Land of 10,000 Plates: Stories and Recipes from Minnesota

Land of 10,000 Plates is a cookbook celebrating the unique cuisine of Minnesota and her dramatic changing seasons. It begins with the Annual Minnesota Congressional Delegation Hotdish Competition, a tradition begun by Al Franken and continued by Sen. Tina Smith. The author, Patrice M. Johnson, was a competition judge at the 9th annual and includes a few recipes from the competition, though they are also available online.

You know it’s an authentic Minnesotan cookbook when it gives us a recipe to substitute for “Cream of Something Soup” for Tater Tot hotdish. There is also a recipe for “No-Can Fish and Noodle Hotdish.” Hotdish is integral to Minnesota cuisine and has been enlivened and energized by new immigration.

Living in a show more “foodie” city like Portland, I thought we were at the leading edge of cuisine, but Minnesota is ahead of us on one thing. Pizza farms! Honestly, the imagery is hilarious, but it’s more about finding ways for organic farms to increase their income, catering pizza parties with home-grown ingredients.

She described a Minnesota tradition that was new to me, a “meat raffle” at a local VFW. A more familiar Minnesota tradition is the State Fair, a big deal in an agricultural state, but also our state fair is widely known for great-tasting and indulgent foods…and yes, there is are recipes for deep-fried pickles and fried cheese curds.

I loved Land of 10,000 Plates. While she focused on making things from scratch, she was not doctrinaire and disdainful of the short cuts people use. She enjoys Minnesota culture and cuisine and it shows.

Land of 10,000 Plates was released on October 1st. I received an e-galley from the publisher through Edelweiss.

Land of 10,000 Plates at Minnesota Historical Society Press
Patrice M. Johnson GoodReads Page

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Land of 10,000 Plates

This is a book of stories and recipes from a Minnesota author with Minnesota recipes.
Lots of shared recipes that the author, Patrice Johnson, acquired.
Minnesotans love their hotdishes and Jell-O.
The sections are:
Life Beneath the Snow which has Ice Fishing, Hotdishes, Meat Raffles and more.
Consider the Radish, Other Signs of Renewal about School Field Trips, Fish Frys and Jell-O.
Lazy Heat for Summer with Farmer's Markets and Trips Up North to Cabins.
It Ain't Over 'Till the State Fair which is a really big deal in Minnesota for Family Traditions.
Passing Seasons with Recipes for Wild Rice, Honey, and Minnesota Booyas.
It was a fun read in most areas.
Published by the Minnesota Historical Society Press in 2020.