Me, before every meal at the cabin.
About True North Cabin Cookbook
“In Minnesota and beyond, summer is prime cabin season. The rhythms of cabin life are very familiar to food enthusiast and genial host Stephanie Hansen, who relishes the opportunity to dazzle with simple ingredients from pantry and garden, creating memorable and delicious meals for friends and loved ones. Her family cabin sits far to the north on picturesque Burntside Lake in Ely, Minnesota-a boat ride away from the nearest grocery story and a world apart from the demands of everyday life. From her perch on True North Island, Hansen tells warm and witty stories and shares favorite recipes for the summer months. Cozy dishes like Beef Bourguignon and Rhubarb Skillet Cake are fitting for May and September, while grilled vegetables, corn fritters, and fresh fruit desserts match the relaxed pace of July and August, when lazy summer days unfurl in endless waves. Hansen’s straightforward, creative, tasty dishes will nourish those who gather at your table-whether at the cabin or at home. True North Cabin Cookbook offers ample opportunity to savor north woods living at its very best.” —Shannon Pennefeather, Minnesota Historical Society Press
Order the Book here
“True North Cabin Cookbook” Signings
| Date | Location | Time | |
| 13-Apr | Lotus Lake Gifts Chanhassen | 4-6 pm meet and great book sales and signing | |
| 14-15 April | Junk Bonanza | 12-2 Canterbury Park Exo Center Signing and Selling Books | |
| 22-Apr | Mill City Museum | 1 pm Baking Demo and Books will be sold on site | |
| 27-Apr | Red Cow Uptown | 6:30-8:30 Book included with ticket | True North Cabin Dinner & Cocktail Pairing
Amuse – Smoked Whitefish Spread with veggies, lavash, and dilly crackers 1st – Zucchini Fritters with lemon yogurt sauce 2nd – Wedge salad with Tarragon Ranch 3rd – French Onion Soup 4th – Whole Roast Ribeye with Ribeye Rub and Richard’s Fried Potatoes 5th – Rhubarb Skillet Cake |
| Multi-Course Dinner | |||
| 3-May | Grand Rapids NoPo Kitchen and Catering | Appetizer and signing event. Books will be sold on site | |
| 12-Oct | Malcolm Yards Market | Guest bartender charity fundraiser for Pay It Forward. Books can be purchased on site |
Thursday, April 27, 6:30-8:30 pm, we will be having a 4-course “True North Cabin Cookbook” and Cocktails event with Red Cow Uptown. Join us for a 4-course cocktail pairing dinner featuring recipes from the book.
Tickets are $130 and include a signed copy of the book that you can keep, gift, or donate.
Get tickets here:
*Non-Alcoholic pairings available on request.
Synopsis
Celebrate summer days with seasonal foods and cherished tales of life in the northland, as the author’s recipes and personal recollections transport readers to a lakeside cabin in the north woods.
Summer is prime cabin season. The cabin might be large or small, plush or rustic, lakeside or far off the trail. Regardless of the setting, adventuresome days of hiking or boating or lounging are fueled by hearty, home-cooked meals.
The rhythms of cabin life are very familiar to food enthusiast and genial host Stephanie Hansen, who relishes the opportunity to dazzle with simple ingredients from pantry and garden, creating memorable and delicious meals for friends and loved ones. Her family cabin sits far to the north on picturesque Burntside Lake in Ely, Minnesota—a boat ride away from the nearest grocery store and a world apart from the demands of everyday life. From her perch on True North Island, Hansen tells warm and witty stories and shares favorite recipes for the summer months. In May, she offers cozy dishes like Beef Bourguignon and Drunken Cowboy Beans followed by a sweet and tart Rhubarb Skillet Cake, while June might call for Molasses Pork Chops accompanied by Roasted Carrots with Scallion-Ginger Sauce. For the lazy summer days of July and August, the classic Fried Walleye with Lemony Tartar Sauce might hit the spot, or a Grilled Ratatouille with Herb Vinaigrette to take advantage of the fresh seasonal vegetables. As autumn starts to creep in during September, Grilled Lamb Burgers with Tzatziki Feta Sauce and Warm Bacon Potato Salad keep the summer vibe going. Throughout the months, Hansen shares recipes for desserts both simple and adventurous—from a No-Bake Layered Lemon Loaf with Blueberries to Molten Chocolate Cakes—and refreshing cocktails to meet your every mood.
Hansen’s straightforward, creative, tasty dishes will nourish those who gather at your table—whether at the cabin or at home. True North Cabin Cookbook offers ample opportunity to savor north woods living at its very best.
Here’s What People are Saying About the Book
“Everyone is seeking a simpler, more localized, and home-crafted lifestyle these days, and Stephanie Hansen’s True North Cabin Cookbook delivers that by the barrel. You can smell the pine woods, hear the rain on the lake, feel the sun on your skin. Most important, tasting the incredible recipes gets everyone to their True North.” —Andrew Zimmern, award-winning host of Bizarre Foods, What’s Eating America, and Family Dinner
“Stephanie Hansen has captured and elevated the Minnesota tradition of ‘going to the lake’ in her delicious recipes. Even if you don’t have a lake cabin, you’ll want to sit on the porch with a Rhubarb Gin & Tonic, bring a Cherry Tomato Tart with Fresh (homemade) Ricotta on a picnic, and celebrate with a Chocolate Zucchini Bundt Cake! This book is everything we love about being at the lake, without the mosquitoes.” —Zoë François, host of Zoë Bakes
“True North Cabin Cookbook is a collection of useful, family-friendly recipes and sweet remembrances of time spent at the lake. Stephanie Hansen covers the Minnesota favorites but with updates that add a little metro sophistication, too. With crowd-pleasing meals, drinks, and desserts, this book will become a well-thumbed heirloom to take to the cabin or use at home.” — Robin Asbell, author of Plant-Based Meats: Hearty, High-Protein Recipes for Vegans, Flexitarians, and Curious Carnivores.
“True North Cabin Cookbook” is an invitation to gather with Stephanie Hansen’s family and friends and enjoy the seasons up north with stories and recipes. Here you’ll find the aroma of delicious food coming out of the kitchen and off the grill. Get comfy in your deck chair, help yourself to one of Dolores’s shortbread cookies, and get ready to laugh, cry, and cook.” — Patrice M. Johnson, author of Land of 10,000 Plates: Stories and Recipes from Minnesota
“Stephanie Hansen has infused the rustic simplicity of Minnesota cabin cooking with big, fresh flavors woven into family stories. Hansen is a wonderful cook and a gracious hostess, and I loved this peek into her delicious life at the lake. Is there such a thing as the perfect hostess gift? I say yes, and it’s this charming book.” — Stephanie A. Meyer, author of Twin Cities Chef’s Table: Extraordinary Recipes from the City of Lakes to the Capital City
“You don’t need to own a cabin by a Minnesota lake to appreciate the love of family, friends, and good food embedded in every page of Stephanie Hansen’s True North Cabin Cookbook. We are invited to enjoy a season on True North Island, where mouthwatering recipes are laid out month by month, using ingredients at their absolute best, in recipes both simple and sophisticated. True North is an intimate cookbook full of Stephanie’s lively stories and favorite dishes, accumulated over decades of cabin life. I felt like I was cooking along with Stephanie in her cabin kitchen, sipping a refreshing cocktail and enjoying a beautiful view of her beloved Burntside Lake.” —Meredith Deeds, co-author of The Big Book of Appetizers, The Mixer Bible, and 300 Sensational Soups / Star Tribune Taste columnist.
