The best Thanksgiving tables have room for tradition and a few delightful surprises. As you prepare for the holiday, we’re sharing two family favorites from Kristine Ryun, a member of Northern Plains Electric Cooperative whose family’s story is featured on page 10. With familiar flavors, these dishes deserve a seat at the table. But, be warned, they just might outshine your turkey!
Capital Electric Cooperative members Dave Pearce and Cory Finneman (learn more on page 25) often referred to the volunteers who built the pumpkin patch’s play structures and art pieces as “Papa’s Playmakers.” But behind the scenes were others who shaped the patch’s story.
Dave’s mother, Suzie Pearce, affectionately known as Mrs. P., maintained the grounds. Dave’s sister and Cory’s wife, Tracy Finneman, began Papa’s Granola. She sold the popular Pride of Dakota product regionally and was considering growing the business when she received a cancer diagnosis.
Back-to-school season in North Dakota means busy days don’t end when the final bell rings. Between practices, activities and homework, hungry students – from elementary school to high school to college – need something easy to make before heading to whatever comes next. These simple snacks come together in a snap and are just right for tackling those afternoon munchies.
August gardens are overflowing with fresh tomatoes, peppers and cilantro, making it the perfect time to try Bottineau County Deputy Auditor Haylee Senger’s favorite guacamole. Pair it with her refreshing Pineapple Dream – a cool summer drink she says is one of her favorites on a warm North Dakota day – and you have an easy, healthy snack.
President Theodore Roosevelt loved the North Dakota Badlands, sweet treats and his mother’s fried chicken. As North Dakota prepares to welcome visitors to the state, where the Theodore Roosevelt President Library opens this summer, North Dakota Living gives its nod to America’s conservation president with these kid- and Teddy-approved recipes.
McKenzie Electric Cooperative member Rebekah Engebretson has embraced a homesteading lifestyle (learn more here). For Engebretson, that means keeping it simple. One of the best ways to start is in the kitchen.
“It can be as simple as growing your own food or cooking meals from scratch,” she says.
Since taking over the Velva grocery store, Verendrye Electric Cooperative members Brenda and Matt McCasson have made it their own. They offer in-house smoked meats, homemade daily lunches and even their own line of homemade frozen pizzas. Read more about the McCassons here.
Brenda is a self-described meat-and-potatoes gal, who prefers the stick-to-your-ribs classics with a twist.
Capital Electric Cooperative director and rancher Sara Vollmer shares favorite family recipes from a cookbook she created for her daughters, “The Food that Grew Me.” Read more about Sara here.
Sara makes a huge batch of the Swedish meatball bake whenever she must feed a hungry ranch crew. She uses shell noodles in her preparation, but any egg noodle will do.
