Firing up the grills

GrillFest, hosted by Minnesota Monthly to benefit Minnesota Public Radio, offers an opportunity to check out CHS Field, new home of the St. Paul Saints, 360 N. Broadway in St. Paul. The fest is from 1-5 p.m. May 16-17 with online advance tickets at $40 ($45 at the door, as available.) This is an adult event; all attendees must be 21 or older. The event offers the chance to test new grills, gadgets and smokers, sample sauces and rubs, watch grilling demos and sate yourself on grilled foods, wines and beers. For details, tickets and info about free transit passes, visit www.grillfestival.com.

Cannabis in the kitchen

The cookbook has that glossy look, a chocolate tart sprinkled with trendy Himalayan pink salt on the cover, pink ombre script spelling out "Sweet Mary Jane." Oh. Then the subtitle: "75 Delicious Cannibis-Infused High-End Desserts." It's by Karen Lazarus, who founded Sweet Mary Jane bakery in Colorado when that state legalized medical marijuana. Her desserts use butter, coconut oil or sugar that's been infused with cannabis buds, ground or finely crushed. The book won't be of much use to Minnesotans even after medical marijuana dispensaries open here in July, because Minnesota is taking a different tack, selling cannabis only in refined pill or liquid form. In other words, no baggies, no buds. But as a hostess gift when you're visiting friends in the Centennial State? Perhaps. Desserts range from blueberry coffee cake to granola bars to crème brûlée. "Sweet Mary Jane" (Avery, $25) also comes with this disclaimer: "Don't bake stoned."

Lentil recipes sought

Planning a summer vacation in Washington state and want to shave off some of the cost? Consider entering your best recipe using lentils in the Legendary Lentil Cook-Off, Aug. 21-22 in Pullman. Five recipes will be chosen to compete for a $2,000 first prize, the finalists being "those considered to make the most interesting and exciting contest." No proxy cooks allowed; you need to be there to prepare your recipe. But if you really love lentils, why not? The Palouse region of Washington is said to produce some of the world's highest-quality lentils. For details about the contest, visit www.lentilfest.com. Entry deadline is June 15.

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