1. Learn Ceramics at Mitchell Street Arts
BRIANNA SCHUBERT, ASSOCIATE DIGITAL EDITOR
This is easily one of the coolest things I’ve done this fall. Mitchell Street Arts recently started offering pay-what-you-can beginner ceramics classes on Wednesdays. I went the last two weeks, and it was so great! Having no experience myself, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it was super welcoming – no prior experience is needed and they help you along the way. We made pinch pots and even got to try throwing on the wheel. And then a week later, I got to glaze my pieces. So, hopefully, this week they’ll be ready for me to take home. The instructor explained everything so well and answered my many questions with so much patience. If you’ve ever wanted to try ceramics or you’re looking for a creative way to rest and recuperate, I definitely recommend trying it out. And they also offer the class in Spanish on Tuesdays! The class is capped at 6 people (although I think there’s a little wiggle room), so you’ll probably want to register online ahead of time.
2. Go Have Some … OK, Frites at Café Benelux
CHRIS DROSNER, EXECUTIVE EDITOR
I am a curmudgeonly sort, so when I see frites on a menu instead of fries, I’m silently scoffing at the presumed puffery. Oooh, you’re European, good for you. Milwaukee’s own Lowlands Group – they of cafes Hollander, Benelux and Centraal (Grand) – are of course the prime offender in this neck of the woods. Lowlands’ milieu is where the french fry was born, and of course they call it a frite. The thing about these fries is that they are so good. Perfect weight and size, perfect seasoning, perfect texture – just the right amount of crisp. So, fine. They’re frites. FRITES. Just gimme some, alongside whatever else ya got.
Tell us who you’d pick to be a Betty this year!
3. Pick Up the We Energies Cookie Book
BRIANNA SCHUBERT, ASSOCIATE DIGITAL EDITOR
Last week, I had the pleasure of participating in the first ever We Energies Great Cookie Book Taste Off, and nearly won. I wrote a story about the experience and my personal love for these books, which you can read here. But the best thing to do this week isn’t reading that story (although it is a pretty fun story if I do say so myself), it’s picking up a cookie book on Nov. 1 at one of their distribution locations. Or if you can’t make it then, there are plenty of other in-person distribution dates and it’ll be available online, too.
4. Make Baked Sweet POtatoes With Maple Crème Fraiche
ANN CHRISTENSON, DINING EDITOR
Last week I tested out a recipe that I think will change the course of my weeknight cooking. I’m not exaggerating. The blog Food52 recently reposted one of their “genius” recipes – for Nik Sharma’s baked sweet potatoes with maple crème fraiche. Would steaming the potatoes, covered, for the first part of the bake make a huge difference? Yes, it turns. I’ve never eaten a creamier baked sweet potato. Plus, the sauce is just outstanding – and I can say this having changed it just slightly (subbing sour cream for crème fraiche). I’ve made this three times in a week and crave it.
5. Listen to The Land is Inhospitable and So Are We by Mitski
ARCHER PARQUETTE, MANAGING EDITOR
This new album by singer-songwriter Mitski has been on heavy rotation for me lately. It’s a quiet, folksy, sad one, an album that manages to artfully combine warmth and desolation. Like, I could imagine myself listening to this while enjoying a warm glass of Irish coffee, contemplating life with vague contentment – or I could imagine myself listening to it while lying in the gutter with vomit and blood down my shirt, wishing to be anyone other than myself. It contains multitudes. Highly recommend.
