SMORGASBORD: Two-bit treat . . . 'Cooking with the Spirit' . . . Bella fudge

Two-bit treat

Somewhere between a cupcake and a cookie is the almond-infused financier (French almond cake) by Donsuemor. A topping of almond slices and the slightly crispy edges make this tender little snack a joy to eat along with tea or coffee.

Buy a box of 20 cakes for $17 at donsuemor.com.

‘Cooking with the Spirit’

The Minnesota Institute of Contemplation and Healing is offering “Cooking with the Spirit, Healthy Cooking for Everyday Life” at the MICAH retreat center, 10 miles northwest of Crookston, on Dec. 5 and Jan. 9.

Through two class sessions (3:30 to 6:30 p.m.) with Dr. Debra Bell and Corene Everett, participants will learn how to use healthy ingredients to make delicious and nutritious recipes. Sessions include discussions about healthy foods, hands-on recipe preparation, and sampling meals

Cost is $40, which includes two classes, notebook with handouts, ingredients used in recipes and two healthy meals. Register by calling Trey Everett at (218) 281-4853 by Monday.

Bell is founder and medical director of the Riverview Family Practice and Integrative Medicine Center in Crookston. She has 20 years experience in conventional medicine and complementary and alternative medicine. She is skilled in homeopathy, herbal/vitamin/nutritional therapy and diet/lifestyle changes.

Everett is a mother of three with a love for cooking nutritious meals for family and friends.

For more information, visit www.michaprays.org/.

Not cookie-cutter fudge

Give the cold shoulder to the pile of leftover Halloween candy lurking in your cupboard, and indulge in a 10-ounce tin of Bella’s Confections gourmet fudge. The “fudge infusion” collection boasts a lethal cookie-fudge combo in each box — think semisweet chocolate fudge infused with peanut butter or macadamia nut cookies, and white chocolate fudge mixed with oatmeal cranberry white chocolate pecan cookies.

Each gift-ready tin (if you can part with it) costs $12 at bellasconfections.com.

All stewed up

Unscrew a jar of Lowcountry Produce gumbo and you’ve got a Southern-tinged stew heavy on tangy okra and a good, healthful meal in less than 30 minutes. It makes for an admirable base to throw in the meats, veggies or beans you have lying around.

Order a jar ($7 for 16 ounces, $11 for 32 ounces) from lowcountryproduce.com.

Tags: cooking with the spirit,  healthy cooking for everyday life” micah , features, food, smorgasbord, donsuemor, minnesota, institute, of, contemplation, and, healing