10,000 Tastes of Minnesota

Another favorite in my huge cookbook collection - for those new to my blog, my cookbook collection numbers well into the hundreds - is 10,000 Tastes of Minnesota, a product of the Woman's Club of Minnesota, copyright 1990.

It was probably the beautiful color photography on the cover and inside the pages of this book that first caught my eye. Throughout the pages are notes on the projects of the Woman's Club through the years. For example, in 1924, a group of Woman's Club members called on Mr. T. B. Walker to urge him to keep his extensive art collection in Minneapolis. Three years later, The Walker Art Center was formed in the city. Another note states that civic contributions have been made by The Woman's Club since it's beginning. On a yearly basis, monetary gifts are given to a variety of non-profit, charitable, arts and public affairs organizations. In addition scholarships are awarded for higher education.

But make no mistake, this book is filled with excellent recipes.

Here is just one.

Beef and Artichokes

1/4 cup flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 pounds beef, cubed
2 tablespoons oil
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/2 cup red wine
1/4 cup water
2 beef bouillon cubes
1/2 tsp. dill seed
2 (14 oz) cans artichoke hearts, drained
1 (16 oz) can small onions, drained
1 (8 oz) can mushrooms, drained

Combine flour, salt, pepper, and garlic in plastic bag. Add beef cubes; shake to coat.

Heat oil in skillet; brown beef.

Combine tomato paste, wine, water, bouillon cubes and dill seed. Stir into beef. Cover and simmer for 1 1/2 hours. Add more wine and water, if necessary during simmering. Stir in artichoke hearts, onions, and mushrooms and heat through. Serve over rice or noodles.