Traditionally used both as a table syrup (try it on pancakes or mixed with butter on biscuits) and in baking or cooking (unbeatable in baked beans, gingerbread, or barbecue sauce), sorghum syrup was a favorite sweetener, particularly in the South and Midwest, during the 1800’s and early 1900’s. Around the end of World War I refined sugar products became more readily available and less expensive, thus causing a decline in the use of sorghum as a sweetener. Fast forward to the 21st century: just last week I saw it listed as a menu component at Maxie’s Southern Comfort and on an upcoming February 8th dinner at Lagniappe Brasserie in New Berlin. Rolling Meadows Sorghum Mill of Elkhart Lake is located on the far left hand corner of the center aisle as you enter the Tommy Thompson Youth Center lobby; they have two other liquid sweeteners, honey and maple syrup.

Maxie’s Southern Comfort

Karen Herzog’s Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article highlighting sorghum and Rolling Meadows, September 30, 2007

Slow Food’s US Ark of Taste website Saving cherished regional foods (eg sorghum), one product at a time

A well-known gardeners’ informational website, Dave’s Garden, has an article that focuses on a brief history of sorghum production in America

Forget Me Not

Speaking of sweeteners, what are you planning to get your significant other for V Day on February 14th? Because the MCWFM will not be open next weekend I would suggest shopping this Saturday at Becky’s Blissful Bakery for elegant organic caramels or Aeppel Treow Winery for one of their brandies, fortified dessert wines or sparkling hard ciders. In the spirit of the season, “Isn’t it Romantic?”

JSOnline article on sparkling hard ciders

‘Pack’ Up

What is a Super Bowl without some mighty fine food? Try a Wisconsin sausage and cheese platter assembled from any or all of the following producers: Dominion Valley (pork), Ney’s Big Sky (beef), Jeff-Leen (beef), Lakeside Buffalo, GBM Elk, Saxon Homestead Creamery (aged raw milk cheese), and Farmhouse Bakery (organic cheese from Crystal Ball Organic Dairy). Cocina DeLeon has a tremendous following for their frozen enchiladas as does Aleka’s Kitchen for their delectable Greek dips. How about Eden’s Market for Caroline’s vegetarian dips and flax seed crackers or chili from the Wisconsin Soup Company?

New Products

Along with their fresh whole wheat tortillas, Gitto’s Family Farm is introducing an organic white wheat tortilla and, as requested by L’Etoile Restaurant in Madison, a burrito-sized tortilla. Look for limited edition herbal vinegars (balsamic based pomegranate/fennel and blueberry/basil) as well as several new tisane blends from Thymely Herbals.

tisane definition from Wikipedia