years. COFFEE CAKES – You don’t have to like coffee to love them! Mary Anne’s Coffee Cake has a distinctive maple twist, but Apple, Blueberry, Almond Cream Cheese and Raspberry are also very popular. CINNAMON PULL-APARTS – A cross between a coffee cake and a cinnamon bun, for the days when you just can’t choose. COBBLESTONE BREAD – This chunky, sweet, cinnamon-swirled yeast bread is particularly great for toasting. BATTER BREADS – Moist and tender, our darkly delicious quickbreads are excellent for slicing and snacking any time of day. Look for Banana, Banana Nut, Cranberry Orange and Pumpkin. PASTRY CASE • Our jumbo Muffins have a moist, tender crumb and come in flavors no one else has, like Caramel Glorious Morning and Pomegranate Bran. Kowalski’s Morning Buns They’re everyone’s favorite! Kowalski’s Morning Buns are our signature breakfast option: tender, flaky, buttery pastries rolled in our own special cinnamon-sugar mixture. These hard to define but easy to love pastries are only found here. Look for minis – great for sharing with the office or toting along to a brunch – as well as these “twists” on this classic: • Kowalski’s Croissants are a traditionalstyle, flaky, buttery French pastry. Serve them alongside an espresso for an authentically ooo-la-la experience. CINNAMON ROLL • Made-fresh-daily donuts are stocked in all the varieties you’d expect, plus French Donuts, Fritters and Novelty Donuts like Chocolate Potato Chip and Peanut Butter Cup. • We also have fresh, traditional-style Danish pastries (including Kringles) and Scones in a variety of flavors. DID YOU KNOW? Made with our croissant dough, with layers of cinnamon filling and a traditional icing. It’s a cinnamon roll unlike any other! CARAMEL PECAN ROLL Made with flaky croissant pastry, positively oozing with sticky caramel and crunchy pecans. It’s a fluffier version of a coffeehouse favorite. CARAMEL ROLL We partner with a private bakery in Durand, Minnesota, to ensure sustainability of the specialty dough used in our Morning Buns, which our baker hand-rolls and cuts exclusively for us, full time. Selection and availability vary by market. PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT PAGE 22 The same recipe as our Caramel Pecan Roll, sans the pecans – for those who want to concentrate their attention on the buttery good stuff itself! H GO T GO O k k O FOODS R FO D D H E AL Susan Moores, M.S., R.D. smoores@kowalskis.com getting along with GLUTEN F •B acteria imbalance in the intestines. A powerful balance of bacteria in our intestines influences many aspects of health. Overuse of antibiotics plus a diet high in fat, meats and highly processed foods upsets the balance and may affect gluten sensitivity. WHO HAS TROUBLE WITH GLUTEN? IS GLUTEN-FREE FOR YOU? Times have changed. Fifty years ago, 1 in 10,000 people were diagnosed with celiac disease. Some researchers estimate that today at least 1 in 100 Americans have celiac disease, and 1 in 20 may have some type of gluten intolerance. For those affected, eating foods with gluten can prove harmful and sometimes painful, as their immune systems attack their intestines, making it difficult to absorb the nutrition in food. 30% of people have a version of the gene for celiac disease, which means a predisposition for gluten issues. Infections, illnesses, surgeries or drugs may trigger trouble for these folks. Beyond this, some experts suspect the rapid rise in incidence may be due to environmental and personal health issues, such as: If you have gluten sensitivities, the answer is yes. If you don’t, eating gluten-free doesn’t necessarily offer often-advertised yet unproven health benefits and can mean potential nutrient shortfalls in calcium, iron, fiber, magnesium and B vitamins. Keep in mind that most people with celiac disease don’t know they have it. If you have symptoms, a family history of celiac disease, type 1 diabetes, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or premature bone loss, a simple blood test can determine if further testing is needed. •G rain changes. The wheat we eat today is different than the wheat we ate years ago. Newer breeding and growing processes and disease-resistant crops may cause greater sensitivity for some, too. •C hronic inflammation. Many of us have constant inflammation in our bodies caused by diet, stress and illness. That kind of environment may heighten gluten sensitivity. BOTTOM LINE People with celiac disease are at greater risk for other health concerns, so get tested if you have symptoms and talk with a dietitian to ensure you’re getting the nutrients you need from food. If you’re looking for gluten-free choices, keep shopping. Kowalski’s is constantly bringing in more gluten-free options and creating new salads and prepared foods with non-gluten containing ingredients. And if there are products you’d like to find in your market, let us know. TIPS FOR COOKING FOR THE GLUTEN-FREE GUEST: 1 Check with your guest. Some people are very sensitive to gluten, while others have more wiggle room. Ask your guest what he or she would like to eat instead of scrambling to find something you hope will work. 2 Choose wholesome, simple foods. It cuts down on the risk for cross-contamination and extra work. Meat or fish seasoned with herbs, spices or gluten-free marinades cooked on a clean grill or grill pan work great. Fresh fruits and vegetables, a green salad with oil and balsamic vinegar, and a non-gluten starch (like potatoes, quinoa or rice) round out the meal. 3 Read labels on packaged foods. Confirm (never assume) they’re gluten-free, and note that wheat-free is not the same as gluten-free. 4 Watch for cross-contamination. Use separate cutting boards, utensils and dishes if you’re preparing both foods that contain gluten and foods that don’t. 5 Pick up our Gluten-Free Diets Brochure. It contains loads more helpful facts, tips and product information. PAGE 23 www.kowalskis.com ew issues come along in the nutrition world that truly change the landscape of food. But in the past 10 years, gluten (a type of protein found in grains like wheat, rye, barley, spelt and others) has done just that. can find hard to resist. This recipe – inspired by the kidfriendly flavors in an Italian pasta dish – is chock full of basic veggies, including carrots, tomatoes and good-foryou beans. Add in your favorite shaped small pasta, from elbows to shells, and watch it disappear. You can even add in frozen peas, corn or green beans. Customize the flavors to suit your tastes or your pantry. To make the soup ahead of time, reserve the pasta until you rewarm the recipe just before serving. FOODS k k O H ITALIAN VEGETABLE SOUP D R FO vegetables, you can get them to sip them. Slurpable, sippable soup is a meal that even the pickiest eaters Kids GO S ometimes even if you can’t get kids to eat their with the D HE T Kitchen GO O in the AL 1 tsp. Kowalski’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil 2 cloves garlic, finely minced ¼ cups diced white onion ⅓ cup thinly sliced carrot ⅓ cup diced celery 15 oz. can diced tomatoes ⅔cups canned light red kidney beans, rinsed and drained ⅔cups canned small white beans (such as Northern beans), rinsed and drained 4 cups low-sodium vegetable stock 2 cups low-sodium tomato sauce 2 tsp. dried oregano 1 tsp. dried basil 1 tsp. kosher salt 1 tsp. Kowalski’s Coarse Ground Black Pepper ½ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes 2 tsp. brown sugar ½ cup dried small shell pasta 1 ½ tbsp. chopped Kowalski’s Fresh Italian Parsley Heat oil in a deep pot over medium-high heat. Sauté garlic and onion 2 min. Reduce heat to low; add carrot, celery and tomatoes with their juice. Simmer 10 min. Add beans, stock, tomato sauce and next 6 ingredients through sugar; simmer just until carrots are tender (about 40 min.), adding pasta in the last 5 min. Adjust salt and pepper if necessary; stir in parsley and serve immediately. Serves 8. Note: • Follow package directions for cooking pasta, checking noodles every 30 sec. in the last 2 min. of suggested cooking time to ensure it does not overcook. Nutrition Information per Serving: Total Calories 130 Total Fat 1g Saturated Fat 0g Sodium 390 mg Fiber 5g An excellent source of vitamins A, C, K and folate. A good source of iron, potassium and B6.