2020 and a Time Out

Every now and again you need to take a time out and breathe...have a seat, take a sip and enjoy a special sunset.

We had a rare opportunity to go out a few weeks ago and try a place that we had not been to.  Even after moving here almost four years ago, it's amazing to think how many places we still haven't been to experience yet.

I had read about a place called 2020 Food + Wine Bar here in town.  Small venue with fun tapas plates and wine tastings.  Causal sofa seating and great patio area.  

The atmosphere was perfect for a "wine down day" and the music was awesome!

We went with the server's recommendations for their Happy Hour specials and they definitely did not disappoint.  Their authentic Italian wood-fired pizza oven on the patio made for a finale that was out of this world good!

Their perfectly paired Cabernet Savignon did not disappoint either.

We enjoyed our meal and time at 2020 so much that I wanted to re-create it a few weeks later during a staycation weekend date night.  Always fun to relive and enjoy memories in the comforts of your own home or patio...here's what I put together.  Buon Appetito!

Mortadella  * Whole Grain Mustard * Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives * Soppressata

Fig Jam * Rustic Baguette * Sea Salt Crispy Bread Sticks

Spanish Marcona Olive Oil and Sea Salt Almonds * Brie Cheese * Green Grapes

Water Crackers * Sweetened Dried Cranberries * Merlot Bellavitano Cheese

Soul Sister Pinot Noir

Cheers!!

One Year Ago: Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup
Two Years Ago: Pork Wellington

Chocolate Raspberry Silk Pie and Rocky Mountain Park Picnic

Other than the Alaska mountain ranges, I have never seen anything more beautiful than Rocky Mountain National Park in the fall.  The colors and wildlife just take your breath away.

A couple weeks ago my husband's sister and her husband came to visit us for the first time.  We did all the local Colorado stops including Rocky Mountain National Park.  The elk were making their annual appearances in full force and were a sight to see!

We made a day of it, packed up a wonderful wine picnic lunch and enjoyed the most incredibly memorable afternoon by the creek with our delights.

Never a dull moment when my husband is around!!

A feast for the forest!

Cheers and a toast by all!

Before all our company arrived, our neighbor gave us a huge bowl of beautiful fresh raspberries from her garden...so many that I didn't know if we could use them all.  I remembered a decadent dessert my friend Toni made for us once, her famous Chocolate Silk Torte.  Given I was trying to make this thank you dessert for our neighbor during the middle of the week, I needed to do some short cuts.

I figured out a semi-homemade fudge bottom, chocolate silk pie with fresh raspberries and cream. Wow!!!  Went together really easy and quick.  Our neighbor was so overjoyed with our gift, she was speechless.  Oh, don't worry...there were so many raspberries, I made a pie for us too.  This recipe will make many future appearances...I think my friend Toni would be proud of me!

Chocolate Raspberry Silk Pie

For Friends and Neighbors

2 packages (3.9 ounce) Jell-O Chocolate Fudge Flavor Instant Pudding

2 cups cold milk

4 ounce Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate, divided 

1 Oreo pre-made pie crust

1 tub (8 ounce) Cool Whip Whipped Topping, thawed, divided

2 cups fresh raspberries, washed and dried

powdered sugar

fresh mint leaves

Beat pudding mixes and milk in large bowl with electric mixer and whisk on high for 2 minutes.

Microwave (3 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate on high 1 minutes, or until almost melted.  Stir until completely melted.  Stir in 1 cup of the pudding and pour into crust.

Add half the Cool Whip to the remaining pudding.  Fold and mix carefully until fully combined.  Spread over the pudding/chocolate layer in crust.

Add 2 rows of raspberries around perimeter of pie.  Top with a couple spoonfuls of Cool Whip and garnish with a few more raspberries and sprig of mint.

Dust powdered sugar over the raspberries.  Grate/shave the remaining chocolate over the pudding areas and center.

Chill for at least one hour (the longer it chills, the better) before serving.

Ready for special delivery.

Pairs really well with a red wine, warm fire pit and beautiful night.

One Year Ago:  Chocolate Chip Shortbreads
Two Years Ago:  Chicken Tortilla Soup