Our own taste tester was recently on the spot at T. Ashwell’s restaurant in Ellison Bay to sample two new menu “preludes” made with St. Paul Flatbread.

Vegetarian Flat Bread Roulade – St. Paul Flatbread Company’s flat bread, spread with a basil pesto mascarpone cheese, baby spinach and dried currants rolled and sliced with Door County strawberry and balsamic honey “salad” $7

Lebanese Pizza – St. Paul Flatbread Company’s flat bread, topped with tomato, pine nuts, red onion, feta cheese and lamb kibbi pieces (ground lamb, bulghar wheat, cumin and coriander) $8

Find T. Ashwell’s on Facebook

On Saturday, August 14 two Door County moms have joined hands to host a benefit at Simon Creek Winery in an effort to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). This organization is the worldwide leader in funding research to help find a cure for diabetes and related complications.

Janel Woldt and Meredyth Nelson are mothers of two boys who have been friends since they met in pre-school. At 6 years of age, Blaze Woldt was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Lance Thomas Nelson and his pal  Blaze are now 11 years old and this summer their moms decided to create a fund raising event for JDRF. Meredyth’s family owns and operates Simon Creek Winery and they agreed to support the project by hosting the Saturday event from Noon – 5 pm.

Together, they have scheduled an afternoon of food, fun, information, games, a silent auction and live music featuring the guitar artistry of Mickey Grasso. More than 100 local businesses have contributed prizes and financial backing, including Ministry Door County Medical Center. Carmen Schroeder, their registered dietitian and mother of a daughter with type 1 diabetes, will be on hand to provide healthcare information, thanks to the support of Door County Memorial Hospital. Carnival games will be hosted by Sturgeon Bay High School’s Class of 2015, all taking place outdoors on the grounds of Simon Creek…  rain date: Saturday August 21, same time same place.

Simon Creek Winery is located east of Carlsville at 5896 Bochek Road, just off Cty I and north of  Sturgeon Bay. The donation is $10 per person for those 12 years of age and older, with kids 11 and under free. Food, games and carriage rides are not included with the admission. All proceeds from this event will be given to JDRF. Please contact: Janel Woldt 920.743.1311 or Meredyth Nelson 920.743.3202 for more information.

Hot Bacon and Cherry Hot Bacon Dressings made in Door County

“We have been serving our homemade Hot Bacon Dressing on our spinach salads since we opened in 2005,” says Lisa Daubner. “It was loved by so many people who wanted to take some home with them that we started sending it out with our guests in plastic containers.”

The continual requests coming from dining room patrons that wanted to give the dressing to friends as a gift or simply to take south with them for the winter convinced Randy and Lisa Daubner to start bottling it and putting a proper label on the outside.

Lisa says, “Randy has always made it himself. He started with a few different base recipes that he continually tweaked until he came up with our own English Inn recipe. Its’ one of the few recipes he does not give out.”

The bottling process started in the winter of 2008. Randy and Toni Stich went to the Algoma Certified Shared Kitchen to get The English Inn’s kitchen certified for commercial canning and bottling and to learn the process. They obtained all the licensing and permits required to begin bottling by spring of 2008.

Now you can buy16 oz. jars of dressing at The English Inn or you can call 920.868.3076 to place an order by phone. They ship anywhere in the United States through US Postal Service at whatever rate the post office charges to send to your location.

This year they added a second variety, Cherry Hot Bacon Dressing since everyone in Door County loves things made with cherries. A 16 oz. container of Hot Bacon Dressing costs $8.95 and the same size of Cherry Hot Bacon sells for $9.50.

Along with their own in-house favorite uses for the dressings like on spinach salad, some of the English Inn patrons have shared their favorite ways to use them, including as a basting sauce for chicken or ham, in German potato salad and as a dipping sauce for snacks.

If you want to learn more or place an order, please contact Lisa Daubner via email at: finedining@theenglishinn.com or phone 920.868.3076.

From the kitchen of Door County’s  White Gull Inn in Fish Creek, Wisconsin comes chef Julie Zak’s recipe for Cherry-Stuffed French Toast.
|Cook Time: 30-60 min

Ingredients:

1 loaf egg bread, unsliced
1 8-ounce packages cheese cream, room temperature
2 cups tart Montmorency cherries, drained, divided
3 eggs
2 cups milk
cinnamon, for garnish
powdered sugar, for garnish
maple syrup, for garnish

Cooking Directions:

Trim ends from loaf and cut bread into six 1 1/2 inch thick slices. Make a cut three-quarters down the middle of each slice. Bread will appear to have to separate slices, but will be joined together at the bottom. Set aside.

In a small bowl, mix together cream cheese and one cup of the cherries. Spread approximately 1/6 cup of the mixture into the pocket of each slice of bread. Gently press slices together, evenly distributing filling.

In a separate bowl, beat eggs and milk together. Dip stuffed slices into egg mixture and coat all sides. Place immediately on a lightly oiled, heated griddle and sprinkle with cinnamon. Cook over medium heat until golden brown, turning to cook second side.

Remove cooked slices from griddle and place on a cutting board. Gently make a diagonal cut through each slice, forming two triangles. Arrange two triangles on individual plates. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and remaining cherries. Serve with maple syrup and butter.

Facebook.com/WhiteGullInn

Chef Bruce Alexander

On Sunday, March 28, Chef Bruce Alexander will prepare another spectacular gourmet brunch, served from 11 am until 2 pm. You have to see it to believe it. And better yet, you simply have to taste it to believe it! Not only will you enjoy an amazing culinary feast, you will in turn be supporting a second and equally impressive Door Community event.

On Tuesday, March 30, seven of Door County’s finest poets join Midsummer’s Music performers in the 7th annual presentation of Haydn’s “The Seven Last Words of Christ” at 7 pm. The concert event will take place at Stella Maris (St. Rosalia’s Church) located on Highway 42 at the top of the Sister Bay hill.

Haydn’s masterpiece is performed by a world-class string quartet that includes violinists David Perry and Hyunsil Roh, violist Sally Chisholm and cellist Walter Preucil.

A new addition to the event are local poets Phil Hansotia, Cynthia Johnson, Barbara Larsen, Ralph Murre, June Nirschl, Nancy Rafal, and Judy Roy as they share their beautiful passages regarding each of the seven last words. A suggested donation of $10 per adult is appreciated.

“We encourage everyone to attend the brunch, not only for the excellent food and camaraderie, but to also meet the poets.” explains Kathleen Pearson, Executive Director of Midsummer’s Music.

The 5th Annual Benefit Brunch is a mere $15 for ages 17 and up, $5 for ages 6 – 16 and children 5 and under are free. Proceeds help offset the cost of Tuesday’s concert. Alexander’s is located at 3667 Hwy. 42 between Fish Creek and Ephraim.

On January 28, 2010 Door County Style Magazine reported the good news that Women’s Employment Project, Inc. (WEP) was awarded funding from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to continue the Door County Transportation Options Program (DCTOP) in 2010.

Door-Tran Mobility Manager, Pam Busch says,”On Wednesday, February 10, Applebee’s will donate 15% of the guest check to Door-Tran and the Door County Transportation Options Program. Print and bring the flyer with you when you dine in or call ahead and carry out. Please, tell everyone you know – help spread the word!”

Click for a menu… from Sturgeon Bay Applebee’s.

Click for Flyer

The flyer must be presented to validate your endorsement.
Just print this flyer and bring it along…

Feed My People, Clothe My People began operations in 1982 through the efforts of Bev Hogan, Bev Knutson and Rev. Burke Johnson, first located in the Sturgeon Bay Moravian Church.

They eventually grew and migrated to the old YMCA building formerly on 5th Avenue. When the old YMCA was eventually demolished, the programs were forced to split and move to two separate locations, neither of which was adequate.

Initially the program was designed to meet only emergency needs. As the number of residents in need of food and clothing increased, the scope of service was expanded and the Board of Directors began to look for a permanent home to bring their programs back together under one roof.

After an exhaustive search, the Board purchased the old skating rink building at 204 N. 14th Avenue in Sturgeon Bay. With a few bequests and donations specifically designated for permanent relocation as down payment, they were able to secure a mortgage. The new building opened for business in July of 2000.

In summer of 2004, Feed My People of Door County joined Second Harvest, a national food distribution center that sells food to community pantries at far below market prices. On August 31, 2004, thanks to a generous donation, the mortgage on the new building was officially retired.
While administering to the needs of the less fortunate remains the prime concern, fundraising efforts are always a major part of organization’s ongoing agenda.

Each year The Knights of Columbus lends a hand by hosting the annual Indoor Packers Tailgate Party, sponsored to benefit Feed My People. This year the event takes place at the Sister Bay Bowl on Sunday, December 13, starting at 10 am. Kick off for the Packer vs Bears game that day is at noon. A $10 admission includes all you can eat chili, brats, BBQ brisket, dessert and more. There will be Packer pools, an auction and Spin the Wheel for added fun.

This event takes place thanks to the generosity of additional sponsors including Flanigan Distributing, Main Street Market, the AC Tap, Sister Bay Bowl and the Sister Bay Piggly Wiggly. Your attendance and support will fill the roster for a winning and entertaining event.
In addition, please consider donating food, clothes, or financially supporting your local community through Feed and Clothe My People’s programs. You can also find bargains at their Thrift Store, open Mondays and Thursdays from 3 – 7 pm and on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 am ‘til 2 pm. You will find a full display of quality clothing along with a variety of small household items such as lamps, dishes, art work, and jewelry all sold at very low prices. Learn more online at www.FeedMyPeopleDoorCounty.org or call 920.743.9053 with any questions.

“When we set out to make Food, Inc. I was hoping to create a film that would raise questions, open eyes and prompt people around the country to think about how our food system operates,” says director Robert Kenner in a recent Huffington Post blog.

Kenner has done much more than that, he has inspired Americans to vote for better food every time they check out at the grocery store. Kenner appeared this month on The Martha Stewart Show. Martha is giving every member of the audience copies of the just-released Food, Inc. DVD and the best-selling companion book, Food, Inc.: A Participant Media Guide: How Industrial Food is Making Us Sicker, Fatter, and Poorer – And What You Can Do About It.

Food, Inc. has uncovered the shocking reality of our industrialized food system, and people are talking on television and online. This month, thousands of people joined Web chats with Stonyfield Farm CE-Yo Gary Hirshberg and D Acres farmer Josh Trout on November 5, and with Food and Water Watch, a leading national advocacy organization, on November 19. After watching the Food, Inc. DVD at house parties across the country, participants joined in online to discuss the issues of the film.

“Food Inc.” will be shown in the loft above the Deli at Greens N Grains grocery in downtown Egg Harbor and screenings are free – however, the seating is limited to 30 persons. You may make a seating reservation by calling 920.868.9999 or by email at info@greens-n-grains.com.

“The $6.50 natural and organic dinner special; soup, salad, a fresh baked roll and tea will feature another tasty example of the Deli’s specialties,” says Kathy Navis, store owner. “We start serving at 6 pm with the film screening at 7 pm. The dinner special is available to anyone without reservations, but our film seating is limited.”

Greens N Grains Natural Foods and Deli is open daily from 10 am – 5 pm – except on movie nights when they remain open until 9 pm – in downtown Egg Harbor at 7821 Hwy 42, and can be reached at 920.868.9999 or by email at info@greens-n-grains.com. The store’s Website features film trailers, news and special monthly discount flyers at Greens-N-Grains.com.

Sarah and Kate Janquart (l to r)

“We will be open all winter, seven days a week, from 8 am to 5 pm,” says Kate. “We offer Alterra coffee and fresh baked goods everyday, as well as the new installation of Gills Rock Movie Rental, featuring a large and eclectic variety of films for rent.”

The Films are based on their extensive personal collection and consists of DVDs and VHS, both movies and collected editions of seasonal  TV shows.

Kate explains further, “There are over 300 movies. I think… should I go count? Wait…I dont want to know!”

The DVDs are $2.50 a disc for a two-night rental and the VHS tapes are $1.50.

“The cat with the specs would be me,” says Kate. “The dog is, Vincent Frances White-Touch and the lovely lady beside me  is my cousin Sarah or Haras as she is know through out our group of friends.”

Vinny and friends...

Vinny is an American Staffordshire Terrier mixed with another mystery terrier. He was rescued from while they lived in Milwaukee as Kate explains, “…about a year and 16 days ago …not that I’m counting or anything of that nature.”

He’s a good boy, but he has a minor fear of men due to a past which he still refuses to talk about.

Works by melaniejane’s have been featured on National Public Radio’s ‘Car Talk’ as well as college radio stations both in the US and in Europe. She has also been a featured guest on Wisconsin Public Radio’s “Higher Ground” and the popular syndicated radio show “Hotel Milwaukee” as well as a frequent, live on-air guest in the WMSE studios. Recently mj appeared with pat mAcdonald on the NPR nationally syndicated program ‘Whad’Ya Know?’ hosted by Michael Feldman. You can hear a collection of her latest songs on myspace.com/themelaniejanemusic.

Harbor Landing is located across the street from the Main Street Shops in Egg Harbor at 7829 Hwy 42.

While enjoying the music you can partake in dining from a delicious but creative menu – a meal prepared with local ingredients from the following Door County suppliers:

Cherrydale Farms – Amy Stich – 920-743-5546 ( Mixed greens, garlic, potatoes, onions, shallots, spinach, carrots, eggs, rosemary, dill)

Carmons Gardens – Carmon Mabrey – 920-246-2223 (Potatoes, garlic)

Crusty Uprising – Chuck Sully – 920-421-1913 (Honey wheat flax, focaccia, crusty french, country round) King arthur flour, no bleach or bromate, keeping a 200 year old tradition in fine baking.

Door County Custom Meats – Keith and Jaci Birnschein – 920-746-0304 ( Cherry brats, polish sausage, chickens, pheasants, pork)

Special thanks to Greens N Grains – Kathy Navis – 920-868-9999 for providing Door County with a natural foods store.