Local Popper

Angie's Kettle Corn out of North Mankato, Minnesota has to be one of the best products at your local grocery store. Now we can all enjoy the flavors of kettle corn without going to an outdoor festival!

Angie's uses no preservatives, trans fats, or cholesterol in the product. The result is a perfect balance of salt and sweet.

According to the Star Tribune, Angie and Dan Bastian started selling Kettle Corn at fairs in 2001. They live near the Minnesota Vikings training camp in Mankato Minnesota, and started giving it away to team members. The kettle corn was a hit, and they became a corporate team sponsor.

Eventually, they found their way in to the Byerly's Grocery Store chain, and now they can be found on the shelves of 50 twin cities metro area and Mankato area stores. Supermarket sales account for 80 percent of their revenue.

What a fantastic local product! My bag was on sale for $3.99. When I opened it the popcorn was perfectly crunchy as if it had been made at the fair this morning! Not only does Angie's Kettle Corn taste great, it is a healthier snack choice!

Workout Cereal?

General Mills has introduced a new cereal named after a chain of workout facilities. I have to admit the name did not draw me in. However, after tasting the bumpy flakes, I was converted.

The whole grain cereal is a lot like "Wheaties" with small little "Special K" nuggets embedded inside. The cereal has just the right amount of sweetness without any of the artificial sweeteners I try to avoid.

One serving of "Curves Whole Grain Crunch Cereal" is 3/4 cup and has 100 calories , 0.5 grams of total fat, 2 grams of protein and 22 grams of total carbohydrates which includes 8% of the daily requirement of fiber (2 grams) and 4 grams of sugars. They advertise that the cereal has 16 grams of whole grain. Whole grain is a great weight loss tool. (Good for you and makes you feel full!)

The serving size is quite small. When I eat a bowl of cereal, it has quite a bit more than 3/4 of a cup. The cereal costs a little over $3.00 and also comes in a "Honey Crunch" flavor. The "Curves" product line also includes two flavors of granola bars, "Chocolate Peanut" and "Strawberries and Cream. "

The back of the box if full of motivational messages about exercise and the side panel even gives calories used per hour for fourteen activities. If these motivate people to get up off the couch and exercise, then I guess this is a good addition to the standard box information. I would definitely buy this cereal again. I could end up snacking on this cereal quite often and not feel very guilty!

Abdallah Candies

I have always wondered about this company when I spot their treats in Byerly's grocery stores! I finally have investigated the Abdallah Candy company, and did not know that it was a local treasure!

Since 1909 the Abdallah family has been making candy in small batches for sale in our State and beyond. The company had it's beginnings at the corner of Lake Street and Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis, and the company really grew in Albert Abdallah's candy kitchen basement.

Despite declaring bankruptcy during the Depression in 1935, and a fire in 1965 as a result of an explosion, the company continues to put out a quality product made in small batches.

I really enjoy some of their seasonal products. I found a Halloween Peanut "Grizzly" at the General Store in Minnetonka. The candy is fresh and clearly made from quality ingredients. Whole fresh and crispy peanuts form the base, and a generous mound of gooey caramel fills the second layer. Next, a stiffer form of chocolate gives the "Grizzly" some structure. Finally a cute little sugar disc in the form of a pumpkin gives the "Grizzly" a little seasonal appeal. I would compare this to a turtle, but with peanuts instead of pecans. It is priced at a high $2.95, but I can tell this was made with care and fresh ingredients. I would definitely buy one again.

Minnesota Food

Welcome to the Minnesota Food Blog!

I will be reviewing new products either conceived or sold here in Minnesota! I will be focusing on the local products, because our state has a rich history in the food industry. (I happen to love candy and sweets, so the blog may lean heavily in that direction.)

About.Com lists the top five foods most associated with Minnesota. They are
1. Wild Rice
2.Potato Lefse
3. Maple Sugar
4. Bison Jerky 
5. Lutefisk.

I am hoping to focus on other foods and the local companies we are famous for, such as "Pearson Candies," "General Mills," "Malt-O-Meal," "Land-O-Lakes," and "Kemps."

Check back often for updates. I plan to keep eating and posting!