BOOK+BEVERAGE

Words + Photo by Rose Marie Binger

BY TIEGHAN GERARD

If you’re looking for a fantastic cookbook, give “Half Baked Harvest” a try. Author Tieghan Gerard lives in Summit County, Colorado, as a food blogger, Instagram sensation and celebrity among her peers and followers. Her recipes are easy to follow and also taste delicious. It’s lovely seeing the Colorado landscape and mountains represented in the photos among the mouthwatering food she depicts. In my opinion, the photos are the best part of this cookbook, or any cookbook for that matter. I also enjoyed that there is a paragraph describing each delicacy, what it means to her and the creative process behind it.

I do wish Gerard would have included cooking times in her book. For many of us who have tight schedules, time is of upmost importance. Gerard does make it a point to request that even as we follow her recipes that we get creative as well. In a statement, Gerard mentions that she goes on a hike every single morning so that she can gather her creative energy for the day ahead. As a Coloradan, I know that this is one of the best things our valley has to offer. After trying a few of her recipes and following her advice to bring some of my own creative energy to the meals, I can certainly say that “Half Baked Harvest” is a book that will be used in my kitchen for many meals to come.

Talbott’s Cider Company is most well known for their cider, but have you had the chance to try their peach juice? This non-alcoholic treasure is wonderous to behold. According to Lynnette, a member of the Talbott family, peach juice is a fairly new drink to the beloved, six-generation Palisade business. They use 16 pounds of peaches for every 3-liter container. The best part is that it gives purpose to the peaches that don’t quite make the cut to sell at market. Partnering with Summit Mobile Juicing in its production, they create a beverage that is 100 percent pasteurized and unfiltered peach juice. When the weather changes and is unpredictable, as it so often is in Colorado, take a page from Gerard’s cookbook and have a drink on hand that is super easy to be creative with. Peaches are a very versatile fruit, and this delightful beverage is no different. You can drink it iced, with added flavors, warm or even add some mulled spices. Either way, it tastes like home. My personal favorite? Pick up Talbott’s own mulled cider packets and drink it warm to get a wonderful peach pie flavor. It’s sure to be a local family favorite. Cheers! :