Little Red Door reached out to me in April to see if I would be a guest presenter for their cooking demonstrations at the City Market.  I was quick to commit, but I had never heard of the organization – luckily, my family is well insured & no one in our immediate circle has been affected by cancer!  After I read their mission statement & browsed their website – I knew I wanted to do more for this local non-profit organization.  I did some cooking demonstrations & sampling at their annual open house.  I got all the girls in the office suited up with my red totes & Britney Spears magnets.  I attended their “Big Red Bash” press conference & participated in their Zumba Flash Mob downtown.

And now… I want to help promote their Big Red Bash!  Big Red Bash is a community-centered festival that creates an engaging venue to learn about the ways cancer can be prevented through an active and healthy lifestyle.  It’s on July 14th from 10am – 2pm in the great city of Indianapolis at Military Park.  I’ll be there with a booth.  I’ll also be there with a Zumba team – they are hoping to break the World Record for Largest Zumba Class!

I’ve never really Zumba’d & I’m really uncoordinated.  So I need to practice if I’m going to get on stage & join thousands for the largest Zumba Class on Earth.  Announcing… ZUMBA WITH THE PRODUCE MOM

Yep.  Come Zumba WITH me.  I’m certainly not the instructor & my lack of skills should make for a very inviting and non-intimidating atmosphere!

What:  Produce Mom Zumba Classes

Why:  Raise awareness & support for Little Red Door Cancer Agency

Where:  Saint Barnabas Catholic Church – Upper Room of Gymnasium

Cost:  FREE – donations to Little Red Door will be accepted, but not required

SCHEDULE

Tuesday, June 5 — 6:30pm

Thursday, June 7 — 8:00pm

Tuesday, June 12 — 6:30pm (facility closed for VBS – we will be exercising outside)

Thursday, June 14 — 8:00pm (facility closed for VBS – we will be exercising outside)

Tuesday, June 19 — 6:30pm

Thursday, June 21 — 8:00pm

Tuesday, June 26 — 6:30pm

Thursday, June 28 — 8:00pm

We will also offer classes in July – but will be at a downtown location.  Stay tuned & keep reading the blog for July’s schedule.

Hope to see you at class & this summer’s Big Red Bash!  Consider joining The Produce Mom Zumba Team for Big Red Bash – it’s free & you will look & feel great about yourself!

Make sure you select “The Produce Mom” when prompted to select your team – I’ll have some sweet headbands, totes & sunglasses for everyone on my team!

xoxo Produce Mom

I can tell a grocery giant like Kroger or Marsh until I’m blue in the face that they need to stock Matilda Chips, but I’m the sales rep.  YOU are the customer.  Your needs are always the most important.  If the customer isn’t happy, we’re all out of business!  It makes sense.

Most of the staff at my local grocery store, especially the produce department employees, know me.  I am always asking them to help me find & source things.  They love it!  And it keeps me from shopping the competition.

Do you want Crazy Apples for your kids?

Maybe the El Popo Tortillas that I buy for Indianapolis Fruit Company?

Or the divine mango salsa (it’s so good on fish) by Garden Cut?

Just ask.  They will listen.

Here are a few numbers to get you started in the quest to make your local Produce Department THE destination for all YOUR needs & wants:

Kroger =  800-576-4377

Marsh = 800-382-8798

Meijer = 877-363-4537

Walmart = 800-925-6278

xoxo Produce Mom

I served this on Friday at Eli Lilly’s corporate headquarters, where I was asked to cater lunch & give a presentation about The Produce Mom & Indianapolis Fruit Company’s successful campaign to better connect with our consumer & promote wellness.  I did a great job, but this salsa was the true shining star!

THE PRODUCE MOM’S SOUTHWEST SALSA

Ingredients:

2 cans Red Gold Chipotle Seasoned Tomatoes

1 can Red Gold Petite Diced Tomatoes, drained well

1 can black beans, drained & rinsed

1 can chickpeas, drained & rinsed

3 bell peppers, diced

1 jumbo red onion, diced

1 clove garlic, minced

1 bag (12 oz) frozen corn

1 lime, squeezed for juice

2 packets Truvia

1 tbsp Cumin

Chipotle Tabasco Sauce, to taste – I use about 10 good splashes.  It’s a sweet, smoky flavor – not really a hot sauce.

Salt, to taste

Queso Fresco (optional) – for topping.

Mix together all ingredients.  Try to make it at least 30 minutes before you intend to serve it.   Top with crumbled Queso Fresco (optional).   Best part about this Southwest Salsa is it’s versatility.  Use whatever fresh, canned or frozen produce items you have available.  Just make sure you keep the Red Gold Chipotle Tomatoes, the Chipotle Tabasco Sauce & the Truvia – these provide the unique “sweet heat” flavor profile that is praised every time I serve this salsa.  I will often serve this salsa over a bed of romaine for an easy & delicious Southwest Salad.

From my party to yours… Cheers & ENJOY.

xoxo Produce Mom

This week I will be at Ladies Evening Out on Thursday, May 10th.  And I’m one of their special guests.  Ok, I’ll say it….  I’m a local celebrity guest & will be entertaining the crowd of approx 500 women with cooking demonstrations & samples!  AHHHHH!

I’m obviously proud of The Produce Mom.  I couldn’t have hoped for a better response from the Indianapolis community & the Produce industry.  The blessings & opportunities I have enjoyed over the last 4 months were merely dreams in the back of my mind on that cold day in January when I pitched the idea of The Produce Mom to Indianapolis Fruit ownership.  Today, those dreams are my reality.  Even though The Produce Mom is owned by Indy Fruit, I have that wonderful entrepreneur spirit about this initiative.  And as long as I’m alive – so will exist my burning desire to grow & improve The Produce Mom.

A huge part of building The Produce Mom was doing research.  Tons & tons of research.  In addition to studying up on blogs, I studied the Indianapolis area & specifically targeted the women who have changed the face of business here in the 317.  I knew that in order to be legit in the local scene, I needed to be “in” with this crowd.

Let’s rewind a bit…. last year, I was named to the Board of Directors for the Officer David S Moore Foundation.  One of my first fundraising events with the Foundation was a tribute night for Officer Moore with the Indiana Fever.  I met a woman named Lynn Miller, who works in sales for Pacers Sports & Entertainment.  She & I totally kicked it off and quickly became friends.  She immediately impressed me with all her involvement in community organizations & boards.  Lynn knows everyone!  But beyond that – Lynn is a genuine person.  Like the type of person you meet who actually remembers & cares about your answer to the often-asked/rarely-remembered small talk questions regarding family, kids, work, etc.  It makes sense considering her strong business & personal network.  One thing I have learned as a young addition to the business scene – there is a direct correlation between well-networked people & their personal character.  Lynn sets the standard.

In February of this year, just weeks after the launch of The Produce Mom, Lynn gave my name to Jenn Kampmeier:  A name I recognized from Googling “Indianapolis Business Women” over & over during my planning for The Produce Mom!  Jenn is kinda like Lynn.  She knows everyone.  She is successful.  She deserves it.  When Jenn contacted me about joining her company’s annual social event as a presenting guest, I found myself overwhelmed with giddy excitement…. And I didn’t hesitate to say YES.

I will be at Ladies Evening Out on Thursday – demonstrating how to prepare Kale Chips & talking about my favorite produce items, sponsoring a booth, greeting fans, rubbing shoulders with some of the other women I recognize from my excessive Googling & research.  I’m excited!  I hope you can join us for a FUN night out.  It will be a success and I’m truly humbled to be a part of it.

My 6:30pm cooking demonstration is FULL (have I told my fans lately that I love them???)

There is a limited amount of seats available for my 7pm demonstration.

See you Thursday,

xoxo Produce Mom

Honorable Mention Fine Arts Achievement, Saint Barnabas School 1992

Most Outspoken, Roncalli High School 1999

Best Boyfriend, Beta Chapter Kappa Alpha Theta 2003

Human Relations Award, MSD Perry Township 2005

Board of Directors, Officer David S Moore Foundation 2011

Indiana Female Focus, Fox59 2012

Awards.  We all love them.  There is a great feeling of accomplishment that comes with recognition.   Each of these distinctions/awards means something very special to me & each of them lives on in my life today.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me through this journey.  I will celebrate my 4 month anniversary as The Produce Mom on the same day as my 31st Birthday (April 19th).  I couldn’t be happier with where my life is at right now.  It’s a great feeling & I know it’s a blessing.  I owe much gratitude to you all – I’ve said it a million times, but I’m going to say it again because I do understand none of this would be happening without you reading my blog & making me relevant.  I also have to thank Angela Ganote, the local broadcaster who was instrumental in me being chosen as the Fox 59 Indiana Female Focus & of course the magicians behind the scenes at Fox 59 News who put together an amazing news segment.  I must say…. it was pure bliss watching Joe & Mac smile when Mommy was on the news!

Click here to watch the news segment.

xoxo Produce Mom

But I WANT to bring you all up to date!  As I’ve been doing interviews this week, I’ve mastered answering the popular question “How did The Produce Mom start?” ….yet I realized I never fully explained this on the blog!  And it’s time to do so.

The blog was initially launched with the sentiment of “we will see how it goes.”  Now, it’s a central part of our marketing platform at Indianapolis Fruit Company & a growing part of our identity.

I was hired at IFC in 2005.  I formerly worked as a high school Spanish teacher & Indy Fruit was looking to start a Hispanic Sales division.  It was the perfect opportunity for me to spread my wings & use my Spanish in a business setting.  Upon being hired, our President Mike Mascari gave me 2 books to read: From Good to Great & The 360 Degree Leader.  I was familiar with From Good to Great.  While the lessons & stories in the book about customer service are inspiring, it was The 360 Degree Leader that spoke to me.  Indianapolis Fruit is a family-owned business.  We have 5 owners & they all have children my age.  Any dummy can figure out that there is only a certain level of advancement available for non-family-members in this setting.  The 360 Degree Leader talks about how to lead from the middle at your workplace.

In 2005 I was just a sales rep who had no accounts – Upon being hired I had a senior account manager, the sales director & the 5 owners as my official bosses.  And of course there were the annoying peers who thought they could treat me as an inferior because they had years of experience on me… or, as sad & chauvinistic as it sounds… because they were middle aged men & I was a 24 year old female.  And it’s probably worth noting that I was the only female sales rep in the office.  We do have a female who runs our floral department sales, but as far as produce sales – I was the lone female in 2005 & still hold that title today.

The lessons in The 360 Degree Leader stuck with me nearly every day when I walked into Indy Fruit.  I held myself to a personal standard – despite the opportunity to wear jeans & Indy Fruit polo shirts every day, I dressed in business attire.  Despite the lax attitude with workplace conversation – I kept my language clean & topics of conversation rated PG.  I attended the optional USDA training sessions that were ran by our warehouse managers even though it meant I had a longer work day & it wasn’t a requirement.  I made sure the drivers who were delivering my customers had my cell phone number.  I made a point to meet some of the laborers who were cutting the fruits for my deli accounts or picking the products for my retailers.  I sent a hand-written thank you to all of my bosses every Thanksgiving telling them that my family & I were thankful for my job.  I assisted the accounting department by communicating financials with my Spanish-speaking accounts.  I translated documents for our HR department.  I always attend & work at the Piazza Food Show, an annual culinary event hosted by our sister company Piazza Produce.  I wanted every person that I worked with to know that I considered them not just my co-workers, but my teammates.  And deep down I was thinking “how can I be a team captain? how can I be that 360 degree leader?”  I took time to know peoples’ names & their kids’ names.  And as simple as these aforementioned points may sound – I know they separated me as a leader in the middle.

In Novemeber 2011 I learned that our Marketing Manager would be leaving the company.  I pounced on the opportunity & immediately told my boss, John, that I was ready for more responsibility at Indy Fruit.  At that point I had 2 kids, a husband & over 6 years of experience at Indy Fruit.  I had come a long way since being hired in 2005.

It wasn’t until December 2011 that the company offered me the promotion.  I went from Sales Representative to Marketing Manager & the transition has changed my life and I do believe that it has changed Indianapolis Fruit, as well.  My marketing predecessor was Shane Towne, an accomplished industry professional.  During his time with Indy Fruit, Shane was named to the produce industry’s 40 under 40, a committee member for the 2011 Fresh Summit, and he boasted a strong industry background that I will never have.  Prior to his job at Indy Fruit he worked in the retail setting with one of the largest co-ops in the country.  Remember, I taught Spanish to high school teens.  I knew that following Shane meant I needed to bring something ground-breaking to the table.

And so the brainstorming began… while many moms take time to decorate their home, shop online or perfect their gingerbread recipe… I was spending every night in December researching how I could best capitalize on my greatest asset to the company: the fact that I represent the target customer.  I am a full-time working mom with 2 young kids & I want to feed them healthy foods.  Chip & I shop for our groceries on a budget.  I understand the sentiment of wanting a convenience item, but not being able to justify the expense.  I am so incredibly normal – I knew I could reach a vast audience because many can relate.  Yet I have this unique job that educates me on the most wholesome foods & grants me the opportunity to work with accomplished chefs.  When friends & family gather at our house, they always know the food will be great.  Those nights in December were spent figuring out HOW I could communicate my life happenings to best benefit my employer.  HOW I could mesh my personal life with my professional life in a way that could take our marketing department to the next level.

I finally decided that a blog platform was the ideal way to bring this vision of mine to fruition.  So my next step of research began in mid-December 2011.  I dove into the world of blogs.  Made notes of what I thought worked & didn’t work.  Available domain names.  My likes & dislikes.  I read about blogging in the business world.  Study after study.  I interviewed my friends about blogs and got a feel for what people were willing to read, their preferred length for blogs, and even collected data about the device people use to access their online literature.  Keep in mind this was all being done without any prompting from my bosses.  It’s that 360 Degree Leader mentality & tenacity.

Sure enough – the day came where my bosses asked me about my plans with the new position.  As a matter of fact, it was January 5, 2012.  And I was prepared.  We were in the President’s office & 2 owners were present, the Sales Director, the company consultant & myself.  The consultant looked at me & asked me, “Lori what direction do you see this department going?  What ideas do you think we should consider?”  Ahhhhh.  Finally.  My opportunity to shine.  I simply started with a “Well, Joe… “ and ended with, “…I think we should call it The Produce Mom.“

The smiles on their faces were inspiring.  They asked me write a pilot blog – we wrapped up the meeting, I returned to my desk, and in less than 20 minutes, I typed out my dream & I titled it “Who Is The Produce Mom?“  Today that pilot is published as my very 1st blog.

January 19, 2012 - www.theproducemom.com goes live

January 22, 2012 – The Produce Mom joins Facebook & Twitter.

January 23, 2012 – The Produce Mom joins Pinterest.

January 26, 2012 – The Produce Mom pens a response to sports writer Jon Bois’ slam on Indianapolis.  The Produce Mom blog goes viral in comparison to anything else Indy Fruit has published online – the blog was shared online by countless Indy natives, quoted by an ABC sports affiliate in Salt Lake City Utah, retweeted by Jon Bois, InStyle Magazine, and countless others.

January 28, 2012 – The Produce Mom has more social media followers than Indianapolis Fruit, Garden Cut & Piazza Produce…. combined.

February 1, 2012 – The Produce Mom gets a logo.

February 10, 2012 – The Produce Mom is invited to tour & blog about the Dole Pineapple Plantation in O’ahu, Hawaii – coming this fall!

February 14, 2012 – IF&P Foods begins the Trademarking process for The Produce Mom

February 22, 2012 – The Produce Mom is invited to join “The Real Farmwives of America & Friends”

February 24. 2012 – Jazz Apple contacts The Produce Mom expressing interest to partner in a marketing campaign

February 27, 2012 – The Produce Mom gets over 30 submissions for her 1st social media fan contest: “Where is the Produce Mom?”

March 2, 2012 – The Produce Mom orders her 1st promotional items: yellow lunch sacks & the famed red reusable totes.

March 6, 2012 – Fan Valerie Edwards is named the winner of The Produce Mom’s 1st fan contest – her submission to “Where is the Produce Mom?” tallied nearly 50 votes.

March 8, 2012 – The Produce Mom represents Indianapolis Fruit & Piazza Produce at the city’s National Ag Day celebration, From Tractor to Truck.

March 9, 2012 – The Produce Mom speaks during career week at St Mark Catholic School about the produce industry.   That evening, The Produce Mom serves as a panelist for the National Co-Op Start-Up Conference.

March 13, 2012 – The Produce Mom partners with Jazz Apple for an international marketing campaign “Jazz Up Your Life.”

March 14, 2012 – Indianapolis Fruit Company composes a press release to introduce The Produce Mom to the local & industry media.

March 15, 2012 – The Produce Mom & “Jazz Up Your Life” are the headline story in industry journal, The Packer.  Later that day, local social event giant Ladies Evening Out invites The Produce Mom to serve as the celebrity cook & presenter for their 2012 gala.

March 20, 2012 – FreshPlaza, Europe’s leading produce industry journal, introduces The Produce Mom to Europe as the headline story for United States news.  Later that day, local news station Fox 59 names The Produce Mom a Female Focus & schedules on-site interviews for Wednesday, March 28th.

March 22, 2012 – The Produce Mom films her 1st cooking demo from the Garden Cut Test Kitchen.

And here I am today. March 24, 2012.  I am so humbled by what has happened & how quickly everything has developed.  But I’m honestly not surprised.  I tried to put into words how very hard I have worked to better myself & better my workplace.  But what’s missing from this timeline & history snapshot is the fact that I still managed to tuck my boys into bed at night and get them off to school every morning.  Or how my husband & I have managed to stay married and true to one another despite this commotion and new responsibilities.  Or how I made time to call a friend on the anniversary of her loved one’s death when I had 5 back-to-back meetings and a conference call.  You know what… I’m proud of The Produce Mom & my role at Indianapolis Fruit.  But I’m more proud to be Joe & Mac’s mom, Chip’s wife, Kelly & Joe’s sister, Charlie & Diane’s daughter & a real friend to many.  No matter what happens in your life…. don’t lose sight of its true essence.  Love yourself & take time to enjoy those who really matter.  Even if it means your blog goes without an update for an entire week.

xoxo Produce Mom

I recently had someone ask me where I got my table, it was fun to recount the day I picked it out.  In 2005 my parents took me to Dinette Land in Greenwood, Indiana to buy me a kitchen table for my new apartment.  I was getting ready to start my 1st job as a high school Spanish teacher & that table was mom & dad’s gift to me for turning the page in my life & starting a new chapter.  I think it was a $400 table, which included the chairs.  So it’s certainly not fancy or high-end.  But it means the world to me.  I still vividly remember loading it into my mom’s van & having my dad help me carry it into my apartment.  The first people that I sat with at my kitchen table were my mom & dad in the kitchen area of my 1st apartment.  And so the memories began….

The chairs broke in 2007 & we called the manufacturer about getting them replaced.  Since the model had been discontinued, they encouraged us to get them repaired by their contractor in our area.  The contractor came out; he fixed the broken chair & added some additional supports to the other 3 chairs so he wouldn’t have to come back anytime soon.  We paid him $80 for the job, and he not only fixed the chairs… but he changed my life.  The man had no legs.  He had 2 prosthetic legs – yet he drove himself to our house.  He walked inside.  He removed one leg to sit down on the kitchen floor & work on the chairs.  He did his work with no assistant.  He reattached his leg, got himself up, walked down steps & out the door.  He was confident enough to strike up good conversation with strangers – we talked about beer can chickens on the grill & football… the Indianapolis Colts, of course!  I think about that man often.  I sometimes wonder what he’s doing & when I’m having a frustrating moment in life – I will refer back to this kitchen table memory.  And sometimes when I think I’ve had a hard day at work – I will think about this man.

In addition to these special moments, I have countless of the more obvious kitchen table memories — birthday cakes, artwork, food prep, family dinners & more.  Here are some of my favorite pictures at the kitchen table.  I’m really looking forward to adding some more pictures & moments to my “Kitchen Table Memories” this weekend.  We will be having dinner tonight at our home to celebrate Mac’s 2nd birthday…. and the kitchen table will again be the setting for a beautiful moment in my life.  I look forward to sharing it with you all in my next blog.

xoxo Produce Mom

Mac’s 1st birthday

Artwork with Daddy 2009

Anniversary Flowers from Chip

Ebay Headquarters

Chip’s Birthday 2011 – his first to celebrate with Mac

Joe makes Eggplant Parm for the 1st time

My birthday 2011 – my first to celebrate with Mac

Brothers

Joe’s 3rd birthday – fun with the cousins!

Mickey Mouse Pancakes – a Saturday morning favorite!

Father’s Day 2010- Chip’s first with Joe AND Mac

Miserably pregnant with Mac… but helping Joe make shamrock cookies- March 2010

Packing Joe’s lunchbox

Sunday morning fun

My best friend from IU – Jimmy John’s with Muffy! Just like our late nights on Kirkwood…. sorta.

Chip’s 1st birthday as a Daddy – Joe is 5 months old here

King Cake with cousin Nora – Fat Tuesday 2009

Papa always helps Joe dye Easter Eggs – the night before Easter 2010

Joe’s 2nd birthday

Celebrating a successful day of potty training & playing Joe’s favorite game!

Gingerbread Haunted Houses with Cousin RJ

Here is my menu – No buckets of wings or pizza delivery at MY Super Bowl party:

Smoked Salmon Apple-tizers

Chicken Caesar Salad Wraps

Filet Sliders with Carmelized Onions & Chef Concetta’s Gorgonzola Dip

Garden Cut Guacamole & Salsa with Matilda Tortilla Chips

Sea Salt Caramel Apples

Agave Nectar Chocolate Cake

I was going to make mini cheeseburger sliders, but I saw today that Marsh has whole beef tenderloins on sale, so we’re going to jazz it up & do filet sliders.  Chip won’t complain.  If you don’t want to spend the money on the tenderloin (I get it… our childcare costs more than the mortgage, too!)  just substitute hamburger.  You can still jazz it up with the caramelized onions & gorgonzola!  And you’re still cooler than the PTA moms who are always volunteering in your child’s classroom while you are busy at work.  Win-win.

My recipes follow & now you can recreate components of my menu for your party.  I’ll post pictures on Monday!  If you make anything, please share pictures on my Facebook page!

Smoked Salmon Apple-tizers

Recipe posted HERE on blog

Chicken Caesar Salad Wraps – make-ahead friendly!

Dole Hearts of Romaine Salad Mix

Fresh Parmesan Cheese

Grilled Chicken Breast, cubed

Bolthouse Farms Caesar Dressing

Roasted Sunflower Seeds

12” sundried tomato El Popo Wrap

Lay the tortilla flat on your surface; fill it with the lettuce, cheese, chicken breast & sunflower seeds.  Wrap – Cut at a Bias – Use some party picks to hold the wrap shut in place.  Serve dressing on side.

Filet Sliders

Whole Beef Tenderloin

Hawaiian Rolls or Slider Buns of your choice

Dijon Mustard

Salt & Pepper

Allow Beef to sit on counter & come to room temperature before you roast it.  Rub a very small amount of Dijon mustard over the tenderloin & season liberally with salt and pepper.  Roast at 400 degrees for 40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 140 F (should result in a nice medium).  Remove tenderloin from oven, cover loosely with foil & allow it to rest 10-15 minutes before carving.  Slice into medallions at your preferred thickness.  I’m married to the biggest carnivore in the 317, so I cut ‘em thick.  At least ¾”  Place on the slider roll & top with Caramelized Onions & Chef Concetta’s Gorgonzola Dip.

Chef Concetta’s Easy Caramelized Onions

2 Sliced Yellow Onions

1 T Olive Oil

1 T unsalted butter

2 tsp sugar

Salt & Pepper

Heat olive oil & butter in large sauté pan over medium-high heat.  Add onions and cook until starting to soften, stirring constantly, about 8 minutes.  Add the sugar, salt & pepper.  Reduce heat to medium & cook until they are a deep brown color, about 20 minutes.

Chef Concetta’s Gorgonzola Dip – make ahead friendly!

8os crumbled gorgonzola cheese

2 cloves chopped garlic

¼ cup minced scallion

½ cup mayonnaise

1 cup sour cream

Salt & Pepper

Place gorgonzola, mayo, sour cream & garlic in a food processor & blend until smooth.  Season with salt & pepper.  Place mixture in bowl.  Stir in the minced scallions.  Cover & place in refrigerator.  Serve Chilled as a Dip or Condiment.

Garden Cut Guacamole & Matilda Chips

Recipe posted HERE on Garden Cut website

If you are going to make a great dip – don’t dumb it down with a sub-par chip.  Matildas are the best tortilla chip on the market.  They are made in Chi-town & offer a true taste of authenticity!

Sea Salt Caramel Apples – make ahead friendly!

Recipe posted HERE on blog

Agave Nectar Chocolate Cake  - make ahead friendly!

2 ¼ cups flour

2/3 cup cocoa powder

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

½ cup butter

½ cup brown sugar

3 large eggs

1 cup agave nectar

1 tsp vanilla extract

¼ tsp chipotle or cayenne pepper

1/8 tsp cinnamon

¾ cup sour cream

¼ cup milk

 Preheat oven to 350F.  Grease & flour two 9-inch round pans (line them with parchment paper if you have it).

Sift together flour, cocoa, salt, pepper, cinnamon & baking soda.

Cream together butter & brown sugar.  Beat in eggs, agave syrup & vanilla extract.  Slowly stir in some of the flour mixture.  Add sour cream.  Stir in some more of the flour mixture.  Add milk.  Stir in the remaining flour mixture.  Mix until combined.  Divide evenly into the greased pans.

Bake for 22-26 minutes, being careful to not over bake.  Invert pan onto wire cooling rack & allow cake to cool completely. Level the cake layers & top with this frosting.

What is Agave Nectar?  It’s a sweet syrup made from the Blue Agave plant.  Agave Nectar’s glycemic index rating falls between 11 and 30. White sugar has a glycemic index rating of 80.  This means Agave Nectar is WAY less likely to raise blood sugar or trigger the body’s fat storage mechanisms.  It’s become so mainstream – you should be able to find it easily!  I purchase my agave nectar at Kroger in the natural foods section.

Enjoy the game.  I can’t wait to watch my hometown be in the spotlight.  Indy is pretty much the best place in the world.  So proud to be a Hoosier!  Go Giants… we can’t have Tom Brady winning in the house that Peyton built!

xoxo Produce Mom

Yes, I’m the Produce Mom – but you don’t fall in love with food by eating nothing but leaf lettuce.  I’m a foodie and I’m obsessed with patronizing local/family-owned places.

Here are my 12+1  reasons why I disagree with you, Jon Bois… cocky author of Superbowl Recipes, Indianapolis Style: How to Applebee’s it up for the Big Game

12.  The Best Chocolate in Town

All hand-made chocolates.  All hand-packed.  All made in-house at their quaint store front/kitchen on the east end of Massachusetts Ave.  Try the Sea Salt Caramel, Jon.

11.  Los Chilaquiles

In a jaded strip mall near 38^th & Lafayette Road, you will find the best Mexican food in Indianapolis.  I have been honored to work & dine with world-renowned Chef Rick Bayless, known around the globe as the voice of authority when it comes to Mexican cuisine.  So, that makes me the voice of authority when it comes to Mexican cuisine in Indy.  Los Chilaquiles is not your typical family-owned Mexican joint.  No sticky white cheese & microwaved chimichangas here.  Instead, try the lengua sopes or the mole enchiladas.

10.  Tortas Guicho Dominguez y El Cubanito

My favorite of the Fountain Square eats.  And mark my word… Fountain Square will soon be the destination in Indianapolis for the most adventurous & unique dining.  There are maybe 10 tables in the dining room at Tortas Guicho and over 20 tortas on the menu, all named after celebrities!  I’ve tried them all & my favorite is the Helio Castroneves.  No where in the Circle City will you find a better sandwich for your buck.  The tortas are huge and less than $8 each.

9.  Food Trucks, baby.

Starting Friday, January 27th, the streets near Monument Circle will be transformed into a Food Truck Food Court.  Here our XLVI visitors will be able to sample all of the finest of Indy’s Mobile Eats.  I am obsessed with Food Trucks.  I follow all of them on Facebook & Twitter and I chase them around the city at least 1x a week for lunch.  I had Groovy Guys Fries set up shop in my backyard for little Joe’s 4^th birthday party.  I enjoy the cupcakes from Scout’s, and appreciate the healthy menu done by Duos, but my #1 all time favorite food truck is Scratchtruck.  Matt is the chef/owner & I like to refer to him as the Godfather of Indy’s Food Trucks.  His menu is comfort food with an eclectic flair.  He makes refreshing beverages like watermelon jalapeno lemonade & also stocks Mexican cokes (any foodie knows Mexican cokes are the best).  But the real claim to Matt & Scratchtruck’s fame is the signature Scratchburger.  It’s cooked to perfection & then topped with bacon marmalade & arugula.

8.  Pasquale’s Pizza & New Bethel Ordinary

These are grouped together because Breadsticks & Pizza belong together.  And Pasquale’s has the best sticks I’ve ever had, while the NBO is hands-down the best pizza pie in the city… my husband (who has put down a few pies) would probably boast it as the best pizza in the nation, or at least the best he’s ever had.

7.  New Day Meadery

What’s a bunch of good eats without some good drinks?  My friends & I did the Indy Wine trail for my 30^th birthday & New Day was the easy highlight of all the wineries we visited.  Some wineries, like some of the people who drink nothing but wine, can be really pretentious.  Not New Day.  Tia & Brett are without doubt 2 of the greatest additions to the Indianapolis Entertainment/Dining Scene.  They own & operate New Day and they are true ambassadors for the eat local movement and participants in the Indiana Artisan program.  You should of course do the tasting when you visit, but take home a growler of the South Cider.  It’s the official drink of the GNO Cave – For all you “Man Cave” fanatics… that’s the Girls Night Out Cave aka my basement.

6.  Sun King Brewery

Indianapolis is also home to a solid handful of local breweries.  Sun King is the best.  Again, do the sampling.  My brother goes almost every Friday and fills up our growlers on $5 fill day.  We prefer the Cream Ale, but have been known to put down some Wee Mac, too.

5.  Iozzo’s Garden of Italy

I love the ambiance of Iozzo’s.  Especially in the summertime when the courtyard is open.  Enjoy one of the signature dishes, many of which date back to 1930 when the restaurant originally opened in Indy.  The Spinach Salad is one of my lunchtime favorites & the best I’ve had in the Circle City.  Owners Katie & Greg are friendly & business-savvy.  Look for Iozzo’s to continue to do great things in the local dining scene.  And, Jon, the courtyard that I love so much will be a heated VIP tent during the Big Game weekend.

4.  Kim’s Kake Kreations

When the sweet tooth strikes, head south towards Madison & Epler and enjoy one of the delightful cupcakes, or any of the other treats in Kim’s case.  The offerings change daily & I have never had anything taste less than delicious at Kim’s.  I love this place so much that I suggested to my beautiful sister that she consider Kim’s for her upcoming wedding cake.  Can I just say that I’m as excited about the cake & dessert bar at her reception as I am gaining Matt as my brother-in-law?  Seriously, though.  Go to Kim’s.  They do gluten free goodies & bake fresh bread daily, too.

3.  The Loft

Traders Point Creamery is widely known for their premium dairy products – I absolutely love the wildberry yogurt!  But the real highlight of Traders Point is their restaurant, The Loft.  The Loft focuses on local, organic & seasonal ingredients.  The menu is always tantalizing & changes frequently.  Remember when Kendra lived in Indy?  I know you watch the show, too!  Remember when Holly came to visit Kendra & they went out to eat?  Yep.  They dined at The Loft.  If it’s good enough for K-Dub…. It’s good enough for me!

2.  Black Market

If I were to cheat on my husband, it would be with Black Market.  Can you have a romantic relationship with a gastropub?  This place is without doubt my favorite bar… ever… anywhere.  From the atmosphere to the eccentric food & beverage options – it really is perfect.  Again, look for a menu that changes, but you can always count on the Black Market Burger, it’s topped with their goat cheese spread, grilled red onions & house-made pickles.

1.  Iaria’s Italian Restaurant

If you know me…. You know this is my favorite restaurant.  I celebrate every birthday with dinner at Iaria’s & pout if Chip tries to take me out to eat at any location other than this Indianapolis landmark.  I almost always get the cheese tortellini with 2 meatballs & an antipasto salad… but the chicken marsala is another favorite.  I love this place so much, that I am a waitress here.  I am working as a server during the lunch shift on the Saturday before the game, February 4^th.  I would like to personally invite Mr. Jon Bois to be my guest for lunch on Saturday at Iaria’s.  I’ll buy it for him.  I’ll serve it to him.  And I won’t accept any gratuity from him.  Instead, I ask him to write a new column that shows some due respect to the local chefs, cooks & food industry professionals who work so hard to make Indianapolis such a great city with some amazing local eats.

Now – the “+1″ on my list is a treat that you can only enjoy in May here in Indy.  Turn 3 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is home to a vendor that does nothing but biscuits & gravy and turkey legs.  Jon, if you want to enjoy the Best Turkey Leg around…. meet me outside of Turn 3 on Sunday, May 27th.  I’ll even give you a tall boy out of my track cooler to wash it all down.