Since this is a cooking column and I am interested in foodie stuff, I did take a spin around Red Wing looking for those food-related Christmas tidbits to brighten my menu, my table, or for our evening’s entertainment, the dice game. (If you didn’t read yesterday’s description of the dice game we pass around dice, everyone who shakes doubles grabs a gift from under the tree—then when all are distributed, we open, display and play again; this time to take our favorite gifts from other people. We keep what we have when the time is up. These are all small, generic gifts).
My first stop was Meatheads meat and deli shop. There I found the Wee Willie Barbeque sauce that I love. If you want this award winning sauce or any other Wee Willie products, you must get them at Meatheads in Red Wing—they have an exclusive. They also carry Pietrafesa brand sauces and condiments. They are made locally, too. Meatheads makes smoked sausages on the premises and they will be a great addition to my smorgasbord. Actually, you can put together your own gift basket or buy a gift certificate (good for lunch, as well).
Smokey Row café and Jenny Lind Bakery smelled wonderful when we walked in at lunchtime. They have julekaka! I picked up a delicious almond coffee cake to try and drooled over the pies, tortes, cookie trays and other baked goodies—all would make wonderful gifts. You can make your own gift package there, too.
Most of you know that if there’s a gourmet item you must have in Red Wing, Buchanan’s is the place to go. I picked up a whole bunch of pickled goodies, (Brussels sprouts, asparagus, snap beans, eggs) and cranberry horseradish, among other things. As far as I know, you can’t get the old flame room McGarvey coffee anywhere else in town and now there are a lot more exotic coffees from all over the world under the brand name of Papalatte. And, oh yes, Limburger cheese—almost as smelly as lutefisk and with the same small following—but when you’re hankering for limburger, go to Buchanan’s.
At the Uff Da shop there were wonderful Scandinavian platters, candlestick holders, napkins, linens—all to grace a beautiful Christmas Eve table. If you’re planning ahead for next year, they have all the special appliances—aebleskiver pans, Swedish pancake pans, krumkake iron, Rosette iron—you name it. Again, you can put together your own gift basket there and if you want food items, choose from cloudberry preserves, lingonberries, Swedish caramels, thin crispy crackers, coffees or some really good (I had a sample) pepperkakor already gift wrapped. Throw in a cookie stamp and you have a very special gift.
Well, across the street to Moments on Main—a truly delightful store. If you’re looking for something special and not too pricey, there were lots of things to choose from. The glittery pinecones caught my eye immediately. There was one that was a tree decoration that I really thought was beautiful. Some red and green pottery bowls were in my price range and would be perfect for holding candies or other goodies. Special teas, tiny soaps, other small but elegant dice game things were all around the festive store.
Now it’s time to go home and wrap my dice game stuff, set my beautiful Christmas Eve table and await the most beautiful night of the year. Merry Christmas.
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