Winter Warmers – Breakfast ideas to warm even the coldest mornings!
When the barometer dips and the winds howl, you often need a good reason to jump out of bed on a cold winter’s morning in Colorado. Warm up your Denver breakfast table with a delicious meal to share with family and friends. After all, breakfast is still the most important meal of the day! Here are a few of our favorite recipes that will have you ready to rise and shine on even the frostiest mornings.
Heavenly Hot Chocolate
– For your kiddos, a warm cup of cocoa might be just the thing to jump-start the day. Simply add ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, ½ cup water, ¼ cup sugar, and salt to a medium sauce pan. Whisk over medium heat just until beginning to bubble. Whisk in 3 cups whole milk and 1 ½ cups half and half. Bring mixture to simmer. Remove from heat; whisk in 1 tsp. vanilla extract. Serve with whipped cream! And for the adults and coffee drinkers in the house, mix hot chocolate with coffee for a delicious mocha!
Steel Cut Oats –
A piping hot bowl of oatmeal is always a comforting treat on a chilly morning. Simply prepare oats according to package instructions, add milk or buttermilk, and then top with a variety of delicious toppings. Some of our favorite toppings include sliced apples, cinnamon, and nutmeg, or cranberries and pecans, or banana, golden raisins, and dried cherries. It is always fun to play around with your favorite toppings to make the meal special.
Root Vegetable Hash and Eggs –
A warm veggie hash is always a great winter meal! Simply slice and dice your favorite root vegetables. We like sweet potatoes, yellow potatoes, beets, and a little onion and garlic. Season with salt, pepper and olive oil, spread evenly on a baking pan and roast in a 400 degree oven until veggies are soft. Serve hash with your choice of fried or poached eggs for a colorful breakfast treat!
Scrambled Eggs with Spinach and White Cheddar Cheese –
The smell of scrambled eggs cooking in the skillet will rouse even the sleepiest bear out of hibernation! We love to prepare classic scrambled eggs and add a little bit of spinach and white cheddar cheese to spice up this classic dish. And of course we always serve our scrambies with a thick slice of toast!
Of course, if the kitchen is just too chilly to make your own breakfast, come visit your friends at Original Pancake House! Join us at one of our two Denver restaurants to enjoy a variety of warming winter meals including our Green Chile Eggs Benedict, Cowboy Omelet, and of course our famous Apple Pancake! Stay warm, Denver!
Celebrate the Season with Special Holiday Breakfast Treats
‘Tis the season for family, celebrations, and of course many delicious, traditional holiday meals. Whether you are celebrating Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza, or Festivus, you are likely planning to join friends and loved ones for at least a couple holiday feasts. At Original Pancake House, we like to make the season bright with special morning treats. Here are a few holiday breakfast recipes that we like to cook for family and friends.
Christmas “Make-Ahead” Egg Casserole:
This breakfast dish is wonderful because you can prepare everything the night before and simply pop it in the oven on Christmas morning!
Ingredients:
12 large eggs
1/2 loaf day old bread (sourdough is best)
1 package Polidori Italian sausage
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions: At least 2 hours and up to 12 hours before cooking, assemble ingredients. Grease large casserole dish. Beat all 12 eggs until fluffy, set aside. Tear day-old bread into bite-sized cubes, set aside. Cook ground sausage, breaking up meat into small pieces as it cooks, set aside and let cool. Pour eggs and bread cubes into casserole dish, ensuring bread becomes submerged and soaked in eggs. Add cooled sausage and mix well. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover casserole dish and refrigerate overnight. On Christmas morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Uncover casserole and place in oven, cook for 30 minutes or until eggs are set. Sprinkle cheddar cheese over top of casserole and return to oven for additional 10 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve warm with a side of salsa or hot sauce.
Overnight Egg-nog French Toast
Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter (melt the butter while the dish is baking), melted
7 large eggs
2 cups eggnog
1 1/2 ounces rum (optional)
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 loaf French bread, cut into 1 inch slices
Powdered sugar
Directions:
Beat together eggs, eggnog, rum, sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt and vanilla. Dip both sides of each slice of bread in this mixture and place them side by side in a greased casserole dish. Pour any remaining mixture over the slices. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake in 450 degree oven on bottom rack for 20-25 minutes (watch the bottom doesn't get too brown). Place on rack to cool slightly and dust with powdered sugar. Serve with Canadian maple syrup and the melted butter.
Gingerbread Pancakes
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground dried ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup molasses
1 1/2 cups water
Directions:
Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, and cinnamon in a bowl; set aside. Beat the egg in a separate mixing bowl with the vanilla and molasses until smooth. Whisk in the water until completely incorporated. Stir the flour mixture into the molasses mixture until just combined -- a few lumps are okay. Heat a lightly oiled griddle over medium-high heat. Drop batter by large spoonfuls onto the griddle, and cook until bubbles form and the edges are dry. Flip, and cook until browned on the other side. Repeat with remaining batter.
Don’t forget to treat yourself this holiday season as well. Join us for the best breakfast in Denver and be sure to try our scrumptious holiday specials, which include Egg Nog French Toast, Ho! Ho! Ho! Pancakes, Holiday Link Sausage and Eggs, and the Holiday Plate.
From all your friends at Original Pancake House, we wish you and your family a very happy holiday season.
Tis the season for Pancake Cheer!
Join us in spreading the Pancake Cheer this holiday season! During the month of December, we’d like to share the joy our pancakes bring with you and your loved ones. Each week in December we will invite you to participate in our #PancakeCheer promotion on Facebook. As a thank you, by commenting and sharing on our weekly #PancakeCheer posts, you will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a one of four gift cards. The first three weeks of December, our fans have the opportunity to win $25 gift cards and the fourth week in December, we will give away a $50 gift card to one lucky participant.
Helping us share this message is as easy as…
- “Liking” and “Following” us on Facebook and Twitter
- Participate in our weekly #PancakeCheer promotion to be entered in to a gift card raffle
Happy Holidays!
Rules: One winner per gift card. Winners will be contacted via Facebook’s messaging platform to obtain mailing address information where gift card prizes will be sent. Gift cards are only redeemable at one of our two Denver restaurants. Contest begins December 1, 2014 through December 24, 2014.
Five Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes To Gobble Up
We love Thanksgiving because it’s the perfect time to showcase seasonal, harvest ingredients in spectacular dishes. Cruciferous veggies, pears, apples and sweet potatoes are only some of the great foods in season right now. While you may have your main dishes lined up, they tend to take up a lot of time in the kitchen, which is why we’re serving up some simple Thanksgiving side dishes.
Roasted Cauliflower
What you’ll need:
- 1 head of cauliflower, chopped florets
- Your favorite infused or extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pine nuts
- Garlic powder, salt, pepper to taste
Nothing is simpler than cutting up a veggie and tossing it in the oven. That’s exactly what you do with this delectable dish. Chop cauliflower into florets and toss in olive oil. Sprinkle with seasonings you like such as garlic powder, salt and pepper and roast in the oven at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes until cooked. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts or pine nuts and serve immediately. This dish is savory, creamy and crunchy all in one!
Fennel Apple Slaw
What you’ll need:
- 1 large apple sliced thinly
- 1 fennel bulb sliced thinly
- 1 shallot sliced thinly
- 1 cup celery sliced thinly
- 1 cup coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- Poppy seed or olive-oil/vinegar-based dressing
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toss thinly sliced apples, celery, fennel, and shallot in a bowl with fresh flat-leaf parsley and drizzle on your favorite poppy seed dressing for a quick and crisp side. The crisp and tart apples mixed with the licorice-like taste of fennel naturally balances out these fall flavors and offers a refreshing side to heavy, savory main proteins. This is a great recipe to try if you have a crowded oven on Thanksgiving day — no cooking needed! Recipe courtesy of My Recipes.
Sweet Potato Mash
What you’ll need:
- 3-4 large sweet potatoes pierced with fork
- 3 tbsp butter
- 8 sage leaves
Microwave pierced sweet potatoes for eight minutes until soft. Scoop out flesh into a bowl and mash up. Then, brown three tablespoons of butter in a skillet; add eight sage leaves and fry until crisp (remove leaves after they are crisped up); transfer to a plate. Drizzle sage-infused butter over the sweet potatoes and season with salt and pepper to taste. The naturally sweet potato is balanced out with the earthy and herbal taste of sage, rounded out with a buttery taste that will leave you scooping up seconds—and that’s okay because this dish is a great healthy alternative to mashed potatoes.
Blue Cheese and Pears
What you’ll need:
- Pears
- Blue cheese
- Honey
With just three ingredients, it doesn’t get much easier! This makes for a great side or appetizer. Simply slice pears about ½ inch thick and crumble a couple bits of blue cheese over the top. Drizzle with honey and store in the fridge until ready to serve. The sweetness and crispness from the pears is complimented by the tangy creaminess of the blue cheese, reinforced by naturally sweet honey. This is a crispy, creamy, tangy, sweet side sure to please all taste buds.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Lemon and Walnuts
What you’ll need:
- 2 lb brussels sprouts, stem ends trimmed
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ cup walnuts, toasted, coarsely chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
If you think you don’t like Brussels sprouts, think again! Roasting these mini-cabbages is a great way to bring out the crispiness of these petite veggies. Drizzle olive oil over Brussels sprouts and add in chopped walnuts, garlic and salt and pepper. Roast at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes until sprouts begin to brown on the edges. Take out of the oven and squeeze lemon juice over the top. The earthy and savory roast flavor of the veggies and fresh kick of acid at the end gives this Thanksgiving side dish a refreshing twist.
Regardless of what dishes you and your family are gobbling up this Thanksgiving Day, we hope you have a wonderful holiday! In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we want to thank our loyal customers and wonderful staff who support us. We are so grateful to all the folks who make The Original Pancake House Denver part of their breakfast tradition. Although our restaurants will be closed on Thanksgiving Day so our staff can enjoy the family with their loved ones, we look forward to seeing you for breakfast in Denver after the holiday!
Dish Up a Full Plate of Tradition This Thanksgiving
Tradition is delicious at Thanksgiving. With so many recipes to choose from, where do you start? We’ve got you covered with Thanksgiving classics –check out our collection of the top traditional Thanksgiving dishes you can make at home from main course, sides to dessert.
Turkey with Stuffing—
A delicious, golden brown, roasted turkey is sure to please any family member. Roast your turkey with all the stuffing fixings (celery, Challah bread, green pepper, mushrooms, pecans, etc) for about 60 to 75 minutes at least. Try basting the turkey in its own drippings for added flavor and to inject extra moisture into the bird. Pair with home-made giblet gravy for a classic meal ready to eat. It also makes delicious leftover turkey sandwiches. We find Alton Brown’s classic Turkey with Stuffing recipe a win-win!
Mashed Potatoes—
Nothing compliments tender turkey better than creamy, buttery mashed potatoes. Boil Yukon or baby red potatoes for about 15 to 20 minutes in hot water. Mash softened potatoes together with a little cream, butter, salt, pepper and a touch of olive oil (try a flavored olive oil for an added flavor dimension) thoroughly. An electronic hand mixer or even food mill works well to cream the potatoes to the desired consistency.
Cranberry Sauce—
Looking to top your tender turkey with a sweet sauce? Start by boiling fresh cranberries together in water with sugar and then simmering with a cinnamon stick, allspice and nutmeg. Once the berries are tender, some will have burst, add in a little orange zest and orange juice and let cool.
Green Bean Casserole—
This creamy yet crispy side dish is a classic component to any Thanksgiving meal. Add boiled, fresh green beans to a creamy mushroom and shallot sauce and place in a baking dish. Top with torn pieces of rosemary, olive oil, parmesan coated Italian bread and bake for about 20-25 minutes until bubbly and the bread topping is crispy and golden brown. Talk about a flavor explosion in your mouth!
Glazed Carrots—
One of the simplest dishes to make: cook julienned carrots with coconut oil until tender and browned on the outside. Toss in a water, honey, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper glaze for a sweet and slightly savory side sure to put a smile on all faces.
Pumpkin Pie—
Last but certainly not least, it isn’t a traditional Thanksgiving meal without pumpkin pie! A gingersnap and brown sugar crust envelops creamy, spicy pumpkin puree mixture. Process gingersnap cookies, dark brown sugar and ground ginger in a food processor and drizzle unsalted butter into the crumb mixture. Pulse until combined and press into a glass pie dish. Bring pumpkin puree to a simmer over medium heat in a saucepan and add in half and half, nutmeg and salt. Set aside to cool. Whisk brown sugar, eggs, and yolk until smooth into a large bowl and combine into pumpkin mixture thoroughly. Pour into pie crust and bake about 50 minutes. Not too sweet, not too savory, pumpkin pie is the perfect sending to a traditional Thanksgiving feast.
For a cornucopia of traditional Thanksgiving recipes, visit FoodNetwork.com.
We will be enjoying Thanksgiving with our families, and we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving too! The best part? You can still enjoy the flavors of the season by stopping by one of our two Denver locations to enjoy Sarah’s Pumpkin Pancakes or Cinnamon Almond Fresh Toast. Finally, we will be open Friday, November 28th serving up the delicious breakfast you’ll need to start your holiday shopping early.
Spooktacular Halloween Food and Traditions
With Halloween just around the corner, we wanted to share some spooktacular Halloween food traditions and customs associated with the frightful holiday.
Bobbing for Apples -
The tradition of bobbing for apples has been associated with Halloween for a long time. The Celts believed in the goddess Pomona and the apple was representative of her entity because when sliced open, the seeds formed a pentagram shape. Thus, the apple became an integral tool to determine marriages that occurred in the fall. Young, unmarried couples would bob for apples and the first to bite into one and retrieve it from the floating water or hanging from a string would be deemed the next to marry. Today, bobbing for apples carries a much different meaning and is often played at Halloween parties and other social gatherings. If you’re not up for a game of bobbing for apples, simply stop by one of our two Denver restaurants and experience our delicious Apple Pancake made with oven baked granny smith apples and cinnamon glaze. All the deliciousness without the work!
Pumpkin Carving—
We use pumpkin in our popular Sara’s Pumpkin Pancakes but the yummy, round, orange squash wasn’t always used in cooking and certainly not for carving and Halloween decor. Historically, the Jack-O’-Lantern has an interesting past…and it all starts with a man named Jack. Legend has it, Jack tricked the Devil to win money to live a rich and pleasurable life. However, the Devil sought revenge on Jack for tricking him and after Jack’s death, the Devil sentenced him to walk the Earth forever armed with only a lantern made from a carved turnip. The practice of carving root vegetables eventually found its way to carving pumpkins and the snaggle-toothed Halloween Jack-O’-Lantern was born.
Trick-Or-Treat—
A Halloween highlight for the young and young-at-heart is trick-or-treating - what could be better than dressing up and going door-to-door to receive sweet treats?! However, the practice of trick-or-treating didn’t always have a happy ending. The custom is actually two-fold. The act of dressing up originates from the Celtic tradition that celebrates the end of the year, where it was thought the dead and living would overlap on Halloween. Dressing up like evil entities was thought to defend individuals against the ghosts that would roam the earth on Halloween night. According to the Smithsonian magazine, the act of requesting food door-to-door is recorded as far back as the November 4, 1927 issue of the Backie, Alberta Canda Herald. The practice stemmed from children who were poor who would go door-to-door begging for food, money, or other items and if the residents refused to give them anything, they would find themselves victim to a prank from the begging children—hence the phrase “trick-or-treat.” If you’re looking for a treat without the tricks, we would love to invite you in for a great Denver breakfast. Treat yourself to a delicious Dutch Baby Pancake or Bacon Belgian Waffle in honor of National Pork Month!
What Halloween trick-or-treats does your family participate in? Let us know your family fun Halloween activities and food offerings on Twitter @OPHDenver. Happy Halloween!
Simple sweet trick-or-treats for Halloween
Creating treats for your next family fun Halloween event doesn’t need to be scary. There are several sweet and simple trick-or-treat options that take minimal time to prep and make, and are sure to impress and delight.
White Chocolate Covered Strawberries with Ghost Faces
These healthy sweet treats are very simple.
- Start off with a 12 oz. package of white chocolate chips in a bowl.
- Add 2 tablespoons of shortening.
- Microwave at 50 percent power for 1 minute and stir until chips are melted and the texture is smooth.
- Hold the strawberries by the tip and dip the entire berry into the melted chocolate. Place berries on a tray covered with wax paper so the berries don’t stick to the tray.
- Refrigerate until the coating is firm, about 30 minutes.
- Melt 1 cup of dark chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon of shortening in the microwave, spoon into a piping bag (plastic bags work well too).
- Cut a small tip at the end of the piping bag and pipe on ghastly ghost faces on the strawberries.
- Refrigerate until the face coating is firm.
Wicked Easy Trail Mix
You can purchase pre-made trail mix from the store or purchase special nuts and dried fruits for your own special mix. Simply select your favorite cereal, peanuts, yogurt-covered raisins, and banana chips and combine for a tasty treat. You can also add in candy corn for extra Halloween attitude. Place trail mix in Halloween-themed cupcake liners for easy-to-serve portion sizes.
Spooky Sandwiches
Conjure some welcome spirits with a simple peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Make a standard PB&J using your favorite nut butter and jelly or jam. Then, use a Halloween cookie cutter to cut out ghosts, pumpkins, and witches hat-shaped sandwiches. Add on fun accessories like raisins for eyes and feed lots of hungry ghouls.
Pretzel Fingers
The perfect eerie party buffet option, pretzel fingers.
- Melt white chocolate chips in the microwave (see instructions above) until the texture is smooth.
- Using large pretzel sticks, dip the sticks ¾ of the way into the melted chocolate and set on a tray lined with wax paper.
- While the chocolate is still wet, add one slivered almond slice at the end of the chocolate covered stick to represent the “fingernail.” You can display these frightening phalanges in a mason jar covered with an old shirt cuff to really give your guests a creep effect.
Of course, if these spooky snacks give you the creepers, why not take yourself out for a Halloween breakfast in Denver? At the Original Pancake House, we are happy to serve all walks of life, from little ghostly goblins to Frankenstein and his family.
Comfy Cozy Fall Ingredients to Use in Recipes
With the onset of fall upon us, it’s time to break out the sweaters and pounce in a pile of leaves. It’s also a great time to cook utilizing some of the best bounties nature has to offer. As you plan your autumn meals with family and friends, we’ve got a few must-have fall ingredients to use in your dishes.
Squash—
So many varieties, so many recipe possibilities! While the pumpkin may get all the attention this fall season, other squash varietals like acorn squash and butternut squash can be made into both sweet and savory dishes.
Try roasting a halved, pitted acorn squash with a little butter and brown sugar in the oven for 45 minutes at 400 degrees until the edges ripple and the flesh is soft. Take it out to cool for a few minutes and enjoy a yummy squash bowl with a touch of sweetness. If pumpkin is still your favorite squash, stop by for our Pumpkin Pancakes made with rich pumpkin, molasses and pie spices.
Dried Cranberries—
Not just for Thanksgiving, these little red gems are perfect on a fall salad with pumpkin seeds and a mustard vinaigrette or in a kale and brussel sprout couscous side dish. They add a chewy texture and touch of sweetness needed to bump up the flavor profile of any fall dish.
Try throwing a few into your next bowl of oatmeal with a dash of cinnamon for the ultimate fall breakfast delight or swing by for our Old Fashioned Oatmeal with raisins (the cousin to the cranberry).
Apples—
Crisp just like the autumn air, crunchy and red like the leaves on the ground, apples are a main staple for the fall season. Apple-picking season begins in late August to early September and lasts through November. From apple pies to apple cider, this sweet fruit is a great ingredient enjoyed by many. According to the U.S. Apple Association, there are more than 100 varietals of apples! The top ten apple varieties grown in the United States are:
• Red Delicious
• Gala
• Golden Delicious
• Fuji
• Granny Smith
• McIntosh
• Honeycrisp
• Rome
• Empire
• Cripps Pink
Don’t forget to come in and try our popular Apple Pancake oven baked with fresh Granny Smith apples and pure Sinkiang cinnamon glaze.
What are your favorite fall ingredients to use in cooking? The possibilities for these three ingredients are endless and engage all our senses. Fall into relaxation by stopping by to see us and enjoy the best breakfast in Denver to kick off the fall season.
Top Breakfast Foods in America
Breakfast is many things to many people. It’s a time to fuel your body for the active day ahead and a time to gather with friends or family. While there are many ingredients and dishes that are staples for breakfast in Denver, there are a few favorites that make their way into our homes every year. What are they you may ask? Below, check out our list of the top breakfast foods in America in honor of National Breakfast Month.
Cereal—
A classic staple in any family pantry, cereal is a quick and easy way to pack in the needed fiber and whole grains needed for the day. Whether you lean on the healthier side or splurge for the Captain Crunch now and then, cereal has become a popular treat for kids and adults alike. In fact, 2.7 boxes of cereal are sold in the U.S. each year with 92% of American households purchasing it at least once a year (source: NPD Group). Celebrate our love for cereal this month by enjoying a bowl at home or come by and visit us for a bowl of our homemade granola, cream of wheat or dry cereal.
Eggs—
This delectable delight has been a main stay in American homes since the domestication of chickens. Eggs possess an impressive macronutrient composition unmatched by its fellow breakfast ingredients that contributes to its powerhouse of nutrition including the ingredient we all need in the morning: Vitamin D. From scrambled to sunny-side up, eggs can take on practically any form and shape we desire. With such versatility and demand for eggs, at our two Denver restaurants alone we serve more than 25,900 little white bundles a week!
Bacon—
You can’t talk about eggs without mentioning their trusty partner-in-tastiness: bacon. This savory, salty snack is as American as apple pie. From the irresistible smell, to the sizzle on the skillet, to the smoky flavor, bacon is one of the few breakfast foods that ignites and awakens all of our senses in the morning. According to AllTech, “Americans on average eat around 18 lbs. of bacon each year. That’s about 5,608,654,506 lbs. for the entire U.S., which is equal to 7.68 Empire State buildings.” Today, we’re finding many creative uses for the classic strip – no longer just a side, try our bacon pancakes or bacon Belgian waffles – breakfast staples made even better with real bits of bacon baked right in!
Oatmeal—
What many consider a healthier option to cereal, oatmeal is another quick and easy way to fuel up and keep you full throughout the day. What makes oatmeal fun to eat is the many ways to spice it up. From adding slices of banana and a dash of cinnamon to incorporating it into pancakes for oatmeal pancakes, oatmeal is no longer the “barbarian” food it was once called. We serve our old fashioned oatmeal with warm skim milk, brown sugars and raisin – yum!
So whether you prefer one of the above or all five, these top breakfast foods have made their way into our hearts and stomachs for years. Their future culinary possibilities look bright and their extinction nowhere in sight. At Original Pancake House in Denver, let us fuel you up for the day ahead and offer you one of the best Denver breakfasts in town. We’re open every day from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. so swing by and celebrate National Breakfast Month with us!
Labor Day Traditions
Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894 and since then it has signaled the end of summer. Although we’re sad to see summer leave us, there is still much fun to be had over the long weekend in Denver to wrap up the summer memories and create a few more memories.
Host BBQs and Picnics–
What honors the summer season more than a good ol’ BBQ or picnic? Gather up your friends and family and fire up the grill for one last outdoor hurrah with this tasty on-the-grill recipe:
Grilled Grapes: Marinate halved grapes in ½ cup olive oil, 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1 teaspoon crushed red-chili flakes, 2 crushed garlic cloves for 10 minutes. Place grapes in a grill basket and pop on medium heat to grill for no more than 2 minutes. Eat as is for a Denver brunch or place atop some toasted bread with brie for a sophisticated, quick and creamy sweet appetizer at dinner.
Splish-Splash—
The weather is still nice enough to take one (or two) last dives in the pool or lake. It’s also a great time for a boating or fishing trip. Soak up the summer rays and spend time on or in the water! Anyone up for a little Marco Polo?
Last Day to Wear White—
Fashionistas say not to wear white clothing after Labor Day given the cooler weather coming in and historical fashion rules. But old habits die hard, so for many of you, this weekend is your last chance to sparkle in white before perusing your closet for those warmer fall colors.
Travel—
A somewhat atypical way to spend Labor Day - but how often do you get a three day weekend, eh? Many find it the perfect time to travel around. Enjoy the beauty of Colorado by escaping to the mountains or enjoying all that the Mile High city has to offer. See the sights and sounds
of a new environment and maybe do some shopping, restaurant-hopping, and outdoor activities with the family.
Community Festivals—
Colorado is packed full of festivals this time of year offering food, music and lots of excitement. Some popular events sure to satisfy your inner foodie, sports fan and artsy side include:
- A Taste of Colorado happening August 29-September 1 at Civic Center Park in Denver.
- Rocky Mountain Showdown happening August 29 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver.
- Chihuly at the Denver Botanic Gardens exhibit taking place through November 30th.
When thinking about the literal meaning of Labor Day, it doesn’t sound all that appealing but knowing these traditions are celebrated across the country makes celebrating the value of work by taking time off, a little more enjoyable, don’t you think? So whether you’re spending time around the pool or maybe enjoying a yummy Denver breakfast with us at the Original Pancake House Denver Tech Center restaurant or Cherry Hills Village restaurant, we hope you enjoy it!
End of Summer Family Bucket List
With the start of a new school year fast approaching, consider heading out for a family fun day before the end of vacation. To make the day special, start with a hearty breakfast in Denver at Original Pancake House. With menu favorites such as Chocolate Chip Pancakes or OPH Smiley Cakes for the kids, and a plethora of egg dishes and more for the parents, everyone will leave full, happy, and ready to enjoy a day of adventure. Read on to learn about a few of our favorite local spots to spend the day with the family.
Dinosaur Ridge
A part of the Morrison Fossil Area National Park, Dinosaur Ridge is a great place for families to see actual dinosaur footprints sealed by time. Dinosaur Ridge is famous for its Exhibit Hall and summer camps where young people can learn more about paleontology.
Cherry Creek State Park
A perfect spot for nature lovers, Cherry Creek State Park offers families a relaxing spot to spend the day. Enjoy hiking, biking, or horseback riding on the many trails throughout the park. If it is a hot day, rent a canoe or kayak from the marina and picnic on the sandy beaches surrounding the reservoir. Cherry Creek Park even offers an “airstrip” for flying model airplanes and a family shooting range.
Elitch Gardens
Summer vacation isn’t complete until you spend a day at Elitch Gardens. Ride the slides to cool off in the water park and then test your adventurous spirit on the roller coasters and thrill rides. There are attractions, rides, concerts and entertainment for kids ages 4 -100 which means the whole family will enjoy the day.
Tiny Town
Open to the public since 1920, Tiny Town, is a miniature collection of houses, buildings, and railroads to entertain kids of all ages. With more than 90 buildings on display, visitors enjoy stepping back in time with a ride on the railroad and marveling at all of the creations. Located close to Morrison, you get the added bonus of enjoying mountain surroundings on this trip!
The Children’s Museum
If you have younger children, Denver’s Children’s Museum is the place to go to “learn through play.” With interactive exhibits, educational programs, and play areas, the kids will enjoy explorative play with everything from rockets, to bubbles, nature, and painting.
We hope you enjoy these last few weeks of summer, Denver!
Cool Breakfast Treats to Beat the Summer Heat!
Every year in Denver we have a few weeks that are just plain hot. When the thermometer has already reached 80 degrees before breakfast, sometimes you need a cool treat to start your day off on the right note. Here are a few ideas for a refreshing morning meal!
Frozen Nutty Banana:
Cut one firm (but ripe) banana in half and un-peal. Arrange on a small baking sheet or freezer-safe plate, and spread each half evenly with 1 tablespoon of nut butter. Next add toppings such as granola, chia seeds, or flax seeds and cinnamon. Insert a popsicle stick or skewer into the cut end of each half, and freeze until solid (at least 2-3 hours).
Breakfast Parfait:
Grab a large glass or ice cream bowl andadd a scoop of your favorite yogurt, fruit and granola. Continue adding layers until the glass or bowl is full. Enjoy!
Breakfast Smoothie:
Blend one cup of milk, almond milk, or soy milk with ice and one cup of frozen or fresh fruit. Berries and bananas work best! For a thicker shake and extra calcium, add a little yogurt to your blender. For an alternative to the classic fruit smoothie, replace the fruit and yogurt with a banana and 2 tablespoons of peanut or almond butter and blend until smooth.
Nutty Apple:
Select a large apple and slice in half. Remove the core, plus a little additional apple flesh to create a large hole in the center of each half. Fill each hole with peanut or sunflower butter and granola and reassemble apple. Wrap the apple in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and enjoy on the run!
If you are dining out for breakfast in Denver, visit the Original Pancake House! We have several cool treats on our menu including the Fiesta Bowl, a healthy breakfast of non-fat yogurt and our Homemade Granola topped with fresh fruit. Or try our Homemade Granola, a healthy, delectable dish made from thick oats, pecans, raisins, and coconut seasoned with cinnamon and nutmeg, and served with skim milk. Enjoy the summer!