Newsletter Archives - Page 3 of 12 - DeckTec Outdoor Designs

Cool Summer Fruit Soup

July 5th, 2017|Blog, Life On Deck, Outdoor Recipes|

Serves 4 Ingredients 2 c. Ripe cantaloupe cut into chunks 1 Ripe large peach, peeled and cut into chunks 1 c. Freshly blended peach nectar (or canned) ½ c. White Zinfandel (or ½ c. peach nectar) 2 tbsp. Freshly squeezed lemon juice 1 c. Fresh or frozen raspberries Sugar or other sweetener Fresh mint sprigs Directions Fresh Peach Nectar Start with soft, ripe, fragrant peaches. Submerge peaches in boiling water until skin loosens. Remove peaches from hot water and submerge in ice water. Once peaches cool, peel and remove pits and cut into chunks. Liquefy peaches with water (2:1 ratio) in blender. Fruit Soup In blender or food processor, combine fruit, nectar and wine until smooth. Add sweetener to taste. Chill soup until cold in covered container, at least 1 hour. Pour soup into bowls and top with raspberries. Garnish with mint sprigs. Adapted from Jane Shapton, myrecipes.com

As Good As It Gets

July 4th, 2017|Blog, Life On Deck|

I have something to admit – I’m going to be a Grandfather soon and I have never been outside the United States. Yes, I have a passport, but I’ve never been to Mexico, Canada, or any other foreign country. I’ve been very lucky, though, to have traveled to many parts of this country and to have stayed at some very luxurious hotels and resorts. In addition, in over thirty years within my profession, I’ve been in many incredibly beautiful homes throughout the Denver metro area and Colorado. As spectacular as these places are, what strikes me most are the professionally designed environments that bring the indoors and outdoors together. I know I’m not alone, because everywhere I go I see restaurants expanding their open air seating and lounging areas with beautiful decks and patios. For example, during a recent trip to Austin, Texas, I saw many restaurant and hotel rooftop [...]

Gazpacho Soup with Beer and Jalapeno (Vegan)

July 3rd, 2017|Blog, Outdoor Recipes|

A tangy, chilled summer tomato soup with extra punch from your favorite light craft beer. (Serves 4) Ingredients 4 c. diced red tomatoes 1/2 c. chunk baguette or sourdough bread 1 tbsp. olive oil 2 tsp. salt 1/2 green pepper, seeded and diced (about 1/2 c.) 1/2 English cucumber, diced (about 1 c.) 1/4 c. red onion 1 garlic clove, peeled and chopped 2 tbsp. lime juice (or juice of 1 lime) 1/2- 1 jalapeno, diced, depending on desired heat level 1/2 c. beer freshly ground pepper to taste cilantro leaves, to garnish Directions Place all ingredients, except pepper, cilantro, and beer, in blender. Puree to desired consistency Stir in beer, add pepper to taste Pour into bowls and garnish with cilantro Adapted from: cookingforluv.com

Container Tomatoes

June 26th, 2017|Blog, Garden & Lawn Care|

Imagine picking a ripe, juicy tomato right on your deck! All you need are some starts, and pots of various sizes. You can extend the season by covering plants, or taking them in overnight, as the weather cools. Pick a spot with good sun, but don’t overdo – tomatoes can wilt or burn under the hot Colorado sun. Test out and adjust locations as needed. Grouping pots together provides some shade and wind protection. Tomatoes need plenty of water and good drainage. Soil should be evenly damp to the touch, not dry, hard, or soggy. Transplant tomatoes in a timely manner as they outgrow containers. “Patio” tomatoes intended for pots may not taste quite as good. You can grow regular tomatoes and even some heirlooms in containers. Talk with your local gardening expert. Stake potted plants for support and monitor for disease – just like tomatoes planted in the ground. [...]

Beer Myths

June 19th, 2017|Blog|

Thousands of years of brewing science still has not put some classic beer myths to rest. Let’s debunk them once and for all! Myth #1: All Dark Beer is Heavy Don’t be afraid of the dark! While a beer’s color can offer clues about flavor, color has little to do with “mouthfeel” – the way a beer’s weight and texture feel, literally, in the mouth. To understand mouthfeel, consider how skim milk feels and weighs on your palate compared to whole milk. While it’s commonly believed that dark beers feel thick, more like whole milk, this is a myth. Why not give a Schwarzbier or Dunkelweizen a try, both dark, German-style brews that are perfect for your deck. Myth #2: Beer is Best Ice Cold The truth is that extremely cold temperatures inhibit the flavor and aroma of beer. As well, pouring beer into a frozen mug often results in [...]