Thursday market moves again

The Thursday edition of the Minneapolis Farmers Market will move this spring to the Hennepin County Government Center's south plaza, at 300 S. 6th St. The move should improve a struggling experience last summer when its usual Nicollet Mall placement was shifted to Hennepin Avenue. The Farmers Market will kick off May 5 and will be open each Thursday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. through the outdoor season ending Nov. 10. The market will be relocated to Nicollet once the project is complete. The move is in partnership with Go Outside with Hennepin County, the Minneapolis Downtown Council and Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District.

Germanic-American dinner

This Saturday's annual pork roast and sauerkraut dinner at the Germanic-American Institute again will feature more than 300 pounds of Helga's Secret Recipe Sauerkraut alongside tender slow-roasted pork.

The March 19 supper began decades ago as a way for St. Paul's founding German immigrants to taste the familiar cuisine of their homeland. The family-style supper is served by volunteers in authentic Trachten (dirndl and lederhosen) with live accordion music by Dale Grove. There's beer in the Ratskeller, Germanic goods and handicrafts on the second floor and folks on hand from the Germanic Genealogy Society.

Prepaid ticket holders (that deadline has passed) will be seated first, but walk-up diners are welcome. The first seating begins at 4:30 p.m. and the second at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors (60-plus) and $6 for ages 12 and under. The institute is at 301 Summit Av., St. Paul. Parking is free in the institute lot or on the street. Handicap-accessible on the first floor only. To learn more, visit gai-mn.org/sauerkraut or call 651-222-7027.

Food and flowers

In connection with the annual Macy's flower show, the retailer's Culinary Council is hosting chef Takashi Yagihashi for a cooking demonstration and book signing at noon March 23 at the downtown Minneapolis store.

Yagihashi melds contemporary French, Asian and American cuisine, and his several restaurants in Chicago have earned many honors, including a Michelin star in 2010 and 2011. Noodles by Takashi Yagihashi was named one of the "Five Best Noodle Shops in America" by Bon Appétit in 2009. His most recent venture, Slurping Turtle, offers Japanese comfort food, focusing on ramen, items from the bincho grill and sashimi.

Macy's guests will receive a $10 gift card and a copy of "Takashi's Noodles" cookbook with a purchase of $35 or more in the home department. To RSVP, call 1-877-556-2297 by March 23, as space is limited.

Purim wines available

As the Jewish festival of Purim nears, the community of Beth El readies for its March 23 events, which include a free 9 p.m. Purim After Party at the Loop in the West End, following the annual Post-Megillah Adult Wine Tasting. This year, several of the wine selections are available for advance ordering for Passover Seders, through a partnership with MGM Wine & Spirits in St. Louis Park. Visit www.besyn.org/wine to peruse the list and place your orders; deadline is March 28th. A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit Beth El Synagogue.

Oops

An ingredient was omitted from the Red Lentil Dal recipe last week. It should have included ¼ teaspoon cinnamon.

KIM ODE