White Chocolate Raspberry Ice Cream

I could never be lactose intolerant.

Raspberry White Chocolate Ice Cream - www.theculinarycapers.com

I could probably go gluten free before I dropped the dairy. Both of which I hope never, ever, happen.

Raspberry White Chocolate Ice Cream - www.theculinarycapers.com

Seriously. Look at that. How could I ever not just eat all of it? Continue reading

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Fingerling Potatoes and Green Beans with Lemon Dill Dressing

In preparation for the state fair, I’ve been trying to up my daily vegetable intake.

Fingerling potatoes and green beans with lemon dill dressing - www.theculinarycapers.com

Like if I over do it on the veggies now, all those cheese curds and doussants I’m going to eat will basically be canceled out.

Same theory as if I’m good all year, Santa will bring me presents, but as soon as Christmas is over, I’m allowed to misbehave a little bit until the next year technically starts. Continue reading

Blueberry, Basil, and Goat Cheese Tarts

When I made these tarts, it was 2 degrees outside. Not 2 degrees Celsius, which would be 35 degrees Fahrenheit, but 2 degrees Fahrenheit, or -16 degrees Celsius.

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So, really freakin cold. No matter what country you’re in.

I seem to take cold weather, and snow in particular, as a personal challenge to see how much food I can make in one day. Continue reading

Roasted Corn Salad with Tomatoes and Feta

I have to come clean. Corn has not always been my thing.

It seems like this time of year, everyone is raving about fresh corn on the cob at their late summer/ early fall BBQs, but it’s never really done the trick for me.

Oddly enough, there are many vegetables I would rather have a side than corn. Green vegetables even. Shocking, right?

But then, I discovered the secret key that would let me enter the corn loving club. It is, as with many things, all a trick of preparation. Continue reading

Zucchini Tots with Spiced Mayo

If you’re like me, you love yourself some tater tots. Fries are great but, let’s face it, though they are both children of the potato, there’s something about their little barrel shape, crispy outsides, steamy insides, and perfectly dip-able round bottoms that blows fries out of the water. (Except waffle fries…that’s a tougher battle.)

If I needed any further proof, a whole array of hot dishes have been centered around the tater tot. Possibly only in Minnesota, but still, can fries claim such culinary achievements?

However, if you are also like me, you do not like what tater tots do to the way your jeans have chosen to fit you today.

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How to Make Tomato Sauce from Scratch

Hello world! Can I have your attention please? I’m the girl bouncing up and down with the wooden spoon in her hand, grinning like a fool. Yes, that one, right there.

Everyone listening? Great! Now stop what you’re doing. Unless you are mid-surgery, or putting out a wildfire or something really important like that. Watching Season 2 of Downton Abbey for the 3rd time does not count.

Now, everyone go buy a lot of Roma tomatoes. I mean, a LOT of them. 10 pounds or more. Why? Because I just figured out how to make tomato sauce from scratch. And guess what?

It’s SO much better than anything you will find in a store. Taste-wise of course, but also in terms of added ingredients, sodium, oils, and all those other things that sneak into our sauces while we’re sleeping.

Embrace the joy of the ripe tomato.

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Zucchini Fritters with Garlic-infused Yogurt

Stop the presses!

I’m interrupting today’s regularly scheduled dessert post to bring you something better.

And it’s made with vegetables.

I know, I just saw the pigs fly by my window too, but seriously guys – you’ve got to try these. Right now. Go to your local farmers market, buy some zucchini, clear your schedule and make some zucchini fritters.

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Asian-Inspired Ribs

These ribs came to me from my friend Marisa. Now, I am not usually a big rib person, but after she made them for a dinner party, I demanded the recipe within two bites.

These are fantastic for people who either lack a grill, or the skills to grill in general because you make them in a slow cooker. The long cook time results in rib meat that literally falls off the bone – you may have a hard time getting them out of the pot in one piece!

These also got rave reviews from rib-lover and resident manly food expert, my boyfriend. Ribs are his number one favorite food, and he’s pretty pleased I finally found a recipe that let’s me love ribs as much as he does.

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Sloppy Joes

Memorial Day has come and gone and, if you’re like me, you are officially in Summer mode. That means ice cream, a walk around one of our many lovely lakes, and outdoor barbecues with friends!

I was already put in the mood for some Summer cooking when I stopped by Minnesota Monthly’s GrillFest a few weeks ago. But with no grill of my own and no central air, I’m faced with the challenge of capturing my Summer favorites without heating up the house. Continue reading

Minnesota State Fair – Part 1

What do alligators, cookie dough and Michelle Bachman banana splits have in common?

They all come deep fried at the Minnesota State Fair! The Capers & Co. was at the fair on Saturday sampling some of the many (many!) culinary delicacies offered at the Great Minnesota Get Together. Here’s what to try and what to skip when you take your trip to the mecca of questionable fashion chocies.

Try: Ooey Gooey Cookie Dough on a Stick from Sonnys Spiral Spuds

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