The Ultimate Minnesota Cookie Book!

A free talk and book signing by Lee Dean and Rick Nelson.

Lee Dean and Rick Nelson have made the holidays even brighter by taking 113 of the best cookie recipes from the Star Tribune’s two decades of cookie contests and putting them together into one cookbook

Lee is the former food editor of the Taste section of the Minnesota Star Tribune. Rick Nelson is the restaurant critic and food writer. Together, they have tested, tasted, and edited their way through a multitude of cookie recipes.

They will speak about their experiences and the process of selecting the best recipes each year, then how they determined the best of the best to be included in their latest cookbook.

They will also share tips on how to bake the best cookies possible and speak about the importance of food and memories. There will be ample time for questions.

Join Lee and Rick for cookies, coffee, and conversation. The Ultimate Minnesota Cookie Book will be available for purchase and to have the authors sign it.

Lee Dean was the longtime food, editor of the Star Tribune. She led the Taste section to multiple James Beard Awards, an Emmy, and national recognition as “Best Food Section”

Rick Nelson was the Star Tribune restaurant critic and food writer. He is a James Beard award winner, and his writing has been included in four additions of the annual Best Food Writing anthology, which highlights the finest American food journalism.

This event is held at Mindekirken Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church, which is located on the Norway Block, next to Norway House.

After Lee and Rick's talk and book signing, tours of historic Mindekirken will be available.

A part of Matfestivalen, a collaboration of Norway House and Mindekirken. Lutefiskfestivalen at Norway House is the kickoff event, and Mindekirken’s iconic annual Lutefisk Dinner closes it out. In between, we highlight both traditional and modern Norwegian food culture beyond the infamous lutefisk.

A special Matfestivalen invitation to women and girls to visit the monthly lodge meeting of the Daughters of Norway local chapter. As part of their program, lodge members will be demonstrating and sampling the delicate traditional dessert krumkake.

The Pauline Fjelde lodge of Daughters of Norway holds their monthly meetings at Norway House on the 3rd Saturday of the month. The lodge actively shares Scandinavian heritage through interesting programs and interest groups. Contact them directly for more information.

Let them know you’d like to join this special meeting by registering below.

A part of Matfestivalen, a collaboration of Norway House and Mindekirken. Lutefiskfestivalen at Norway House is the kickoff event, and Mindekirken’s iconic annual Lutefisk Dinner closes it out. In between, we highlight both traditional and modern Norwegian food culture beyond the infamous lutefisk.

A collaboration of Norway House and our friends at the Danish American Center.

Æbleskiver, or less elegantly pancake balls, are small, round pastries that lend themselves to dozens of flavorful variations. Join three æbleskiver afficionados for a hands-on class that will double as dinner. Sip your beer as Tina Paulsen from the Danish American Center (DAC) teaches you about æbleskiver in Danish-American culture. Susan Jacobsen, also from the DAC, will teach you how to make perfectly round æbleskiver. Then Carstens Smith from Norway House will set you up at cooking stations. Make batters, choose from a variety of fillings – working from savory to sweet – and learn by doing. Share your creations with other cooking stations so everyone will have an opportunity to sample a wide variety of fillings and flavors. You will master the classic æbleskiver, then learn variations including salmon, cream cheese, and dill; Jarlsberg and ham; three-cheese; orange-raisin; chocolate ganache; chai spice; and lemon. 

Price includes one glass of Carlsberg or other beverage and all the æbleskiver you can eat. Please bring a cap or some other way to tie back your hair. Norway House bandanas will be available for purchase for this purpose. 

$55 General

$45 Members of Norway House or Danish American Center

Please note: Norway House does not refund tickets. Be certain you can attend at the date and time for which you registered. If you are unable to attend, you may give your space in class to another person. Simply email classes@norwayhouse.org and give the name of the person taking your place.

A part of Matfestivalen, a collaboration of Norway House and Mindekirken. Lutefiskfestivalen at Norway House is the kickoff event, and Mindekirken’s iconic annual Lutefisk Dinner closes it out. In between, we highlight both traditional and modern Norwegian food culture beyond the infamous lutefisk.

Norway House’s Business Accelerator Resource Network (BARN) program, which acts as a connector and facilitator for Nordic businesses entering the US market, will offer a networking reception to build awareness of the Nordic region’s dynamic and innovative business landscape in the food industry.

Hosted appetizers and cash bar available.

Appetizers prepared by the new Kaffebar Bistro chef, who will present dishes inspired by our new upcoming cafe menu.

$10

Free for NorCham and Contributing-level Norway House members

Space is limited so register today!

A part of Matfestivalen, a collaboration of Norway House and Mindekirken. Lutefiskfestivalen at Norway House is the kickoff event, and Mindekirken’s iconic annual Lutefisk Dinner closes it out. In between, we highlight both traditional and modern Norwegian food culture beyond the infamous lutefisk.

Stephen Aysta, knifemaker and owner of Tera Forge knife sharpening service, will show you how to care for your kitchen, carving, and outdoor knives and give a overview of knife safety.

This class will cover the following:

• Basic knife construction

• Stainless versus carbon steel and the new “SuperSteels”

• Honing steel vs ceramic vs diamond rods

• What makes a knife sharp?

• How to get the blade to “sharp”

• How does a knife cut?

• Why does it matter?

You will have time in class to practice different kinds of sharpening. Bring your own knives for practice.

If you have knives that you would prefer to have a professional sharpen, you may bring them to class for Stephen to sharpen at his studio in Roseville, to be picked up later.

A part of Matfestivalen, a collaboration of Norway House and Mindekirken. Lutefiskfestivalen at Norway House is the kickoff event, and Mindekirken’s iconic annual Lutefisk Dinner closes it out. In between, we highlight both traditional and modern Norwegian food culture beyond the infamous lutefisk.

Speaker Chris Dorff of Minneapolis-based Olsen Fish Co. will tell the story of his company, the world’s largest producer of lutefisk, and the herring, “bacalhau” dried salted cod, and other products they import from Norway and supply to a diverse customer base in the US.

Tuesday Open House is a September-May weekly lunch and lecture program at Mindekirken with interesting programs on a broad array of topics.

$10 suggested donation payable at entry.

Reservations encouraged.

Reserve by emailing reservations@mindekirken.org with the date of the program and number in your party, or by calling Mindekirken at 612-874-0716.

A part of Matfestivalen, a collaboration of Norway House and Mindekirken. Lutefiskfestivalen at Norway House is the kickoff event, and Mindekirken’s iconic annual Lutefisk Dinner closes it out. In between, we highlight both traditional and modern Norwegian food culture beyond the infamous lutefisk.