World's Best Cook Book

I found it. The world's best cook book (or at least the best one on my bookshelf):

Cooking with Vegetables and Fruits IN SEASON by Sarah Raven

The book takes you through the seasons by month, highlighting which fruits and veggies are at their prime when. Um - brilliant. I guess the downside is, if your recipe doesn't turn out, you can't blame it on your veggies being bad... another thing some people might view as a downside is, the author is clearly a dump and pour cook and writes her directions that way, so if you're looking for step by step and very specific instructions, you might be a little frustrated. But, as a fellow dump and pour cook, I'd like to focus on why this book rocks: 

- Beautiful pictures! Which, come on, everyone knows a cook book is really all about the pictures anyway. Daydreaming about what your meal COULD look like. It's like flipping through Glamour magazine - you can read all the articles you want, but really you're just looking at the models in the ads thinking, "this is what I COULD be if I read this article." I don't think anyone every really believes this, but I guess it's just our instinct that says we have to imagine it's true. I digress

- Awesomely unique recipes. I just tried one out on my brave husband and it turned out really good:

Orange Pasta (I know, right?)

8 Ounces Tagliatelle (aka linguine - I used bowtie pasta)

1/4 Cup Heavy Cream (how can anything not be good with this?)

1 garlic clove, crushed and peeled but left whole

Juice and grated zest of 1 orange

Grated zest of 1/2 lemon

Salt and Pepper

2 Tbsp Brandy (I left this out)

3 Tbsp Butter

5 Ounces Parmesan cheese, grated plus a little extra for garnishing

- Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until just al dente

- When it is cooking, heat the cream with the garlic and bring to a boil for a minute. Remove the garlic and add the orange and lemon zest, some salt and plenty of pepper, then remove the pan from the heat to allow the cream to steep in these flavors for about 10 minutes 

- Add the orange juice, brandy, butter, and Parmesan, and toss with the drained hot pasta

- Garnish with a little more Parmesan cheese and add salt and plenty of pepper. 

It was tasty and really really easy! Next time, I'm going to add some greens in there - maybe some asparagus and peas or something. mmm

I made a rhubarb tart from the book too, but we haven't tried it yet and I'd be lying if I said I was a great baker (refer to "dump and pour" title... doesn't work with baking so much), so we'll see how it works out!

The Salt Lake Roasting Company

Every time I'm in Salt Lake, I make it a point to stop at the Salt Lake Roasting Company because it is the epitome of what a locally owned shop could be.

Here's the skinny:
The owners travel all over the world in search of the perfect cup of joe and then bring their findings back to stick up on their menu. From third world countries, to renowned coffee meccas. Meaning, if you're into the order-a-cup-of-"specialty"-coffee-but-it-still-tastes-like-all-the-other-available-coffees-on-the-menu type of experience, you might not be keen on the SLRC. BUT, if you are looking for a caffeine experience, this is your place.

I say "experience" because it's a little bit of a crapshoot when you go in. At a place like Starbucks, you know exactly what the coffee's going to taste like. Here, you choose from a menu that's not neccessarily the most user-friendly thing (this is my favorite thing about local stores...they don't quite have it all figured out the way chains do. and it's wonderful). Feel free to ask the staff questions, but I have heard them say "I don't know" more than is comforting... So, you kind-of choose blindly. Which is fun. If you're not afraid to end up with a cup of coffee that's so strong it stains the cup (and your teeth) black immediately. I mean, with a slogan like "coffee without compromise," you're kind-of sacrificing yourself to the bean gods when you go in.

And now, the atmosphere:
My next favorite thing about locally owned stores is that they don't have much conformity. The dishes don't match, the chairs and tables don't match, the food menu's written on a blackboard that could change at the drop of a hat (p.s. you don't go to the SLRC for food. Just a heads-up. Eat beforehand. Or bring a granola bar). The building is incredible. An old warehouse type of place with a great main level, an awesome staircase right in the middle that every girl wishes she had in her house during high school when she walked downstairs in her prom dress to make her dates knees buckle, and the perfect amount of loft space above. I'd bet money that anyone who has ever walked in there for the first (or hundreth) time has thought, "wow, I've never wanted to be a writer before, but suddenly I have this urge to start a novel just so I can come in here every morning, nest up, and let this java aura help me create a masterpiece." That's the type of atmosphere it is.

And finally, the people:
I don't get the impression that the SLRC is meant for large social gatherings... I might be wrong. I've noticed it more as a place where the SLC introverts can all get together to be alone. So, if you're looking for a place to cozy up to your neighbor, you might want to skip this one. But, if you're looking for a place to write that masterpiece, you might want to take a few writing classes first, but then maybe try your luck at the SLRC.

Kaki King

I have not been able to pull away from my radio since Saturday because of this little discovery (thanks for the intro, Terry!). If you haven't heard Kaki King - stop EVERYTHING you're doing and turn it up. 

This woman is incredible! I've always been partial to the using-a-guitar-for-percussion, but I'm pretty sure I only dreamt about how cool that could really be. 

Her playing and style is highlighted in the movie "August Rush," which I remember totally digging when I saw that flick (even though the story line was ridiculously hokey). 

I can't even write anymore because every word I type is distracting me from squeezing every drop of good listening out of this ear nectar. You're doing yourself a serious disservice by still reading this. Stop it and go listen!

Tasty Little Rimini

After a long journey snowshoeing in Beaver Creek, we stumbled upon this confectionary heaven: Rimini Chocolate. If the fresh, untouched snow on the mountains does it for you, just wait till you see the fresh mounds of gelato displayed to artistic perfection in this little shop. 

I love love love the creativity they use to strut their stuff - I mean hello? Why wouldn't you want to see an entire pineapple cascading down it, or a cute little mug full of pistachios nestled amongst it staring at you saying "you see that glorious gelato right here? I'm a feature in it!" It definitely helps make your decision easy to get gelato (not necessarily which flavor to get though..)

 

Of course you immediately get distracted when the staff brings out a fresh batch of their handmade chocolates, each handled like they were little diamonds right off the smoothing belt. I needed one of each of them, and I don't even like chocolate that much! Thank goodness for the boy, who insisted that I only needed one flavor. 

Now maybe it is because I don't love chocolate, but I do have to admit, it looked way too good for how it tasted. Don't get me wrong, it tasted fine, but when you see the classiest lady you've ever seen before in your life, and then she burps just like everybody else... you just can't help but be a little bit disappointed. I expected/hoped this chocolate to be universes above any other chocolate out there. I mean, it had glitter on it for Pete's sake! 

But don't even get me started on their hot chocolate. If your goal is to sing The Beatles' "Baby You're a Rich Man" with every sip of your choc, this is for you. I couldn't get past the first verse it was so creamy. 

So, even with a slight chocolate deceit, you get a thumbs up, Rimini

My Epiphany

I went out to sushi with a girlfriend the other day. She was recently laid off due to her company "scaling down" (who isn't scared of that these days?) and was up in Boulder for an interview. 

Allow me to set the stage: This girl is the most on-top-of-her-game planner I've ever known. I'm guessing that she had her 10-year plan calculated out by the time she was 8 and could rattle off her list of experiences and qualifications at the same time she learned to rattle off her alphabet. 

I've known her while she was at this past company - during which time she got married and started getting excited to have kids. She stopped herself from being excited though because the company didn't have a great maternity plan or great insurance overall for the first several years of hire, plus she wanted to save up more money, etc. before starting a family so her kids could live more comfortably. So she looked forward to the day when she could truly do what she wanted to do and trudged through the daily mud this company brought into her life in the meantime. 

But here's the shocker - She was a completely different person when I had lunch with her this past week. I've never seen somebody in such a potentially depressing situation look so bright. She explained to me how it all of a sudden hit her when she was forced to quit that job that her priorities were off. That job was holding her back from doing what she truly wanted to do in life. She realized that things can change in a heartbeat and that 10-year plans never turn out how we intend them to. (that's what I call "God's sense of humor") 

So what if she didn't have the money to buy the Lexus of baby cribs? So what if her next job wasn't going to make her the queen of everything? She was ready to enjoy day to day, which she hadn't experienced once at this past company. 

It was inspirational to hear - how many things in our own lives are we doing because we feel like we should be doing them? and how many of those things are actually holding us back from doing what we really want to be doing? And what will it take to get us to re-prioritize? It shouldn't have to be as drastic as losing a job, right? 

Anyway, the real moral is: it's amazing what you can learn over sushi. 

Baked Bell Peppers

I LOVE this recipe. A super flavorful mix of sweet and a mild spicy. Takes a lot of ingredients and some time (it does get much quicker the second, etc time you make it...), but it's totally worth it! 

I've made it a handful of times for different people and have always gotten the same response (which usually consists of, "I figured since you're vegetarian, dinner would be bland. And I've had stuffed peppers before and they ARE bland. But these are incredible") and requests for seconds. It's awesome (the actual recipe AND the compliments). You'll make insta-friends. Money-back guarantee - I'll pay for your groceries if you don't

1 1/2 cups vegetable broth

pinch of saffron

1 1/3 cups brown rice

6 tbsp pine nuts

1 onion, finely chopped (I've never actually put an onion in mine... the boy's "sensitive to onions" ;)

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

3/4 cup cooked chickpeas, drained

1/4 cup raisins

1/4 cup dried apricots, soaked in water, drained and chopped

1 tbsp flat-leaf parsley, chopped

4 large red bell peppers, halved and deseeded, stalks in tact

4 tbsp balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons honey

salt and freshly ground pepper

Smoked Almond Dukkah (p.s. who in the world knows what dukkah is??)

1/4 cup smoked almonds

1 tbsp sesame seeds

1 tbsp coriander seeds

1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds

salt and freshly cracked pepper

1. Preheat over to 400 degrees.

2. Gently heat the vegetable broth in a pan and infuse the saffron in it for 4-5 minutes. Add the rice and simmer, covered, for 20-25 minutes until the rice is tender and all the broth has been absorbed

3. Heat 3 tablespoons of the oil in a large nonstick skillet, add the pine nuts, and cook over a low heat until golden; remove and set aside.

4. Heat the remaining 3 tablespoons of oil in the pan, add the onion, and cook until lightly golden. Add the ground coriander, cumin, chickpeas, raisins and apricots and cook for 1 minute.

5. Stir in the rice and chopped parsley and season to taste

6. Fill the pepper halves with the prepared pilau (rice mixture) and place in a large roasting pan

7. Mix together the vinegar, honey and 1/2 cup of water, then pour that mixture into the base of the roasting pan (I usually do this while the rice is cooking just to save on time)

8. Place the pan in the oven and cook for 35-40 minutes

9. For the smoked almond dukkah: heat a dry skillet and, when hot, add the almonds and seeds and toast for 30 seconds, stirring all the time. Transfer to a mortar and crush with a pestle, but not too finely, and season (and I do this while the peppers are cooking just to save on time)

10. When the peppers are cooked, remove to four serving plates, sprinkle liberally with the dukkah, whisk the pan cooking juices and pour over the peppers.

The Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant

So, you know it's bad when even a vegetarian is afraid to go into an all-vegetarian restaurant. I have to be honest here, good veggie restaurants are very very few and far between.

I can literally count on one hand the ones I've been to that I would not only go back, but recommend to non-vegetarians.

The Leaf is at the top of that list. The first time I went in (yes, not only am I recommending it... I've since been there MULTIPLE times), I was very hesitant. My now husband took me there on a date - so proud to prove that he can take care of me because he knew where this restaurant was where I could eat anything on the menu. (side note - I've been on a lot of these types of dates in the past and 9 out of 10 times, I actually prefer to go to any old restaurant and just choose the one veggie item they have... makes ordering MUCH easier and it's usually better food...but it IS cute that the guys think they're doing me a huge favor...)

Anyway, I was immediately impressed by the decor. It didn't look like most vegetarian places - where you can tell that they want it to look organic and natural...and it usually ends up looking like you'll be eating dinner in a barn.

The Leaf was very classy. And the menu had some really fun items on it - nothing too interesting, which is a great thing for meat-eaters visiting. People are afraid of vegetarian restaurants. They always feel so foreign. Shoot - I'm afraid of vegetarian restaurants, in case I haven't made that point obvious enough yet. 

The Leaf doesn't feel like that at all. And the food is excellent. I've never been unhappy with my order there.

Even the vegan - yes, vegan - desserts are tasty.

The Mollies

...and speaking of Becky Jean (this is actually how I really found her blog) - I love love love her band, The Mollies. I posted about them on my other blog, but allow me re-emphasize that they're music is just dreamy.

I'm not typically a fan of female vocalists, especially bright ones like these, but there's something about this band (the lyrics? the combination of voices?) that just really gets me right where it counts. Wonderful stuff. 

What's Easier than a Pet Fish?

I found Becky Jean's blog through a string of other blogs and landed on this post.

She wanted a goldfish and couldn't make it work, so her sister made her a goldfish mobile out of felt that "swims" when a breeze comes through the window. How brilliant is that? Seriously.

Blue Skies

I've spent my fair share of time wandering the Pearl Street shops and somehow had never once gone into Blue Skies. To be honest, I'd never even heard of it... and then we found out that our neighbor, Mary Jo, co-owns it!

Mary Jo is awesome. Great person, was super friendly and hospitable from the first day we moved in next to her. We at least owed it to her to visit her store. (I hate to admit it, but we really did think we were doing her a favor by going out of our ever so busy way to see her store). And it was NOT a mistake! Blue Skies is a darling little boutique store with a great, eclectic range of products.

They have I think the funniest greeting cards I've ever seen. Pee your pants funny, but with a twinge of "hmm...let's philosophize on that for a minute" mixed in. And just to warn you, I went in one day looking for a gift and came out with a new calendar for myself. It's that type of store... be prepared.

Potager Restaurant

The boy and I took an idea from one of his friends, where we schedule an evening once a month to have dinner together and ONLY talk about our relationship. We're not allowed to bring up anything that we would talk about in a day-to-day manner (have you paid that bill, how should we decorate our family room...)

Even though we've been together for a short period of time and are still considered "honeymooners," these Life Dinners have been incredible! What a great way to check in on each other and see what could be strengthened in our already awesome relationship. It's also a great time to put your defenses down. Anything goes. That's why we always try to find a place where we feel like they wouldn't be too upset if we started throwing food at each other...

Anyway, we discovered Potager in downtown Denver awhile back and try to get down there as often as possible for our life dinners because it's truly a great atmosphere and staff to set the stage for this special date.

Three things that we love about Potager:

1. The management and staff is out of this world. It's a family-owned and run restaurant and it's clear that they treat all of their employees like family. On our first visit, they had just published and were selling an anniversary book for the restaurant. We were blown away to see that they had put pictures and descriptions of each member of their staff in this book that clearly cost a bit of money.

Think about that - the turn-over rate in the average restaurant is probably less than a few months! What a commitment to highlight these people that might not even be there as soon as the booklet's published. Reading through the booklet, however, proved that their staff has no intention of leaving. It's too great of a place and they've all created a family there.

2. The menu is simple but innovative. All of their ingredients are from local farms (some even from the garden in the back of the restaurant!) They have a truly expert sense of cooking with fresh ingredients and pairing flavors. The menu changes sometimes as frequently as every month - serving only what's in its prime season. Makes it even easier to find excuses to go there regularly. 

3. Potager has a way of making it's customers feel like family, too. We're on their mailing list, so every time they change the menu, we get a mailed copy of the new one (GREAT marketing tool, by the way). We read it, drool for awhile, and then schedule a trip to Denver to try out their new fare. The intimite and casual dining room has a great feel and we're always greeted with huge smiles. Who wouldn't want to eat dinner in this type of setting?

Of course my humble opinion, but it's the best restaurant in Denver. Hands-down. You'd be foolish to think otherwise... just my humble opinion. 

Becoming a Boulderite

It's hard to know where to start a blog... So, I guess I'll start with the first thoughts of creating this blog.

It was when I was recently engaged to a guy who LOVES to live. It's what I adore the most about him. I've always felt I've done a good job at getting the most out of every day, but it was immediately obvious that our life together would amplify what you actually could get out of every day. Who knew??

These days, my mind's full of yummy descriptions and discoveries that I feel I could spend a lifetime organizing and relaying. Restaurants, travel sites, music, art... finally, I woke up this morning ready to explode - knowing I had to at least try to get my musings down on paper.

So, thanks for coming to visit! I hope you return lots and contribute your thoughts to this blog's yumminess.