Minnesota Ethnic Food Book or Party Ideas for Children

Minnesota Ethnic Food Book

Author: Anne R Kaplan

Whether it is lefse or fry bread, sarma or spring rolls, cannoli or plum pudding, ethnic food shared with family and friends is deeply meaningful. Traditional foods and the customary ways of preparing, serving, and eating them help families maintain ties to their past. This enjoyable book presents a contemporary picture, set in historical perspective, of the traditional foods and foodways of fourteen ethnic groups and includes 150 kitchen-tested recipes.

Publishers Weekly

This effort of two folklorists and a home economist (Hoover) combines a study of the past and present ``foodways'' of 14 ethnic groups in Minnesota with representative recipes. The authors gauge the effects of time, changes in the groups' economic and social status and recent immigration on traditional eating and cooking practices. The fascinating subject is, unfortunately, limited by the book's plodding narrative style. As it stands, the work is serviceable; it preserves much lore about the eating and cooking habits of Minnesota's blacks, Italians, Ojibways, Germans, Hmongs of Laos and other ethnic groups, along with some of their characteristic, easily adaptable recipes. Many offerings are familiar: Jewish challah, Greek baklava, Italian meatballs, German sauerbraten. Chefs who are experienced in ethnic cuisines and have a folklorist bent may find it of interest to see how a Minnesotan of Swedish descent adapts kram pudding, a rural recipe originally made from wild berries and fruits, to an urban environment by substituting frozen-concentrated fruit juices. Photos not seen by PW. (October)

Read also Food of Japan or Louisiana Temptations

Party Ideas for Children

Author: Jenny Dodd

For parents who’ve never hosted a children’s party, or who want to make the next one really special, here are 20 party themes kids will love, including Wild West, Fairyland, Outer Space, Jungle Safari, and Three-Ring Circus. Festive ideas appear in full color on every page, with reassuringly quick and easy plans for each of the five parts of a great party: themes kids love; truly inviting invitations; delicious yet nutritious food; games and treat bags that turn every child into a special guest; and cakes with hilarious designs that take only minutes to make.