Colterra Restaurant

This past weekend was full of fun. One of the many fun parts for Dustin and I was the chance we had to get all dressed up with some friends and go out for a fancy dinner. We made reservations at a restaurant called Colterra in Niwot, CO. Here is a little about the restaurant:

"In the kitchen we work together with local farmers to harvest and use the freshest produce, in season and in full flavor. We strive to serve our communty as a gathering place that allows us to showcase the best of Colorado's natural beauty and goodness."



Our food was incredible and we had such a lovely meal of cocktails, appetizers, wine, a fresh entree, and dessert. It was an unbelievable amount of food and my salmon was to die for. It was so enjoyable to sit out on the patio of the restaurant and be seated directly beside the garden where they grow and harvest many of the items they serve. I also really enjoy and appreciate supporting a restaurant that supports local farmers. Thanks to John and Lindsay for the double date. It was an incredible night.


Colterra Restaurant in Niwot, Colorado
*all photos in this post are affectionately borrowed from Colterra's website.*

WOW, I've been away from this space forever!

How could you not tell me it has been months since I blogged here?! I had no idea. In all honesty, I have been spending the past few months creating a whole new blog for my artwork and starting a small business sewing from my home. It has taken so many of my personal hours that now that it is up and running, I feel like my head is above water again. But sadly I have been gone from this space it is fair to assume that I no longer have any followers of this blog...

Anybody still out there?

Well, I am here, back, and ready to continue sharing the musings of the day in the life of Meg. If you are willing to read, I'll write. I hope you are still out there. I have missed this space. I am glad to return.

Why I love Urban Life

We all know that Denver is only so urban and to call it such is almost whimsical and funny, but it's the best we've got here in middle America. I've been thinking about why I love it here, and thought I might include the list for you:

1. I like the people. Everywhere. All kinds all shapes all colors. I like the movement.
2. I like to walk. Turns out riding in the car is not so much fun.
3. There's something soothing in the sound of footsteps on the pavement. Rhythmic. Filling.
4. I like the sounds of life in motion: the street noise, the people noise, the community noise.
5. It is the best way to discover local businesses. I love the shops that peek out of the tall buildings.
6. I love living in a loft.
7. I love the history. Nothing here was built recently. It all tells a story of decades of people it has served.
8. I am near events, happenings, and activities.
9. I can still see the mountains but am grateful to not have to be in them. They are pretty but they are COLD and not easy to drive in!
10. No brand new stark white apartment buildings here but wood, brick, and warm tones!
11. I love the use of public transportation! What a great way to save money and have leisure time. So nice to sit back and ride.
12. I am near community: CSAs, cooking schools, art schools, libraries, museums, parks, the capitol...
13. I love doing life with people from all places: countries, academics, financial standpoints... It is all here.
14. I like to talk to the homeless people who have no one to talk to.
15. It is amazingly beautiful in the city when it snows!

I see us living in the city for a very long time, maybe forever! We are living it up. Now, if only we lived in a city where we could ride the subways and do even more pedestrian life... Someday!

#8 Broaden My Horizons

Tonight I branched out and tried something new and I cooked Tilapia for the first time. I am not a fish eater so this was no small feat for me. About two years ago a good friend of mine made salmon for me. It was the first time I enjoyed fish (excluding lobster, crab, and shrimp - yum!). I've spent 26 years of life wishing I liked fish and never being able to get past the smell, the scales and bones, and the fact that their beady little eyes follow you wherever you go... (UGH!) So here's how I curbed the issues. I bought Lemon and Herb Tilapia from Whole Foods that was already in filets. I pan fried it in a little butter with the lid on to curb too much of the smell. And I told myself the whole time I ate it that it "tasted like chicken." And the verdict is: It wasn't bad. The menu: Lemon and Herb Tilapia with Pecan Rice and Bulger Pilaf and Green Beans with mixed olives.Delish!!!

#2 take a class at the cooking school

I am crossing off my first item off of my list! I took a great cooking class at Cook St. School of Fine Cooking here in downtown Denver. I was given a gift certificate to the institute and I got to participate in a class this past week!

I took the class called "Pasta, Pasta, Pasta!" where I learned how to make homemade pasta! It was fantastic. Some of the most fun I have ever had and I am thrilled to have been able to experience it.

The school is amazing. You arrive to a huge kitchen that has gorgeous places set for each student. There was wine and appetizers for everyone. The class started and we got up and began making fresh Tagliatelli (fettucini) pasta, fresh basil pesto, penne with fresh sausage, garlic, tomato, and balsamico. We finished the night by making chocolate ravioli with a raspberry coulis sauce. I cannot express how much fun I had.

There were a few cooking tips I learned that I thought I would pass on to you, take them or leave them if you like but they were tidbits I learned that I thought were interesting:

-when making fresh pasta, it is best to use all purpose flour and eggs that are near to room temperature
-after pressing the pasta through the machine into desired shape, toss the pasta with semolina to keep it from getting sticky
-kosher salt has a higher sodium content than sea salt. you should cook with kosher salt and use sea salt to finish when serving the dish
-extra virgin olive oil is just olive oil that has been heated up. to save money, you should cook with olive oil since it will be warmed while cooking. extra virgin olive oil should be used for finishing touches, dressings, sauces.
-you should never rinse pasta after cooking it unless it is to go into a salad, in which case it should be dressed and served as soon as possible.

I learned so much and would love love love to take another class! I highly recommend it to anyone!