Our appetites are in thrall to the aesthetic. An artfully decked out hamburger arranged on a nice plate is much more appealing than a beef and bun haphazardly thrown together, no matter the taste. Many cuisines embrace putting as much effort into how it looks as to how it tastes—just think of the stunning edible artscapes at your local sushi bar. For us, it’s the season to be patriotic. Check out what red, white and blue deliciousness we found in Maple Grove.
Fireworks Cupcakes
Cupcakes are all the rage, and it’s no wonder: they’re adorable-looking, sweet pieces of cake that are easy to eat. Winner of the Food Network’s show Cupcake Wars, Nadia Cakes can make your goodies to order with pick up on the same day. The list of specialty flavors boggles the mind, but this time of year, only the “fireworks” cupcake will do. It’s a proud display of red, white and blue: tender red velvet cake topped with pop rocks and finished with red, white and blue star sprinkles. The pop rocks crackle and explode on the tongue—just like fireworks—and are immediately offset by the soothing swirl of vanilla buttercream frosting. Red velvet cake is a cult favorite for those in the know: the reaction of vinegar and buttermilk in the recipe keeps it fluffy and light, despite its intense appearance. We must confess that it tastes like regular cake to us, albeit an expertly made one, and fortunately Nadia Cakes does not skimp on our favorite part: the smooth, sweet buttercream frosting. $3.50. 11650 Fountains Drive.; 763.575.8885.
Red White and Blue Tortilla Chips
Trader Joe’s brand foods are consistently good, and many of them are more than good; they’re unique, and maddeningly addictive to boot. It’s a problem to get hooked on a product that disappears from the shelves, like their red, white and blue tortilla chips. These crackling good corn chips are only available in the summer time, so stock up and see how long you can make them last. They’re full of fresh corn flavor and rustically coarse-textured. There’s just a hint of salt—these near-perfect snacks don’t need enhancement. The lively colors are all natural: derived from blue corn, white corn and beet powder. Thrown together in a bowl, the patriotic array will make your heart swell. Crunch ‘em down on their own or with dip, these are awesome at a picnic, on the boat, during the game, or any old time. $1.29. 12105 Elm Creek Blvd. N.; 763.315.1739.
Strawberry and Blueberry Waffles
3 Squares is part of the “Blue Plate” (coincidence?) restaurant group, which we trust to turn out hearty, wholesome favorites with special care. Many breakfast foods are winningly American: take, for example, the blueberry or strawberry waffles with macerated berries and a generous flourish of whipped cream—all three colors together mean exponential yumminess. The golden nooks in the waffle soak up the berry juice and trap little drifts of the whipped cream; every bite is a luscious symphony of creamy, eggy and fruity. $8.75 each. 12690 Arbor Lakes Parkway; 763.425.3330.
Macarons
Like angel food cake, macarons are made from whipped egg whites, baked into an airy-yet-crunchy cookie. Ground almonds create that intriguingly chewy interior; but the nutty flavor is a bare whisper. Each round sandwich cookie is filled with a thin layer of ganache—think Oreo’s elegant and sophisticated French aunt—and come in an array of flavors and colors, depending on your mood and the time of year. Chez Arnaud’s accepts specialty orders 10 days in advance; an order of white chocolate ganache-filled macrons would be a grand—and scrumptious—addition to your proud tablescape. 13332 Bass Lake Road; 763.568.7756.
Local Goat Cheeses
Deep within the caves of Faribault, Minn., St. Pete’s blue cheese hangs out for at least 100 days to emerge with beautiful blue crannies riddling its creamy white body. It’s a goat milk cheese, made in little batches for that artisanal je ne sais quoi. Blue cheese is notoriously pungent, and this one is as piquant as the rest, but without the distracting chalkiness that some blues have; it practically melts on the tongue.
Set the blue cheese up with a round of Montchevre boucheron from Belmont, Wisc. Also a goat milk cheese, this one is soft-ripened, with a bloomy rind. It’s tangy but earthy, and distinctly goaty, in the best possible way. These two old goats complement one another in a simple cheese plate. Pick up some red raspberries and blueberries while you’re at Whole Foods; accessorize for a true patriotic display. Cheeses $15/pound. 12201 Elm Creek Blvd. N.; 763.416.7300.
Blue Frostbite Sorbet
This color does not exist in nature, though it may remind you to check the antifreeze level in your car. Despite an electric hue, the sorbet is irresistible. It has a spunky tang as well as welcome chilling properties: it’s a lime-saturated sock in the kisser tempered with daiquiri syrup and apple and pear juices. And there’s something about that color blue, artificial as it may be, that evokes cooling breezes and promises of instant heat relief. $0.46/ounce. 11630 Fountains Drive; 763.273.4538.
Creamy Coconut Frozen Yogurt
Design your own patriotic-hued treat at Tutti Frutti, another self-serve yogurt bar—dang, these places are popular—and know vanilla is not the only “white” flavor. How about trying the snowy taro root yogurt? If that’s too far out, go for tried-and-true coconut. We love coconut for its tropical sweetness; decorate a mound of the stuff with the array of red, white and blue toppings at your disposal. $0.45/ounce. 7781 Main St. N.; 763.416.0362.
Chez Arnaud’s knows how to do red, white and blue with their fabulous
macarons.
