Reviews and Blog Posts: food

• Babette’s Feast
• Big Night
• Chocolat
• Diner
• Dinner Rush
• Eat D

Right after I gave birth to my son, I found it difficult to complete an entire novel so I started checking out the library's magazines. Reading in short spurts; I could do that! And what a great variety. I especially appreciate the culinary magazines:

What is your favorite fresh from the garden vegetable recipe? I love zucchini and asparagus. I've found that the trick to cooking asparagus is to saute them over medium/low until they turn bright green. Serve quickly. They really taste the best when they are still snappy. The rest of the menu usually goes a little something like this: baked salmon in wasabi/honey/soy sauce mix, couscous, and spring mix salad. Depending on how fancy we are feeling, we might saute the asparagus in garlic and fresh rosemary. What I like best is that none of these dishes is time or labor intensive.

I. LOVE. THIS. COOKBOOK. Seriously people, is there a more fun-to-read, easy-on-your-busy-lifestyle, creative cookbook out there?

Fun to read because he's so entertaining and funny and he has a potty mouth that keeps it real.

Easy because I had left over macaroni to use for a pasta salad later in the week and although I do prefer to make things from scratch, using the dry pancake mix was a cinch. With all that maple-y, crunchy, cheesy goodness, I couldn't tell it was from a box.

RootDown is one of Denver's best healthy fine-dining restaurants, and Chef Daniel Asher is ready and willing to teach us how to make a fancy four course RootDown-style meal using local organic products! I recently had the opportunity to ask Daniel some personal questions about food, childhood and vices. Read on, reader:

You are undeniably passionate about ethical, healthy food. How did you eat as a kid? Did your passion start then, or later?

Looking for new and interesting ways to cook for your family, friends or just yourself? Look no further than your local public library. Our collection of food related materials is huge:

Her line of cooking instruction DVDs called Kitchencue is phenomenal- rather than focus on specific recipes, this chef tackles cooking techniques instead.  Her three volume video set features sautes & pan sauces, soups & stock, and roasting.  Endless delectable combinations can be made using these simple techniques, from a basic pork loin roast to a complicated roux-based cream sauce.

 The most recent post is devoted to the very best Salsas he's encountered in Oaxaca, Mexico.  Check it out!  Might give you some inspiration to submit a recipe for The Salsa Wars, our city-wide salsa recipe competition.

Doughnuts are certainly a hit with me! My dream doughnut feast would include doughnuts from Voodoo Doughnut in Portland, Doughnut Plant in New York, and Walton Donuts right here in Denver. But who am I kidding? Any doughnut is a good doughnut! I'll definitely be heading out for my free doughnut from LaMar's or Krispy Kreme on National Doughnut Day.

2010 Winners include: