FRESH NEWS

Easy winter meals. Really.

03/01/2010

“If you throw a lamb chop into a hot oven, what's gonna keep it from gettin' done?”
Joan Crawford in The Women, 1939

This past week I had conversations with 2 customers who insisted that they did not cook. “Oh come on, there must be something you like to make?” I asked. The answer was no. But still, there they were, hopefully pushing a cart through our store.
So this email is for them, and for all of us who run out of time, patience, or ideas for the most pressing question of the day: What’s for dinner?
Niman Ranch Ham steak with baked beans. This delicious slice of ham comes pre-cooked, it just needs a little heat. Fry ham in a pan. Open a can of Bush’s Baked Beans (rich in iron and calcium and low in fat), heat up. Serve with a salad.
Marczyk Parmesan chicken cutlet with Near East pearled couscous. Sounds fancy, yes? Sauté Parmesan chicken breast in a non-stick pan with a little butter, it’s pretty hard to mess this one up. Pearled couscous is a larger grain and has a great texture. Cook according to directions on box. Serve with frozen peas.
Marczyk crab cakes with sautéed spinach and sweet potato fries. A guest-worthy dinner! Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a pan over medium heat, add the crab cakes. Press them down gently in the pan so they get nice and crispy. Cook for 15-20 minutes on each side. Don’t fret about overcooking, they will still be delicious. Fill a clean sink with cold water, and soak the spinach. Drain in a salad spinner. (This is essential to every kitchen.) Chop a clove of garlic, and add to a non-stick pan with a tablespoon of olive oil. Get it nice and hot, then add the cleaned, drained spinach. It will pop and sizzle. Let it cook until wilted, once again, hard to overcook this one. Buy our frozen sweet potato fries, cook according to directions.
Stuffed mushrooms with roasted asparagus. It’s a meal in itself. Our mushrooms are stuffed with chicken, spinach and bacon. Add some green to make a complete meal. Preheat oven to 350. (When in doubt, it’s 350 usually). Put mushroom in a pan, and cook for 35-45 minutes. Rinse the asparagus, and snap the woody ends off. They will snap off in a natural place, leaving the tender tops. Just experiment a little. Put on a roasting pan with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast in the oven with the mushroom, these will only take about 15 minutes.

New new new
Salmon Roulade, phenomenal! Rolled with feta, spinach, and pine nuts. Bake or grill.
Rosemary & Garlic Marinated Pork Tenderloin, we do the work, you take the glory.
Sweet Italian Sausage Stuffed Pork Chop. The perfect Sunday night supper. Brown on both sides, then roast in the oven. Serve with a side of spaghetti and red sauce.
Frozen quail. A great Easter dinner treat. Four per package.
Sweetbreads. Very elegant, very delicious. Jimmy cleans these all up for you, so you can just cut right to the cooking part.
Oogave sodas. Made in Denver, made with all natural sweeteners. A staffer here said it’s the best soda she has ever had. Cola, Cream Soda, and more!
Arnott’s Chocolate biscuits. Very rich and sweet, a bit of a cult classic. From Australia, customers are thrilled and surprised to see these on our shelves.

What’s Fresh Now
New t-shirts coming on Monday! Look for the first run of meat yum’s and pig love’s, and Westword cartoonist Kenny Be’s take on the United States of Marczyk. New art, new colors!

Calendar:
Wine tasting every Friday night, 5:00pm-8:00pm. Free! Taste the Wines of the Month and take advantage of our monthly sales.
Denver Restaurant Week, February 20-March 5th, is “a two-week celebration of the culinary scene in Denver. Participating restaurants will offer a multi-course dinner for the fixed price of $52.80 for two, or $26.40 for one (not including tax or gratuity).” There are about 10 Uptown restaurants participating.
Save the date: 2 wine tastings coming up sponsored by yours truly.
March 27: Good Shepherd School’s wine tasting will feature delicious spring wines from some of our favorite vendors. $20 gets you in, and a chance to buy wine at killer prices.
April 16: Taste for Teller, now in its 3rd year at the Tears McFarlane House, offers wines from around the world, beers, and Leopold Brother liquors to taste. $35 at the door for a chance to taste some new and fresh wines.