Dinner in Denver

So, this is my first post. I am totally blog illiterate, with a bad case of computer confusion, but I press forward in an attempt to offer up recipes, tips, and ideas to help others become more capable in their own kitchens.

I grew up with a mother who knew good food and a family who associated excellent food with celebration. We are embarrassing to go out with... Sampling an amount of food that could feed three times our number. Ordering drinks, appetizers, entrees and desserts. (Not that we are total gluttons, and fortunately we have decent metabolisms) We just love food. Good food. All food. Because I believe their is a difference between liking food, loving food, and knowing well-made, much loved food.

I know there are plenty of you who grew up on mushy casseroles and chain restaurants. (From now on, friends don't let friends eat at chain restaurants...and I am your friend!!) Maybe it's all you know?? So you didn't learn to cook, and now your family subsides on the occasional crock-pot meal and a hefty amount of take-out. (Don't get me wrong I do have a few take-out places that I am in love with, and even one or two crock-pot casserole-ish type dishes in my repertoire.)

I learned to cook from the best. (Thanks Mom!)And, I even taught myself along the way. I know that at first, cooking can be intimidating. It's tough to come up with a menu, a grocery list, and even tougher to come up with new recipes to cook for your loved ones. After all, who wants to eat the same old enchiladas Wednesday after Wednesday after Wednesday.

Cooking doesn't have to be that way.

I recently moved into my second kitchen, where I feel I have a little bit better hold on all things food. It took awhile to develop and a lot of practice on my part. But, it CAN be done.

First, you have to put to rest all those cooking myths.

Myth 1. Cooking is expensive.

Well...wrong. Home cooking can be waaaay cheaper than your El Pollo Loco Family Pack. But, first you have to get to a point where you have an adequetly stocked pantry/fridge. Because if you don't, every dinner you make will be time-consuming and expensive. I have been where you are. You only keep yogurt and bananas in the house and now your in -laws are coming and you decide to make your mother's favorite recipe. But first you need to run to the store and grab: olive oil, balsamic, sea salt, fresh sage, unsalted butter, red wine, pasta, flour, sugar, a zester, rammekins...and the list goes on. Stock your pantry (more on that later) and you'll be on your way to being a fab home cook!!

Myth 2. Cooking takes too long.

Wrong again. You go to the gym, you shave your legs, you read to your kids at bedtime, you talk to your girlfriends on the phone, you clean, you mow the lawn, you work. All of these things take time. Cooking isn't any different. But... it does not have to be a production that dirties up your kitchen and has you sweating over the stove till 9 at night. It just takes a little prep and planning. (And that will be even easier once your pantry is stocked:). I usually allot about an hour to prep, cook, clean and plate my dinners.

Myth 3. Cooking is hard.

Once you have debunked myths 1 and 2 and stocked up your pantry- Cooking will become a lot easier for you. You'll begin to learn the kitchen can be a haven, a place of creativity, and lots and lots of learning.

There is simply nothing better than receiving complements from the people you love about the food you created. Believe me, the way to a man's heart IS through his stomach. And if you happen to be a man, there is nothing sexier than a man in the kitchen. (Ladies, my brother is one of those guys and he just happens to be available)

Join me as I prepare my dinners in Denver. I'll be creating weekly menus and grocery lists to help you on your way. No more wasting produce and late night drive-thrus. I'll also feature reviews and inspired recipes from amazing restaurants in my mile high city.

Until Next Time,

Katie