Mountainside Dining at The Truffle Pig in Steamboat Springs Colorado with Chef Ezra Duker!

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The Truffle Pig in Steamboat Springs Colorado was a great find.

Chef Ezra Duker has a light touch and sharp palette.

The flavors do not get lost or overpowered by each other.

This gorgeous grilled cheese with Gruyere and Cheddar Cheeses on Sourdough Bread with Tomato Bisque and Field Greens was probably the best I had ever had.

The bread was crispy and buttery and the bisque had a hint of BBQ sauce.

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I had to order the Truffle Fries! Light and crispy; fried in Truffle oil with parmesan cheese. Fantastic.

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022chocolate cheesecake Truffle Pig Steamboat Springs Co

Beautiful Dark Chocolate Cheesecake with Grand Marnier Orange Peel and fresh whipped cream was too tempting to pass up.

031chocolate cheesecake Truffle Pig Steamboat Springs Co

The Truffle Pig is a treasure.

From fine dinning to elegant apres ski ambiance it is a must see for foodies!

  

Pumpkin Cheesecake! Pumpkins, Squash and Autumn Corn! The Flavors of the Season!

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It’s that time of year and nothing says Autumn like pumpkins!

Pumpkin is great in soup, cheesecake, cookies, pies, breads, curries and more.

Cooking with Fresh Pumpkin

There’s no shame in using canned pumpkin. Even professional bakers do it. But if you’re using fresh, choose small, flavorful sugar pie pumpkins–and save the big ones for carving. A four-pound pumpkin should yield about 1½ cups of puree.

To make pumpkin puree:

1. Cut the pumpkin in half and bake cut-side down, covered with foil, in a 375 degree F oven for about 90 minutes or until flesh is tender.

2. Allow to cool, scoop out the flesh, and puree.

3. Strain the puree for extra-silky smooth soups and custards.

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A trip to a local farm introduced me to all kinds of squash and corn varieties.

The possibilities are vast and are not limited to baked goods.

Pumpkins are great in savory dishes and lend themselves to spicy flavors; think curry and roasted pepper.

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Over the next few weeks I want to explore all things pumpkin, squash and corn!

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Pumpkin Cheesecake
Ingredients

1 1/2 cups graham cracker cookie crumbs
3/4 cup ground hazelnuts
3 tablespoons brown sugar
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cups canned solid pack pumpkin
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup maple syrup
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
4 eggs

Method

1.Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9 inch springform pan.

2.Using a fork, combine gingersnaps, hazelnuts, 3 tablespoons brown sugar and melted butter. Press mixture onto the bottom and two inches up the sides of the pan to form the crust.

3.With an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the pumpkin. Mix in the cream, maple syrup, cinnamon, allspice and vanilla. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing until smooth.

4.Pour batter into prepared crust. Bake in the preheated oven for 90 minutes, or until center of cheesecake is set. Allow to cool in pan for 30 minutes, then refrigerate overnight.

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I have no idea what these are but I am willing to give them a try!

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Anna’s Breakfast Potato, Veggie and Egg Scramble with Cheese!

068 anna's potato and veggie scramble

Not only is my BFF Anna is a great cook but she is the hostess with the mostest!

We invade her lovely home for long weekends and she manages to entertain us like royalty!

One of her specialties is this casserole, of sorts, or breakfast scramble.

067 anna's potato and veggie scramble

She par cooks potatoes in the microwave

Chops and sautes any vegetables on hand, usually: red peppers, asparagus, leeks, and mushrooms and sets those aside

Then dice the potatoes and combine in a large skillet the cooked veggies, potatoes, some cheese then crack a few eggs on top

Turn the heat down to low and cover to allow the eggs to cook.

You’re finished!

You can also do this in the oven in a lovely casserole dish for a more elegant presentation.

Or cook the eggs seperatly and serve on top.

Either way it’s delicious!

066 anna's potato and veggie scramble

  

Pan Seared Scallops with Lemon, Thyme and Goat Cheese Gnocchi at Pier W!

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Pier W never lets me down.

From the fantastic Happy Hour to the incredible views this place is a winner every time.

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Not only is the happy hour a great value; 1/2 price bar food and select drinks, but the quality is first class.

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These calamari must be some of the best I’ve ever tasted. Light and crispy calamari are fried to perfection with delicate fragrant dipping sauces; a spicy mayonnaise and a tamarind sauce.

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This is a far cry from the usual bar food you’d find elsewhere and you get the incredible atmosphere as a bonus!

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The view!

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The wine!

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The scallops!

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Pan seared scallops with goat cheese, thyme and lemon gnocchi with an asparagus coulis was amazing!

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Sous Chef Jack Ahern was on board this night and his precision in the execution of this dish was out of this world.

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The tempura fish and green beans looked yummy…

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…but I couldn’t get over the flavor pairings of my scallops.

I usually feel that mushrooms with any seafood is a risk; the earthiness of the mushrooms can overpower and compete with delicate sea flavors but it was not the case tonight.

Lemon and thyme kept the gnocchi light and the mushrooms and asparagus lent smoky and bitter notes, respectively that were enhanced by the subtle creaminess of the goat cheese.

Asparagus coulis was a light sauce of everything beautiful about asparagus!

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Fruity Cocktails, Amazing Pizza, 200 Fabulous Gay Men and Me!

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A dream come true!

Me in a sea of men surrounded by the most glorious pizzas, ever and tropical fruity cocktails served up by a cute bartender with attitude!

Luxe was host to the G2H2 Happy Hour event in Cleveland , Oh.

The food was amazing! I know it’s a social thing but given the “circumstances” I had plenty of time to focus on the food and drinks!

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This portobello mushroom, spinach, goat cheese and balsamic reduction pizza was my favorite.

Chef Marlin Kaplan knows that a light touch of fresh potent ingredients is the way to go!

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I couldn’t get enough of this pizza and made myself a fixture at the buffet!

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This is definitley something that I want to try at home.

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Chris was adorable and he knows the food.

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This tomato basil was fantastic; fresh and delish!

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The setting was elegant but casual.

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Sweetheart! Jen kept the fresh hot pies coming my way

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Tomato and herb.

030Goat cheese chicken rosemary pizza at Luxe

Chicken, rosemary and goat cheese was a big hit.

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What would the evening be without a spunky bartender serving up the one-liners with the best mojitos in town?!

Lee was a delight!

  

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