The Recipe Exchange
Readers sometimes wonder how The Connection chooses which recipes to publish, and though the criteria are far from strict, we generally look at a few factors: First, and most important, do the recipes on these pages guide readers in creating something they will want to eat and serve to friends and family? If the answer is no, you will not see it here.
We also consider the difficulty level of recipes and try to include an even mixture of both simple-to-prepare recipes (some salad and fresh-produce recipes are more about assembly and don’t require cooking or baking at all) and more difficult dishes. It is rare that we include recipes that require preparation spanning several hours or lots of expert know-how, so if we do, our food editor is pretty confident that the time and effort will be worth it.
For the most part, recipes we gravitate toward do not require specialty shopping for tools or ingredients, and nearly everything is fairly budget friendly. Most of the selections you’ll find here are based on either traditional favorites for a particular time of year, or what is growing in the fields and readily available at the supermarket or the farmers market. Much of what we write about are recipes our food editor has made hundreds of times with consistent results. We do experiment with new things too, and if it’s tasty, you’ll probably read about it here.
Finally, we are thrilled to say that this column is interactive, and sometimes readers catch something we’ve missed, give feedback for how a recipe could be improved, or simply contact us to let us know they have particularly enjoyed something they have read here in their own kitchen. Please join in!
We hope you enjoy our collaboration with other cooks, testing their recipes and sharing the enjoyment that results.
Holy guacamole! Chipotle Mexican Grill recently released the recipe for its famous signature guacamole. With six simple ingredients (avocados, lime juice, cilantro, red onion, jalapeño, and salt), guacamole perfection can…
Fresh, wonderful water to quench your thirst Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I am thirsty all the time. It’s rare to find me without something to sip on all…
A dozen delicious easy eggs Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I love breakfast. I can’t think of a single breakfast food that doesn’t appeal to me, no matter what…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I made my first carrot cake in 1991. I was a poor college student, bored on a Sunday afternoon and craving a treat. I…
Making yogurt cheese means gathering a few simple supplies: cheesecloth, a strainer, plain Greek Yogurt and a mixing bowl. Greek yogurt spends a day in the fridge draining through cheesecloth…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett When I turned eleven years old, my dad took me out for lunch to celebrate. I still remember what I ate: a perfect filet…
Belly up to the bar; hot chocolate, that is! Article and photos by Lisa Crockett The holidays are here and party season is in full swing. Calendars are filling up…
Oven-free stuffing worth getting stuffed on Article and photos by Lisa Crockett Thanksgiving is one of my favorite days of the year. A day dedicated to food, friends, and family.…
Rich and sweet: favorite flavors for fall Article and photos by Lisa Crockett The days are getting shorter, and in no time at all little ghosts and goblins will be…
Just peachy: fresh, late-summer delights Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Harvest is in full swing. With the bounty that is available at the supermarket and the farmers market, it…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I t’s August. For many of us, this month marks a return to normal life – if not right this minute, then soon. School…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Barbecue is the quintessential Father’s Day meal. It’s sort of stereotypical “man food” – meat is featured heavily and depending on the heat of…
A fiesta in your mouth for Cinco de Mayo Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of the victory of the Mexican Army over French…
Light and lemony for springtime Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Every season has its celebrations and I love them all. In my opinion, a good celebration always includes some…
Heating things up in the cold Aimee and Hannah Goodrich took first place in the chili cookoff. They competed against seven other entries and were excited to take home the…
Hearty and heart healthy granola for your valentine Article and photo by Lisa Crockett There are lots of ways to show someone that you love them, but my hands-down favorite…
Waking to a waffle wonderland on Christmas morning Article and photo by Lisa Crockett When I was a kid, Saturday was pancake and waffle day. My dad was the resident…
Make quick work of the evening meal with a slow cooker Article and photo by Lisa Crockett The days are shorter and cooler temperatures are here. Leaves are falling off…
A Colorado favorite Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I’ve spent most of my life living in the West, but it wasn’t until I moved to Colorado that I discovered…
A cool treat for a hot summer day Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I love to cook and bake. There’s nothing I enjoy more than puttering around the kitchen,…
Pop up a great Fourth of July Story and photo by Lisa Crockett The dog days of summer are nearing, and if fire restrictions allow, fireworks shows will be prominently…
Give mom a sweet treat this Mother’s Day Story and photo by Lisa Crockett May is the month we honor our mothers. Handmade cards, jewelry, or perhaps a trip to…
Story and photo by Lisa Crockett Anyone who knows me or reads this column regularly knows that I am not afraid of fat and calories. Butter? Bring it on. Sugar?…
Story and photo by Lisa Crockett The best meal I have ever eaten was served in my own kitchen. The cooking, however, wasn’t done by me, but by a friend…
Story and photo by Lisa Crockett Sugar cookies figure heavily in my memories of childhood special occasions: Jack-o-lanterns with orange frosting for Halloween, Christmas trees and stars, hearts in February.…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett When you think of holiday desserts, you probably think of something warm and spicy like pumpkin pie, or something rich and heavy like…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett It’s the night before the big holiday and everyone is hungry. Now. You have a house full of company and a refrigerator full of…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett This is the time of year when my children start dreaming about how they’ll dress up at the end of the month. This year…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett In case it escaped your notice, this summer has been hot. Exceptionally, meltingly hot. And while the heat has wreaked havoc on air conditioning…
By Lisa Crockett August. The month of the tomato. Warm and just-picked, nothing speaks more to the bounty of the harvest than a fresh, ripe tomato. A sprinkle of salt…
Chocolate chocolate chip cookies baked using high altitude adjustments to the recipe … perfection! Article and photo by Lisa Crockett It’s that time of year when social opportunities abound. The…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett (actual cake too!) Summer is here, and with it comes the patriotic holidays of summer – Memorial Day, Flag Day and Independence Day. Summer…
By Lisa Crockett Menus this time of year are chock full of things that are young, tender and fresh. A tasty reminder of the annual renewal that accompanies spring: young…
By Lisa Crockett This year, Valentine’s Day is on a Tuesday. Tuesday is a perfectly good day – just as good as any other day, really. But somehow, Tuesday lacks…
Castle Pines artist and entrepreneur Jennifer Goode, holding a coy of “It’s All About the Cookies,” a desserts-only cookbook being sold to raise money for breast cancer research. Goode designed…
by Sally Uhrich Although ham will probably once again be the mainstay at many dinner tables this Easter, it is lamb that is considered to be the most popular symbol…
Cut the calories; keep the flavor by Sally Uhrich The holidays are over and you have left-overs in the freezer, decorations to put away and, if you’re like most of…
by Sally Uhrich So you’re making the final preparations for your holiday meal, carving the turkey and making gravy. Your guests have gathered in the kitchen, anxiously awaiting dinner. Why…
by Sally Uhrich The turkey is stuffed and the pies are baking in the oven, but what about the sides? No holiday meal is complete without those extra tasty vittles…
by Sally Uhrich With the holiday season fast approaching, it’s time to begin planning your Thanksgiving dinner. Healthy holiday meals don’t have to expand your waistline or break the bank.…
by Sally Uhrich With the autumn season upon us, who can resist making a dessert with the natural goodness of apples? Autumn Apple Cake is featured in “Cooking Light Annual…
by Sally Uhrich With the summer season in full swing, who can resist the tantalizing flavor of a sizzling steak right off the grill? While there are many tricks to…
by Sally Uhrich If you’re still looking for a dessert to serve on July 4th, consider Peach Berry Cobbler with ice cream, from the July 2008 edition of Cooking Light…
by Sally Uhrich Outdoor grilling is a welcome relief for many cooks, as there is little mess and easy cleanup. Yet, many people think of grilling only, with regard to…
by Sally Uhrich Winter’s demise leads us into two of the most anticipated seasons of all; spring and summer. Warmer weather lends itself to outdoor entertaining for such events as…
by Sally Uhrich So it’s New Year’s day and it’s your turn to host the holiday dinner. What to do? You’re tired of turkey and not yet ready for ham.…
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