Hard Cider

Northern Michigan has a growing list of options for hard apple cider.

Blackstar Farms has Hard Apple Cider.

Tandem Ciders recently opened in Suttons Bay (See: Hard Cider Revival)

And Mother Earth News recently had an article on creating your own hard cider.

See: Make Your Own Hard Cider

New Raw Milk Discovery

Raw milk has been mentioned previously.

A new study discovers a low temperature spoiler.

See: New bacteria discovered in raw milk

Another Iron Chef?

Cat Cora reveals there may be another contest for the 'Next Iron Chef'.

See B&C: Food Network May Be Looking For Another Iron Chef

TreeHugger Lists Their Nine Essential Foodie Books

9 Must Read Books on Eating Well

Praising Black Star Farms' Rustic Apple Galettes with Raisins and Apple Brandy

See the recipe at AH: Black Star Farm Apple Galettes

Turkey Taste Test

See MotherEarthNews: How Eight Heritage Turkeys Kicked a Butterball’s Butt

The FreePress describes the types of turkeys:
9 kinds of turkeys, from heritage to Michigan-raised

And SmartMoney has Cat Cora test high-end wall ovens: Can a $4,000 Oven Cook a Better Turkey?

In northern Michigan Biehl's Circle B Turkey Farm is a popular source for anti-biotic free turkeys. And Taste The Local Difference lists Hubbell Farm and Royal Farms as providing turkeys.

Suds And Snow 3

Timber Ridge Resort is hosting the third annual Suds and Snow March 7th, 2009.

See:
Winter is getting closer, here's something to keep you warm

The third annual Suds and Snow will feature microbrew samples from at least ten Michigan breweries (Arbor Brewing Company, Bell's, Dark Horse, Founders, Right Brain, New Holland, Jolly Pumpkin, Leelanau and Short's are confirmed so far) combined with snowshoeing. Tickets are $20 in advance and $30 at the door (advance ticket sales close at noon on March 6).

Butternut Squash Bisque

I got the basis for this from an old slow cooker cookbook. But I made it thicker and a bit healthier with the sweet potato.

1 medium-sized butternut squash; peeled, seeded, cubed
1 sweet potato; peeled and cubed
1 onion; chopped
1 celery stalk; chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 Cup lentils; dry (I use the red ones)
1 tsp garam masala
4 Cups chicken or vegetable stock

Put the vegetables in the slow cooker, sprinkle the garam masal on top, then pour in the broth or stock.

Cook for 4-5 hours at high temperature or 8-9 hours at low temperature.

Just before serving take your potato masher or stick blender and mash/puree the soup to make it a thick bisque.

It is really good when served with Pleasanton Brick Oven Bakery's parmesan olive bread.