Tag Archives: Downtown Fargo

Only Got $20 In My Pocket: Treats From Fargo’s European Market

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It’s an exciting time to live in Fargo-Moorhead. Two, internationally-influenced markets opened, just within the past five months. Katerina Berg opened the European Market in the late fall and, in February, four individuals from Bhutan opened the Himalayan Grocery.

The European Market is located in Downtown Fargo, down the sidewalk from Nichole’s Fine Pastry. Their Facebook updates describe their latest deliveries from the East Coast including pastries, cheeses, and cured meats. In early January, Forum reporter John Lamb wrote about his visit to the Market and the foods he sampled. I stopped in this past weekend to check it out for myself.

The shop is tiny but features a cross-section of foods from Eastern Europe and Russia. Its selection is limited, but thoughtful, as if the proprietor cut to the chase and picked out her favorite things to feature. I chose a bag of frozen beef and pork pelmini dumplings from the frozen foods case that also containsed frozen blintzes, and additional pelmini varieties in both a veal and sweet variety. Across from the frozen section is a shelf of dry goods. I grabbed a jar of sweet and spicy eggplant spread and buttery crackers. I was also intrigued by jars of fruit preserves and tiny, pickled patty pan squash, though I passed on this visit.

Next, I visited the deli counters featuring cheeses and cured meats. I tend to be a shy and slightly bashful person, but I’m glad I asked Katerina for suggestions. She encouraged me to sample a variety of cheeses, from smoked Gouda to a mild, dimpled cheese from Lithuania. I noticed a few more cheeses in the refrigerated cooler. One appeared soft and spreadable, while another reminded me of feta. Next time, I’ll explore the cured meats. Finally, the cooler to the left of the cheese case featured fancy desserts. Tidy rectangles of layered cakes and pastries in all colors. Like the rest of the store’s offerings, they, too, were affordable.

My bill was $14.

This is frickin’ awesome.

Katerina instructed me to boil the pelmini for seven minutes in salted, boiling water along with a bay leaf and enjoy them with ketchup or sour cream. After I boiled the dumplings, I tossed them into a pan and sauteed them with butter infused with caramelized onions and hot chili.

They were porky and succulent. A nice lunch for two (with leftovers) for $4 a bag. My friend, Yuliya, who coordinates the local Fargo Foodies Network in Fargo makes her own pelmini and recommended this video tutorial. She fills hers with ground beef, garlic, and green onion and serves them with sour cream and sprinkled with dill.

While I was exploring the European market, a couple popped in to visit. They looked around and left without trying anything. Confronting a deli case filled with unfamiliar meats and cheeses can feel intimidating, but don’t be afraid to ask for suggestions or samples. I’ve rarely met a propriator unwilling to show off his or her favorite foods.

Saying Farewell To The Green Market: My Ode

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It’s hard saying goodbye to Fargo’s Green Market.

It’s really hard saying goodbye to the Green Market. The restaurant recently announced they would be closing at the end of March and issued the following statement:

We will be closing the restaurant at the end of March. The restaurant has been a consuming passion for the past six years and we are looking forward to new passions in our lives.

I, like many others, am very bummed about this upcoming closure, but wish the staff well on their new pursuits.

Jake and I have enjoyed some of our favorite Fargo meals at the Green Market. This restaurant fills a void in the Fargo-Moorhead dining scene by offering seasonal menus, intentionally made from local foods when possible, and it rotates every day. Its menu items are creative without being overwrought. Nor, does this creativity distract from the quality of its ingredients.

Often, the menu celebrate occasions like the Chinese New Year or Dia de los Muertos. Other times, it celebrates themes like Julia Child. The Green Market has been supportive of local artists and fundraisers, often catering events, donating food or beverages, and offering their restaurant as a space for the function. Last fall, the Green Market partnered with Probstfield Farm, a local, organic farm in Moorhead, MN, and designated a couple weeks towards featuring the farm’s produce.

There are a handful of other restaurants in the area that also strive to utilize local products and rotate their menus, but, to be honest, none do to the same extent that the Green Market has. Especially in terms of menu rotation frequency and most especially in terms of pricing. Somehow, it manages to serve food reflecting the presentation and quality of Fargo’s best, upscale restaurants at the prices one might expect to see at casual chains. Plus, they do so with local, seasonal, and organic ingredients.

I can’t expect all restaurants to duplicate Green Market’s model, nor will I claim it’s pefect, but I would like to see more independent, sit-down restaurants serving, at the very least, scratch-made food. In these regards, I’ll feel the loss of the Green Market the most.

Snapshots from our visit on February 21st, 2013. Dessert first, moving counterclockwise from the top-left: Magical buttery tart shell filled with tangy orange cream and passion fruit jelly ($5). Meatballs in bracing red and green mojo sauces ($13). Snappy shrimp, vegetables, and rice in a sweet, caramelized orange sauce ($14). Gently flavored sesame udon noodles with edamame and silky sheets of sweet pickles ($6). Not pictured: Cup of spicy West African peanut and yam soup ($4), housemade pickle plate ($7). 

During our visits to the Green Market, we haven’t had any contact with the chef, but have enjoyed becoming acquainted with co-owner Peter Kelly and the lovely Kitchen Assistant. They always made us feel at home. Plus, Kelly’s a pro at helping guests choose wines and select cheeses from their case.

The Green Market is closed this week, re-opens after March 6th, and closes after March 30th. It’s only open Wednesday-Saturday meaning you have 15 days left to visit.

Go.

HoDo Redemption

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I just have to say we had a really nice meal at the Hodo Restaurant last weekend.

We go to the Hodo Lounge often enough, though I’ve often poo-poo’d it because I find the food inconsistent. I’ve eaten some of the best Fargo meals at the Hodo Lounge, as well some of the worst, which is why I was visibly annoyed that we ended up there for date night. Being 7:30 p.m. and having not eaten dinner also didn’t help my mood.

Even though we’ve eaten in the lounge/bar many times, we’ve only visited the restaurant once for appetizers, desserts, and beverages. The experience was fine enough, though I didn’t find the food particularly memorable. I do remember finding it memorable when someone in our party ordered a shot of absinthe and watching the server keep trying to light the sugar cube on fire. It never ignited (A quick Internet search reveals this is actually a common practice, though frowned upon by the Wormwood Society).

Our original plan that evening was to grab a burger. JL Beers was packed (per usual) and we didn’t feel like waiting for a seat in the also packed Hodo Lounge. Therefore, I followed Jake across the lobby to the Hodo Restaurant where we were seated immediately. I have to confess that I was apprehensive about whether or not we’d end up spending more money than we had initially intended to on an inconsistant meal.

We ordered the cheese plate to share, $16, our own bowls of pan roasted mussels with fingerling potatoes, chills, black garlic harissa, and grilled bread, $12, and a side of wild mushrooms to share, $5.

I remained cranky until our server brought us an unexpected amuse bouche and bread basket with flat bread and rye which we covered with a butter that tasted like it contained a higher than average percentage of butter fat, and flavorful cheese spread.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The amuse bouche consisted of some type of pickle and seared piece of fish. It was wonderful. We lazily nibbled on the cheese plate as we waited for our mussels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The chef included a thoughtful card listing the cheeses included. Our favorite was the Les Freres. The cheese plate came with more flat bread and its garnishes included spicy almonds, grapes, dried apricot, olives and capers, and reduced balsamic.

The wait between the cheese plate and mussels was curiously long. I wonder if the Hodo Restaurant and lounge share the same kitchen, because the restaurant was quiet during our entire dinner, save for a couple other parties who came and went. We weren’t in any hurry, though, and enjoyed taking the time to unwind after work.

I’ve tried mussels cooked in many types of broths and sauces. My favorites have always been cooked with white wine, butter, and garlic (our favorite, offered at Meritage). Often, I find other types of sauces for mussels too busy. It’s like they are distracting or overwhelming and I find myself just wishing I had a simple bowl of mussels.

The Hodo’s chili and black garlic harissa was definitely not simple.

The dark sauce was thick. It’s flavor didn’t strike me as tasting significantly of garlic, but tasted more like how it looked. Sweet and sour like tamarind. The spice level was lovely. At least for chili-heads like us. The spice wasn’t hot enough to knock our socks off but held our interest. I would have been happy mopping up a bowl of the sauce with the charred slices of bread.All of the mussels in our bowls were opened. They tasted fresh, but were on the small side. For me, this bowl was more about the spicy black broth, anyway.

We also lazily grazed on the side of wild mushrooms. Deep and meaty, and varying in texture. They tasted like they were cooked in a lot of butter and gently perfumed with garlic. Best of all, they were perfectly salty.

Our meal ended with tiny pieces of chocolate.

This leaf tasted a little of mint and also of smoke. It melted in my mouth and disappeared as quickly I placed it on my tongue.

All in all, a memorable meal at the Hodo Restaurant. Affordable beer, well-seasoned food, and unexpected flourishes like the amouse bouche, bread basket, and chocolate. All of which made this Friday dinner after a long work day feel much more special than what it was.

Downtown Fargo Bar Crawl: The Lobby Bar, Pickled Parrot, & Monte’s

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Last weekend we celebrated my husband’s birthday. Our friends led us on a little bar crawl through downtown Fargo. We trounced from highbrow to pickled eggs, through the winter’s first snowstorm.

The Lobby Bar at The Radisson Hotel

Setting The Scene:
This may be the newest joint in Fargo. Small nook with large glass windows that look onto the street. Tranquil and quiet. More mature clientele. Surprising bathroom. Walls covered, floor to ceiling, in small, shiny, silver tiles.

Tastes:
A shrimp cocktail. Seafood was fresh, with a nice texture. Upon delivery, our friend commented, “I think there’s too much space between the shrimp.”

Spicy Bloody Mary. Really, quite spicy. Did not taste like a mix. Liked it.

The rest of the bar menu included three varieties of sliders, several pizzas, and risotto, among other options. Several chalkboard specials. Limited fried foods.

 

Service:
Amiable. Attentive.

Closing Thoughts:
A decent option if one is looking for a quiet, secluded place. Wish they’d post a menu online.

Pickled Parrot

Setting The Scene:
Any fraternity/sorority house’s fantasy basement. Equipped with a bar shaped like a giant horseshoe that’s sunken into the floor, a stage, and a large dance floor. I ogled the large boxing glove connected to a weird, coin-operated game. Wonder how many drunk people ignore the prominent, written disclaimer.

A lively band of young man played ska in NDSU shirts, while drunk santas danced.

Tastes:

Jake took advantage of the birthday special, a two for one. We chose the mysterious, Saturday evening special. A Chuck Norris shot.

UV Cherry vodka + energy drink. Think one step above cough syrup. It took me the entire hour to finish the shot. Probably better shot, not sipped. At least I felt a little perkier.

Menu is basic bar food. Burgers, fried stuff, and sandwiches.

We shared a basket of crispy tater tots. Oil tasted a little old, but after a Chuck Norris punch to the trachea, each bite felt like a massage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our North Dakotan friends introduced us to pickled eggs. They tasted less terrifying than their bile-yellow color indicated. Kind of like a sour egg. The rubbery texture of the egg whites was more freaky than the flavor. I submerged the rest of my portion in cheap ranch while my husband went back for seconds.

Service:
Avril Lavigne, pre-Chad Kroeger.

Closing Thoughts:
A great set-up to enjoy live music. Made me reminisce about my college years and wish our little college town had a place like this. Instead, we shuffled between the bar with no food, the bar with food but no live music, and Joe’s, the place where girls stood on a bar and danced around poles.

Setting the scene:
Classy without being pretentious. Cozier than the Hodo.

Tastes:
Last summer, we visited Monte’s. I thought the cocktails were excellent, but the entrees seemed  overpriced and “meh.” Now, there’s a new chef with a new menu. We shared a plate of Fried Pacific Oysters and Calamari, $10, and a burger. The fried seafood arrived at room temperature. Calamari tasted fresh and was tender.

We liked the horseradish and mustard sauce and the fresh salad greens. The tart dressing dressing balanced the fried seafood. My single bite of a fried oyster tasted murky and lingered in my mouth. Two lonely oysters remained on the plate.

The burger was fantastic. Arrived medium well. Forgot to specify doneness/wasn’t asked. Garnished with a tomato slice and romaine leaves drizzled in balsamic. A worthy contender for my favorite burgers in Fargo, along with Mezzaluna’s M Burger and the Hodo’s Bison Burger.

Homemade tater tots contained a molten-hot cheese, sour cream, and onion concoction. Like the best kind of baked potato, packed into a tater tot and deep fried.

Service:
Friendly. We arrived at Monte’s shortly before 11 p.m. The front of the house told us there was absolutely no food available. However, we were unaware the kitchen staff had told Jake we could place an order when he had snuck back to use the restroom. They did not act like it was an inconvenience, so we ordered away and appreciated their offer.

Closing Thoughts:
Appealing atmosphere that’s comfortable for lingering. Would like to return to try more of their new menu.

Good News & Weekend Eats: Hodo Sky Prairie & Paradiso

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Good news!  I will be starting the culinary program this fall at Moorhead Community and Technical College in Moorhead, MN.

Last Friday, I learned that I got the last spot for the school year and will start class full-time on Monday.  I’ve got an exciting semester of classes which involve learning about soups, stocks, butchering, sanitation, and wine.  I’m not sure where this adventure will take me but I’m ecstatic to return to my first love.  Food.

After last Friday’s orientation, Jake treated me to dinner at the Hodo Sky Prairie rooftop patio.  I washed away the day’s blood, sweat, and tears with a hearty glass of sangria, $9.

The beverage was refreshing and filled with a lot of fruit, though weak from an alcohol standpoint.  I know this because I, a lightweight who had only eaten a small cookie for lunch, did not feel buzzed.  Normally under these circumstances, I’d be tanked by a half bottle of light beer.

For dinner, we both ordered the American Double Cheeseburger special, medium rare, $8.

The burgers were deceptively small as the patties were quite thick.  They were juicy and actually cooked a little south of medium rare (which is better than overcooked) with a flavor like sausage.  We topped them with the accompanying ripe tomato, tender lettuce leaf, and red onion.

Sides included crispy, homemade sweet potato chips and a trio of pickle spears.  It seemed strange they were served three on a plate for two people.  Guess who just got one. . .

Jake ordered a dessert layering shortcake with peach, rhubarb compote, and whipped cream.

My favorite component was the tart rhubarb.  The shortcake was buttery but seemed a little bland, possibly benefiting from a dash of salt.  While the mint leaves added a beautiful flair, they seemed impractical to eat.

On Saturday evening, Jake got lucky.

For two weeks, I had badgered him into accompanying me to Bonzansaville’s Pioneer Days festival.  Think North Dakota’s version of Murphy’s Landing.  Fortunately for Jake, I learned Bonanzaville closed at 5 p.m., a mere half hour before I could corral him out the door.  With an admission price of $12 each, we made alternative plans.  I sulked while he rejoiced.

Plan B was errands and dinner.  We journeyed towards the bright lights of Paradiso Mexican Restaurant, a North Dakotan chain with four locations.  Tonight was the night to discover what what Paradiso was all about.  It loudly beckons from Interstate 29′s access road with fluorescent lights, and its parking lot is always full.

We walked inside waited along a throng of families.  Women sipped on margaritas in colors not found in nature.  When our buzzer sounded, we were lead through rooms that expanded into rooms.  One featured a large fountain while others were decorated with statues of children playing musical instruments and playing games.  Imagine the White Witch of Narnia’s courtyard.  Except happier.

Our waiter was a friendly college student who reminded me of my brother.  We were immediately fond of him.  Paradiso delivered on its catchphrase, “The chips are free.  Dinner’s extra.”  Our server brought us a basket of warm chips and a mild salsa.

The salsa tasted fresh, though we wished for more heat so we asked our server if Paradiso had any hot sauce.  Instead of bringing us a commercial bottle of hot sauce, he provided a spicier and more garlicky version of fresh salsa.

And when we polished off our first basket of chips, he brought a second.

As entree, I chose the Chimi Fundito filled with chicken while Jake ordered chicken fajitas with a side of re-fried beans.

The chicken in the chimichanga was moist and the creamy, green sauce was a little spicy.  In addition, the side of rice was flavorful without tasting like the artificially stinky versions I usually hate, and the re-fried beans were light and well-seasoned.  I just don’t have anything bad to say about my meal.

Jake said he enjoyed his fajitas, adding, “It’s hard to mess up fajitas.”

The chicken breast sat on top a large pile of sauteed onions.  They were so thinly sliced they bordered on mushy and tasted of margarine or butter flavoring.  Not what I expected to taste, but I ate some anyway.  Jake nibbled from my plate, commenting that my re-fried beans were much better than those he had ordered as a side.  Then he ate much of the remainder of my burrito.  Our bill for two entrees and two beers was $40, plus tip.

We were both too full to indulge in the fried ice cream dishes that kept floating past our table.

Paradiso was packed with families celebrating birthdays and screeching, crash-banging children.  The menu offered only Americanized choices like burritos and enchiladas and the margaritas ran in rivers of banana and electric blue.  I wanted to hate it, I wanted to mock it, but I just couldn’t.  I must have been having too much fun.

Mango’s Mexican Grill is still our Fargo-Moorhead favorite, but I thoroughly enjoyed my giant enchilada in all of its faux-Mexican mural glory.

Keeping It Legendary At The Hodo’s Sky Prairie Rooftop Patio

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Each week we aim for two date nights.  One to interrupt the mid-week grind and one during the weekend.

This week, I was, once again, responsible for choosing Thursday evening’s dinner location.

As much as I adore Passage to India, we both agreed that it was time to take a break from spicy Indian food.  For a week, at least. . .

We headed to the legendary Hotel Donaldson to peruse the bar menu at the Hodo Lounge.

We’ve spent time at the Hodo Lounge several times.  I’ve always enjoyed its atmosphere and friendly service, but felt undecided about its food.  However, we were curious if the the rooftop patio was open and I wanted to try their Wild Rice Burger, a dish highly recommended by a local foodie, musician, and editor.

Earlier, we had noticed Fargo establishments seeming lack of rooftop and outdoor patios which we now attribute to North Dakota’s fierce prairie winds.

This evening was beautiful and we happily hoofed it up to the Hodo’s Sky Prairie rooftop patio.  The cozy patio was green teemed with plant life and a grassy lawn.  We let the setting sun burn off the day’s work residue while sipping adult beverages.

The name of this cocktail remains a mystery to me, but it was tart and citrusy with a hint of ginger.

Jake ordered the Roasted Beet & Goat Cheese Salad, $10, plus the Bison Burger, $10, while I ordered the Wild Rice Burger, $8, and a side of Pickled Onion Rings, $6.

Pre-Jeni, Jake didn’t eat beets but has since developed a hankering for them.  I divide the human population into two categories:  Those that love beets and those that don’t love beets, yet.

In this beet salad, tiny cubes of crimson and golden beets sandwiched a rich layer of goat cheese.  The beet tower was surrounded by an arugula and fig salad.  We considered this beautiful salad a reasonable portion size given its $10 price tag.

Jake always orders the Hodo’s Bison Burger which has proven to be consistently good and cooked to Jake’s requested “medium.”

It’s covered in melted cheddar and accompanied by a fancy squirt of ketchup, grilled red onion, lettuce, tomato, homemade pickle chips, and pickled veggies.  The toasted bun perfectly supported the burger.  Not only do I think it was brioche but of high quality.

I’m happy to say that the Wild Rice Burger was every bit as delicious as I was told.  It was suggested that I order the burger with spicy mayo, but our waitress mentioned it was no longer offered.  So I settled on dipping it in the remoulade that accompanied the pickled onion rings.

My vegetarian burger came with the same, fresh veggies as the Buffalo Burger.  The wild rice patty was thick and covered in molten cheddar.  I enjoyed the wild rice’s nutty flavor and popping mouth-feel.  I can’t quite put my finger on its seasonings, but think I detected a faint hint of cinnamon.  Savory and wholesome like a Thanksgiving dinner.

I will most definitely order this again.

We split the Pickled Onion Rings.  They were well fried and non-greasy, however I think I actually prefer regular onion rings.  Jake preferred these pickled onion rings and their tart flavor over regular onion rings.

The Hodo’s food runs on the pricier side (the burgers are served a la carte), and I have found some of the other lounge menu offerings to be gambles.  However, the Bison Burger and Wild Rice burgers are solid offerings.

Keeping it legendary.

Weekend Culinary Overload: Passage to India (Again!), JL Beers, & A Gourmet Jewish Brunch

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I missed my first blog’s birthday!  On April 7th, 2012, An Herbalist Eats turned one-year old.  I humbly thank each and every individual who has read my blogs and/or provided feedback.

Since Jake and I missed our mid-week date night, we scrunched two into one weekend.  We planned that I would pick Friday’s activities and Jake would chose Saturday’s.  Having just eaten at Passage to India, I wracked my brain for my second choice.  Jake’s only input was that he wanted dinner to truly be my choice, also adding he wasn’t especially in the mood for Indian food.

I kept wracking my brain.

And agonizing, as we drove around town searching for dinner.

Finally, Jake observed that I was agonizing over dinner because I really just wanted to go to Passage to India.  Spicy food was the only food that sounded appealing to me, so we headed back to Passages where heat would be guaranteed.  I forgot my camera and used Jake’s iPhone for photos.

I ordered this tart mango lassi, $3, while Jake ordered iced coffee which turned out to be a creamy, blended beverage, $3.

Unlike blended coffee shop beverages, this iced coffee was hardly sweetened and refreshing.

We ordered one order of garlic naan, $4, and bhindi masala, $10, to share.  As an entree, Jake chose the tandoor kebab platter, $18, and I chose the masala dosa, $9, a food I have never tried.

The garlic naan was pillowy and rich.

We enjoyed the bhindi masala per usual, fishing for the sweet pieces of okra.  Ordering the dish fresh, as opposed to as take-out made a world of difference regarding flavor and texture.

The tandoor kabob feast included chicken, lamb, shrimp, and kafta.  Jake enjoyed all of the components.  I tried a few bites and enjoyed the flavorful, tandoor spice rub and noted the chicken’s juiciness.  The dipping sauce reminded me of Passage’s tikka masala.  I slurped the remaining, spicy sauce with the serving spoon.

I always enjoy the combination tandoor meat and shaves of raw onion.

   

I received two dosas accompanied by two sauces.

The thin, crispy rice crepes were slightly oily, in a pleasing way, and filled with a spiced potato mixture.

I ripped off pieces of crepe and dipped them in the cool and slightly spicy coconut sambol and second sauce that tasted like a daal.

I found one dosa filling and happily packed the remaining dosa for another meal.  Passage’s also offers a couple of other dosas that I would also like to try.

The meals came with steamed basmati rice.  I enjoy Passage’s rice because it always has a nice texture and tastes of being cooked with ghee and salt.  The service was lovely and warm.

On Saturday, Jake chose dinner at JL Beers in downtown Fargo, followed by a viewing of The Hunger Games.  Usually I dislike viewing or reading anything twice, but enjoyed watching the film, post-book.

For a Fargo-Moorhead burger craving, I can’t really imagine going anywhere else except JL Beers.  Although JL Beers is tiny, it offers an extensive beer selection and high quality burgers that are cheap as hell.

I ordered the Rajun Cajun burger, $4.19, topped with pepper jack, caramelized onions, and creamy, Cajun lime sauce.

Jake ordered the Slaw Burger, $4.19, topped with coleslaw and barbecue sauce.  We split an order of Buffalo BLU Fries, $3.99.  Crispy, thin-cut fries lightly coated in buffalo sauce and sprinkled with blue cheese crumbles.

Our burgers were juicy and the bun was lovingly toasted.  Despite all of the toppings, I savored each bite’s subtle crunchiness provided by the toasted side of the bun.

And if this wasn’t enough of a culinary overload, I attended Temple Beth El’s annual Gourmet Jewish Brunch.  The line was practically backed up from the front door and many attendees mention they have been attending the brunch for years.  Temple Beth El offered a wonderland of offerings including chopped liver, pickled herring, smoked fishes, sweet noodle kugel, matzo brei, potato knishes, golden brown blintzes filled with a creamy mixture and topped with sour cream and jelly, bagels and lox, a whole table of desserts that I ignored, and steaming hot coffee with real cream.

I enjoyed learning a little about Temple Beth El and experiencing their hospitality.  I did not want to miss this unique opportunity to try home-cooked Jewish food in Fargo.  Having read Ruth Reichl’s book Garlic and Sapphires, I was excited to actually taste matzo brei after reading her enticing description.  I look forward to making this comfort food at home.

We’ll be taking it easy this week as I continue to experiment with work week cooking concoctions.  I foresee a matzo brei dinner.

My Saturday Mishap & Simple Sauteed Cabbage With Balsamic Vinegar

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On Saturday, I almost fainted in the jewelry store.

Two hours prior, I had been driving to Cash Wise in Moorhead, a local mecca of organic produce and bulk grains.  My car was desperately thirsty for gas, and I found myself on a dusty road near a dusty gas station.

Upon closer inspection, what seemed like a normal gas station was actually unattended.  And this gas pump was like none I had ever utilized.  After scanning my credit card, I am instructed to “lift the lever.”

The antiquated gas machine starts to churn and make unsettling noises.  On second thought, wouldn’t any noises coming from a gas pump be unsettling?  So I stand at this gas pump that God and time forgot and silently freak out.

I turn the lever down.  Silence.  Flip the lever up, and more noise.  So I stick the pump into my car and fill my tank.

When I try to gently press the lever down, it resists and continues to make more rushing, humming noises.

OMG.

I press on it again and it does not release.  I start to sweat and release obscene phrases of curse words only meant for unattended gas stations.  I push a little firmer and the lever finally goes down and the noises stop.

I leap into my car and begin to drive away from this forsaken, lonely gas pump.

BOOM.

My car jolts as I drive down a steep curb that I did not notice in my haste to run away.

I slam on my breaks and try to navigate my back wheels over the curb.  The car jolts again.  My car seems to be mostly OK and I vow to get it checked the following weekend.  Then, I continue on to Cash Wise and don’t give any of this much thought.

It Only Gets Better From Here
A couple of hours later, Jake and I return to Fargo’s Royal Jewelers to re-size my engagement ring band.

In the car, I notice my back hurts when I lean against the car seat.  Upon further inspection, we notice vertebrae-sized and shaped bruises along my spine and become concerned.  We continue into the jewelry store as we contemplate a visit to Urgent Care.

Of the jewelry stores we visited, we preferred Royal Jewelers.  It’s a family-owned and operated store and their staff exuded a kind professionalism.  When we visited another family-owned jeweler, the saleswoman proceeded to violently open-mouth cough on us for the duration of our appointment.  After her 12th coughing fit, she finally muttered “Can’t seem to kick this,” and continued to hack on us.  All we could think was “Great!  Now, neither can we!”

We make ourselves comfortable at Royal Jewelers until I notice how freakishly bright and sparkly everything appears.  It’s all too bright.  My hearing starts to fade and my vision tunnels.  I keel over and try to put my head between my knees before I crash into a glass display case.

Jake runs from store to grab his car.

By the time he returns, the Royal Jewelers staff and in-house EMT has me stabilized and I sip a glass of water.

Long story short, the doctor gave me a clean bill of health this week and I feel fine.

Despite the chaos, I finished Catching Fire during a mere, few hours of bed rest and even wrote an article on homemade lahmucan, a spicy Turkish pizza.

Therefore, I’ve been laying low.  Jake was a wonderful nurse and provided nourishment in the best way that he knew how.  By ordering Papa John’s pizza.

This week, we have enjoyed this simple non-recipe recipe for sauteed cabbage that follows below.  I received this handmade bowl when I attended The Fargo-Moorhead League’s Politics On The Plains event where I participated in a conversation with other community members and young politicians running for office.

My beautiful square bowl was created by The Fargo Project Team that is giving the community an opportunity to provide feedback about how to use Rabanus Park, formerly designed as a storm water detention basin.  I heard that Ethnobotonist, Linda Different Cloud has a vision of planting medicinal herbs for the community to gather.  Then, I got really excited.

A workshop will be held Sunday, April 29th at 12:30 PM at Rabanus Park.

Simplest Sauteed Cabbage Drizzled With Balsamic Vinegar
Reduce some balsamic vinegar in a small pot over medium heat.  When the vinegar bubbles, turn down the heat to gently reduce into a thick, sweet syrup, stirring occasionally.

Shred green cabbage.

Preheat a pan with olive oil and/or butter over medium-high heat.

When the oil sizzles, add the cabbage.  Season with some miso paste, black pepper, and your choice of hot pepper.

Quickly saute the cabbage edges are frizzled, but the vegetable still retains a textural bite.

Taste and adjust for seasoning.

Drizzle the reduced balsamic vinegar onto the cabbage and serve.

My Grilled-Cheese Week: An Update

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Oh this week. . .

My busiest work week since we moved to Fargo, which also happens to precede a holiday weekend.  Unfortunately, these factors coincide with a low number of weekly posts.

Today, I drove for hours through the rural North Dakotan countryside in a company rental car vastly nicer than my own.  My first time driving a company car and second time driving a rental.  Somehow and somewhere, I blinked and became a big girl.

At the mercy of the FM radio, I flipped through a dial that went something like country music, Christian music, country, country, Christian, Country, Christian, Christian, OMG Katy Perry!, back to country, Christian. . .

I also passed by Wilkin Drink & Eatery in beautiful Breckenridge, MN.  A coworker recommended this 100-year old establishment and we plan to embark on a field trip in the near future.

As I visit small towns and meet people who grew up in them, I giggle as I remember how I used to whine about how boring life was in a 45,000+ suburb.  It also dawned on me that I have never set foot on a real farm.  Only fake farms.  Like Murphy’s Landing and the Dakota County Historical Society on grade-school field trips.

What do I eat during exhausting work weeks?  My tired foods include the following:

  • Cheese, black bean, onion and vegetable quesadillas.  I add whatever vegetables I have on hand and an fond of the addition of hot, pickled cherry peppers.
  • Crusty, Gluten-free grilled cheese sandwiches made with American cheese and Campbell’s tomato soup.  My favorite comfort foods at their finest.
  • Eggs, over-easy.
  • Leftovers from Sunday evening.  I re-purposed our leftover sticky rice, short ribs and vegetables.
  • Whatever is in the freezer.  Kimchee pot stickers or samosas, anyone?
  • Fresh fruit.  We have a grapefruit obsession, but also treat ourselves to organic kiwis and mango.

My love for Fargo’s Passage To India is no secret.  And it’s still our running favorite restaurant in the Fargo-Moorhead area.  Last weekend, we visited their often-mentioned Saturday buffet for the first time and it was every bit as good as the rumors.  Passage’s selection was larger than the Indian buffets I’ve visited, the food was steaming hot and constantly refilled, and it was flavorful and spicy.  Not toned down and bland, but actually spicy.  I was in heaven, despite the fact that buffets and “all you can eats” never work out well for me.  One plate and I’m full.  Two plates and I feel sick.  Oh well.

Last weekend, we also joined a coworker for drinks and dinner on Monte’s cozy, back patio.  I enjoyed my first taste of a crisp, icy-cold gin martini (or any martini, for that matter), though I also learned that martinis don’t work out that well for me, either.  Two sips and it’s time to inhale the nearest bread basket.  The entrees seemed incredibly pricey for what was actually delivered, but I was thrilled with my $9 Greek Flat Bread.  A generous appetizer topped with shrimp, plenty of creamy feta, briny olives, cherry tomatoes, and onion.

And as a comment about restaurant menus, in general, can we please, please, please stop calling food items “oriental?”  It’s Asian, ya’ll, Asian.

On Friday, we will leave for the Twin Cities directly from work to spend a long holiday weekend with our family and friends.  Per usual, we look forward to letting our parents spoil us rotten with home-cooked foods and visit at least one of our old haunts.

I’ll post again, as soon as I can and, until next time, I wish you all well.

Love,

Jen