News from Around the Store

Bakehouse

Wedge artisan breads are made fresh every day with all-natural ingredients and no preservatives or dough conditioners. We follow old world techniques using natural starters and long fermentation times. For example, it takes three days to make our baguettes.

The same high standards apply to our pastries: no artificial ingredients or preservatives are ever used. Our croissants and danish are prepared from classically laminated dough, which means they are layered with butter and folded over and over again to produce that trademark flakiness. And they are made fresh every day, often still warm when the store opens.

Weekend barbecues are the favorite part of summer for many people. Make sure to try our hamburger and hot dog buns, available in white or whole wheat. While you're in aisle seven, stop by the meat department and grab some pre-shaped Wedge Burgers—they have cheddar cheese and bacon bits right inside the patties! Lorentz Meats of Cannon Falls, MN is a local producer of a variety of bratwursts that go great with those aforementioned hot dog buns. They sell fast, so you can trust they too are always fresh.

Deli

Lilies are one of springtime's most prominent flowers, and several members of the lily family—including spring onions, leeks and the delicious, deep green asparagus—are no exception. At its best in May, June and July, asparagus is one of the most nutritionally well-balanced foods, low in sodium, packed with potassium and easy on the palate. To celebrate, the Deli kitchen will be kicking out fresh asparagus dishes, including the Asparagus Potato Salad, a new creation just in time for picnic season. The Asparagus Goat Cheese Pizza will also be in rotation; for something lighter, try the Blanched Asparagus dressed in Ginger Vinaigrette.

Cheese

Have you heard about the new single-family operation called Alemar Cheese Company in Mankato, Minnesota? Alemar Cheese is made using organic Cedar Summit Farm milk; company founder Keith Adams picks it up himself fresh from the farm on production days.

Adams started Alemar Cheese in 2008 with the belief that great ingredients, combined with knowledge and passion, will turn out extraordinary product. The first readily available cheese is a Camembert-style Brie called Bent River Brie, named after the sharp turn in the Minnesota River. The taste is deliciously nutty and the texture rich and creamy. Let it sit out at room temperature until it oozes all over your favorite cracker or toasted baguette. Apples, pears and olives are also nice pairings. Make a tray and call it a day, or pack a picnic basket, find your favorite place with your favorite people and have a ball. Keep in mind Alemar is a small business, so if you don't see it on our shelves know Keith will be delivering more in person soon enough.

As for all of us at the Wedge, we're here to assist in your efforts for clean and self-sustainable living. If you ever have questions concerning the background or origin of a certain item, just find a friendly face. We have many knowledgeable foodies here who are willing to take care of you. Until next time, enjoy the spoils of the season and keep a special place in your stomach for the foods that matter most.

Meat and Seafood

Just in time for the grilling season, Grass-Fed Ribeye and New York Strip Steaks are at a new low price of $13.99 per pound. For a perfectly grilled steak, we recommend seasoning with salt and pepper 30 minutes before cooking. Then, sear the steak for two to three minutes on each side at a high temperature. Reduce the heat and finish for five to six minutes depending on thickness.

Check out the Meat and Seafood page for more grilling instructions and recipe ideas: www.wedge.coop/meat/meat-grilling.html