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    Agatha Crusty’s of Minnetonka and the Mysterious Case of Dill Muffins

    In 1981, Jackie Grombrich opened a manor-house-inspired bookstore in the western suburbs, filled with murder mysteries and infused with the aroma of fresh-baked pastries, with help from her sister Paula.  The bookstore and pastry shop opened on April 10, 1981, in…

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This collection highlights some of the most popular recipes on the site from iconic Minnesota restaurants.

About me

Hi, I’m Carrie

I’ve spent nearly two decades uncovering the stories of forgotten places across the Upper Midwest. Here, I use food as the lens to explore vintage recipes and the eateries behind them to tell a bigger story about community and identity, and the foods we couldn’t wait to gather around a table to enjoy. 

Some restaurants stay with you long after you pay the check and return home. History Hotdish is where those memories live. Whether it’s a recipe from a beloved local eatery, an iconic Minnesota company, a bake-off winner, or the quirky place just up the road, each recipe is tied to a specific moment in time, and every one is a quintessentially-Minnesotan artifact that shows us who we were, and who we still are.

I hope you enjoy it here, maybe make the recipe and live the moment, then tell someone about it. After all, a recipe shared is a joy shared.

Summery salads

These cold salads are perfect for picnics and cookouts. They come together quickly and keep well in the refrigerator.