Fresh Air

Humboldt, CA is a breathe of fresh air.
No. Correction: seeing the faces of friends up in Humboldt is a breathe of fresh air.
I felt so content driving the 6 hours home Sunday after a weekend in Eureka through the woods, green grass fields and small towns dotting highway 101. It was truly springtime at its best.
Sometimes a good, long hug, quality conversation and someone telling you you're a gem is all you really need.
And perhaps a mascarpone, strawberry tart. Good job, Janne...your patience with that crust astounded me.

Root Down, Denver, CO

My last night in Denver I went to the most fabulous restaurant in the LoHi neighborhood called Root Down with my Colorado Springs native/current Denver resident and friend, Mike. Being that Mike is a fellow foodie and culinary graduate I knew his dinner recommendation would be quite the experience.

Root Down is everything a good restaurant should be: located in a scenic area where downtown Denver's skyline is in clear view, a great atmosphere that lets you choose between two patios and three different eating rooms inside, great customer service (our waitress rocked and had the best hair ever) and of course, amazing food.
The restaurant claims itself as "earthy and sustainable.." while being "rustic but refined." It "hopes to create a story that you'll want to be a part of as we continue to put down roots in Denver."

Below is a list of five out of the seven dishes I shared along with my new favorite local beer, Agave Wheat:
(I copied them straight from their websites menu)

Organic Roasted “Cherry” Beets

Mache, Arugula, Haystack “Cadillac” Goat Cheese, Micro Bulls Blood.
Toasted Hazelnuts & Beet-Sunflower Pesto 9

Sauteed Organic Carrot Gnocchi
Fresh Morels, Asparagus, Parsley, Parmigiano &
Carrot-Corriander Sauce 8

Hoisin Duck Confit Slider
Maple Leaf Farms Duck, Lemon Creme Fraiche,
Shoestring Sweet Potatoes, Arugula & Udis Challah Bun 7.5





Strawberry-Mango Shortcake / 8
Crystallized Ginger Biscuit, Passion Fruit Whipped Cream

Udi’s Croissant Bread Pudding / 8
Stranahan’s Whiskey-Butter Sauce & Organic
Sour Cream Ice Cream

The bread pudding, that I was too eager to eat to stop and take a picture of, was over the top fantastic. The sour cream ice cream really made it unique and rounded out the dish perfectly.
It's quite possibly the best dessert I've ever eaten. There, I said it.
Mike and I both agreed the shortcake was too acidic with the mango, strawberry AND the Passion Fruit whipped cream. I do like the idea of a crystallized ginger biscuit though...I may have to make some soon.

All of the dishes were delectable and I'm glad I was there with Mike who insisted on ordering the Duck Sliders. I'm not usually a duck person, especially after gutting so many of them in France, but these were perfectly rich, balanced in texture, salty and sweet...oh goodness.

If you are in Denver, dining here is a must, that's all there is to it. I would highly suggest making reservations; we went on a Thursday night and it was packed!

Shethars and "the Springs"

Hollandaise galore

I had the absolute pleasure of spending a few days in Colorado Springs with my friend Mike and his family this past weekend. Seriously, some of the most down to earth, genuine and fun people I've ever met. The night I got there we went to one of their family friends house for an Artichoke Party. Are you kidding me? Why haven't I ever thought of having one of those? Everyone brings a dish with artichokes in it and they eat, socialize and drink wine...yes please.

Mike, his mom and I each made our own Hollandaise sauce for Easter Brunch to atop a snazy, loaded Eggs Benedict that we enjoyed on their back porch in the joyous Colorado sun. Mike's was super creamy, Marge's was on the buttery side and mine was "Tabasco-forward." Both me and Mike hadn't made Hollandaise sauce since culinary school so it was fun and embarrassing trying to remember the ratios of the classic sauce.

Being that it's the "ugliest part of the year" in Colorado right now, I'd say it's got a lot going for it. The two hikes I was able to go on were spectacular. I hope I'm back in Spring to see it in full bloom!

The Shethars!

Workin' Girl

Revolution Foods: "Building healthy bodies and minds, one healthy meal at a time"
It's catchy right?

I GOT A JOB!!!
My first real career job, to be exact.
I joined Revolution Foods a little over three weeks ago as their "Product Rollout Specialist." Sometimes saying my title out loud makes me laugh because it sounds so official...but, I don't exactly feel officially anything. That word is too stuffy. So, to avoid stuffiness, I "unofficially" introduce our new menu items and ideas to the other Revolution Foods facilities across the nation (Denver, D.C. area and Southern California). I work in the Oakland office day-to-day, but according to my job title I will be traveling around 70% of the time! Woo!

This job is a serious answer to prayer and something I'm very excited about. I love the company's mission and what they're doing in the school lunch spectrum. From the moment I began interviewing I knew it was a place I wanted to work and I'm really glad to be apart of such a great team.

You should check out their website at http://www.revfoods.com/

And, if you live in Southern California, Denver or the D.C. area we should hang out while I'm out there!

Brown Parchment

There's something about brown parchment paper that I absolutely love. It reminds me of beautiful bouquets of fresh flowers wrapped in brown paper with twine sitting in the basket of someones Parisian bike or "brown paper packages tied up with string," to quote the amazing Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music. It makes baking feel so much more wholesome and lovely.
Why buy white when you can buy brown?

Also pictured are frozen oatmeal raisin pecan cookies that are about to be baked off into deliciousness for my dad. Freezing cookie dough like this is so convenient and since my dad loves to request homemade oatmeal cookies it works out perfect. I freeze them on a cookie sheet one layer at a time and then toss them into a plastic ziploc bag. Frozen dough lasts months while refrigerated dough only a few days...and believe me, if you're a cookie dough fan you'll fall quickly for frozen dough...it's to die for (cookie dough ice cream anyone?). I can't believe I've waited this long to make it common practice!

Quarter Century

My 25th birthday couldn't have been more special. I was able to not only enjoy two birthday dinners with family but also headed down to San Luis Obispo with some of my best friends to reminisce our college years, chat uncontrollably and dance our butts off without inhibition. I feel unworthy. But hey, you only turn a quarter century once in your life right?

I'm grateful for family and I'm grateful for friends. I'm grateful I can refer to both parties by either name. Thanks to everyone for making it so splendid.

And thanks to The Village Pub for making such a delicious Chocolate Souffle with Grand Marnier Anglaise. You've outdone yourself and I love you for it.

City Eating

The other day (okay, so when I say "the other day" I really mean a few weeks ago) my Aunt Linda came into town and we went on a city adventure to San Francisco to see the Cartier and America Exhibit (which was absolutely amazing by the way..and they extended the dates so you can still go see it!). On the way there we dined at The Slanted Door in the Ferry Building off the Embarcadero and ate the most delicious lunch that I can't stop thinking about. Well, to be honest, I really just can't stop thinking about this one dish- possibly the most perfect beef lunch entree I've ever eaten: Niman Ranch Flank Steak with fresh ginger over rice noodles with roasted peanuts.

The beef was unbelievably tender with a great flavor, the sauce was light and sweet with a hint of spice accompanied by slivers of fresh ginger, all intertwined with delicate noodles. The mixed baby greens tossed in really won me over as I love dishes that have lots of different food groups, especially vegetables (weird quirk, I know).


Along with the entrees we both enjoyed warm tea beautifully presented in delicate tea pots. I chose the "herbal blend- rose buds, chrysanthemum, lichen and fresh ginger," pictured above and never looked back.

There seems to be a ginger theme here don't you think?

All of this to say, if you're in the city and feel like eating a great meal, try The Slanted Door. And if you don't mind sitting outside on a bench and want to save a few bucks you can hit up their "to-go" restaurant around the corner from the main one. I don't think they serve my obsessed over beef dish but I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

And if you're a billionaire and want to buy me something snazzy for my upcoming birthday, I'd love a replica of the Duchess of Windsor's 1947 bib necklace. Thanks!