 Most every weekend since 1997 you’ll find Laurie setting up a beautiful display of her handcrafted specialty products. She attributes much of her gourmet appreciation to being inspired by the "Barefoot Contessa – Ina Garten" who she worked with in East Hampton, New York.
The line is extensive and unique with items such as eight flavored sugars including Lemon-Rosebud, Lavender-Ginger, Peppermint (see summer recipe for Minty Limeade), wide array of infused vinegars, seasoned syrups, herb and spice blends and more.
As often as possible ingredients are sourced locally and are organic whenever possible. For example, Laurie buys raspberries for her raspberry-infused vinegar from Debbie and Ron Anderson who also have a table at market. One of her vinegars sources 12-year old balsamic from Modena, Italy and then infuses it with mint from a local grower. Other infused vinegars are packed and then aged for a full eighteen months for development of full flavors.
The St. Paul Farmers’ Market is one-third of Golden Fig’s business but just as important is the fact that the market is social unlike a traditional grocery store, a community that pushes her (inspires her?) to come out with new products.
When asked about a favorite short story or anecdote, Laurie chose one that actually happened to her parents while helping her at the market table on a busy Saturday. A regular customer walked up to them and thanked them for giving birth to Laurie(!) since before that she was a hesitant cook. With vinegars, seasoning mixes, syrups in her cupboard she felt more expansive as a cook. Now that’s devotion!
Look for three summer-time ideas using Golden Fig products in our recipe section and keep checking the site in fall for a Roasted Butternut Squash Soup using Dynamite Herbs, garnished with Maple-Lime Sour Cream.
We’ll post the recipe as soon as hard shell squash come into market but grab a bottle of the Apple Pie Spice when you see it since they go fast.
Laurie is a regular on the cooking class schedules and speaking engagements around the Twin Cities and was voted as one of the “Top Ten Minnesotans to Watch” by Minneapolis/St. Paul magazine. Also active in non-profit organizations ,she contributes time to projects like "Kid’s Café" and "Eastside Children's Garden" , a beneficiary of the fund-raising efforts of Twin Cities Chapter of Les Dames d’ Escoffier.
Recipes:
Grilled Vegetables
Minty Limeade
Potato Salad
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