My First Taste of Colorado

I was lucky enough to time my New York visit with the Colorado Tourism Harvest event and it was quite a preview into my trip to come.

The event was held at The Little Owl venue down in the Village. It’s an interesting space that’s being used for pop-up dinners, with an open kitchen and plenty of room to mingle. I took my daughter, Sam, along and we spent some time mingling. I was excited to see Anna Watson, who was the lead on my trip to Champagne & Burgundy (she’s now working in the food industry and has a great blog, The Yellow Table).

I have to say that I was extremely impressed with the food and drinks at A Taste of Colorado Harvest event. There was no fish at all, so I was able to try everything. The food was prepared by Chef Justin Cucci (left), who oversees the food at the Denver restaurants Linger and Root Down. The menu was clever and fresh and consisted of passed oversized Hors d'oeuvre that highlighted what’s fresh in the state right now:

COLORADO CAPRESE

Fried Green Zebra Tomatoes with Charred Goat Mozzarella, Organic Golden Beet & Sunflower Pesto, Pea Shoots and Hibiscus Gastrique

ORGANIC CARROT THAI CURRY SOUP

Asian Pear Chutney, Cilantro

PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY CUPS

Justin’s Peanut Butter, Miso Butterscotch, Cabernet Jelly Whipped Cream

DENVER TOFU AND FERMENTED BLACK BEAN MISO GASTRIQUE

Slivered Ginger, Avocado, and Green Zebra Tomato Water, Watermelon Radish, Cinnamon Caps, Sesame Seeds

OLATHE CORN CAKES

Chia Seeds, Amaranth, Cornmeal, Ginger, Molasses, Cinnamon, Clove, Fava Beans, Cherry Tomatoes, Habanero Vin and Goat Cheese

PALISADE PEACH BRUSCHETTA

Palisade Peaches with Charred Pistachio-Fava Hummus, Feta, Micro Basil, Pueblo Piñon and Smoked Paprika

VIETNAMESE BANH MI CHAY TEA SANDWICHES

Homemade Sourdough Bread, Pickled Lemon Cucumber, Daikon, Carrots, Mint Watercress, Cilantro, Fresno, Sambal Cream Cheese, Aioli, Five Spice Bean Curd

LEOPOLD BROS. NEW YORK APPLE WHISKEY BBQ BISON TACOS

Olathe Corn and Roasted Pueblo Chile Avocado Lime Salsa

Refried Black Quinoa, Radish & Slaw

There really wasn’t anything I didn’t like, even the Denver Tofu and Black Bean Miso, though I don’t normally go for tofu or Miso. I’d have to say my favorites were the BBQ Bison Tacos, Peach Bruschetta and Olathe Corn Cakes. The Peanut Butter & Jelly Cups, inside a delicious dark chocolate shell, were the perfect dessert.

A bar featured Colorado cocktails, wine and spirits. While Sam did try (and like) Mama’s Little Yella Pils, I couldn’t get past the incredible featured cocktail, The White Peach Sgroppino, a unbelievable concoction created by mixologists Toby Cecchini (who was there to serve it).  It’s created with fresh, homemade peach sorbet, prosecco and peach vodka, topped with fresh peaches. Considering I am a big fan of the Bellini and this is even better.

After my preview of Colorado food and spirits, I am especially excited about my trip there at the end of the month. In the meantime, I’m off for a Midwest girls' getaway through Indianapolis, Cedar Falls Ohio and Chicago. Stay tuned for some great stories from the road…

Photos by Samantha Frost