Grilling Favorites

Sausage and Pepper Sandwiches from Denver’s Paisano Sausage

Italian Sausage Sandwich with Italian Sausage, Onions, Red Bell Pepper and Balestreri Sangiovese Red Wine

Earlier this spring I was contacted by Erika Kerekes with Deluxe Corporation, based in Shoreview MN, wanting to know if I could help put together an event for one of their clients, a local Denver sausage maker. Kathy Laurienti, the owner wanted to introduce their newest product, a dry Italian sausage that they sell along with [...]

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Gin and Tonic – A Quintessentially Classic Summer Cocktail

I’ve enjoyed this venture into cocktail making but can I share something with you? I don’t drink a lot…no, really I don’t! I come from a family with a history of alcoholism and as a result I’m as cautious as any one person could be to be aware of my drinking habits. So…do I drink [...]

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Jalapeno Pepper Patty Melt for National Grilled Cheese Month

When the folks at Tillamook approached me several weeks ago to participate with them and other blogs in celebrating National Grilled Cheese Month in Grilled Cheese Recipepalooza of course I said yes; who doesn’t love that combo of butter toasted bread with some gooey cheese melted inside. I hoped that they would love my take on [...]

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Apple, Pancetta and Sharp Cheddar Grilled Croissant for National Grilled Cheese Month

Did you know April is National Grilled Cheese month? I didn’t either, it just seems I’ve missed that note the past couple of years. I love grilled cheese sandwiches and have since I was little and it meant nothing more than a slice of American cheese between two slices of Wonder Bread. When the folks [...]

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Kraft Philadelphia Indulgence. Exactly!

Talk about a tough assignment. Would I be willing to try the new PHILADELPHIA INDULGENCE; a chocolate spread from Kraft that has married cream cheese with either dark, milk or white chocolate? My first thoughts went to a dessert I’ve loved forever which layers a cookie crust with chocolate pudding and a whipped cream cheese [...]

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Smoked Baby Back Ribs with Espresso Barbecue Sauce and a #Giveaway

I know. I grill a lot. If given the option, I will do almost anything on the grill in lieu of turning on my oven or even the stove. I have grilled in a winter jacket and boots during a driving snow storm. Beyond the requisite beef, pork, chicken and fish, I’ve done turkey, casseroles, [...]

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Welshing on the Rabbit becomes Welsh Wabbit (Think Chicken!)

I’ve watched a couple of my friends participate in a unique monthly event called a Recipe Swap. Each month they are given a recipe to start from and their challenge is to ‘swap’ out some of the ingredients to make the end result their own personal and updated take on the original recipe. It sounded [...]

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Snowmass Culinary and Arts Festival – The Unknowns – Richard Sandoval and Diane Henderiks

I am going to be perfectly honest. When I was asked by the PR firm that invited me to attend this event in Snowmass which chefs I wanted to interview; I looked carefully at the top three featured chefs. How could I not interview Hosea Rosenberg, winner of Top Chef in 2009 and a Boulder [...]

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Snowmass Culinary and Arts Festival 2011 – Featuring Smoked Corn Soup with Smoked Pork Belly & Avocado from Chef Hosea Rosenberg

In the 25 years I’ve lived in Denver, I had never been to Snowmass Village before I traveled there this past weekend. There is no way now to make up for that though I wish I could! It was an unexpected highlight of those 25 years, beginning from the very moment that you turn a [...]

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How does Sfeeha on Pita end up with Tripping on Goat?

Well, after quite a journey, that’s how! Believe it or not, it all started with my contribution to the Peko Peko Charity Cookbook. I was asked to contribute a dish, something simple that most of us could actually make for our families and I had recently seen something I thought perfect; some Sweet Potato French [...]

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Margarita Watermelon

I love this grown-up fruit with margarita fixings; I followed the same mantra I have using quality ingredients that are in the margaritas which we all know I love. Tequila and Orange Liqueur infuses watermelon slices which are then finished with lime juice and a sprinkling of coarse salt. The longer the watermelon soaks, the [...]

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Molasses, Mustard and Rum Glazed Pork Steaks with Savory Apple Butter and Fried Sage Leaves

The past couple of years have seen my attitude change a lot about pork. Not that I ever hated it but the practice of overcooking it to a dry, tough piece of meat left me wanting more…not to mention that on top of that dry meat was a big chunk of fat. Really wonderful tasting [...]

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Cinco de Mayo Recipe Roundup

Photo Credit: Matt Armendariz, Matt Bites Tomorrow (May 5th) is Cinco de Mayo, a Mexican holiday that commemorates the victory of the Mexican Army over the French Army in the 1862 battle of Puebla. Though becoming a more well known tradition across the country, it is of significant importance in Colorado and other Rocky Mountain [...]

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Tagliata (Cut) Ribeye with Olive Oil, Garlic and Parsley

This past year has had it’s share of ‘moments that suck’ I won’t deny. I realize I never set foot in my garden all last year so am excited about how far I’ve come. There will be gardening this year and…hey, the cane makes it easier to corral my dog! Luckily there have also been [...]

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Steaks with Rosemary, Garlic and Olive Oil

This past summer, a local grocer had a Buy One, Get One Free sale on sirloin so I bought 25 pounds of meat and vacuumed sealed it in individual packages at home. Now I want unique ways to serve it and have found that I can just as easily make a tasty marinade for sirloin [...]

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