Passover, fun and focused
Passover is approaching, and with it, interest in new recipes and kitchen items. Davida Aprons, a California company, has a range of items imprinted to look like matzah, from hot pads to baby bibs to aprons to the truly kitschy. (Oy, don't ask.) We liked the aprons and hotpads. And these days, there is, of course, an app. OU Kosher, released by the Orthodox Union, aims to help consumers keep kosher throughout the eight-day Jewish festival and stay up-to-date on kosher products year-round. To download the free app, visit ou.org/apps. Despite more than 3,300 years of history, there's still a need to brush up on these most food-focused of holidays, especially as many seders are getting a gourmet touch. A good resource for guidance is www.Passover.org, which includes history and guidance as well as recipes. Cacao start to finish
Combine the culinary skills of La Belle Vie with exceptional chocolate sourcing and you have the makings of a memorable meal on April 5. LBV chefs Tim McKee, Michael DeCamp and Diane Yang are working with the importer and educator Chocolate Bonavita (profiled in the March 8 Variety section) to create a five-course tasting menu highlighting chocolate in both savory and sweet dishes. Sommelier Bill Summerville is developing pairings of wines, liqueurs and beers. Cost is $130 per diner and includes pre-dinner hors d'oeuvres and beverage pairing. For a reservation, call 612-874-6440.
CSA directory available
Even a wimpy winter can't keep us from dreaming about spring, and how better to jump-start the planning than by perusing and choosing a share in a community-supported agriculture, or CSA, farm? The Land Stewardship Project's latest directory for the Twin Cities, Minnesota and western Wisconsin now is available with info about more than 80 farms that deliver to locations in the region. For a free copy, visit www.landstewardshipproject.org/csa.html or call 612-722-6377. Free paper copies are also available at the Land Stewardship Project's office at 821 E. 35th St., Suite 200, Mpls.
