Another niece gets married!

Last week I flew to Utah to attend my niece Emily's wedding.  I left Tuesday and arrived in Utah Wednesday.  WHAT? 

WELL, first of all I flew Frontier...which I NEVER do unless I have to.  Lesson learned.  The extra 80 bucks to fly United would have been worth it.  Cat (yes, a freaking cat) and a dog and a screeching, and I mean, screeching kid.  Neither of the pets were service animals in case someone thinks I am rude for posting that.  Five hour layer over in Denver.  Boarded plane.  Two dogs, again, neither service animals.  Waiting.  Deplaned due to a stewardess hurting herself on a skateboard.  WTH?  My feelings exactly.  Calls into replacement, with a 2 hour window to show up.  Finally left at 2 am arriving at 3:30 am.  Car rental place closed.  Had to call my brother in law to come get me.  Luggage wasn't on carousel before he got there (30 minute drive to airport) because of limited employees. (They KNEW a flight was coming!)  Fun times.

Luckily the next morning when I went to get my rental the manager was nice and upgraded me to a convertible for a great rate.  Second time I have had that happen with Fox Rent a Car.  Will always choose them in the future.  So even though they say monetary things don't make people happy, the convertible made me super happy.  Especially because it was 90 degrees every day. 

The first two days were spent making a cake.  I enjoy doing them, but had a few minor issues, fixable, but not to my standards.  It tasted great though!

I had some great food as always.  When I travel, it really is about the food, for me at least.

First up, The SweetTooth Fairy. (Multiple locations)  BEST CUPCAKES EVER.  I have been to Magnolia and Sprinkles and they don't even compare.  The VaNIElla is by far my favorite.  Moist but not overly dense cake with the perfect amount of almond butter cream frosting.  Second best is Toasted Coconut.  Almost as good as Barefoot Contessa's was, and that is saying something.  

Red Iguana. (Downtown SLC)  Fodor's calls this one of the best Mexican restaurants in the US and I can see why.  I met my friend Jami there for lunch and I am glad we went early.  If you arrive anytime after 12:00 be prepared to wait.  

I started with Hongas Al Ajillo, which were mushrooms marinated in garlic, butter, wine and crushed red pepper.  Out of this world delicious.  The whole button mushrooms were perfectly cooked with the right amount of garlic and chile.  The flavors enhanced what is usually a bland tasting mushroom.

My main dish was Puntas de Filete a la Nortena.  OH MY WORD.  Steak, bacon, jalapeño, onion and tomatoes with an almond mole.  Perfectly cooked steak cubes and bacon were complimented by spicy jalapeno and cooling tomatoes enveloped with a creamy almond mole, which wasn't too spicy and was smooth.  Foodgasmic.

Communal.  (Provo)  The last time I went to lunch with my dear friend Laurie we went to Pizzeria 712, one of their other restaurants, so I was excited to try this farm to table , local and sustainable place.  I wasn't disappointed in anything except that I didn't get to have dinner there too.  We met after she got done running a half marathon (next time I'll run with you Laurie!) and they were serving brunch.  So of course we had to order a few items to try.  

First we had lemon-grapefruit crepes with a granola/blueberry topping.  The ricotta filling was done right. Smooth with a perfect blend of the lemon-grapefruit seasoning.  The crepes were thin and the ricotta was consistent enough to stay in the crepe without being overly runny or heavy.  The house made granola wasn't overly sweet and the accenting blueberries were plump and juicy.

Next up the Summer Vegetable Hash with Smoked Salmon and Eggs.  They smoke their salmon in house and it was sublime.  Melt in your mouth salmon with a very light, but distinct smoke and salt.  I would go back just for a slab of this smoked salmon.  Really.

The Cuban Panini with House Fries and a Bleu Cheese dipping sauce was our last dish.  How can you go wrong with a Cuban?  Turkey, cheese, pickle, and mustard on bread and pressed.  Definitely one of the better ones I have had.  And the bleu cheese sauce that accompanied the fries was just the right amount of bleu cheese, although a tad too runny.

Sakana Sushi Bar.  (West Jordan)  I love that I can take credit for turning my nieces and nephews onto sushi as this is the place I took them to eat the last time I was here.  Emily opted to dine here for bachelorette party and I was more than happy to break my Paleo diet (as if I hadn't already at this point) to enjoy some sushi.  

They start by bringing freshly steamed and salted edamame to the table.  We started with some Vegetable Tempura.  They know how to do it,  flour with soda water.  Perfect combination for a crispy exterior and soft interior.  

I choose the G2 and Hotty Rolls based on the waitresses recommendation.  The G2 was yellowtail and cucumber topped with white tuna, avocado, garlic, ponzu sauce (citrus based) and green onion.  Very mild and light flavors of the fish shined with the ponzu sauce accent, which fortunately wasn't too overwhelming.  The Hotty Roll is something I have never seen on a sushi menu and incorporated a hint of flavors from Mexico. Salmon, avocado and asparagus were topped with tuna, jalapeño, lime, eel sauce, hot sauce, and sesame seeds.  The sauces were a great mix of sweet and spicy that served to temper the spicy bite of the jalapeño and enhance the mild tuna.  Once you enjoyed that layer, your taste buds were played in a different direction with the sweeter salmon, creamy avocado and crisp asparagus.  You really couldn't go wrong with this roll.

Five Guys Burgers and Fries.  (Multiple Locations)  I was a little worried about trying this place because the last time I was here people kept telling me I had to go try In and Out because it was SO good.  Well, I was severely disappointed.  But it was late after the reception and I had already consumed way too much sugar so I decided salt should offset it, right?

I'm glad I did.  As far as fast food burgers go, Five Guys is legit.  My bacon cheeseburger (might as well go for the gusto, right?) was cooked perfectly medium rare (they way beef SHOULD be).  I loved the many options to top on the burger and they they were all, with the exception of the mushroom, fresh.  (Come on Guys, saute those babies!)  There website of course says they cook their burgers well done (just puked in my mouth) but I was pleasantly surprised to see this when I cut mine!  My BIL tells me I missed the whole experience because I didn't get Cajun fries.

Thankfully I was able to get in my CrossFit workouts while I was there, you know, to offset all of the bad eating.  Really enjoyed a few workouts at CrossFit West Jordan.  Great box..but they need an oxygen container for those of use who are used to 800 feet not 5000.  Got my arse kicked each time.  If I would have had a week there I could have come back with some serious lung capacity and killed it!

My niece got married in the Salt Lake Temple.  I don't care what you believe, but this building is beautiful and majestic, and the sacrifice behind it is not only humbling but inspiring as well.  Plus, the grounds of Temple Square are breathtaking.  Go visit there.  You won't be disappointed.  Missed snapping a few pictures of the bride because there were major issues with the decorator so another lady and I had to leave to go and try to fix it.

Return trip home was less eventful, only one dog.  And Frontier made my day when the offered me a $25.00 credit for a future flight.  Well, they can take that $25 and shove it.

As always, I really enjoyed visiting with family and can't believe how fast my nieces and nephews are growing up.  

What's cooking?

Once in a while it pays to take it easy in the kitchen.  Sometimes, not so.  But when I want to, I am very selective about they way I do it.

Spicy Marinara is one of my favorites and I came across a brand I hadn't tried while enjoyed some therapy at Whole Foods.

Spicy Marinara Penne with Prosciutto (Mine was made with julienned zucchini to stay grain free)

Rundown on the Marinara.  It was delicious.  This did not taste like canned tomato sauce.  You could tell there were quality ingrediants.  It was solid without having big chunks and too much liquid.  It wasn't as spicy as I would have preferred, but for kids it works great.  I added chopped prosciutto at the end of cooking for a little flavor fun.

Truffled Green Beans

Heirloom Grape Tomato Caprese

Caprese is easy, fast and delicious.  Slice tomatoes in half.  Diced mozzarella.  Chiffonade Basil.   Add a splash or two of olive oil and balsamic.  Season with freshly ground pepper and Maldon salt.

Raising the bar on green beans.  Steam green beans until they are tender.  Add two tablespoons butter and truffle salt to taste.  Seriously divine.  Mag.  Ni.  Fi.  Cent.  Outrageously good.

Dinner is served in 30 minutes.

What's Cooking?

Roasted Stuffed Poblanos w/Chile Tomato Sauce

2 tbsp. olive oil

1 large onion, medium dice

1 jalapeño, seeded and diced

1 clove of garlic, minced

1 pound pork sausage

1 tbsp. ground cumin

salt and pepper to taste

4 romas, seeded and diced

1 tbsp. Mexican oregano

1 c. red chile sauce (I canned my own.  Red dried chiles boiled  and reduced by 3/4, then canned.  I don't add spices until I actually use it.)

1 cup shredded cheese

Zucchini Avocado Slaw

2 medium zucchinis, shredded

Juice of one lime

1 avocado, mashed

2 tsp. cumin

1/4 c. cilantro, roughly chopped

salt and pepper to taste

Yummy, organic and fresh!  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Put a little olive oil in the bottom of a 9x13 pan.

Heat oil in large saute pan over medium heat.  Add onions and cook until they start to caramelize.

Add jalapeño and garlic, cooking for another two or so minutes until they are fragrant.  Moved vegetables from pan.

Add pork sausage and cook until almost done.

Add cumin and then vegetables.  Incorporating cumin well.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Set aside to cool slightly.

Add a little olive oil to sauce pan, and then add tomatoes.  Cook until they start to release moisture.

Add oregano and red chile sauce, and bring to a boil.  Salt and pepper to taste.

Slice the poblano without going through on the top and down the center.  Remove seeds.  Add even amounts of the pork mixture into each pepper.

Coat with tomato chile sauce, place foil over the top and bake in the oven for about 40 minutes or until the peppers are tender.

Mash avocado and thoroughly mix with lime juice, cumin and salt and pepper.   Add to zucchini and incorporate well.  Fold in zucchini.  Cover until you are ready to use it.

When the timer is almost up for the peppers, preheat the broiler.  Remove the foil, top with cheese and broil until golden brown.

Salt and pepper to taste and enjoy!

What's Cooking?

Cod w/Herbs en Papillote

2 pounds cod

1/2 c. fresh thyme and chive

2 tbsp. olive oil

salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Place cod on parchment in sheet pan.  Sprinkle herbs, olive oil and salt and pepper on fish.  Top with another parchment and fold edges together.

About 10 minutes after you have started the vegetables, place pan in oven.  Cook for about 15-20 minutes depending on thickness of cod.

Broccoli and Carrots with Vermouth Butter Sauce and Parsley

2 head broccoli, slice into medium pieces

6 carrots, thinly diagonally sliced 

2 tbsp. olive oil

1/2 c. vermouth

3 tbsp. butter

1/4 c. freshly minced parsley

salt and pepper to taste

Heat olive oil in large sauté pan over medium heat.  Add carrots and broccoli, cooking until crisp tender.  Add vermouth reducing by half, then add butter and parsley, and salt and pepper to taste.

Lemon Wild Rice

Cook wild rice according to directions.  At the end of cooking add juice of 1-2 lemons, zest of one lemon and 3 tbsp. butter.  Pepper to taste.  I used two lemons, but I really enjoy the flavor of lemon shining through.

What's Cooking?

Jalapeño Quinoa

Grilled Pork Loin Chops with Chipotle Peach Sauce

Grilled Zucchini

What's cooking...

Eggs on a sidewalk, that's what.  Not really, but I think I am going to try that today...just to see.  Because as I said before, it is stinking hot!

We decided on BBQ for the 4th with a little twist.  

BBQ Brick Chicken

Steamed Green Beans with Herb Butter

Corn Bread

Watermelon, Cherry and Blueberry Salad

Lemonade

Preheat grill over medium.  Cut the back bone out of two organic chickens.  Salt and pepper well.  Push down along breast bone so they are flattened.

Place chicken, breast side up, on grill, keeping temperature around 350-375 degrees.  Place sheet pan with stones or foil wrapped stones on top of the chicken.  Cook 20 minutes, checking once in a while to make sure the heat isn't burning the skin.

BBQ Sauce.  I don't think I want to share this recipe.  Kyle said this time I nailed it.  I added something a little different and I just might have to enter this in a contest.  Maybe someday I will share it, but until then feel free to invite yourself over for dinner.

I will say this.  There are 7 ingredients, all gluten free, no corn syrup, all organic and natural.  

Might as well teach them young how to snap the ends off beans...I see some Dilly Beans in my canning future.

Herb butter...1 stick butter, 1/2 c. mixed herbs (chive, thyme, rosemary, basil, parsley and sage), 1 tbsp. sea salt and freshly ground pepper.

Cornbread.  You can't beat this recipe, unless of course you use freshly ground non-gmo and gluten free corn for cornmeal, which I happen to do!  Replace all of the flour with the freshly ground cornmeal.  Also, I use about half of the sugar called for, and I slather butter all over it right when it comes out of the oven.  Everything really is better with butter.  

After 20 minutes turn the chicken and slather with BBQ sauce.  Cook for another 5-10 minutes, turn an repeat with the sauce, slathering and turning every few minutes so the sauce really absorbs into the meat.

Perfection!

Steam 2 pounds fresh green beans and the coat with the herb butter.  

What's cooking?

Another new favorite...

BBQ Shrimp Salad

1 pound shrimp, tail on.

3/4 c. bbq sauce  (I make my own, and every time it is a little different.  I need to write down the base at some point!)

6 cups mixed romaine and spinach greens

1 avocado, diced

1-2 tbsp. olive oil

1/2 lemon

freshly ground pepper

Heat grill to medium high heat.  Mix shrimp with all but 1/4 c. bbq sauce.  Add to grill and cooking 3-5 minutes until shrimp is done.  Set aside to cool slightly and remove tails.

Mix remaining bbq sauce with olive oil, depending on taste.  Add shrimp and avocado to greens, then juice lemon and pepper to taste.

Absolutely delicious and perfect for a hot day!

What's cooking?

It has been awhile since I have posted about food, but let me assure you that I have been eating, and cooking, albeit minimally with our recent baseball schedule and the temperatures outside.  My garden has been overflowing with salad greens and now with green beans so I have a feeling you will be seeing a lot of that.

Caprese (or as I call it, my one a day keep the doctor away lunch!)

Ingredients for this make it or break it.  Here are mine:

One large Hassevoort Farms tomato.  (Des Moines Farmers Market)

1/2 round of mozzarella from Lucca (Des Moines Farmers Market)

1/4 c. julienned fresh basil

2 tbsp. Williams Sonoma 25 year aged Balsamic Vinegar

Freshly ground pepper and Fleur de Sel.

Cut the mozzarella into dice.  Cut the tomato into 6 thick slices, then quarter.  Want to know what makes it even better?  Eating it while sitting in the hammock for the start of your afternoon siesta.  The heat from the sun makes the flavors really come through...I promise!

Good food, great friend, and me time.

My Mother's Days gift to myself was a trip to Denver to see my dear friend Chelsea.  I left early, and I mean early, Friday morning and got in late Monday night.  I love Denver, it feels like my home away from home even though I haven't lived there since 1996.  I went a lot while Kyle was in law school, but since in Iowa (7 years this June) I haven't been back so I was long overdue.

One might assume that this would be DIA, but it was DSM.  At 5:45 in the morning.  When it is usually never busy.  With a hour long security line.  Long story short, was going to miss my flight, but they delayed four flights due to the long line and made it.  Phew!

Might as well have a nice ride too.  This was my car for the trip.  Loved having a convertible...I might just have to get me one of those!  And yes, it did corner like it was on rails.

My friend Chelsea.  She lives in Loveland so we spent the first day eating in Ft. Collins.

First food stop was at la Creperie in Ft. Collins.  It was a quaint little breakfast and lunch spot that was delicious.  I started with the French Onion soup.  The only miss was that the normal Gruyere was replaced by Swiss cheese.  But the soup was excellent, even with the abundance of bread inside.

The great thing about this menu is that it has an extensive gluten free selection.  I chose the crab, asparagus and scallion cream les Galette (made with buckwheat!).  The crepe was perfectly cooked.  The crab and asparagus were fresh and the scallion cream was light enough that it didn't over power the mild, but sweet crab.  Perfect.

I certainly couldn't pass up on a pear tart even though I was full.  I love when someone knows how to cook a tart without the pastry getting soggy.  The pastry was crisp  yet the filling and the pear were moist and creamy.

A little pamper time after brunch.  I took this picture because they did something I have never had done before.  Instead of dipping your foot in the paraffin (um, yuck) they put the paraffin in bags and then wrapped your hands and feet in them.  Pretty feet and hands and we were ready to take on the town.

I hadn't been to Menchie's frozen yogurt but it is a favorite of Chelsea's.  I never would have thought that strawberry lemonade sorbet and cheesecake bites would go well together, but they did!

We met another dear friend Karen for dinner at Taverna Greek Grill.  I love Greek food and the last time I had it was in Indianapolis.  

We started out with a few things.  First was Mezze, a collection of four spreads.  My favorite was the Tyrokefteri, a mixture of feta, jalapeño and chili peppers.  It was delicious.  

An interesting take on Dolmades...they were warm and delicious.  The lemon cream sauce was smooth and perfectly seasoned.

Saganaki.  Opa!!!  Need I say more?  Sorry I missed getting the flames.

Lamb Souvlaki accompanied by grilled vegetables and lemon potatoes.  The lamb was perfectly tender and moist.  Absolutely divine.

The next morning we ate at Sophia's in Loveland.  An unexpected surprise.  Although our wait was longer than we would have appreciated  (a server didn't show), the meal was worth it.  I can't, can't, can't pass up on a Benedict.  Their menu had quite a variety so I opted for the Portobello Benedict.  Marinated and grilled portabello with spinach, roasted tomato, prosciutto, poached eggs and hollandaise.  This was another restaurant that had an extensive gluten free menu as well and I opted for a GF muffin.  It was delightfully moist but firm enough to stand up to the mushroom and sauce.  It was worth every calorie.

After breakfast we headed to Denver.  We stayed at the always elegant and fun Hotel Monaco which I highly recommend.  In the past I have chosen this or Hotel Teatro.  Either of those two are in LoDo and perfectly situated for whatever venue you choose during your stay whether it is Coors Field or the Performing Arts Complex.  

Off to dinner at Rioja.  I am almost without words.  Excellent comes to mind.

I started with the Thai scallops.  Accompanied by a lemon panna cotta, coconut kaffir lime puree and Thai red  curry vinaigrette, the scallop was by far the BEST I have ever had.  It was a large divers, and cooked perfectly.  The sauces worked well together to offset the sweetness of the scallop.  The smooth panna cotta complimented the texture of the scallop without making you feel like there were too many things going on in your palette.  Absolute perfection.

I also couldn't pass up on the asparagus and spring garlic soup.  Lightly dressed with a lemon creme fraiche and accompanied by crispy spring garlic.  The soup was smooth the asparagus shined.

Chelsea chose the artichoke tortellini.  House made pasta with a goat cheese and artichoke mousse with artichoke broth was delicious.  The pasta was tender and the mouse smooth.  The artichoke flavor was bold despite the usual goat cheese presence that happens in so many dishes.

I know I have already said best, but really, THE BEST DUCK I HAVE EVER HAD.  Perfectly seared, perfectly medium rare, and perfectly moist to the point that it melted in your mouth.  The chef must be a fan of lemon, who can blame her, as the base was a lemon mascarpone polenta with honey haricot vert, cherries and a cocoa nib demi glace.  The glade was light, smooth and worked well with the duck.  Amazing.

Chelsea choose the Petaluma chicken with grilled artichokes, black truffle creme fraiche, arugula and fingerling potato salad.  She assured me it was moist and delicious.  In fact, she was pretty close to licking the plate for every last drop of the fine herbs pan jus.

I had been watching Stub Hub for tickets to Wicked as Chelsea had never been.  The show was at 7:30 p.m. and around 3:00 I finally decided to purchase them.  Tickets in the center orchestra, 10 rows from the stage...any guesses?  $75.00 each.  They were going for $325.00 last week!  Woo hoo.  Loved, loved, loved it.

Late night hotel room service.  An interesting take on a cannoli.  Lemon mascarpone in a honey cannoli shell with blueberry compote.  The cannoli shell was really tuile, but worked quite well with the light whipped mascarpone.  A traditional cannoli wouldn't have paired well, so this hit the spot.

Oh Snooze, I love thee so, how do I count the ways?  Um, wow.  Wow.  Wow.  The menu is quite lovely.  Of course I opted for a Benedict, but because I couldn't decide between the savory Benny Del Mar, with crap and asparagus on a corn griddle cake, and the OMG! French Toast, a wonderfully sweet brioche stuffed with mascarpone and topped with vanilla creme, salted caramel and toasted coconut, I was able to half each of the dishes.  Benedict was perfect, as was the cream cheese hollandaise which is a break from the traditional egg and butter based, but the French Toast.  The description doesn't do it justice.  Soft and pillowy with a crisp exterior, the brioche is the only way to make a decent french toast.  The sauces combined well, and surprisingly didn't overpower one another.  I thought I might be having dessert, but the Benedict evened it out.  Out of this world delicious.  

Well, the trip couldn't be perfect.  But while walking back to the hotel the Colfax marathon was in progress.  A far cry from Chicago, there were not fans lining the streets and I didn't see any aid stations.  So instead of being insanely jealous I stood on the street and cheered them on.  Shame on you Denver for not supporting the runners!

We got to enjoy the Yves Saint Laurent exhibit at the Denver Art Museum.  The only venue in the US made this even more exciting.  What a visionary man. His styles in the 40 years of haute couture mirror clothing that we will continue to see in the next  40 years.  His creativity, passion and love for the female form were evident in the 200 garments that were on display.  Such a neat experience and one I would highly recommend, regardless of where you buy your clothing.  

We hit up another LoDo spot for lunch after the museum.  Freshcraft, more widely known for its beer lists, also has a wonderfully eclectic menu.  What made me really not want to pass up on this little restaurant was that the owner is from Iowa.  Why not support a local grown?   I started with the avocado salad, an interesting combination of sesame marinated noodles with avocado, cabbage, radicchio and a honey vinaigrette. 

Next up was my order of cocoa chili marinated Crimini Tacos.  Topped with a slaw and tequila lime emulsion there were light, flavorful and perfect for the hot day.  Bonus?  They were vegan!

Chelsea chose the Quinoa cakes.  Quinoa and vegetables with a creamy zucchini corn sauté and salad were light and flavorful.  The only miss was the lack of seasoning on the quinoa cake.  

This Marinated Tofu lettuce wrap was a perfect end to the day at Asian Cafe in Loveland.  We had eating so much with breakfast and lunch that we weren't hungry until later so we opted for one of Chelsea's favorite places.  The tofu was firm but deliciously seasoned and finished with pine nuts and chives.

She told me the teriyaki was good and she was right.  The beef was super tender and the teriyaki was not too sweet, which I admire and which is also quite rare.  

Yeah, the breakfast at Snooze was so good I had to go again before I left.  This time I got traditional Benedict, which was equally good, and of course, the french toast.  I wonder if they are interesting in franchising?  This would be perfect in downtown.

Great food, great friends and me.  I had a wonderful time and am looking forward to our 40th birthday celebration.  

Oh, and the wait at DIA coming home?  7 minutes.   Unbelievable.