Off The Menu

In this "Best of" edition of the program, we revisit Dara's interviews with author Rae Katherine Eighmey and now-former DNR Nongame Wildlife Supervisor Carrol Henderson.

Dara hosts her annual Holiday Baking Spectacular episode by welcoming famed pastry chef Zoe Francois to the studio.  They offer some advice to get you through those upcoming holiday parties and get-togethers.

There's a lot of buzz for a new Minneapolis gluten-free bakery.  Sift owner Molly Miller tells us about her journey to opening this shop.  We hear from longtime public realtions professional Fred Haberman about his new venture, Freak Flag Foods.  And Dara unveils her top Holiday cake and bread recipes.

Famed cookbook author Robin Asbell explains the basis behind her new offering about plant-based meats.  In honor of the chat, Dara tells us her top meatless recipes that meat lovers would approve of.  Then, Taste of the NFL founder and CEO Wayne Kostroski updates the latest events from the initiative.

Lindsay Jean-Hard gives us a primer on how to cook using food scraps.  Chef John Howie explains his role with the Taste of the NFL.  Plus, Dara offers up her top five recipes for thrifty shoppers.

Dara sits down with a couple of local restaurant owners, chatting with BRIM owner Kate Sidoti and Pajarito co-owner Tyge Nelson.  Plus, renowned chef and Lucky Cricket owner Andrew Zimmern explains how he's giving back this holiday season.

Dara gets you ready for the Thanksgiving holiday, plus she offers some of her favorite cookie recipes!

America's Test Kitchen chief creative officer Jack Bishop joins the program to talk about his new cookbook covering Italian cuisine. That inspires our host to present her top five Italian comfort food recipes.  And Dara asks "What are you cooking?" as the holiday season approaches.

Restaurant owning mother & son team Molly and Charlie Broder discuss an important initiative on the 2018 election ballot.  Hear about the referendum that may change where liquor can be served in Minneapolis.  Chef Kevin Rathbun explains how he's helping out the Taste of the NFL.  Plus, Dara reveals her top recipes to get some appetizer dips ready ahead of Thanksgiving.

Legendary author Dorie Greenspan joins the show to discuss her latest cookbook.  Taste of the NFL chef director Mark Haugen previews a major event taking place on Saturday in the Twin Cities.  Plus, Dara shares the best ways to spruce up those brussel sprouts.

Steve Cook of CookNSolo joins Dara to talk about the new book his company's new book highlighting Israeli soul food.  Then, the show gets some Latin flair when we hear from New Orleans chef Adolfo Garcia.

Dara chats about Fall drinks with Peace Coffee founder Lee Wallace and Bushel to Bottle Festival coordinator Melissa Waskiewicz.  Our host also provides her top Winter squash recipes.

Dara is out to save us this week.  She speaks with Chef Tim McKee (The Fish Guys) about sustainable seafood, which also provides her top five recipe list.  Then, the show dives into health care.  Former General Mills CEO Mark Addicks previews the Manova Summit that will be held in Minneapolis next week.

Outgoing MN DNR Nongame Wildlife division supervisor Carrol Henderson talks about his time in that role, part of his 45-year career with the DNR.  Chef Matt Leverty from Tullibee gives us more info on the Plates for Good program that runs through the rest of this weekend.  Plus, Dara offers up her top "imperfect tomato" recipes.

Dara's back in the studio this week.  She welcomes Union Kitchen owner Yia Vang to talk about his local spot.  Then, she discusses the Plates for Good initiative with local restauranteur Eric Forsberg.

Dara broadcasts live from the annual Bacon Fest in River Falls.  Our hosts chats with the city's Chamber of Commerce CEO Chris Blasius, John Lisowski of Security Financial Bank, River Falls FFA members Keith Gunderson (president of the Alumni group) & Lindsek Skogen (current member), and Croix Valley Foods owner Damon Holter.

Dara is back in the Minneapolis studio, and she's talking with area chefs about the latest happenings at their restaurants.  In this episode, she interviews Mike Brown of Travail and Jamie Malone of Grand Cafe.  Plus, hear our host's top recipes for lettuce wraps.

This week from the State Fair porch, Dara chats with Dean Phillips (candidate for U.S. Congress), Destiny Brooks (owner of Mama D's Authentic Southern Cooking & BBQ), and Hank Hanten (owner of Shanghaied Henri's).

Dara fills her plate during this first weekend of the Minnesota State Fair.  We hear about Caribbean cooking with local restaurant owner Harry Singh and West Indies Soul Food's Alicia Noel.  Then, Stephanie Shimp of Blue Plate and Dan Theisen of Ball Park Cafe discuss their particular stops at the Fair.

Dara with Dustin Thompson of St. Genevive and Kristen Poppenhagen and John Krattenmacher of Sheet Chow