Minnesota Times & Tastes, a cookbook seasoned with history

If you haven’t heard about Minnesota Times & Tastes, it might be because the cookbook was published by the Summit Avenue Society in 1993 in cooperation with former First Lady Susan Carlson as a fundraiser for the Governor’s Residence.

The state of Minnesota officially accepted the Governor’s Residence at 1006 Summit Avenue in 1965 when the Horace Irvine family gave it to the state in that year.

This delightful cookbook is filled with colorful photos spanning the years of the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s and into the '90s.  In January, 1991, Governor Arne Carlson, First Lady Susan Carlson, and their daughters Anne and Jessica, became the sixth governor’s family to move into the country-manor-style house.

The book is part history and part cookbook as events throughout those 30+ years are described, along with a compilation of menus for various dinners and some recipes from each of those events.

Here are some menus:

Lunch with Arnold Schwarzenegger, October 9, 1991: Fettucini Carbonara; Roasted Range Hens; Pommes Croquettes; Braised Vegetables, and Poached Pears in Port Wine Sauce with Crème Anglaise.

Luncheon for Princess Alexandra of England and Husband Sir Angus Ogilvy (in the ‘60s): Sherry; Consomme Madrilene; Chicken Veronique; Fresh Fruit Salad; Orange-Honey Dressing; Hot Rum Rolls, and Cold Raspberry Souffle.

Dinner in honor of His Majesty, King Carl Gustaf XVI of Sweden, April 8, 1976: Canapes; Glazed Fresh Trout; Cucumber Sauce; Puffed Crackers; Breast of Pheasant with Cream Gravy; Minnesota Wild Rice; Asparagus with Lemon Butter; Molded Cranberry Jelly; Blueberry Muffins; Fresh Strawberries; Crème Brulee; Petits Fours and Coffee.

Luncheon for Soviet President Mikhail and Raisa Gorbachev, June 3, 1990: Corncakes with Smoked Salmon; Crème Fraiche and Caviar; Pecan-Breaded Walleye with Artichokes, Smoked Tomatoes and Garden Greens; Medallions of Provimi Veal with Morel Sauce; Wild Rice and Corn Compote; Minted Sweet Biscuits Filled with Whipped Sweet and Sour Cream; Early Summer Berries and Caramel Sauce; Beaulieu Vineyard Carneros Chardonnay (1987), and Iron Horse Sonoma County Wedding Cuvee Blanc de Moirs (1987).

Many far less elegant dinners and menus are also included in Minnesota Times and Tastes, and all of the recipes throughout the book are very doable. The cookbook is available in the Hennepin County Library system, catalogued under 641.59776 S 1993.

Steiner, Jean, Minnesota Times & Tastes, St. Paul, Minnesota, The 1006 Summit Avenue Society, 1993.