Tastemakers: Leelanau cultured veggies/Right Brain Brewery Chocolate Mint Stout

Leelanau Cultured Veggies

Okay, there might not be such a thing as a bad vegetable, though I can name a few I don’t like, but are there some vegetables healthier for you than others? Certainly fresh is best, but even fresh vegetables, if not prepared right, can loose most of their valuable nutrients in the cooking process. What about processed vegetables? The same there, studies show that some canned and pasteurized vegetables have “killed off” a lot of what is naturally good for you.
Enter in Pat and Nancy Curley of Leelanau Cultured Veggies who have launched (spring of 2007) a new line of preserved vegetables through a process they refer to as “farmentation.” Using the ancient preservation method of fermentation (though not too ancient as most of our grandparents did this), the Curley’s vegetables grown on their USDA certified organic farm retain all the important goodies like enzymes that aid with digestion. They have been life long organic gardeners (they met in a garden) and 20 years ago they sold their home and bought a 13-acre farm on the Leelanau Peninsula, and began their quest of organic farming. Their current line up of fermented veggies includes a traditional white sauerkraut, pink ginger kraut, dill carrots, spiced beets, Kim Chee, curry kraut and Habenero carrot. The krauts in particular are great digestive aids, and the fermentation process intensifies the nutrient levels increasing–in particular the amount of vitamin C ingested in your system. Currently Leelanau Cultured Veggies are available at Oryana (where they’re also served on some of their sandwiches) and Folgerelli’s in Traverse City, on the Leelanau Peninsula at the Cedar City Market and in Petoskey at The Grain Train. The Curley’s just expanded their production facility and the search is on for a distributor, so expect to see these great products all over. For additional information check out culturedveggies.com

Right Brain Brewery Naughty Girl Scout
“Chocolate Mint Stout”

A lot of people like to review their finances and investments this time of the year. I have a hot tip: a $50.00 investment into the Right Brain Brewery for a membership. Now, membership does have its privileges at Right Brain Brewery—located in the fast-growing Warehouse District—such as discounted growlers (those half gallon jugs of beer drawn right from the tap), and the first growler is included with a membership. Other perks include a hat for members only and a 22-ounce ceramic mug (versus the 16 ounce glass) that you take to Hands On Art to decorate (the mug in the photo belongs to Nells Veliquette, the second person to join).
There will be members-only events, too - but hurry if this sounds enticing, as 120 of the 150 memberships have been sold. You don’t need a membership, though, to hang out at Right Brain Brewery. It is quickly becoming a popular hangout for those in the know. Proprietor and brewmaster Russell Springsteen has created something of a new business model for a pub atmosphere. First of all, there is no smoking (that will probably be law someday soon) and no T.V., so this is a place to socialize. Instead of having a kitchen, Right Brain lets you bring in your own food (make sure you have your own plates and silverware as well. This is a great setup, as you are able to bring in food from your favorite takeout restaurants, or order pizza or Chinese for delivery.
But Right Brain Brewery really is all about the beer, and recently I enjoyed a pint of the Naughty Girl Scout Stout, a brew that is made with organically grown Michigan mint and has notes of chocolate as well. What I liked about this stout was that Springsteen balanced out the mint and didn’t let it overpower the brew. The Chocolate Mint Stout pairs nicely with vegetarian pizza or a grilled Reuben from Folgarellis. If mint scares you, stick with the CEO Stout - regardless of your palate, Right Brain has a brew for you. For additional details go to www.salonsaloon.com or call 231-944-1239. View On Our Website