Coffee Rubbed Steak
Mix up the regular holiday fare at your next party or family gathering with this coffee rubbed steak! Coffee Rubbed Steak 2 tbsp. ancho chili powder 2 tbsp. finely ground coffee beans 5 tsp. brown sugar 1 tbsp. hot smoked Spanish paprika 1½ tsp. dried oregano 1½ tsp. black pepper 1½ tsp. ground coriander 1½ tsp. mustard powder 1 tsp. chile de árbol powder (or ¾ tsp. finely ground red pepper flakes) 1 tsp. ground ginger 1 tbsp. kosher salt, plus more 2 16-ounce boneless NY strip steaks (about 1 in. thick) 2 tbsp. vegetable oil • In a small bowl, mix ancho chili, coffee, brown sugar, paprika, oregano, pepper, coriander, mustard, chile de árbol, ginger, and 1 tbsp. salt. • Season steaks with salt, then coat with 5 tsp. coffee rub per steak. Place steaks on a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet. Chill uncovered 3–6 hours. • For quick and even cooking, let steaks come to room temperature for 1 hour. • Preheat oven to 400°. • Heat oil in a large[...]
Colorado Old Towns for the Whole Family
How about some old-fashioned holiday charm, cheer and fun for the whole family? With something for every age and interest, the metro area’s many quaint old-town downtowns make ideal whole or half-day holiday-season destinations, especially for visiting out-of-town family and friends. No matter where you where you live, there’s a walkable “Main Street” near you. From Golden to Longmont, Morrison to Fort Collins, and Parker to Boulder, you’ll find a warm welcome and amazing small town charm. Check out the free community events, locally owned coffee roasters and restaurants, walking tours, art galleries, vintage and antique stores, and quirky, one-of-a-kind shops that you’ll find nowhere else. We’ve picked a few of our favorites, but you don’t have to take our word for it. Get out there and see for yourself what makes these places special and unique. Strolling around Main Street and beyond, you’ll be sure to discover something new and unexpected. And, of course, remember to bring the camera to capture the good times shared! Old Town Golden It’s no surprise that Golden is[...]
Holiday Skating in the Metro
What better way to have fun this holiday season than ice skating outdoors, enjoying holiday cheer and fresh air with family, friends and the local community? We’re fortunate to have a variety of locations in the metro area to choose from, each with a slightly different flavor. Here’s a few of our favorites: DENVER DOWNTOWN Southwest Rink at Skyline Park, 16th Street Mall at Arapahoe Open: November 17 to February 14 (Valentine’s Day) Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Cost: free to skate, rentals $6-$8 Information: 303-825-6787 EVERGREEN LAKE Evergreen Lake House, 29612 Upper Bear Creek Road Open: December 21 to March 4 Cost: skating $5-$7, free for children 3 and under Season passes, punch cards, classes and hockey Skating Hot Line: 720-880-1391 Information: 720-880-1311 or bbednar@eprd.co BELMAR AT LAKEWOOD The Rink at Belmar, 464 S. Teller St. Open Daily: November 16 to January 7 Open Thursday-Sunday: January 11 to 28 Cost: $5.00-$9.50, includes rental Free for children 2 and under, seniors 65 and older Information: 303-742-1525 LONGMONT DOWNTOWN Longmont Ice Pavilion at[...]
Coffee on Deck: I Take Mine with Honey
One of the nice little perks of my work is good, and frequent, coffee. Whatever time it is when I go to a perspective client’s home to consult with them about our custom decks and outdoor additions, whether it’s morning, afternoon, or evening, I’m often welcomed with an offer of coffee. This is never a problem, as I really enjoy the brew. I have memories going all the way back to early childhood of going to my grandparents’ home for a weekend breakfast or brunch, and bring served “coffee milk” made with coffee, sugar, and milk, while the adults drank cup after cup of the real thing. Fast forward several decades and it seems like today the country runs on coffee, for better or for worse. I can remember when coffee was just coffee (and beer was just beer). Now the choices are endless, just like the controversies. There is way too much about history about coffee to go into in this brief piece. However, when it comes to coffee, the facts and history are amazing[...]
Picture This! Contest Winners
We would like to thank everyone who submitted pictures for the Picture This! contest. This year we saw increased participation, and love seeing you love your deck. This year we helped nearly a hundred people design and build their dream outdoor living space. It is with humble thanks that we thank you all for choosing DeckTec and allowing us to work on your beautiful homes. We hope we’ve enhanced your outdoor living, and that your outdoor room will create lasting memories with friends and family for years to come. The DeckTec Team First Place Winner: Jackie Friesth Second Place Winner: Rich Hakkarinen Third Place Winner: Matt Fullerton
Pumpkin Spice Latte
Enjoy this seasonal favorite in the comfort of your own home! Serves 2 2 tbsp. canned pumpkin ½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice + more to garnish freshly ground black pepper 2 tbsp. sugar 2 c. whole milk 2 tbsp. vanilla extract ¼ c. espresso or strong coffee whipped cream optional: 2 oz. coffee liqueur or rum In small saucepan over medium heat, combine pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, and black pepper - to taste, for 2 minutes, or until hot. Stir continuously. Add sugar and stir until becomes a bubbly, thick syrup. Whisk in milk and vanilla and warm gently over medium heat. Be careful not to reach a boil. Froth with a hand blender or whisk until frothy. Pour coffee into two mugs and add frothed milk. Optional: add 1 oz. liquor to each mug, more or less to taste Top with whipped cream and pie spice, cinnamon, or nutmeg, to taste. (adapted from thekitchn.com)
Dave Hall: All in the Family
If he were alive today, Rod Hall might hardly recognize the small, one-man wholesale barbecue distribution company he started in Denver in 1968 under his own name. Now called Colorado Comfort Products, and under the leadership his son Dave since 1978, the family business has expanded into the high-end retail market with barbecues as well as fire pits and tables, outdoor heating systems, ornamental fire features and more. The entire product line, Dave said, is manufactured in the United States and Canada, with nothing from overseas. “We’re a three-generation business,” Dave said proudly. “I enjoy working with my family, number one.” Dave’s daughter, Shellie Kenfield, handles phones, accounting, payroll, computer systems and other operational and administrative duties, while Dave’s nephew, Matt Hall, and his son, Jeff Hall, handle sales, work crews, liaise with contractors, and perform troubleshooting. And, of course, there’s Dave’s wife, Cindy Hall, his right-hand gal who “helps out with everything” – from sales to collections to well – “just about anything.” “Our family’s goal is really to take care of our customers, so[...]
Everyone Loves a Fire Pit
When it comes to “fire on deck” and staying warm, there’s something for every need – from a fire pit to fireplaces and heaters. DeckTec can make it happen. “There’s been a big evolution in all of this since the first outdoor fire options came on board in the late 90s and early 2000s,” Steve Sparhawk, owner of DeckTec said. (Download: The Ultimate Guide to Starting Your Custom Outdoor Deck Project) “Fire pits warm the lower body, whereas fire tables, when you sit around them, warm the upper body,” Dave Hall, owner of Colorado Comfort Products, said. “A lot of people prefer a fire pit because of that lower body warmth.” Fire pits are great because they can also double as a coffee table. Hall said that he sells five times more fire pits than tables. “The advantage of fire tables is that they provide warmth around an eating surface,” he said. They come in many different shapes, styles, colors and heights. If people don’t like the appearance of the typical stainless steel, he added, there’s[...]
Colorado: Lucky Us
You may have noticed that the secret’s out – Colorado’s an amazing place to visit, and for an increasing number of people from all over the country, an ideal place to live. Who can blame these folks for appreciating what we Coloradans have been enjoying all these years? There’s the breathtaking scenery, a growing professional arts and music scene, and world-class culinary delights. Our state, and the metro area in particular, are on the short list of top destinations, and with this comes gains as well as some inevitable growing pains. Denver commerce is moving full steam ahead and shows no signs of slowing. This means a steady stream of people moving here, and an unemployment rate at nearly zero. But the slower pace and idyllic serenity of our favorite mountain towns and trails – a treasure for many of us – is likewise impacted by our new neighbors and guests. Although a boon to mountain economies, for Denverites it means noticeably increased traffic, leading to frustration and long travel times as we head to the[...]
Grilled Chicken with Brother John’s Peach Pineapple Habanero Sauce
Ingredients 4 chicken breasts 1 c. sugar ¼ c. apple cider vinegar 1/4 c. pineapple juice 1/4 tbsp. lemon juice 1/4 tbsp. cornstarch (mixed with a bit of water to create a slurry) 1/4 medium to large pineapple roasted and chopped 1/4 medium onion finely chopped 1/4 red pepper finely chopped 1 and 1/4 peaches finely chopped 2-3 habanero peppers, roasted and finely chopped Directions Create a simple syrup in a large pot by whisking the sugar, vinegar, pineapple juice, and lemon juice over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Turn up the heat and bring to a boil for 2 minutes. Turn off heat and let sit while prepping the other ingredients. Stir the remaining ingredients into the syrup, stir in the cornstarch mixture. Bring the mixture to a boil. Turn down the heat to simmer for 5-10 minutes. The consistency should be syrupy and chunky. Pour over chicken breasts. Marinate for 2 hours or longer. Grill and enjoy.
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