Nuptials

Cheddar zucchini biscuits

Biscuits in the works

I'm waiting for the zucchini to defrost, so I can make zucchini cheddar drop biscuits, and the sweet corn is cooking. Dinner will be corn and a grilled pork chop that J. was nice enough to share with this formerly grill-less grrrl. (I say formerly because I recently purchased a small gas grill from Target, but I haven't gotten a propane tank for it yet. Alas, a gas grill without the propane tank is rather like not having a grill. :))

Last weekend, Jason and I attended Naomi and Bill's wedding in Minneapolis. On the way there, my Recall Walker bumper sticker sparked two interesting encounters. The first occurred when a Taurus pulled up beside us and held up a handwritten sign reading, "Scott Walker for President." The next one happened at a gas station. I'd run in to pee, and a fifty-ish woman asked Jason where he'd gotten the bumper sticker. He said he'd bought it in Madison, but he was a little worried that she was going to give him a piece of her mind. Instead, she said she'd only seen differently colored ones and would like a black one. Banter ensued about the recent recalls and the fact that Walker seems a bit shaken.

The ceremony and reception were held at the Polish National Alliance (PNA) Hall in northeast. The PNA Home Association in Minneapolis was set up by Polish immigrants more than a century ago. The alliance was formed in 1880 as a national fraternal organization to provide financial assistance (e.g., life insurance and annuities) to its members. It also sought to foster an understanding of Polish heritage.

The hall was sweetly decorated, and the ceremony was creatively tailored to the couple. Bill's band(s) provided music, and friends and family read poetry. Dinner consisted of a taco bar, corn on the cob, and Dilly Bars for dessert. After dinner, a DJ friend played music, and people danced. There was also white and red sangria and beer served by two women in retro 1950s fashion--with the contemporary addition of funky arm tattoos. (They told J. that I'm "so nice." Clearly, they are smart women.;))

Dilly Bars for dessert

We stayed an additional day, so we could explore Minneapolis a bit. We had brunch (sausage hash for him and turkey bacon burger for me) at Key's Cafe in Foshay Tower. The hash was ok, although the sausage could've had more kick. The Foshay Tower is a landmark in its own right. Built in 1929, months before the market collapsed in October of that year, it represents an example of Art Decor architecture. Modeled on the Washington Monument, the building's sides slope inward slightly, making each floor slightly smaller than the one below it. It is now the W Minneapolis--The Foshay, a swanky boutique hotel.

The Foshay

Dandelion fountain in Loring Park

The Local's fish bites

After walking around Loring Park and the sculpture garden next to the Walker Art Center, we had fish bites at The Local, a nearby Irish pub. I was very hungry, so at first they seemed wonderful, but after a bit, I realized that they were pretty greasy and heavy on the batter. The curry aioli was magnificent, though. And it was lovely to sit on their outdoor patio and people watch. (The interior was quite impressive, as well.)

We also took full advantage of the whirlpools at the hotel. A Comfort Suites, it was pretty basic, but the pool area was fun and had two whirlpools and a sauna. The decor was a crazy blend of '80s and Art Deco, which cracked me up to no end, and of course, it's always grand to sleep in spacious hotel beds with quality linens. Unfortunately, the thread count of my sheets at home would probably sicken Martha Stewart.

Caramelized Onion and Savoy Cabbage Chowder with Thyme

Turkey bacon is cooking, and the green sun tea is brewing.

This past week, I made a wonderful soup. It's a bastardized, healthier version of the old-school French onion soup. Caramelizing the onions lends depth without using beef broth, the apple cider vinegar and soy sauce give it an underlying pungent kick, and the thyme infuses it with a tinge of earthiness. Plus, you get a flavorful soup without loading it with Gruyere and bread. Instead, I topped it with some Parmesan shards and a few croutons. (I cheated on the croutons by using storebought salt and pepper ones.) I also used regular old green cabbage instead of savoy cabbage, and I didn't have apple cider, so I omitted it and added more soy sauce and apple cider vinegar. I am a rebel.

Caramelized Onion and Savoy Cabbage Chowder with Thyme
1/2 c. apple cider
1 tsp. low-sodium soy sauce
2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
2 Tbsp. olive oil
12 oz. savoy cabbage (6-7 c.)
3 large onions, cut into large dice (1 1/2 lbs.)
3 cloves garlic, minced (1 Tbsp.)
2 Tbsp. fresh thyme

1. Combine apple cider, soy sauce, and vinegar.
2. Heat 1 Tbsp. olive oil and 1 Tbsp. butter in skillet over medium-high heat. Add cabbage, and season with salt, if desired. Cook 5-7 mins., stirring occasionally. Transfer to shallow bowl.
3. Heat remaining 1 Tbsp. oil and 1 Tbsp. butter in large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onions, and season with salt, if desired. Cover, and cook 8-10 mins., or until onions are softened, stirring occasionally. Uncover, and cook 16-18 mins., or until onions are golden brown. Add garlic, 1 1/2 Tbsp. thyme, and apple cider mixture, stirring to scrape up brown bits on pan bottom. Bring to a simmer, and cook 1 min. Add cabbage and 5 c. water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, partially cover, and cook 15 mins. Serve topped with croutons and remaining 1 1/2 tsp. thyme.