From My Kitchen

I've always heard that when someone doesn't like a certain food they end up cooking it the best. So, me being a dedicated barbeque hater, I decided to cook up some ribs. Not just any ribs though, some honey and apple ribs! The usual ingredients for barbeque sauce went in along with honey, apple juice, and spicy Coleman's mustard. Sweet and spicy, oven roasted for hours, lightly sauced, I'm starting to wonder how this doesn't appeal to me most of the time. I used my boyfriend as a guinea pig, barbeque is one of his main food groups. He kept repeating how delicious and moist the meat was and how it was some of the best barbeque he'd ever had. I knew he was just being a great boyfriend until I walked into the room later and he was actually licking the plate. (sorry, had to tell them.) Now, I think he actually meant it. The leftovers were eaten the next day and I guess sitting and soaking up those sauces made the pork ribs even more delectable. Especially when we shared it with a friend and he too, without anyone suggesting, began to lick the plate. It looks like this adventure in my kitchen turned out quite well and I'm looking forward to seeing how the next one goes!

Cafe Nippon

Growing up in Montrose has it perks, specifically, Cafe Nippon. Although when I was younger the only Asian food I found courage for was sweet and sour chicken but with age comes wisdom. I was on a mission to prove to myself and to the chef that I'd try anything on the menu even if I had to reassure them multiple times I didn't want tempura and a dragon roll. To start, a grilled yellowtail collarbone. The smokey flavor from the grill mixed with the moist white fish in complete harmony. This place really knows how to avoid fussy foods and focus on simple, clean, fresh ingredients. I then buttered the chef up with some sake and asked for him to throw a plate of his freshest fish together. (Make sure your bank account is prepared.) Sashimed Mackerel, Salmon, Tuna, Sweet Shrimp, Eel, a bit of roe and sriracha, if my bank account weren't dwindling this list would have continued on and on. This is some of the freshest fish I have ever had melt in my mouth. We then received a complimentary set of whole fried shrimp. I suggest starting off with the head, crispy crunchy antenna with a slight juicy pop from the eyeballs, who could resist? From the outside this little hidden gem may look like nothing much but I guess if it continues to fool you I'll always have an available seat at the sushi bar.