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Daughter of two professional chefs provides a young adult's perspective on food, restaurants, and eating!! follow us on facebook @Francis Xavier

Author: Chef Francis Xavier

Food Trends 2023

Food Trends 2023

Life & Culture from Wednesday January 25 2023 has a short clip about Food Trends. It is an interesting thought, Trends. I have the mindset of consistency and basics. For My look ahead in 2023 i will still look for simplicity, clear thought, consistency and […]

2022 Most Popular recipes data analytics – there is an AI story in there… someplace.

2022 Most Popular recipes data analytics – there is an AI story in there… someplace.

From NY Times – “Most popular recipes of 2022” the title captured my interest. Surprised and delighted that NY is tracking. Not sure. It continues as Sometimes the chaos of life calls for an all day cooking project. Examples are given ( and I like […]

“Were Open”

“Were Open”

Denver Post Life & Culture Dec 28, 2022 writes Denver Food Scene “Were Open”. Nearly three years after the pandemic began, it finally feels like Denver’s restaurant scene is starting to get back to its grove. My goodness. From where I sit, we definitely have COVID hangover. Speaking with others that work in the kitchen, “Hard Help is good to Find”. The talent pool is low as chefs and cooks have gone to work else where . Now any help is good to find.

herbs de Provence

herbs de Provence

while actual herbs that make up the blend, usually it is a combination of lavender, rosemary, savory, and thyme: basil, bay leaf, fennel, marjoram, oregano, sage and sometimes not. the full power of herbs – beyond the dried herbs is bringing forward a warm summer […]

Dining Out @

Dining Out @

Dining out we sampled the fares at Chicken and Beer as Estes Park eatery. the decor is the first indication that this is a fun eatery. the 1909 carriage house on the grounds of the Stanley Hotel is remodeled and comfortable … as is their […]

Lingers. a treat

Lingers. a treat

A restaurant visited last night (Halloween 2022) Lingers is a treat that surprised and delighted. (a bit of back ground) Lingers is housed in a former mortuary in the Highland Neighborhood. the celebrity at the restaurant last night was HarleyQuinn and Maleficent. We wished to respect their privacy and did not snap a pic… Flavors sampled off the menu of ‘street food’ this time – were from Americas, Middle East and Asia.

The Wild Mushroom Dosa is a symphony. Curried cauliflower, masala potatoes, and lentils and comes together that is a surprise minimalistic presentation. The side dipping sauces – tamarind date and coconut mint chutneys are cool which complements the heat from the curries. Pad Thai and Butter nut Squash Tamales were the entrees.

Presentation, food on the plate and restaurant atmosphere – lingers eatuaries gets 5 of 5.

Artisan Baking

Artisan Baking

Life & Culture Denver post 2022-10-26 feature article is Sourdough. a thing that makes me think … Hmmm. the article starts with a sub heading Hops and Pie overhalls pizza menu, highlighting the way chefs are thinking about crusts… Hmm Hops & Pie Artisan Pizzeria. […]

Stuffed Shells.

Stuffed Shells.

Week Night Dishes from DenverPost Life & Culture 2022-10-26 had a crave for stuffed pasta shell. It was from ‘Five Recipes that you will crave’ our of NY Times and written by Emily Weinstein ‘Week night dishes’. Assemble stuffed shells earlier in the day and […]

Apples

Apples

DenverPost’s 2022-10-25 Life and Culture has apples as savory accompaniment to Roasts. Specific to Pork roast. What is your thought on fruit with Roasted meats? Hmm. For myself – the twist here – is to keep the apples roasted on the savory path, Not sweet.

Bill continues to expand that there are 8,000 varieties of apples. I also am on the apple bus and like round numbers (not 8,001 varieties).

Braised Red Cabbage and Apples.

Everything turns to pumpkin spice means – Fall Is Here.! Red Cabbage this way is Aromatic and Flavorful
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds red Cabbage
  • 3 Tbsp Bacon Drippings
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 pinch blk ppr
  • 1 cup redwine
  • 1 Tbsp Cider Vinegar
  • 2 Apples unpeeled and sliced thin.
  • 2 Tbsp Brown Sugar

Instructions
 

  • The Red Cabbage is sliced thin. (Note… Often i will use the mandolin to get the slices consistently really thin. I like getting the pan hot, adding the bacon dripping – not to smoking hot – and adding the cabbage. Season with the salt and pepper. Deglaze the pan with red wine and vinegar. Add the brown sugar and cover quickly. and let the cabbage cook for about 5 minutes. Add the apple and cover again for about 10 minutes.

Notes

recipe note: this is my adaptation of Grandma Dorthy’s Braised Red Cabbage recipe… I think she used more vinegar and less redwine – or what was on hand..
Roasted Porchetta

Roasted Porchetta

Bill St. John in Denver Post’s Life and Culture 2022-10-26 writes about apples and Pork Shoulder. This is a great lead into the the Pork that was ordered from Marczyk’s. The four pound Porchetta was picked up Saturday 10/21 with great anticipation. Opening the brown […]