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All life is is change. And I am not immune. This year has brought big shifts here at Hunter Angler Gardener Cook, and in case you had not heard about them before, I thought I’d catch you up.
First and foremost, I have moved from California to Minnesota, where I lived briefly 20 years ago. I bought a house in the Highland Park neighborhood of St. Paul; closed on it last weekend.
The reason for this is that back in February, Holly and I split up. You will still see her photos here and there on this site, as we did a lot of advance work on posts. But she won’t be doing any more photography with me. So I’ll need to step up my photo game…
I spent much of this year on the road, traveling, thinking, learning, reflecting. I’ve written a lot about this over on my other website, To the Bone, which is where I do all my writing that isn’t recipe-related.
I spelled out my reasons for moving to Minnesota over there in a post called California Leavin’, but the short version is that I have many friends here in the Twin Cities, many readers, and, well, I just love the state and the nearby Great Plains.
This website will continue to be the recipe site it has always been, although now that I’ll be in the Upper Midwest, I’ll be focusing a bit more on my new region’s wild foods, from walleye to mushrooms, berries, whitetail deer, you name it. I’ve already started with an article on birch boletes, which are common here in Minnesota.
Here in Minnesota. That’ll take some time to get used to.
But I am excited for this new chapter in my life. I’ve never bought a house before, believe it or not, and I haven’t lived alone in 22 years. Many adjustments, many highs — and lows — ahead. New places, new friends, new foods to explore and most of all, new recipes to bring to you.
Wish me luck, and if you have any Minnesota recommendations for me, let me know in the comments.
~ Hank
Life is indeed full of changes and shite. All the best to you in your new home; hopefully you can manage to stay happy, healthy, and fairly well adjusted. As long as you keep your passion close, you’ll be fine. Thanks for a wonderful site, and a couple of books I use above all others.
starting to see plants I never saw. Tea from those berries my mother called “poison” and how to tell the difference. Wow. Thanks.
Excited for you to be back in the north country focusing on our wild foods!
Well Hank, I met my wife in St. Paul and moved her to Texas as fast as I could. We’ve lived in the Lone Star State for 40 plus years. They know how to cook some mighty fine meals down there. While in MN, I had one of my wife’s relatives who loved to fix those “minute steaks”. She would cook it 30 minutes on one side, then flip it over and cook it 30 miutes more! A hocky puck was more tender!! Then there’s Lutefisk! Cod fish soaked in Granma’s lye soap to tenderize it!! DON’T EVER put that anywhere near your mouth!! It’s enough to gag a maggot! That’s about all I have to say about MN. So, please, please don’t ever let me see a recipe from you on cooking Lutefisk!!!
Grouse hunt the echo trail and net whitefish in the wilderness. Lotsa chanterelles most years. Wildricing too. Timo Rova
Good luck, amigo! Do they say amigo in Minnesota? Anyway, looking forward to the changes; I’m sure you’ll land just fine.
Best wishes Hank. Enjoy your new life
Best of luck to you! We moved from California to Texas 15 years ago. Best thing ever. Minnesota is definitely beautiful. Some weekend take a 3 hour drive south to the Northwest Iowa lakes region. Okaboji and Spirit Lake are marvelous, especially in the shoulder seasons when the tourists are gone.
Happy to have you here.
Your gonna have to up your native wild rice game!
Best wishes. Minnesota just seems right for you. Looking forward to more mushroom and foraging tips!
Welcome to Minnesota! You definitely will need to get your winter wardrobe updated along with embracing winter activities. You asked for recommendations, getting acquainted with Jenny Pundez of Adventuress magazine would be my first. She moved here (northern Minnesota) from Iowa and has been exploring, hunting and fishing it all. She would be a great guide. Second, any of the outdoor organizations in the Duluth area can help to get to know this area which has been named best outdoor city by more one national entity. There are so many people who live rich outdoor lives in this state. We love it here and you will too.
I feel your pain. I’m in the middle of divorce with my wife of 20 years, not my choice. Learning how to live alone is really rough. Keep one foot in front of the other. Good luck.
Welcome to the Midwest, Hank. As someone who has followed you since the early days, having maids squirrel Aurora from your rec recipe site back 10 years ago, excited to see you experiencing the Midwest full-time. Good luck on this new start and let me know if you want to go grouse hunting.
Good luck with your move back to Minnesota, and welcome back! Believe it or not, when one door closes another one will open and opportunity will reveal itself. I will be awaiting more of your delicious recipes once you get settled.
A loyal fan, Mary Alyce Kronzer
Minnesota is a northern version of Louisiana’s Sportsman’s Paradise. You’ll love it! Looking forward to your new posts.
Glad to have you here in MN~ I have followed you for years and own all your cookbooks. We are also HGGC and grow our own mushrooms out in New London. I am excited for more content related to the Midwest! Two Recommendations: You probably already know about Lake Ave and New Scenic Cafe in Duluth but if you have not eaten at either, they both have edgy and interesting “chefy” approaches to MW food. New Scenic Cafe has the BEST Ahi Tacos at the MN STATE FAIR too.
Welcome!
Wild rice recipes. And it you make it to Fargo ND eat at the red pepper!
Pam: Thanks! I almost moved to Fargo, actually. I like that town.
Happy to welcome you to Minnesota (from Wisconsin, though)! Highland Park is a lovely neighborhood and there should be plenty of foraging, fishing, hunting & gathering opportunities just a short drive away. And the just-a-bit-too-long Winters are great for cooking, stewing, braising, roasting, reading & writing, as well. I look forward to reading about your new adventures!
Best of luck with the new location and experiences! As an upper Midwesterner myself, I’m looking forward to more information on game and foraging in the region.
Do thimbleberries! That was my favorite edible from a 3 week trip I did in northern Minnesota a couple years ago.
There was a rumor the berries on Isle Royale are the best and that the local natives called it berry island. I still haven’t had a thimbleberry out west that even comes close to the ones on the island. There were just so damn good