1. Clario Farms Pasta
$6-$9, AVAILABLE AT THE MILWAUKEE WINTER FARMERS MARKET, SATURDAYS AT THE DOMES
The first thing you’ll notice about Clario pasta is the vibrantly colored noodles. The handmade dough is mixed with herbs, garlic and vegetables grown on the 40-acre Clario Farm near Algoma. Owners Claire and Mario Micheli started making pasta to sell at farmers markets during an unfavorable growing season. The kale and black pepper fettuccine is wonderful dressed with just olive oil, salt and pepper and some fresh Parm.
2. Chalkboard Door County Cherry Granola
$8 FOR 12 OUNCES
It isn’t like there’s a dearth of granolas on the market. What makes Chalkboard special? I ponder this while wolfing down spoonfuls of Chalkboard’s Door County Cherry, with cashews, pumpkin seeds, organic Wisconsin oats, olive oil and maple syrup dusted with cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice. So addictively good, this mix makes granola an acceptable any-meal food.
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3. Wisconsin Soup Co.
$16 PER FROZEN QUART
This Tosa-based company partners with Wisconsin companies like River Valley Ranch (mushrooms) and JenEhr Family Farm (vegetables) to keep the soups full of fresh, local ingredients. They’re also some of the most delectable and comforting you’ll find, with classics like broccoli cheddar and Wisconsin beer cheese as well as a star-making Gorgonzola crab bisque.
4. Pat’s Hot Sauces
$24
Featured in Oprah Winfrey’s 2020 “Favorite Things” holiday gift list, this two-jar set includes the smoky, mild red sauce and sweet, rich brown sugar/molasses-based sauce – both handmade at 12-year-old Pat’s Rib Place in Waukesha. This sauce is ready to give a smooth, sassy, character-building oomph to your chicken, BBQ ribs or pork shoulder.
5. Rishi Turmeric Ginger Chai
$7 FOR A 32-OUNCE CARTON AT WHOLE FOODS MARKET
Unlike typical chai concentrates that jack you up with ca eine and sugar, this decaf version – infused with lemongrass, black pepper, ginger, lemon concentrate, cane sugar and trendy, anti-inflammatory turmeric – is creamy, spicy (that black pepper!) and moderately sweet. I recommend one part concentrate to two parts the milk of your choice for a perfect winter night sipper. $7 for a 32-ounce carton at Whole Foods Market Rishi Turmeric Ginger Chai Unlike typical chai concentrates that jack you up with ca eine and sugar, this decaf version – infused with lemongrass, black pepper, ginger, lemon concentrate, cane sugar and trendy, anti-inflammatory turmeric – is creamy, spicy (that black pepper!) and moderately sweet. I recommend one part concentrate to two parts the milk of your choice for a perfect winter night sipper.
6. Bunny’s Bite Baked Goods
$18 FOR 3 BARS
Gluten-free baked goods are often dry and crumbly – a quality Milwaukee’s Bunny’s Bite avoids with its line of chewy, decadent treats (cookies, bars, brownies and more) that are also dairy-, egg- and soy-free. The peanut butter cup cookie bars are intensely rich owing to the pieces of dark chocolate and homemade peanut butter cups packed into every bite.
