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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In the ABC World News Made in America Christmas series, Diane Sawyer reported that if every American spent $64 on made in America gifts this holiday, businesses could create 200,000 jobs in the United States. Watch the video here:
At Wisconsinmade.com we've always been advocates of supporting local businesses. Not only do 250 Wisconsin businesses sell their gifts on Wisconsinmade.com, but the website is a small business in itself. The site was started in 1999 by Linda Remeschatis, and 12 years later, she employs eight people here in Wisconsin. Wisconsinmade.com is proof that buying American-made gifts can create local jobs.
Every gift on Wisconsinmade.com is made in Wisconsin, so as long as you shop with us, you know you're keeping dollars in America. Here are a few food gift ideas that will meet the $64 mark. Also, all of our customer service representatives are based in our Wisconsin office, so no calling overseas for order assistance.
Wisconsin-made Gift Ideas That Cost Around $64
Bacon Gift Assortment- My fellow bacon lovers, if you have not tried Nueske bacon, what are you waiting for? Applewood smoked by experts in Wittenberg, Wisconsin, this bacon puts the grocery store varieties to shame. I prefer the super thick cut, but my coworker Marilyn prefers the thin sliced. Try all five varieties to find your favorite and as a bonus, enjoy some bacon scones and bacon cheese spread for $64.95 + shipping.
Cheesehead Gift Basket- The Pack is undefeated so show your green and gold pride with this cheesehead gift basket. The famous foam cheesehead is filled with game day snacks like pretzels, peanuts, crackers and of course, three kinds of Wisconsin cheese. $67.50 + shipping.
Christmas Gift Box- A rustic wooden Christmas box filled with cranberries, pretzels, mustard, gingerbread cookies and more. A popular gift to send to friends, family members and business associates. $68.50 + shipping.
Mad Grad Medley Ice Cream and Cherry Pie Combo- Wisconsin's best dairy experts train at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Babcock Hall. Taste the fruit of their labors (literally) with Babock Hall Ice Cream. Mad Grad Medley is a flavor creation of a UW-Madison grad that combines vanilla, chocolate shavings and Door County cherries. Add a Wisconsin-made cherry pie and you have a cherry lover's delight. $64.90 with shipping included.
$64 Wisconsinmade.com Gift Card- In honor of the Made in America Christmas special, we created a $64 gift card so your gift recipient can select their favorite Wisconsin-made treats. The gift card is available via e-mail (great for last minute gifts!) or in the traditional plastic version.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Each month I attend the Social Media Breakfast here in Madison. I look forward to it because sometimes I feel like I'm in the Wizard of Oz- "Pay no attention to that girl behind the blog!" For one glorious morning a month I get to rest my weary computer eyes and talk to people face to
face about Edible Antics and my job as the Social Media and Public Relations Specialist at Wisconsinmade.com. This month was especially exciting because Wisconsinmade.com sponsored the breakfast, so not only did I get to talk to people, I got to use a microphone! It's no secret I love to hear myself talk (it runs in the family, hi Dad!) especially when my voice is amplified. As part of our sponsorship, Wisconsinmade.com owner Linda and I gave the event's speakers, Allison and Rich from Google, some hand-decorated Thank You cookies. If you're thinking of getting involved with the Social Media Breakfast, either attending or sponsoring, you absolutely should and here's why.
The Social Media Breakfast is a great oppurtunity to get the word out about your business. I've become a regular customer at some of the places I've learned about through the Social Media Breakfast. I can't go to the grocery store without a CupCakes-A-Go-Go's Tootski's Toffee Crunch cupcake or two miraculously ending up in my cart. I have been teased for paying $7.00 for two cupcakes, but I have no shame- the enjoyment I get from these sinfully decadent cupcakes are worth every penny. I would have never become a regular cupcake buyer if it weren't for learning about CupCakes-A-Go-Go at the Social Media Breakfast.
Another reason to sponsor the SMB? Influencial people will talk about your business! The people who attend the Social Media Breakfast have thousands of Twitter followers, popular blogs, and active Facebook communities. The attendees appreciate your sponsorship, so they will make it a point to mention you on Twitter and Facebook, and if you win them over with your baking skills, they might even give you a shout out and a link on their food blog- like I just did for CupCakes-A-Go-Go.
Social Media Breakfast groups gather in cities all over the country, but Madison is one of the best cities to attend a breakfast because there are some amazing learning oppurtunities here. Madison residents have a passion for local businesses and enterprenuership, and small businesses love Social Media because it is a relatively affordable way to get the word out. The little guys engaging in Social Media here in Madison attracted the big guy- Google. Google sent represenatives to the area to help small businesses set up Google Places pages and learn to use Google tools better. At September's Social Media Breakfast, Rich and Allison from Google told us about some tools we had heard of: Google Places, Google Analytics, and some new ones that we can't wait to use: Google Search Stories, and Google Trends. Google has even set up a special website for Madison at Google.com/Madison. It's kind of a big deal, so if you aren't involved with the Social Media Breakfast- what are you waiting for?
Check out the Madison Social Media Breakfast on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to find out when the next event will take place.
Here's the Search Story I made! You can make yours here.
Contest Rules: Comment on this post between now and noon central time on 9/30/2011 and you will be entered in the drawing. I will pick a winner at random and send them an electronic gift certificiate via e-mail. By commenting/entering the contest, you agree to receive the Wisconsinmade.com weekly e-mail newsletter. You can unsubscribe at anytime. Visit Wisconsinmade.com to view the privacy policy that also applies to all Wisconsinmade.com contests including those hosted here on the Edible Antics blog. Contact info@wisconsinmade.com with questions.
Even if spending time in the kitchen isn't your favorite, it is important to know how to prepare a few basic dishes. Most people know how to cook a burger, an omelet, a roasted chicken, but in Wisconsin, we have some additional favorites that most Wisconsin cooks can whip up on short notice.
Beer Cheese Soup - Warm up a cold night with this Wisconsin favorite. Keep it simple with beer and cheese, or add veggies and bratwurst for a more complete meal. My favorite beer cheese soup recipe includes carrots, celery, and potatoes.
Tip: You can skip the beer and use chicken broth instead, but then you'll just have cheese soup!
Bratwurst- There are as many ways to cook and serve bratwurst as their are Wisconsin cooks. Pre-cooked brats can be just as good as fresh brats, but only require a quick sear on the grill. Fresh brats need to be pre-boiled and Wisconsin cooks usually boil the brats in beer instead of water for some extra flavor. For some bratwurst serving inspiration, visit my blog post to find out how the Wisconsinmade.com staff likes their brats. Also, be sure to check out the Bratwurst Pages for brat cooking instructions and more.
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Grilled Cheese- The beginner's grilled cheese is two slices of white bread and some american cheese slices. Once a Wisconsin cook masters the basic grilled cheese, she can move on to more creative pursuits. Test out different cheeses (mozzarella, cheddar, pepper jack), different breads (wheat, sour dough, ciabatta) and add-ons (bacon, tomato, pesto) to discover the true wonders of the grilled cheese. Visit this post to see my favorite grilled cheese recipe, or find inspiration at the Grilled Cheese Academy.
Tip: Use shredded cheese instead of slices, this makes the cheese melt more evenly.
Mac and Cheese- This basic dish is another blank canvas for your Wisconsin culinary creativity to shine. Start with a basic recipe, then experiment with different cheeses, pasta shapes, and add-ins.
Tip: If you are baking your mac and cheese, boil your pasta a minute or two less than what the box recommends, it will cook some more in the oven.
