Blog - Cooking On The Ranch

Travel Colorado: Summer Vacation Steamboat Springs

July 9, 2016 By Lea Ann Brown 3 Comments

Looking for things to do around Steamboat Springs? Take a look at our three night trip from Denver to the Steamboat Springs area. A short vacation to Steamboat Springs must go on your “to do” list.

Bear sighting at Glen Eden Resort near Steamboat Springs.

We’ve just returned from a three day trip to north central Colorado. We celebrated the 4th here in Highlands Ranch with an afternoon at the pool and a grilling extravaganza that we called the kabob-athon. Chicken, beef, shrimp and vegetable kabobs were all wonderful and I plan to post recipes soon. Don’t miss the Churros Cheesecake Bars … ohmy.

I’m posting this shot of the bear that was at our cabin as the headliner shot. Exhilarating for me as it was my first bear sighting – ever. I’ve lived in Colorado for nearly 40 years, camped and explored our wilderness areas ad nauseam, been to Yellowstone twice and not once have spotted a bear. This shot was taken moments before he swatted that grill to the ground. We were told mom was next to our car, we didn’t see her. I’d call this guy a “teenager” in size.

Day One, Denver to Steamboat Springs

We left bright and early on the 5th, our destination, Clark, Colorado. This area one of our favorite areas in Colorado. It’s far enough from Denver that you escape most of the rat race, pristine with lush green valleys surrounded by mountains. We rented a cabin along the Elk River. The location has it all, rivers, mountains, lakes, easy hiking trails along with a cozy cabin where we felt very comfortable. And our dogs were welcome. Perfect.

Bird Watching At Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge

On our way to our destination, we took a little side trip to Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge outside Walden, Colorado. The refuge supports diverse wildlife habitats, including sagebrush, grassland meadows, willow riparian areas and wetlands. 23,464 acres, the refuge was established in 1967 primarily to provide suitable nesting habitat for migratory birds.

I love barns, so couldn’t resist taking a photo of this one that sits on the refuge. Googling told me this is the Case Barn. The area was settled by Owen Case in 1889. He was a school teacher and a rancher. There is little information about the construction of the barn. The USFWS surveyed the barn in 1991 and the recorder estimated it was built around 1948. The barn is not open to the public.

Cabins Around Steamboat Springs, Clark Colorado

Here’s where my photo taking turns lame. We stayed at Glen Eden Resort, Clark, Colorado. I had to snatch this photo off the internet. I took not one photo of our cabin complex. Cabins were close to the river, clean, well equipped and we loved it there.

Steamboat Lake

Our cabin was an easy drive to popular and pristine Steamboat Lake. It’s a Colorado State Park located in Routt County 27 miles north of Steamboat Springs. The 2,820-acre park was established 1967 and includes a 1,101 acre reservoir.

Another barn to photograph. The Fetcher Barn was constructed in 1929 by J.T. Kelton, who moved his family to Clark in 1927. He served as County Sheriff to supplement the family income during the depression. The Fetcher family moved to Clark from Pennsylvania and purchased the ranch in 1949. The barn sits on the west side of Steamboat Lake.

Best picnic spot near Steamboat Lake. Hahns peak picnic area.

Hahn’s Peak Lake and Campground

Time for a picnic lunch, we moseyed over to Hahns Peak Lake and Campground. Hahns Peak Lake is a small, quiet lake, especially when compared to nearby Steamboat Lake. It's tucked away, and fishing, camping and hiking are the main attractions. Featuring a scenic picnic area, the best spot, right on the water, was taken by a family fishing, and our picnic table is just above. These spots are near campsite #7. The 160-acre lake sits at 8,500 feet and is surrounded by wilderness. The 10,774-foot Hahns Peak adds to the scenery.

Pearl Lake

Pearl Lake is also a short trip from Clark. A beautiful little lake and State Park that my friend Teri describes as “heaven.” Pearl Lake is named for M. Pearl Hartt, the wife of pioneer sheep rancher, John Kelly Hartt.

I love this photo of this young man who spent some time laying on the end of the dock just staring down at the water. Summer!

There’s a great trail to hike at Pearl Lake. Easy, lush and untouched. It’s a short walk to the dam for a bit of exercise.

This was little Remy’s first ever wilderness hike. He made sure we had no unexpected chipmunk attacks.

Almost back to the parking lot, I snapped this shot of people enjoying the beautiful water. Unpolluted and quiet with great fishing and wakeless only boating, it's what a mountain lake should be.

On the road leading out of the park, I snapped this shot of Hahns Peak.

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Fish Creek Falls, Easy Day Hike Steamboat Springs

Just East of Steamboat Springs is Fish Creek Falls. If you’re in the area, I highly recommend this side trip. Clear and fresh high alpine water roars down Fish Creek Canyon, spilling over the magnificent 280-foot Fish Creek Falls. It’s one of the most popular destinations around Steamboat Springs. Get there early…by the time we left at 10:00 the parking lot was full and the road leading into the site filling up with cars.

Hiking the trail at Fish Creek Falls, Steamboat Springs Colorado

The hike and trails to the falls are easy and we felt as if we were in a rain forest. So lush with ferns, aspen, oak and vegetation.

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I had the opportunity to snap this shot of a Cordilleran Flycatcher.

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Stagecoach Reservoir, Easy side Trip, Steamboat Springs

After our trip to the Falls, we headed over the Stagecoach Reservoir. 17 miles South of Steamboat and a relaxing drive, Stagecoach State Park sets the stage for great recreation in the Yampa Valley. Vistas and views are backdrops to the 820-acre reservoir providing renown lake fishing.

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A shot of one of the interesting formations that tower over Stagecoach Lake.

For the drive home, we chose a different route back to Denver. This route heads over Rabbit Ear’s Pass then South to Kremmling, then east to Granby. I highly recommend the variation in routes as they both offer stunning scenery.

If you’re planning a Summer vacation to Steamboat Springs, don’t miss these wonderful lakes near town. It’s what to do around Steamboat Springs.

Chicken with Bacon, Thyme, Garlic Cream Sauce

June 19, 2016 By Lea Ann Brown 12 Comments

Chicken with Bacon and thyme, cooked in a garlic cream sauce = divine. This is an easy chicken dinner that’s sure to please. Looks impressive, tastes impressive and requires very little effort. Crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. Makes this a perfect recipe for entertaining.

Chicken and bacon with thyme. Chicken wrapped in bacon with sprigs of fresh thyme served with fresh broccoli.

It’s nearing 100 degrees in Denver this weekend, and even though Father’s Day is riddled with grilling recipe ideas, I’ve opted to hole up in my air-conditioned kitchen rather than sear myself on the back patio over a smoky hot grill.

In other words, our little tree needs to grow taller to provide a little more shade.

Inspiration For This Bacon Wrapped Chicken Recipe

I was fixing a couple of broken links on an old post this week. The topic of the post was our wine tasting trip to McMinnville, Oregon and restaurants and wineries visited.

R Stuart, is in downtown McMinnville, in the heart of Oregon Wine Tasting County, and a great little stop for a wine sampling.

When I clicked on their link, I noticed that they now have a recipe section attached to their home page. Wonderful food, restaurants and great chefs always go hand in hand with wine country and I love browsing recipes from wineries.

This is where I found this recipe for Chicken with Bacon, Cream and Thyme. Adapted from a recipe from Chef Karen Barnaby from Vancouver.

Who can say no to chicken with bacon. Chicken breasts are wrapped in bacon with a sprigs of thyme tucked in. Every year, I plant Lemon Thyme, but plain regular fresh thyme will work wonderfully with this recipe.

Chicken breasts are first browned and then baked in a heavenly creamy garlic sauce.

Bacon wrapped chicken breast in a garlic cream sauce in a cast iron skillet. — Bacon wrapped chicken seared, then garlic cream sauce added. Ready for the oven.

I have cooked this recipe in two different manners.

I have browned the chicken wrapped in bacon in my cast iron skillet. Which by the way works beautifully.
I then added the cream sauce to the cast iron skillet. The cream sauce is heavy cream, chicken broth and garlic.
I’ve then simply transferred the skillet to the oven for a one pan chicken dinner.
Result: The cast iron skillet worked very well in the oven with crisping the chicken and the bacon. However, transfers so much heat that all the sauce dried up.

I’ve also browned the bacon wrapped chicken in the cast iron skillet, then transferred it to a Le Creuset baking dish. (shown above)
More of the sauce was remained after the cooking process, with just barely enough to spoon over the chicken.

The verdict: Covering the baking pan with foil would save the sauce, but cause both the bacon and the chicken to not be crispy. I wouldn’t recommend it. The sauce still acts as a tenderizing and flavoring agent for this savory and easy chicken dish.

Note: I’ve seen bacon wrapped chicken recipes that urge not to use thick sliced bacon. I’ve used both regular bacon and thick sliced bacon for this recipe. Both work fine.

bacon wrapped chicken breast with springs of thyme on a wood cutting board sliced with a Japanese knife.

Recipe For Chicken With Bacon and Thyme Baked in a Garlic Cream Sauce

We love the classic flavor combinations of this bacon wrapped chicken recipe. The chicken stays so tender and juicy and the flavors are outstanding. and not surprisingly they pair well with a classic Pinot Noir.

I hope you give this chicken with bacon recipe and try and if you do, please come back and give the recipe a star rating. And if you have a favorite bacon wrapped chicken recipe, let me know, I’d love to give it a try.

What to serve with Bacon Wrapped Chicken

Even though this recipe is super easy, it does come across as a bit on the fancy-pants side. And being a filling dinner, I’d recommend keeping the side dish simple. Steamed broccoli, or Roasted Glazed Carrots with Honey, Lime and Cumin. And if you want to keep a creamy theme, Hericot Vert with Dijon Cream Sauce would be lovely. And consider this Green Vegetable Medley.

More Oven Baked Chicken Recipes

And if you’re looking for more chicken recipes, you’ll find a ton of ideas in my Chicken Category. And one of the most popular chicken recipe on my site, Chicken Tetrazzini.

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Chicken with Bacon, Cream and Thyme

Impressive with flavor with little effort makes this a great recipe for entertaining. Classic Flavor combinations of this dish are a perfect pairing for a classic Pinot Noir..

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Main Course Chicken

Cuisine: French

Servings:

Calories: 682kcal

Author: Lea Ann Brown

Ingredients

4 chicken breasts boneless and skinless
salt and pepper to taste
8 slices bacon good quality.
8 springs thyme. plus more for garnish
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 ounces chicken stock
8 ounces heavy cream
2 cloves garlic crushed

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Lightly season the chicken with salt and pepper. Wrap 2 pieces of bacon around each breast forming an X in the middle of one side, overlapping the ends on the other side. Tuck 2 thyme springs per breast under the X.
Heat an oven proof pan over medium high heat. Add the oil to the frying pan, cast iron works well for this.
When oil is hot add chicken breasts and brown on both sides. About 5-6 minutes total. Start with the non-X side to bacon will sear together and not fall off.
Once the chicken is browned, add the stock, cream and garlic. Bring to a boil.
Transfer the pan to the oven, or transfer the chicken to a baking dish, along with the sauce. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Season with salt and pepper and let stand a few minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Chicken with Bacon Cream and Thyme … It’s what’s for Dinner.

Pioneer Woman’s Best Macaroni Salad Ever

June 16, 2016 By Lea Ann Brown 20 Comments

Pioneer Woman’s Best Macaroni Salad. Because we all need a perfect macaroni salad recipe! This one will get you through every Summer pot luck and BBQ thrown your way.

And check out my Chicken Macaroni Salad if you're looking for a main course pasta dish.

Pioneer woman's best Elbow Macaroni pasta salad recipe with black olives, roasted red bell peppers

What You Can Expect From This Recipe

We’ve been enjoying Summer-like temperatures in Colorado and before July melts into August, I wanted to share a recipe I found over at Pioneer Woman. She calls it the “best macaroni salad ever” and to me, it just may be perfect.

Why is it so good? The Flavor Profile:

Not too heavy with mayo
Just right with red-wine vinegar
Tangy, sweet and spicy in a perfect way
There are black olives involved
There are pickles involved
Elbow macaroni – perfect Summer comfort pasta

Ree Drummond takes her macaroni salad seriously. And I love this quote from her on the subject:

“I love, love, love, adore, and love macaroni salad. I'm also picky, picky, picky, particular, and picky about macaroni salad. No joke. Macaroni salad is a religion to me.”

If that doesn’t inspire you to give this pasta salad recipe a try …

The Popularity Factor

Potlucks and back yard BBQ parties are a great way to know if a recipe is a keeper or not. I’ve taken Ree Drummond’s pasta salad recipe to a couple of neighborhood parties over the past couple of weeks, and let me tell you, I should have doubled the recipe.

This simple salad is creamy, full of flavor and absolutely divine. I’ve never used red wine vinegar for a pasta salad before and I truly love the unique robust flavor it brings.
Every time I make this I’m asked for the recipe. Always a grand compliment, right? It seems this macaroni salad is filled with just the right things and the balance of those “things” that work so well.
And it’s perfect for any pot luck because it travels well and can be made ahead. You have to love a good make-ahead pot luck macaroni salad. With all that said, Pioneer Woman Macaroni Salad recipe is a keeper.

I truly believe you’ll love every single bite. As will your back yard BBQ pot-luck-lovin’ guests.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Elbow Macaroni: I always choose American Beauty brand. A classic choice. Why? Because they are an American pasta company and only use high quality wheat from American farmers. And being a third generation Kansas wheat farmer, that means a lot to us.
Roasted Red Bell Peppers. Of course you can roast your own fresh sweet bell peppers, but make it easy on yourself. Purchase a jar from the condiment aisle at the grocery store, or even better yet, grab a couple from the olive bar. I think they have more flavor.
Sweet Spicy Pickles. The pickles are important in this recipe, so you may be asking, what pickles are best for pasta or macaroni salads? Choose a quality sweet and spicy pickle for optimal flavor. Famous Dave’s makes a great tasting spicy pickle. And they are easily found on our grocery store shelves. I’ve also used these homemade spicy pickles made from store bought dill pickles. They’re sweet and they’re jam packed full of flavor. It’s by far our favorite homemade pickle recipe and one of the most popular recipes on my site. Give-em a try, even if you don’t use them for this recipe.
Sliced Black Olives: Make it easy on yourself. Purchase a can of pre-sliced ripe olives for this recipe.
Red Wine Vinegar: Yup, red wine vinegar is made from red wine. That means the secondary flavor of this vinegar is fruity. Making it punchier, vibrant and robust. I love it in this macaroni salad recipe.
Sweet Onion: Milder in flavor than white or red onions, sweet onions are my choice for most every recipe. And better yet if you can find Vidalia onions. Green onions are also a good choice here.
Mayonnaise: Always choose consistent quality brands. Best Foods, Hellman’s or Dukes.
Milk or Half and Half: My vote is for half and half for this recipe. Why mess with fat calories at this point. After all, you’re after the creamiest macaroni salad you can make.
Sugar: Somewhat of the backbone of this recipe. It balances the tangy flavor of the vinegar. Don’t skip it.

What To Serve It With

I first made Pioneer Womans Pasta Salad last Winter as a test and a warm up for Summer grilling season and served it with one of my favorite easy rib recipes, Crockpot Country Style Ribs. And I knew it would be a perfect side dish for any main course you can dream up this Summer.

Summer food! Burgers, tomatoes, steaks, cucumbers, chicken kabobs, sweet corn…what am I missing? How about a cold beer to swill it all down with?

This is one of my favorite celebrity Summer macaroni side dish, along side Ina Garten’s Mac and Cheese with Tomatoes. Check that one out.

Recipe for Pioneer Woman’s Best Macaroni Salad

I hope you give this recipe for Pioneer Woman’s Macaroni Salad a try, and if you do, please come back and give the recipe a star rating. And please leave a comment about your experience with the recipe.

More Summer Macaroni and Pasta Salad Recipes

Creamy Smoky Mozzarella Pasta Salad Whole Foods recipe with baby spinach, roasted red bell pepper and an outstanding Parmesan cream sauce.
Old Fashioned Lancaster Macaroni Salad An authentic Amish pasta salad recipe that's bold in flavor, sweet and creamy.
The Best Pasta Salad Ever No really, it’s that good. cheese tortellini with a fresh crunch of broccoli, colored with red tomatoes, with a creamy sweet unique dressing.
Classic Macaroni Salad, This is a recipe for a creamy macaroni salad combining mayonnaise and vinegar for that good old-fashioned sweet tangy flavor.

Loaded Baked Potato Potato Salad Loaded with bacon and sour cream. Everyone will say "Yes Please". There’s bacon and cheese involved.
Bacon Blue Cheese Potato Salad The flavors of blue cheese and bacon flavor this potato salad that's great for any pot luck, back yard BBQ or picnic. A creamy and delicious potato side dish that will wow your crowd.
Classic Southern Style Potato Salad Creamy with mayonnaise, tangy with mustard, crunchy with celery and onion, and with a surprise of green olives, this is an old-fashioned classic Southern potato salad recipe.

And if you’re looking for even more side dishes for picnic style gatherings, don’t miss this line-up of Summer cook-out sides. I’m positive you’ll find something you love.

Pioneer Woman Macaroni Salad in a sunflower design bowl.

Print Recipe

4.95 from 20 votes

Pioneer Woman’s Best Macaroni Salad Ever

Pioneer Woman's Best Macaroni Salad. Because we all need a perfect macaroni salad recipe! This one will get you through every Summer pot luck and BBQ thrown your way.

Prep Time20

Cook Time10

Total Time30

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 318kcal

Author: Lea Ann Brown