Hello, My name is Lea Ann Brown and welcome to my kitchen and blog at Cooking On The Ranch.
I’m a photographer, writer, classically trained chef, professional blogger, and avid bird watcher. I’m a graduate of the Cook Street School of Culinary Arts.
I have also completed over 60 recreational cooking classes not only here in the Denver area, but also at 2 of the finest cooking schools in Germany, 1 in France.
Who Is My Blog For:
- If you’re an adventurous cook looking for new recipes,
- If you have time and like spending time in the kitchen,
- If you like creating great flavors and serving quality food and quality ingredients, you’ll enjoy your time spent here.
You’ll find lots of Southwestern, Mexican and Colorado Comfort food recipes here.
Recipes that are proven reliable and proven delicious. My recipes are well tested. At times I’ll prepare a recipe 3 – 4 times before posting it here on this site. Seems I can always think of a way to make it even better.
What Kind Of Food Will You Find Here?
If you love spending time in the kitchen, you’ll find well crafted adventurous recipes, that are big with reward. You’re guaranteed to find exciting flavors and ingredients:
- I consider soup recipes to be my specialty.
- We’ve spent a lot of time with our neighbors to the south, so I have fallen in love with and share the unique cuisine of New Mexico. The most popular recipe on my site is for New Mexico Carne Asada.
- I also share a lot fresh Mexican Food recipes. My inspiration comes from reading and studying recipes and theories from Rick Bayless and Diana Kennedy.
- I cook and share recipes that echo our Colorado Western Culture. Steaks and Burgers come to mind.
- I’m partial to French food, thanks to Culinary School, A Cooking School in France and Julia Child.
- And being from Kansas, you’ll find a couple of Kansas comfort food recipes sprinkled in here and there.
My Mission
My mission is to inspire you to cook as often as you can. So that you and those around you can begin to appreciate the art of cooking and the joy of gathering around the table to share food and conversation.
I hope to inspire you to pour your heart into cooking.
I hope to inspire you to take control not just of what you eat, but in how it’s prepared, and why it’s prepared. Cooking is about sharing love.
About Me
I live in Highlands Ranch, Colorado which is South of Denver and at the base of our majestic Rocky Mountains, even though officially not a “Ranch”, the land our town sits on was in fact once a large working cattle ranch …before Denver urban sprawl claimed the land. We live in the spirit of those who settled here over a century ago.
We have a son, Sean, who is a Realtor here in Denver and our beloved Yorkshire Terrier, Remy. Our Shorkie, Piper and Queso, the Maine Coon.
Our Son Mark, who lived in Tucson, tragically passed away two years ago. Mark was also a Chef, trained at Escoffier Culinary School in Portland, Oregon.
I have published Cooking On Ranch since 2009, and now feel proud to bring an expert voice along with my passion for cooking to my readership.
Where I Came From
I grew up an only child on a Ranch – Farm in Reno County Kansas, west of Hutchinson, near Nickerson, Kansas. Being the daughter of a 3rd generation wheat farmer, I have a strong moral obligation to support local farmers, and ranchers.
An example: I only purchase American Beauty brand pasta to use in my recipes because they only purchase wheat that comes from American Farmers.
My husband and I still own and manage our family farm in Kansas.
My mom and aunts were always in the kitchen, and I learned early the importance of good quality ingredients and the importance of bringing homemade comfort food love to our dinner tables every day.
Our High School Senior Trip brought us to Colorado and when I saw those majestic Rocky Mountains, I knew this was a place I needed to live.
After Graduating College, I found my way to Denver and have now resided in Colorado for nearly 40 years. 27 of those years in Highlands Ranch. I’ve been married to my husband Bob (who I affectionately refer to as The Ranch Hand) for 28 years.
I made a career in Real Estate and two years ago, left my Corporate job as a Title Executive to pursue my dream. Culinary School. It’s one of the better things I’ve ever done for myself.
Need Reasons to Cook?
- To Get Away: Bring Colorado Cuisine into your own kitchen, try: Chipotle Bison Chili with Black Beans.
- Because you Say Pot-a-to, try Old Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes
- To Eat Better, try: Spice Rubbed Salmon with Cilantro Lime Butter
- To Explore Your Roots, try: Roasted Glazed Carrots with Honey and Lime
- To Steal The Show, try Fall River Prime Rib Roast
- To Make Mom’s Recipe Your Way, try: Old Fashioned Sweet and Sour Green Beans.
- Because Its Always Cooking Weather try: Hatch Green Chili, Colorado Style
- To Stir Things Up try Spicy Creamy Shrimp Pasta
Please join me in my adventures in my kitchen in the Wild West. I’m a student of all things Western, Southwestern and Mexican Cuisine.
Lea Ann Brown, Cooking On The Ranch
