Edible Antics - Having Fun With Food

Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

The buffalo chicken sandwich is just one of the many buffalo chicken dishes I've put together to satisfy my craving for all things buffalo. The buffalo-fied trend is an easy concept: take the flavors of buffalo hot wings like buffalo sauce, blue cheese, chicken, and celery, and integrate them in to another dish. I've cooked up buffalo chicken pizza, buffalo chicken chili and buffalo chicken tacos. The buffalo chicken sandwich is one of my favorites since it makes an easy week night slow cooker dinner or a main dish for a game day party. It's a bit spicy and a bit messy but a whole lot of delicious!

 

Mardi Gras Traditions with a Wisconsin Twist

Madris Gras traditions aren't just limited to the state of Louisiana. You can enjoy them no matter where you live with these fun and easy ideas for Madri Gras traditions. I even added my own Wisconsin twist!

 

Gumbo with Bratwurst- This gumbo recipe is the perfect party food because it's easy to put together and serves a crowd. You can even assemble it the night before, then have it cook all day in the crockpot, which gives the added bonus of that satisfying smell of food cooking while you're setting up your green, purple and gold Mardi Gras decorations.  The original recipe called for the traditional Louisanna andouille sausage but I used bratwrust instead to keep it Wisconsin.

 

 

 

 

Kringle King Cake - The King Cake is a popular Mardi Gras tradition because it combines a colorful and delicious dessert with a fun party game. The host of the party hides a plastic baby in the cake, and whoever gets the baby inside their piece of cake is the king or queen for the day. Just be aware that royalty also comes with responsibilities. In this case, the king or queen must buy the king cake next year. I would put the king cake kringle by O&H bakery up against any king cake in the country in both the flavor and the looks category. It has flakey layers of pastry, a cream cheese filling and purple, gold and green sugar sprinkles. 

Mardi Gras is going on now until Fat Tuesday, February 21st 2012, so get your crock pot ready and order your king cake today and have a fabulous Wisconsin Mardi Gras celebration.

Traditional Cookies from Around the World Unite in Wisconsin

Traditional cookies from Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Scotland and Denmark are lovingly baked and decorated right here in Wisconsin. 

 

 

Springerle Cookies - Germany

Beautiful Springerle cookies are baked in molds and hand-painted with intricate designs.The history of Springerle cookies can be traced back to the 1400s to the areas of Europe that are now Germany and Switzerland.The bakers at Embossed Edibles here in Wisconsin take pride in continuing this artistic tradition.

Biscotti - Italy

Biscotti are crunchy Italian cookies designed for dunking in your coffee, so you have an excuse to have cookies for breakfast! The Wisconsin bakery K-Delights bakes them up and covers them with chocolate, nuts, berries and more.They are available online at Wisconsinmade.com.

Bratzeli - Switzerland

These buttery cookies are handmade in the town known as Wisconsin's "Little Swizterland" - New Glarus. The New Glarus Bakery bakes these thin, wafer-like cookies in an iron and flavor them with almond.

Shortbread - Scotland

The history of Shortbread cookies dates back to the middle ages in Scotland. They were considered a luxury and enjoyed at Christmas celebrations and weddings.Today, they are still a Christmas favorite but visitors to the Wisconsin Dells enjoy them by the thousands at Cheesecake Heaven Cafe. If you aren't near the Dells, you can still taste this famous cookie by shopping at Wisconsinmade.com.

Nut Horns - Denmark

A Danish tradition, light and flakey Nut Rolls are handmade in Racine, Wisconsin. Each roll is filled with ground walnuts, cream cheese and topped with icing.They have been a customer favorite for over 20 years and were even featured on the Food Network.

Gumbo Recipe with a Wisconsin Twist

The quick and easy gumbo recipe had been sitting in my "bookmarks" folder for a long time now and I had almost everything on hand to make it except for the sausage. I was about to head to the grocery store when I decided to hunt in the freezer for my final ingredient. The recipe called for a spciy andouille sausage but when I came across a package of Bavaria Sausage Kitchen bratwurst I decided to try those instead. I enjoy the taste of spice but I am a big whimp so the brats would be a welcome subsitution. The best part about this recipe? You can set it and forget it in the slow cooker. 

 

Wisconsin Rose Bowl - 5 Must-Have Party Snacks

Time for another Wisconsin Rose Bowl! On January 2nd the Badgers will head to Pasadena, California to take on the Oregon Ducks. For those of us who can't make it to the game in person, it's time to start planning our Wisconsin Rose Bowl parties. I've come up with a flavorful and fun party spread that will make the 2012 Rose Bowl one to remember. 

 

Cheese and Sausage Spread - It's not a Wisconsin party without cheese! This is one of several Bucky snack assortments that ships nationwide at Wisconsinmade.com, so even if Bucky doesn't grace the snack food packages in your town like he does here in Madison, you can still enjoy your favorite Bucky snacks no matter where in the USA you live. This one includes cheddar, horseradish, port wine and garlic cheese spread, plus two summer sausages, beef sticks and red Wisconsin plastic cheese spreaders.

 

 

 

Wisconsin Rose Bowl Veggie Tray- Do you think making tomato roses for a veggie tray is only for Martha Stewart? It's actually easier than you think. Visit my Wisconsin Rose Bowl blog post from last year to see step-by-step photo instructions about how to make lovely tomato roses.  

 

 

 

 

Bratwurst - I recently went to a football game in my home state of Virginia, and when hunger struck I went over to the concession stand. My heart sank when I realized that the stand did not serve bratwurst! Wisconsin sports fans should take a lesson from my sad story and appreciate the fact that bratwurst are always available in Wisconsin! Enjoy State Street's famous bratwurst no matter where you live when you order from Wisconsinmade.com. 

 

 

 

 

Smoked Duck- The Oregon Ducks are about to get smoked by the Wisconsin Badgers, so serve a smoked duck at your Wisconsin Rose Bowl Party. This delectable pre-cooked bird can be warmed in the oven or sliced and served with crackers (quackers?!). I wonder if the Oregon fans will be snacking on Badger during the game? I doubt it!

 

 

 

 

 

Babcock Hall Ice Cream No Badger celebration is complete without the sweet finish of some Babcock Hall Ice Cream. Select from classic flavors from your college days like Union Utopia (vanilla with fudge swirl), Peanut Butter Cup and Orange Custard Chocolate Chip. 

Don't Forget November and December Birthdays

November is here and December is fast approaching. Quick! Deck the halls! Brine the turkey! Vacuum the guest bedroom!

With all the chores to do before Thanksgiving and Christmas, it can be easy to forget November and December birthdays.  Just because someone happens to be born around the same time of year as baby Jesus doesn't mean they don't deserve a special day of their own.  My mom's birthday is November 21st and  she often receives presents with the caveat "This is your birthday AND your Christmas present". 

Now, I know "it's the thought that counts" and most people with November and December birthdays don't make a big deal about their forgotten or otherwise diminished birthdays, but how about we make this year different? Let's give the winter babies a BIRTHDAY present that isn't under the tree or wrapped in red and green, but a legitimate cake, candles, and balloons present.  Here are some festive and tasty ideas for November and December birthday gifts.

 

Hand-Decorated Birthday Sugar Cookies

Freshly baked cookies decorated with cakes and balloons won't be confused as a Christmas present so they make the perfet treat for a December birthday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Popcorn and Seasoning Birthday Gift Set

Freshly popped popcorn makes a yummy birthday treat.  Add two flavors of popcorn seasonings, popcorn forks and a birthday gift box and you've got a popcorn party. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customized Birthday Cake

Nothing says "Happy Birthday" better than cake! If you aren't a baker, leave it to the experts at O&H Bakery to make a cake that the birthday boy or girl will never forget. 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you have a November or December birthday?  Comment below and tell me your story. 

 

 

Wisconsin Cheese Week- The Best of Wisconsin Cheese on the Web

The American Cheese Society has declared this week Wisconsin week, and this month American Cheese Month.  In honor of this cheesy celebration, I'm sharing my favorite cheesy places around the web.

Best Cheese Pairing Tool: Cheese Cupid

Matching Wisconsin cheese with the perfect beverage couldn't be easier thanks to Cheese Cupid.  Just click on the beverage you want to serve and viola, a list of cheeses will appear.  Impress your friends with a wine and Wisconsin cheese party.

Best Wisconsin Cheese Blog: Cheese Underground

Jeanne Carpenter of Madison, WI writes Cheese Underground, which mostly focuses on Wisconsin cheese but she also shares other cheese adventures, like pictures from her recent trip to France that made me want to hop on the next flight to Paris. 

Best of Cheese on Twitter: @culturecheese

The twitter account for Cheese Culture magazine, @culturecheese is always tweeting the latest "word on cheese".  From now until Nov. 4, 2011 the mag is running a contest trying to find blood curdling Dairy Scary stories.

Best Edible Antics Cheese Post: 5 Things to Do With A Cheese Curd

Did you know microwaving curds for 3-5 seconds makes them extra squeaky? Whether you're a curd nerd or a curd newb, there's something to learn on this entertaining blog post.

Best Wisconsin Cheese Gift: Wisconsinmade.com Cheese of the Month Club

What's better than the gift of Wisconsin cheese? A gift of Wisconsin cheese every month for 12 months.  Members of the Wisconsinmade.com Cheese of the Month will receive just that, along with a welcome packet that includes information on each award-winning cheese, cheesemakers, and a comment sheet to write tasting notes and keep track of your favorite cheese varieties. 

Best Wisconsin Cheese Recipes: Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board

Edible Antics has some great Wisconsin cheese recipes, but I can't compete with the WMMB.  In addition to their huge list of cheese recipes, the WMMB also created two obscenely delicious looking websites: The Cheese and Burger Society and The Grilled Cheese Academy. 

Mac and Cheese with Bacon and Jalapeno

If you think mac and cheese from the box is as good as it gets, think again. This mac and cheese with bacon and jalapeno is creamier, cheesier, and all around superior to the blue box.  The one-pot-wonder recipe makes a spicy side dish or a hearty meal.  Don't skimp on the ingredients- use real Wisconsin cheese, applewood smoked bacon, and a high-quality pasta for a real crowd pleasing dish. 

 

 

 

 

 

Bacon Burger

When you serve a bacon burger at your Packer game day party or Badger tailgate, notice as your friends peek under the bun and say "where's the bacon?".  It tastes like applewood smoked bacon, but there are no bacon strips to be found.  The secret is the bacon hidden in the meat.

If you are a fan of the Nueske bacon burger like I am, you will be saddened to know Nueske will no longer be making the bacon burger.  Pork lovers of the world need not despair however, because I, your local Wisconsin food enthusiast, can tell you how to make your own bacon burgers at home. Click "continue reading" to see the shockingly simple recipe.

Oktoberfest Party Checklist

Follow these easy steps to make your Oktoberfest party Wunderbar!

Dress the part.  For guys, rock the lederhosen. Ladies play "Heidi" in a drindl, also known as the "beer girl dress". 

Get Decorating. Turn your backyard into a beer garden with German flags and blue and white Bavarian table cloths.

Grill some brats. Bratwurst by Bavaria Sausage Kitchen will bring the taste of Germany to your party.  Serve in hard rolls with sauerkraut, German mustard, and curry ketchup.  For dessert, serve Oktoberfest party guest decadent German chocolate cake. 

Don't forget Das Boot. If you haven't played this party game, you're missing out on some fun.  Drinking out of a boot is trickier than it looks- drink too fast and you could get splashed in the face! 

Dance the polka. You might think that you don't like polka, but I dare you to listen to a polka CD without taping your foot along to the tuba beat! No Oktoberfest party is complete without, polka music, and if you have a friend who can teach everyone some basic polka steps, even better, you'll have a barrel of fun.

From decorations to drindls, all of the non-food items you need for your Oktoberfest party are available at Oktoberfesthaus.com and bratwurst, wiesswurst and more are available at Wisconsinmade.com. Shop between now and October 31st and receive 10% off your order with promo code WISCMADE at BOTH websites. Oktoberfest 2011 will be celebrated from September 17th- October 3rd, but the discount is valid until October 31st.