Highlands Ranch, CO October 2023

THE Food & Wine ISSUE

FOOD + BEVERAGE

CELEBRITY CHEF ROBERT IRVINE COMES TO UNCORKED

CASA BONITA IN THE LIMELIGHT

LIFE + CULTURE

HIGHLANDS RANCH KITCHEN UPGRADE MEANS BUSINESS

“New Harvest” 18k two tone Yellow/White Gold, Mauzie’s original Golden Quartz and Diamond rIng

“Triple Delight” Sterling Silver and diamond hand fabricated cuff bracelet

“Wildfire” Sterling Silver 14k Yellow Gold, Diamond, and Baroque Pearl bracelet

“Awakening Cuff” Sterling Silver with Copper Opal, Agate, and Gold inlay with Diamond accent

WHERE MODERN MEETS TIMELESS

The inspiration behind our collection is simple: quality furniture crafted for longevity and effortless style. Create a design scheme all your own with these comfortable, versatile pieces.

The Most Delicious Season

Welcome fall, and welcome, dear reader, to the most delicious issue of the year.

We were so busy during the summer, eating good food for sure, but lightand-loose meals on the patio or on-the-go picnics is about to give way to fall's warming bounty around the dining table. And we're ready to dig in.

Food is life, and it can have such a profound impact in making memories with cherished family and friends. Nothing brings together people quite like a shared meal.

In this issue, we share the recent celebrity sighting around town of TV Chef Robert Irvine, who headlined an event at Park Meadows' Uncorked Kitchen & Wine Bar. It was a food and wine centered event to help bring attention to Patriot Day, a day honoring those killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Good food and drink? Good cause? We're in.

You can also pick up some inspiration for a dream kitchen remodel from Highlands Ranch Mexican food and lifestyle blogger Yvette MarquezSharpnack. As a recipe developer, cookbook author and video producer, Yvette's suburban home kitchen takes center stage in her life and has been a workhorse — and workplace — for over a decade. See it transformed. There's so much more in this issue. Flip through these pages and find some fall recipes and entertaining inspiration, and invite your friends and family over for a memorable meal around your own table.

Everything we do here at Highlands Ranch City Lifestyle centers around building a powerful community. Every month, we share photos from local events in City Scene, business and nonprofit news in Business Monthly, and ways to get involved in your community in our Events page. Please connect with us so we can share what's important to you in an upcoming issue.

Thanks for reading, Highlands Ranch and Lone Tree. See you around town!

October 2023

PUBLISHER

Jennifer Starbuck | Jennifer.Starbuck@CityLifestyle.com

PUBLICATION DIRECTOR

Sonja Nix | Sonja.Nix@CityLifestyle.com

EDITOR

Elizabeth Watson | Elizabeth.Watson@CityLifestyle.com

PHOTO EDITOR Lisa Lord | Lisa.Lord@CityLifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Angela Broockerd, Yvette Marquez-Sharpnack, Elizabeth Watson, Haley Williams

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Mira Brand, Cassandra Castaneda, Janie Jones, Ian Spanier, Jenna Sparks

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

CONTROLLER Gary Johnson

AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kirstan Lanier

Local, family owned and operated for over 29 years, we are Colorado’s most complete appliance source, offering every major appliance line to fit any budget.

Call us or visit one of our stunning showrooms. Our appliance experts will walk you through the entire selection process, from browsing, to purchasing, to delivery, offering you the one-on-one attention and advice you’ve come to expect.

Thank you for supporting Colorado’s local businesses. Louisville | Colorado Springs | Littleton | Glenwood Springs www.mountainhighappliance.com/

Exquisite brands. Unparalleled service. Amazing attention to detail.

Photography: Ian Spanier

Celebrity Chef Robert Irvine, well known for his starring role in the Food Network’s hit show “Restaurant: Impossible” spent time in Colorado in honor of Patriots Day.

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

1-7: Community members celebrated LearningRx Highlands Ranch’s Grand Opening with Ashley Garcia from the South Metro Chamber, corporate LearningRx founder Ken Gibson and CEO Kim Hansen, Highlands Ranch owner Kathi Miracle and husband Doug. Hansen performed a brain training session to show visitors how powerful brain training is, and founder Gibson discussed how LearningRx’s brain training targets the core cognitive skills for learning to address the root cause of learning difficulties.

1-7: The Denver Food & Wine Festival hosted Shake + Brake Showdown at the Tivoli Quad at the Auraria Campus in Denver on Sept.

7. A lively cocktail competition fueled by bites from Denver’s best food trucks, the event featured Shake + Brake’s food truck all-stars. Attendees voted for their favorite food truck and their favorite cocktail, and judges determined the top three bartenders. Proceeds benefit the Colorado Restaurant Foundation’s mission to support foodservice worker education, training, and overall health and wellness.

7: Mauzie Mays and Karl Terrel.

Photography by Mauzie Mays

1-3: Cranelli’s Italian Restaurant served up its finest fare at the 2023 Vino in the Village: A Wine and Whiskey Walk on August 11. This annual event organized by the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce featured 60 top-rated wines, food pairings from local restaurants, live music, whiskey tastings, wine pull, and new this year, a VIP pre-party experience. Owners Lasinda and Jimmy Crane were on hand to greet attendees and share their passion for food and community. 2: Cranelli’s owners Jimmy and Lasinda Crane. 4: The 20th annual Morgan Adams Concours d’Elegance was held at the Centennial Airport on Aug. 26. From left, Jimmy and Linda Thompson, Sonja and Warren Nix, Byron Nix, Jamie Westall, Mike Phillips, Claudia Maniatis. 4-7: Event winners include a 1951 Vincent motorcycle, 1946 Beechcraft Staggerwing, and Best In Show winner 1932 Auburn 8 Roadster. Other weekend events like the Tour d’Elegance, Cars and Coffee, Ladies Tea and Diamonds, and an Afterparty with live music benefit the Morgan Adams Foundation, to ensure children fighting cancer in the Rocky Mountain Region have access to the best possible research and therapeutic options available.

1: Eliason Wealth Management hosted an event to celebrate Owner and CEO Emmanuel Eliason’s 50th birthday. Emmanuel and Dellice Eliason on the dance floor. 3: More than 150 clients, community members, friends and family attended. Eliason, center, with Stephen Asare (Master of Ceremonies) and Joseph Quansah.

business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Highlands Ranch Community Association Offers Cotillion Course

The Highlands Ranch Community Association (HRCA) offers a Cotillion course that will start in late October. The Cotillion curriculum is designed to empower and encourage students through learning relevant social skills. In addition to the traditional dance aspect, the HRCA curriculum has been modernized to include etiquette, manners and social skills. The final party will be held at the Highlands Ranch Mansion. Visit HRCAonline.org/Classes-CampsActivities/Education/Cotillion for information and registration.

Living The Dream Brewing Partners with Backcountry Wilderness Area

Support the Backcountry Conservation & Education Fund with a sip of Backcountry Wilderness Wheat (pictured above, photo courtesy of Living The Dream). Living The Dream brewed this beer as part of an ongoing collaboration that supports the nonprofit arm of the Backcountry Wilderness Area in Highlands Ranch. According to Living The Dream Brewing, 10 percent of sales will be donated to directly support wildlife habitat improvements and opportunities for environmental education. Check out what’s on tap at LivingTheDreamBrewing.com.

WillStrong Foundation Hosts “The Big Party” Fundraiser

Please join the WillStrong Cancer Foundation on Nov. 4 for The Big Party. This local nonprofit funds research for childhood cancer and provides support to teens and young adults with cancer. You do not want to miss this year's Big Party!  Amazing libations, food, silent auction and dance party with DJ REX all for a good cause - helping kids and young adults with cancer. For more information and to purchase tickets visit WillStrongCancerFoundation. org/BigParty

Hudson Gardens

Hosts Magic of the Jack O' Lanterns

Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns delights all ages on a glowing trail of more than 7,000 magnificent, hand-carved pumpkins. A magical light show illuminates larger-than-life displays. A nautical sea-scape, a pirate ship, dinosaurs, dragons, and much more, all softly aglow throughout the event. You’ll find magic around every corner! Tickets and additional information available at MagicOfTheJack OLanterns.com/Denver.

Cherry Cricket Opens South Metro Location

According to their website, Cherry Cricket has been slinging burgers, brews and good times since 1945. In addition to the original restaurant on 2nd Avenue in Cherry Creek, Cherry Cricket has a Ballpark location at 2200 Blake and the recently opened South Metro location on Littleton Boulevard. Their reputation for serving great burgers was solidified when Cherry Cricket won the People’s Choice award for their Cricket Royale burger at the 2023 Denver Burger Battle. For hours of operation visit CherryCricket.com

ARTICLE BY ELIZABETH WATSON PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY CASA BONITA

rediscovering CASA BONITA

According to Empower Field, Ed Sheeran’s recent Denver performance drew a record breaking single-night audience of 85,233 fans. You might assume he would celebrate by indulging in some of Denver’s high-end dining options. But instead, Sheeran went to Casa Bonita.

In a video posted for his 45.2 million Instagram followers, Sheeran highlighted his night at Casa Bonita, including clips from South Park and the caption, “When in Colorado, Casa Bonita is a must.”

South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone purchased Casa Bonita in 2021. After extensive renovations and improvements, including repainting the exterior of the building with over 300 gallons of custom-blend pink paint and a collaboration with three-time James Beard award nominee Executive Chef Dana

Red Enchiladas Entree

Taco

Casa Bonita Margarita

Photo

Photo credit Mira Brand Photography

Rodriguez to revamp, improve and elevate the restaurant’s menu, a new-but-still-nostaligia-inducing dining and entertainment experience has emerged.

Still on the menu: enchiladas, chips and salsa, tacos and the famous Casa Bonita sopapillas. Still entertaining: cliff divers, Black Bart’s Cave, mariachi bands and a wandering gorilla.

Casa Bonita’s general information fact sheet describes the restaurant as “A cultural institution in the Denver area since its opening in 1974, Casa Bonita, under new ownership, is proud to open with a refreshed look and feel and a brand new culinary team. While maintaining the magical ability to transport guests back in time to 1970s Mexico, Casa Bonita provides an unmatched experience that includes live music, shows, games and memories that will last a lifetime.”

So, whether you’re a Colorado native with vivid pink-tinged memories from the decades before its 2020 closing or a South Park fan that didn’t even realize Casa Bonita exists in reality, Sheeran’s caption still rings true, Casa Bonita is a must.

Currently, Casa Bonita is open with limited dining hours. Guest reservations are pulled exclusively from Casa Bonita’s email list. Enter your email for a chance to enjoy the Casa Bonita experience at CasaBonitaDenver.com

In addition to photography provided by Casa Bonita, images were provided by Mira Brand Photography. Brand is a Castle Pines based wildlife and outdoor photographer. See more of her work @mirabrandphotography.

“WHEN IN COLORADO, CASA BONITA IS A MUST.”

Matt Stone, Executive Chef Dana Rodriguez, Trey Parker

Black Bart's Cave

Celebrity Chef Robert Irvine’s Uncorked Cooking Event

Chef Irvine, Star of Food Network’s Hit Show

“Restaurant: Impossible,” Spends Time in Colorado

Eric Robbins, executive chef and owner of Uncorked Kitchen & Wine Bar, is used to high-pressure events. But when he heard celebrity Chef Robert Irvine was coming in to cook for a private event at Uncorked, that intensity level definitely increased.

Chef Irvine came to Colorado to do two of the things that he is best known for. He cooked, and he showed his support for the military and veterans by attending and promoting events honoring Patriot Day.

According to Colorado Springs-based Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, “Patriot Day is a somber reminder of the sacrifices made during the Global War on Terror and the lives lost at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.”

During his time in Colorado, Chef Irvine spent an evening at the Centennial location of Uncorked Kitchen, preparing and hosting a private event for 50 attendees.

“For this event, his team created the menu and our team executed service

under the guidance of Chef Irvine’s team. Chef Irvine did a cooking demo for the guests and talked about food and cooking while they dined on the dinner he created in front of them and we plated up in the background,” says Chef Robbins.

Chef Robbins summarized the evening by saying, “I admit to being anxious when he first came in. He’s a big muscular dude with a commanding presence that draws you in. After spending a little bit of time with him, it was clear that he is a genuine and caring person, no huge ego. He’s a great leader and immediately takes center stage in the kitchen, but in a relaxed way that makes you feel comfortable.”

“At Uncorked Kitchen & Wine Bar, we host private events for as many as 100 people. Our goal is to provide a unique dining experience that is truly special. Working alongside Chef Irvine and his team was such an amazing experience for our staff and really highlighted the impact food and dining can have on our community.”

ARTICLE BY ELIZABETH WATSON

PHOTOGRAPHY BY UNCORKED KITCHEN & WINE BAR

Christina Martin, Uncorked General Manager with Chef Irvine

Katie Robbins, Uncorked Kitchen CEO with Chef Irvine and Chef Robbins

Contemporary Fine Art

COOKBOOK AUTHOR’S KITCHEN REMODEL MEANS BUSINESS

Yvette Marquez-Sharpnack,

Hola! I’m Yvette Marquez-Sharpnack, a Mexican foodie living in Highlands Ranch.

In 2010, I started a food blog, muybuenoblog.com as a hobby. It first began as an online journal to document the journey of writing a cookbook preserving my grandma’s old-world northern Mexican recipes and my mom’s comforting south of the border home-style dishes. I chose the name “Muy Bueno” for my blog and cookbook as a tribute to my grandma’s words.

In 2012, I co-authored and introduced my first cookbook, Muy Bueno, followed by Latin Twist in 2015. My most recent cookbook, Muy Bueno Fiestas, was just released in April 2023.

Over time, my blog has turned into a fulltime business, where I share recipes that are close to my heart and inspired from my culture. I also produce lifestyle and cooking videos on YouTube, Instagram, and the occasional TikTok. I work with various brands such as Toyota, Kroger, Lowes, and Land O’Lakes, just to name a few.

My days are quite diverse—developing recipes, styling photoshoots, writing blog posts, filming videos, interviews on podcasts, speaking at events, book signings and cooking demos. I also love to prop shop and travel to Mexico, garden and dance!

Above all, I’m a dedicated mom to two very active kids. My goal is to inspire them about our culture and teach them to cook and have fun in the kitchen. I’m living la vida loca — it’s a lot of work but it’s MUY BUENO and I am so grateful for it all.

We have lived in our home in Highlands Ranch for 18 years. I never thought this would be our forever home, but it is. Our children have grown up here and anytime I started looking around at other homes they didn’t like the idea. They have never wanted to move.  Rather than trying to find my dream kitchen in another house, it was time to give our home my dream kitchen.

I finished writing my dream cookbook, so I figured why not celebrate a new year with a dream kitchen! After all, I also needed a break from the craziness of testing cookbook recipes. For anyone who has wanted to tackle a kitchen remodel it is quite intimidating. There are so many little details and options – it’s very overwhelming (not to mention costly!). There were many years I would look into it, but I could never bite the bullet or pick the style I wanted.

All I knew was that I was over our all-white/ neutral kitchen and I wanted a change. I wanted a kitchen with pops of turquoise and

ARTICLE BY YVETTE MARQUEZ-SHARPNACK

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNY SPARKS

Emmy Winning Producer and Writer, Shares Her Highlands Ranch Kitchen/Work Space Remodel Experience

a kitchen that reflected my style. I wanted something Spanish-Mexican, but modern.

I grew up in a pretty humble home in the barrio, and my mom still lives there. We didn’t have some of the basic things that often slip our minds. You know, things like a dishwasher, garbage disposal, and ice maker—my mom’s kitchen is still without those. Despite its small size, her kitchen is always incredibly tidy and well-organized.

I wanted to replicate that same functionality, but I needed upgrades for our busy lifestyle and my business. I splurged on a larger fridge and range. If I had more space, I’d even consider two dishwashers and a wine fridge.

Once I realized I was ready to bite the bullet and truly ready for a kitchen remodel I hired interior designer Cory Decker. The renderings and drawings she and the cabinet maker, Heather Evans, provided really helped me visualize the space and design.

I had finally decided on the look I wanted, but there were details I wasn’t positive about. Do I want to keep the existing layout? What color and style of cabinets? What appliances? SO MANY CHOICES. Never in a million years would I have had the courage to select black cabinetry without these renderings.

The one thing I knew I wanted was this backsplash – I fell in love with this Spanish home and kitchen and hunted for the backsplash and brass hardware details that made that kitchen so special.

We began demo early January and lived in our home throughout the project. We set up a mini kitchen in our master bedroom. Our kitchen remodel was completed mid-March. It was months in the planning and three months living through the construction, but it is DONE! I still take a double-take when I see it. I can’t believe this dreamy kitchen is ours.

Looking back, I realize how much I truly appreciate being able to afford these material things. It’s not like having fancy appliances and upgraded cabinetry makes your food taste any better or creates special memories. I feel like my traditional/ modern kitchen has definitely been upgraded, yet it still manages to maintain a warm, cozy, and welcoming vibe.

CONTINUED >

The updated layout has proven to be a blessing for accommodating film crews and equipment. With the addition of the new hutch and buffet, I’m now able to neatly store all my cherished Mexican props and textiles.

While my kitchen maintains its role as the heart of our home, it has gained a touch of modern functionality, all the while retaining the cherished essence of Mexico that I’m truly thankful for.

About the Author: Yvette Marquez-Sharpnack’s blog Muy Bueno is the perfect destination for anyone looking to embrace food, fiestas and family life. Yvette has been featured in several prominent publications and websites, as well as receiving radio and television coverage. Find recipes and stories at MuyBuenoBlog. com or @muybuenocooking.

“Rather than trying to find my dream kitchen in another house, it was time to give our Highlands Ranch home my dream kitchen.”

CHOCOLATE and WINE

The Key to a Successful Wine and Chocolate Pairing Lies in Finding the Right Combination of Flavors and Characteristics.

Pairing wine and chocolate together can be a delightful sensory experience that can elevate the flavors of both. While the concept of pairing wine with food is well-known, pairing it with chocolate may seem unconventional at first. However, when done correctly, it can create a harmonious balance where the flavors of the wine and chocolate complement and enhance one another.

Wine and chocolate have a lot of similarities to each other. Both contain flavanols (antioxidants) and polyphenols (compounds found in plant-based food) that are good for you and have anti-inflammatory properties. These characteristics affect flavor so it’s somewhat challenging to pair wine and chocolate together. The more polyphenols, the more pronounced the bitter taste.

For example, if you sip a delicious dry red wine alongside a hunk of dark chocolate, the wine will start to taste bitter and sour. The taste imbalance is coming from the heightened levels of flavanols (different types of tannin) found in both chocolate and wine that end up clashing against each other on your tongue.

While it might sound counterintuitive, a good rule of thumb is to pair a wine that is “sweeter” than the chocolate itself. “Sweet” doesn’t refer to dessert wines alone. In the wine world, the term “sweet” is often used to denote ripe, fruit-forward flavors in a wine. These characteristics provide a nice balance to the bitter flavors of cocoa.

Both wine and chocolate can have intense, dry flavors. In order to find the right balance, it’s best to choose wines that are a little bit softer and juicier than the chocolate you’re pairing it with.

We’ve done the footwork to find several wines that partner well with chocolate. Here are our guidelines for matching chocolate with wine and a few of our favorite wine and chocolate pairings. We hope you’ll try them and then get inspired to experiment and create your own.

ARTICLE BY HALEY WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY BY CASSANDRA CASTANEDA

TIP 1: MATCH SUGAR WITH SUGAR

When it comes to pairing chocolate and wine, you don’t want to strike a balance, you want to match sugar to sugar. Sweeter chocolate like white chocolate does better when consumed with sweeter wines and bitter chocolate like dark chocolate enjoys being paired with dryer wines. Think of it as matching sugar with sugar. A good rule of thumb is to always pair wines that are equally or slightly more sweet than the chocolate being eaten with it.

TIP 2: MATCH INTENSITY WITH INTENSITY

If you pair an incredibly delicately flavored dark chocolate with a full-bodied, heavy red, the intensity of the wine will destroy any of the subtlety that might have been present in the chocolate. The opposite is also true: strong-tasting chocolate will blow a delicate wine out of the water. Keep this rule of thumb in mind: light-flavored chocolates enjoy being paired with light-bodied wines and intensely flavored chocolates prefer being paired with full-bodied wines.

TIP 3: PAIR FLAVORS WITH FLAVORS

Wine and chocolate both carry their own intense flavors. If the chocolate contains other ingredients such as nuts, fruit, or caramel, consider how these flavors will play with the wine. This is especially helpful to remember when enjoying truffles with wine. To avoid creating a palate power play between the two, do your best to match fruity or floral chocolates with fruity wines like Moscato or White Zinfandel. Enjoy chocolate-covered nuts alongside a nutty wine like a Madeira or Marsala. Chocolate studded with dried cranberries might pair well with a fruit-forward red with berry undertones.

CREATING THE PERFECT PAIR

DARK CHOCOLATE

Bitter to semi-sweet dark chocolates, that are 50 to 100% cacao, have intense, bitter flavors, and earthy to fruity undertones. Match the intensity without adding more dryness by pairing these chocolates with full-bodied, yet fruit-forward wines.

Pairs well with:

Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Port, Merlot, Shiraz, Barolo

MILK CHOCOLATE

Milk chocolate is typically creamier and sweeter with flavors of brown sugar, vanilla, and cream. It requires a wine that is light to medium in body, with a ripe fruit character.

Pairs well with:

Pinot Noir, Merlot, Sweet Riesling, Ice-Style Wine

WHITE CHOCOLATE

White chocolate has a sweet, buttery flavor with notes of cream and honey. Sweet white and rosè wines help cleanse the palate of the rich flavors from white chocolate, as does sparkling spumante like Moscato d’Asti.

Pairs well with:

Sweet Riesling, Moscato, Semi-Dry Sparkling Whites, Gewurztraminer

THE FLAVOR OF FALL

ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

Apples are the trademark fruit of fall, and with the many varieties to choose from, there is an apple that is sure to please any palate. They can be included in both sweet and savory dishes and are delicious and incredibly healthful. We all have heard the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” While they aren’t a cureall, apples are packed full of polyphenols, antioxidants, vitamin C, B vitamins and fiber. Make the most of autumn’s best produce and the flavors of fall with these simple recipes.

APPLE GALETTE WITH CARAMEL DRIZZLE

Easier than pie but with all the same textures, this gooey warm dessert is sure to please. For simplicity, this can be made with a premade crust.

INGREDIENTS: INSTRUCTIONS:

Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups flour

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 stick cold unsalted butter, cubed

• 1/4 cup iced cold water

Filling:

• 2 apples, peeled and sliced into thin slices

• 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar

• 1 1/2 tablespoons flour

• 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• Caramel sauce

• Optional: 1/4 chopped walnuts or pecans

Crust:

(Note: If running short on time, store bought crust works great, too.)

Mix flour, salt and sugar together in a bowl. Cut in the butter. Add water and mix until moistened. Lightly knead the dough and then form into a ball. Next, flatten dough into a thick circular form and refrigerate for one hour.

Filling:

Mix the apples, flour, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar together in a bowl.

Assemble and Bake:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll the dough into a circle and set on parchment paper. Arrange apples in center of dough, leaving about one inch of space for the edges. Fold crust over the apples and press to seal edges. Drizzle with caramel sauce and sprinkle with pecans or walnuts. Bake for 35 minutes. Serve with caramel sauce and ice-cream.

ELEVATED GRILLED CHEESE

This take on the classic grilled cheese is sure to satisfy your fall cravings. With the combined flavors of savory and sweet, it packs a punch for your taste buds.

INGREDIENTS: INSTRUCTIONS:

• 1/4 red onion, sliced

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• Sliced sourdough bread

• 1-2 tablespoons butter

• 4 ounces Brie, sliced

• Fig jam, or preferred choice of jam

• 1 Granny smith apple, sliced

• Arugula

• Thinly sliced ham, optional

Heat olive oil in the skillet and add sliced onions. Cook for a few minutes and then add brown sugar. Sauté until soft. Set aside. Butter the outside of the sourdough bread. Next, spread jam on the inside of both slices. Add cheese, apples, onions and arugula. If using meat, add as well. Top with slice of bread and grill on skillet until both sides are toasted and cheese is melted. Serve and enjoy!

APPLE CHUTNEY

This Indian-inspired dish is the perfect fall topping for pork chops and also pairs nicely with ham. This is so easy to make and will fill your kitchen with the aroma of fall.

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 tablespoons butter

• 2 cups Granny Smith apple, chopped

• ¼ cup pecans or walnuts

• 1/3 cup apple juice

• 3 tablespoons brown sugar

• 3 tablespoons dried cranberries

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

• ¾ teaspoon cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon nutmeg

INSTRUCTIONS:

Heat butter in saucepan, then add remaining ingredients. Cook over medium heat until the sauce has cooked down and the apples are tender. Serve over pork chops. Enjoy!

events

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

OCTOBER 1ST - 31ST

13th Floor Haunted House Denver

3400 E. 52ND AVENUE, DENVER

Experience the world-famous 13th Floor Haunted House. Denver’s ultimate Halloween event. Not recommended for children under 12. This screamfest is trying to give you nightmares. For those who love a good jump scare and the truly terrifying side of Halloween - this event is for you. Tickets and information available at 13thFloorHauntedHouse.com .

OCTOBER 1ST - 31ST

Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns

HUDSON GARDENS

Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns delights all ages on a glowing trail of more than 7,000 magnificent, hand-carved pumpkins. A magical light show illuminates larger-than-life displays. A nautical sea-scape, a pirate ship, dinosaurs, dragons, and much more, all softly aglow throughout the event. You’ll find magic around every corner! Tickets and additional information available at MagicOfTheJackOLanterns.com/Denver.

FRIDAYS - SUNDAYS, OCTOBER 6TH - 29TH

Chatfield Corn Maze

CHATFIELD FARMS

It’s time to “seas” the day as you dive in to explore the seven-acre corn maze at Chatfield Farms. This year’s maze has a sea-creature theme for fun twists and tricky turns. Visitors under the age of 10 can explore the corn mini-maze. Food vendors onsite sell all the fall favorites such as funnel cakes, corndogs, freshly squeezed lemonade, kettle corn and roasted nuts. BotanicGardens.org/Events/Special-Events/Corn-Maze

OCTOBER 8TH

Schweiger Ranch Fall Festival

SCHWEIGER RANCH, LONE TREE

Celebrate fall at the annual Schweiger Ranch Fall Festival. The event features pumpkin patches, horse carriage rides, marshmallow roasting and ranch exploration. Schweiger Ranch is a historic, working ranch that allows visitors to step back in time and see the past first hand through guided tours of the preserved buildings and the land itself. Live bluegrass music, food trucks and vendors also onsite. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.  CityofLoneTree.com/CityEvents/FallFestival

OCTOBER 12TH

Map of Highlands Ranch Halloween House Decorating

HIGHLANDS RANCH

Share your Halloween spirit by submitting photos of your home’s frightfully good exterior decorations by October 12 to be included in the Highlands Ranch Community Association’s Halloween House Decorating Map Homes will have their address and photo included on a map for a driving tour of decorated homes. Enjoy a night of spooky sightseeing from the comfort of your car! HRCAonline.org/HalloweenHouse

NOVEMBER 4TH

Author Event with Children's Book Author Jolene Gutiérrez

HIGHLANDS RANCH LIBRARY | 2:00 PM

Don’t miss Colorado author Jolene Gutiérrez when she reads and talks about her new children’s picture book, Too Much! An Overwhelming Day, written from the award-winning teacher-librarian's own experience with sensory processing disorder. A compassionate picture book that explores the struggles of a sensorily sensitive child. Books will be sold at the event. All ages welcome. Register at DCL.org/Featured-Events