Around the World in 80 Plates

May 9, 2012

Today, in Denver, you can watch the premier of Bravo‘s latest food-focused show, Around the World in 80 Plates, with one of the contestants, local chef Jenna Johansen. The viewing party begins promptly at 8 p.m. at the Ice House Tavern (1801 Wynkoop Street). Jenna tells me she will be joined by family and friends, her mother included who designed and had Team Jenna t-shirts printed. Jenna is excited to represent Denver and promises that this first episode, filmed in London, will give away the true food experience that this city can offer and the competitiveness of the show. A peak and preview available here – showing off an opinionated Jenna (I would not expect anything less) and her views on the kidney pie made by another contestant. The Bravo show features 12 chefs from across the country, Jenna among them, of course. In each episode, the chefs travel to a city to learn the local culture and food as they compete in cooking challenges. Ultimately, they face-off in a kitchen takeover where they are expected to reinvent the menus for world-renowned restaurants and their demanding owners. From the previews and details, it seems like the Amazing Race had a love … Continue reading →

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How to get your picture in the Washington Post

May 4, 2012

When I woke up on Wednesday morning, the social media was already on the ball and passed along the fact that my picture was in the Washington Post in the Lifestyle section in this article: Local wine conference reaches peak in Colorado by Dave McIntyre.  I won’t lie, I liked it. Here is how you make that happen:  Step 1: you attend a local wine conference in Denver invited by a friend- mine was this cool girl- Jess Hunter. Step 2: you participate in the Twitter taste-off with like-minded friends who make it a fun adventure.  Step 3: you scramble at the end to try to decide your number one favorite wine so you give your top two choices one more chance. Notice two glasses- those were my top two choices.  Step 4: you stay playful and have a sense of humor with your double-fisting pose.  Step 5: stand back and relax. Someone might send you your picture from a random article  like the one I showed up on in the Washington Post. 

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Not About St. Patrick’s Day

March 12, 2012

It is spring and small green leaves are beginning to peak out of the sea of brown that was winter in Denver. Green is the color this week not just because of spring but because of St. Patrick’s Day, a holiday I dread most for a variety of reasons- I have no trace of Irish in my family, I loathe the commercialized green beer aspect of it, and well, it is the day my father passed away so there is nothing to celebrate for me. Frankly, I just pretend it doesn’t happen every year and do my best not to be annoyed with the chaos. This year, I caved. And I caved for three reasons: a good cause, an insistent friend, and a recipe I wanted to share. The cause: a fundraiser benefitting the St. Baldrick Foundation March 16 at Fado’s Irish Pub. This, I hear, is the largest volunteer-driven fundraising event for childhood cancer research. [ let me mention that my father died of cancer.] At this event, thousands of volunteers shave their heads in solidarity of children with cancer while requesting donations of support from friends and family. The goal this year is $225,000 and Fadó Irish Pub will … Continue reading →

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12 in 2012, including Sous Vide!

January 13, 2012

I am not a fan of resolutions. I find it highly unrealistic to make sudden drastic changes, so I won’t ‘resolve.’ I did, however, make a list of goals- one that I can look at on my vanity mirror every day to remind myself of the path I am hoping to walk on in 2012. And I wanted to share them with you. Ditch the Jesus complex. There is a weird trend in my head that urges me to perpetually try to save and change people. I can’t, I know that. But somehow I still try under the pretense that I need to know that I did all I could. No mas. I may love you and support you unconditionally, but I cannot save you- not this year.

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Make a Wish, Make It Happen

January 3, 2012

Biting into what was supposed to be some of Denver’s best fried chicken, I wished it away – another let-down. I wished it would have been brined. I wished the breading had some flavor, any flavor. I wished it was a tad saltier. I wished it had the guts not to have any breading at all aka Momofuku fried chicken. I wished I could close my eyes and exchange mediocrity for a mouthful of another one of David Chang’s version of a dish that both breaks the rules and amazes the senses. Wishes don’t always come true. Last time I strongly wished something away and something else in return was on a trip to California. This was supposed to be relaxing. A weekend away – no kids, no husbands, no laptops- just my best friend and the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs. The mandatory spa moment arrived. Instead of that blissful glance at warm fine sand, a breeze over my mostly naked body, and tan and ripped massage therapist, I found myself in a motel room with Magda, a short stockey middle-aged Polish lady, wearing too much eye shadow. Staring at old carpet, shielding my eyes from the bright neon … Continue reading →

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Happily Eating Ribeye

December 20, 2011

He had her at charcoal grilled ribeye. She cut into the still sizzling steak, a perfect bite of mesquite-flavored Iowa meat, perfectly outfitted with nearly melted marbly-fat. It was a simple dish and a simple preparation but it revealed her future. The man knew his meat. He cooked. He walked two stories from his rented apartment to a cheap grill pilled up with hot mesquite coals thinking this was the only way to cook a well-selected cut. She thought that was the only way too.

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Shop Local: Holiday Food Guide

November 25, 2011

A year ago I posted a local holiday food gift list here which I still love and encourage you to consult. I am back with more – 10 more – because Colorado local food can be amazing. In the last year, our food scene has gotten more vibrant- we are supporting food artisans, encouraging farmers, celebrating passionate cooks. So this Black Friday, stay local in Colorado and keep it in (or around) the kitchen. 1. The Sweet Tooth: Hellimae’s Salt Caramels Why: Taste one and you won’t have to ask why. They are outstanding, an addictive handcrafted combination of sugar and butter often infused with bold flavors like aromatic cardamom and deep coffee and a hint of sea salt that brings perfect balance to your bite. Ellen Daehnick works her magic in the kitchen and creates caramels that melt in your mouth in a chewy velvet form that always leaves you wanting more. Get the variety pack for a full experience.

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On Loss and Support – and an Auction

August 26, 2011

You do not understand. Neither do I. You have no way of understanding what someone is going through day-to-day or in critical circumstances. The more you accept that you can’t understand, the better support system you will become and the more rewarding you will find the relationship. Don’t pretend to understand – empathize but acknowledge that you will never fully get it. On August 7, a Sunday, Jennifer Perillo of In Jenny’s Kitchen- wife, mother, writer, cook, and so much more- lost her husband. Suddenly, outside, his heart stopped beating. No warnings, no signs – a brusque and brutal change in reality. Two little girls lost their father – Isabella is 8, Virginia is 3. Jennifer and Mikey spent the last 16 years of their lives together. And on a Sunday evening, the routine of a beautiful family came to a screeching halt. For them, a time to mourn. For us, a time to reflect and ponder how to best help. I don’t know what Jennifer Perillo is going through. I can imagine it is the seven rings of hell. I can imagine it is heart-wrenching. I can imagine it is crushing. I can imagine that she is hopeless in … Continue reading →

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Read Now: How Italian Food Conquered the World

May 30, 2011

Any food writer knows who John Mariani is. Much-loved folks in the industry have mixed feelings toward him. I had just read Mariani’s blunt review of Grant Achatz’s new memoir, Life On The Line, and all the back-and-forth that ensued following that (like this article and this oneand this one). I also had just finished Bourdain’s Medium Raw; there were no nice words for Mariani there either. And I had SaltySeattle‘s tweet stuck in my head; she declared : “he is a self-aggrandizing idiot who lives under a rock.” I do respect Achatz. And Bourdain. And love Linda. I was now curious. I am intrigued by a controversial character. I have a special place in my heart for talented people who are unaffected by criticism. And I respect anyone with a career as impressive as Mariani’s. You have to hand it to him. No one gets where he is without talent and serious hard work. April 7 in Boulder. Me- standing by the bar waiting for a friend. Mariani – by the hostess’ table holding nothing more than a glass of water. He looked like his picture- an older man with potentially grumpy tendencies – (stereotyping, I know). Frasca hosted … Continue reading →

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Lent, Easter, a Better Use for Eggs

April 23, 2011

It is a blur but somehow between severe headaches, stress, and old masochistic tendencies, I decided to give up alcohol for Lent. I know – why? I am not religious. I’m more ‘food’ than ‘wine,’ but still love a the right wine pairing with the right dish. I lust over a clever mixed drink. Rational reasons aside, I decided and I found myself too invested to stray from my commitment. God knows I am stubborn enough to spite myself for 6+ weeks. 46 days of not drinking (not that I was counting or anything) proved to be more difficult than the 7ish months of no alcohol while I was pregnant. Now I have a toddler and need a drink. But that was not all. This time, I literally didn’t taste alcohol at all. Not one sip. Not a sniff. Nothing. And all the while I found myself at some of the most tempting culinary events, some of the best dinners, and some of the hottest bars. Ironic. But the wait is over and make-up for lost time can be sweet. To keep with the religious theme, from now until June 12 – Pentecost Sunday- it will be a party, complete … Continue reading →

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