Bel's Bites: All Aboard!

Welcome, Belinda!

We are excited to welcome Kowalski's superfan and new Brand Ambassador Belinda Jensen to the fold! Now officially retired from her role as chief meteorologist for KARE 11, she's free to explore her many diverse interests and talents, including food and cooking. As host of KARE 11 Saturday for 33 years, she's has had an up-close-and-personal experience with some of the best chefs and culinarians in the Twin Cities and far beyond, fueling her passion for and joy of good food! This month, Belinda kicks off her regular In Touch with Kowalski's column with a look at some of her personal picks for easy entertaining. Her selections are perfect for another of her preferred pastimes: boating on Lake Minnetonka.

What's better than a day on the boat?

The best boat days always include the right bites to keep everyone fed, happy and ready for more fun on the water. Our family loves to go wake surfing with friends, and after more than 10 years, I've learned what works best for easy, bite-size boat snacks that make entertaining simple while we hang ten on the lake.

Kowalski's is a one-stop shop, and with the Excelsior location right on our way to the lake, it's always a quick stop before we hop on the boat. Their Grab & Go containers are perfect for tossing straight into the cooler – no repackaging necessary – and I often save and reuse them. All you really need is a tray, napkins and some wipes for easy cleanup.

We never head out without fresh fruit, cut and ready to eat. Late-summer melons, grapes and cherries are our favorites. Fruit is refreshing, hydrating and always a hit in the summer heat. Because we typically surf in the morning, MadeGood Granola Bites are a staple on board. They're not messy and, while every flavor is good, we're big fans of the Chocolate Banana.

I also love Kowalski's Signature Dips and Salsas, plus Baba's Hummus – especially the Dilly Dill Pickle flavor. For dipping, we bring Siete Tortilla Chips, TERRA Vegetable Chips, Dot's Pretzels and Baba's Pita Puffs. Nuts, olives and cheeses, prepped and ready to serve, round out our boat bites perfectly.

Photos: Belinda with her family and "boat buddies" enjoying a day on Lake Minnetonka.

Bel's Boat Bites

Here are some of my favorite snack picks for a day on the water:

• Kowalski's Signature Pimento Cheese Spread
• Baba's Pita Puffs
• Baba's Dilly Dill Pickle Hummus
• Barber's 1833 Vintage Reserve Cheddar
• Westminster Rustic Red Cheddar
• Kowalski's Fresh Mango Salsa
• Kowalski's Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels
• Dot's Homestyle Honey Mustard Pretzels
• Kowalski's Signature Queso Blanco Dip
• MadeGood Organic Chocolate Banana Granola Bites
• Kowalski's Sweet Hotties Honey Roasted Chipotle Peanuts
• Kowalski's Signature Spicy Honey Snack Mix
• Siete Grain Free Lime Tortilla Chips
• TERRA Sweets & Beets Real Vegetable Chips
• Divina Garlic Stuffed Olives
• Boar's Head Rolled Mozzarella & Prosciutto
• Mitica Crunchy Quicos Giant Corn Kernels
   

Photo stylized by Kelsey Bassett of The Board Loon. Click here to watch a step-by-step video of her putting this board together!