Few foods are as American, or picnic worthy, as fried chicken. Yet most people never even consider making it at home. I get it. Deep-frying is daunting. It can be messy, smoky, and dangerous if not done properly. Plus picking up ready-made fried chicken at a store or restaurant is just so darn convenient. Outsourcing […]
Category Archives: What’s Cooking at SRP?
I grew up on a little island in British Columbia. Life there was, and still is, different than my life in the “real world” down here in Colorado. There they have a thing called island time, where everyone seems to just amble along without much rush. It sometimes drives my type-A personality bonkers, but nevertheless […]
I have an incredibly soft spot for a perfectly sun-ripened tomato, plucked fresh from the vine or market stall during peak harvest. To me it is the epitome of summer, and I am overjoyed now that we are really getting into that time of year, with all its colorful, sweet tomato bounty. Usually I keep […]
People ask me all the time why food at restaurants tastes so much better than what they cook at home. Besides the obvious fact that professional chefs are just better at cooking than most home cooks (it is their job, after all), one of the real secrets, I can guarantee you, is butter. Lots of […]
Like many people, I feel best when I obtain the brunt of my nourishment from foods high in protein and fat, rather than from carbohydrate-rich meals or snacks. Proteins and especially fats seem to keep me going far longer and leave me feeling energized, focused, and satiated without experiencing a need to eat again for […]
Nothing quite beats a chocolate cake, especially when that cake is rich, moist, and full of deep chocolate flavor. Yum. I don’t frequently eat cake, or sweets in general for that matter, so when I do indulge, I want it to be outstanding. I want it to be worth it. Unfortunately, too often I’m met […]
Ahhh, these long summer days call for celebration! I’m a mover, and I feel inspired at this time of year, when the sun is shining and the light stays around until well after the kiddo is down for the night, to see just how much I can fit into a day. Responsibilities on the back […]
On busy workdays, and often not on busy workdays too, I’m a grazer, meaning I’m more satisfied snacking on little bites here and there than I am on full meals. This is partly because I’m frequently on the go, and sometimes stopping for a break, even to sit down and eat, can easily deflate my […]
Those of you who’ve been reading my posts for some time probably know that I’m an avid gardener, and I have been since I was a child. I’ve had a sense of food appreciation for as far back as I can remember, and from an early age I was able to discern the difference between […]
We’re all told we should be eating a diet rich in green, leafy vegetables. These foods, abundant in vitamins and minerals and low on the glycemic index scale, are tops when it comes to nutrition. And, fortunately, much of the population is finally understanding this, with many people now incorporating a host of additional “dark […]
I’ve always loved horseradish, and the pungent kick it gives, as an accompaniment to something like a juicy prime rib or side of salmon. But it wasn’t until the last few years that I began thinking of it as anything more than just a condiment, with a limited scope of use. The more I’ve experimented […]
We are deep in lilac season here in Northern Colorado, and to me there are few times better. Heavy blooms brighten every block, and their intoxicating scent wafts through my windows day and night. When the flowers start blooming, the sights and smells evoke a deep childhood nostalgia, and the event is a sure sign […]
Being a mother to a small child comes with endless opportunities to learn, grow, play, and experience a love that is incredibly unconditional. Over the years, I’ve noticed it also comes with a whole lot of germs. Of course, germs are everywhere, and regular exposure to them actually has the power to strengthen our immune […]
I love this time of year—the depth of color and light; the sweet air wafting with the scent of freshly mown grass; the cacophony of chirping birds, the hum of insects, and the sounds of baby critters exploring their new world. It’s nature in all her glory. In a strange way, I even relish the […]
Many of us understand the countless advantages we derive from the “odd bits” of the animal. On the surface, organ meats pack a wallop of health benefits, providing us with a plentiful source of easily assimilated, concentrated nutrition. But even beyond that, they have a deeper importance. “Nose to tail” cuisine has been receiving a […]
I was eleven when I began training under a French pastry chef named Pascal. He graciously took me under his wing because he recognized my passion for food and art and my eagerness to learn and create. Every Saturday morning, I absorbed Pascal’s vast knowledge in the art of patisserie, preparing fruit tartelettes, croissants, napoleons, […]
Life has been busy lately. I mean, my life is always somewhat busy. As I shift from one priority to the next, I can usually find an ebb and flow in the ceaseless bustle, but of late my schedule has been more of a constant swarm of activity, without much respite. Not necessarily complaining. I […]
I’m one of those folks who loves breakfast for dinner. And lately I’ve been loving dinner for breakfast, so much so that I’ve been implementing this practice with increasing frequency for some time now. I suppose what I mean is that I no longer attach the “breakfast” or “dinner” label to foods that traditionally fit […]
With the change of seasons comes drizzly spring days, budding new blossoms, sprouting green grasses, and and the whisper of fresh pollens through the air. This is also the time of year when many of us start dealing with stuffy noses, sore throats, and puffy eyes. In preparation for the bustling spring and summer ahead, […]
I can think of few things I enjoy more than the pure, vibrant flavor of sun-ripened tomatoes in peak harvest season. Those of you who’ve been following me may recall a time or two when I’ve gushed over what I consider the most quintessential summer food of all. For me, nothing beats a sweet, juicy […]