10 Colorado Cookbooks You Will Love

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Welcome to ThinkVail – shop our list for the best Colorado cookbooks


A beautifully illustrated cookbook is the perfect way to express your love for someone and is a daily reminder of your love for them. These cookbooks make an ideal house-warming gift, or a charming hostess gift and will put a smile on the face of anyone who is relocating or moving away from the Centennial state. Our menu of Colorado cookbooks contain tried-and-true, delicious recipes that will warm the heart and the stomachs of your recipients or keep them for yourself and enjoy these culinary gems! Give the gift of delicious, unforgettable food for everyone on your list.

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Best Colorado Cookbooks


#1 Best Colorado Cookbook – Colorado Colore: A Palate of Tastes

The Junior League of Denver is an organization of women whose purpose is exclusively education and charitable community efforts. They have created multiple series of award-winning cookbooks focused on Colorado cuisine. Every new release is a masterpiece and eagerly anticipated, including Colorado Colore.

Containing of more than 300 recipes designed to be artfully inspiring, yet uncomplicated and accessible. The exciting tapestry of flavors and richly hued visual presentations of Colorado Colore have been chosen to offer a taste of the state’s diverse cultural influences and bounty of colorful ingredients. Throughout the pages you will find recipes as visually delightful as they are appetizing. Savor the colors, flavors, and memorable theme-style menus with suggested wine pairings plus an entire section devoted solely to vegetarian fare.

Authored by Junior League of Denver

  • 288 pages
  • 3.1 pounds
  • Size: 9.26 x 0.93 x 11.24 inches
  • Series: Celebrating Twenty Five Years of Culinary Artistry

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#2 Best Colorado Cookbook – Colorado Cache Cookbook

The 30th anniversary edition of Colorado Cache is the first in a collection of five famous and award-winning Colorado cookbooks and has sold over a million copies since the first printing in 1978!

A goldmine of recipes from the Junior League of Denver! This classic cookbook offers a treasure trove of recipes that reflect Colorado’s casual style of living, rich heritage and natural bounty. Colorado Cache includes 680 recipes that are upscale, yet uncomplicated, inspiring, yet reliable, in the tradition of great American cooking.

Authored by Junior League of Denver

  • 264 pages
  • 1.9 pounds
  • Size:‎ 7.2 x 0.98 x 9.02 inches

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#3 Best Colorado Cookbooks – Half Baked Harvest Super Simple

I have this beautifully illustrated New York Times bestselling cookbook on my shelf at home and refer to it again and again when looking to make something delicious, authentic and simple. Half Baked Harvest is one of my favorites.

There’s something for everyone in these 125 easy, show-stopping recipes: fewer ingredients, foolproof meal-prepping, effortless entertaining, and everything in between, including vegan and vegetarian options!

Named “One of the Best Cookbooks of the Year” by Buzzfeed and Food Network

Promising quick, manageable dishes, including options for one-pot meals, night-before meal prep, and even some Instant Pot® or slow cooker recipes. Whip up everyday dishes like Cardamom Apple Fritters, Spinach and Artichoke Mac and Cheese, and Lobster Tacos to share with your family, or plan stress-free dinner parties with options like Slow Roasted Moroccan Salmon and Fresh Corn and Zucchini Summer Lasagna.

Authored by Tieghan Gerard

  • 288 pages
  • 2.65 pounds
  • Size : ‎ 8.39 x 0.97 x 10.25 inches
  • Series: Half Baked Harvest

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#4 Best Colorado Cookbooks – Centennial Celebrations

Packed with the colorful flavors of the Centennial State, Centennial Celebrations cookbook commemorates the Junior League of Denver’s 100th anniversary. The sixth cookbook in JLD’s award-winning collection includes more than 200 thoroughly tested recipes for every season and occasion from crowd-pleasing game day appetizers and traditional holiday favorites to light summer fare and winter comfort foods.

Denver has become well-known for its food, breweries, live music, and flourishing arts’ scene. Centennial Celebrations is a journey of the senses, featuring beautiful photography of fabulous gatherings at iconic Denver locations. The creative menus, recipes, and entertaining tips will inspire you to cook, connect, and celebrate… Colorado style.

Authored by: Junior League of Denver

  • 304 pages
  • 3.15 pounds
  • Size: 10.3 x 1 x 9.4 inches

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#5 Best Colorado Cookbook – Best of the Best from Colorado: Selected Recipes from Colorado’s Favorite Cookbooks

Each cookbook in the acclaimed Best of the Best State Cookbook Series contains favorite recipes submitted from the most popular cookbooks published in the state.

This Colorado cookbook was created with contributions by junior leagues, community organizations, popular restaurants, noted chefs, and just plain good, local cooks. From best-selling favorites to small community treasures, each contributing cookbook is featured in a catalog section that provides a description and ordering information — a bonanza for anyone who collects cookbooks.

Beautiful photographs, interesting facts, original illustrations and delicious recipes capture the special flavor of Colorado.

Authored by Gwen McKee and Barbara Moseley

  • 288 pages
  • 15.8 ounces
  • Size: ‎ 6.38 x 0.94 x 9.12 inches
  • Series: Best of the Best State Cookbooks

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#6 Best Colorado Cookbooks – The Colorado Camping Cookbook

If you are an avid outdoorsman or just enjoy getting outside and enjoying nature than this is the perfect cookbook for you. Whether you are camping, RV traveling, glamping or spending the weekend at one of the many 10th Mountain Division huts, you will enjoy the simplicity and deliciousness of this cookbook on every adventure.

Written by a local culinary adventurer, chef and outdoorsman. Pair this cookbook with a campfire or camp stove and you have a recipe for camping success. Each local ingredient featured in the over 100 recipes in this book, offers unique textures and flavors that are both healthy and delicious.

More than 100 unique and delicious recipes – Foraging tips and tricks – Camp cooking tips to make the most of your campfire or portable gas grill – Seasonal and local ingredients featured in each recipe – Drink pairing suggestions with local craft beer, wine and spirits – Recipe contributions from top Colorado chefs designed for camping

Authored by: Graham Walker

  • 180 pages
  • 14.6 ounces
  • Size‏ : ‎ 7.5 x 0.43 x 9.25 inches

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#7 Best Colorado Cookbooks – Creme de Colorado Cookbook

Yet another winner from the women at the Junior League of Denver. This was one of the first cookbooks I purchased when I first moved to Vail back in 1992. This is a classic with beautiful photos from world-renowned photographer John Fielder, this is a true treasure!

The name says it best! This bestselling community cookbook has 700 recipes representing the best of Colorado cooking, reaching beyond the realm of the ordinary cookbook. Readers enjoy 15 sections of scrumptious recipes ranging from Wild Duck Gumbo to sensational Chicken Fajitas. The hardback Creme has been a smash since its publication. Color images, by Colorado naturalist photographer John Fielder, make the book a true showpiece, as well as an indispensable kitchen aide.

Authored by the Junior League of Denver

  • 382 pages
  • 3.16 pounds
  • Size: 8.5 x 1.25 x 11 inches

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#8 Best Colorado Cookbook – Recipes from Historic Colorado: A Restaurant Guide and Cookbook

 

Immerse yourself in the rich, colorful history and delicious cuisine of Colorado, from classic diners, to dude ranches, to old hotels, and even a former filling station.

Have fun learning historical trivia as you prepare chilled zucchini soup from Denver’s Castle Marne, Spanish flan from the Twin Owls Steakhouse in Estes Park, coconut barbecue sauce from the Laramie River Ranch in North Park, or seafood gumbo from the Royal Gorge Route Railroad.

A number of the recipes are historic in themselves, offering such time-honored delicacies as prime rib of buffalo from Denver’s Buckhorn Exchange to The Fort in Morrison’s cast iron cobbler. Intriguing stories combined with delicious recipes from some of the finest local restaurants are your tickets to discovering the wonders of dining in historic Colorado!

From some of Denver’s and Colorado’s oldest dining establishments to new favorites, this book captures the innovative culinary style of the New West―one bite at a time. — John Hickenlooper, mayor of Denver

Authored by Linda Bauer

  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1589793781
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1589793781
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.8 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.36 x 1 x 10.41 inches

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#9 Best Colorado Cookbooks – Tasting Colorado: Favorite Recipes from the Centennial State

Showcasing the dazzling variety of Colorado’s cuisine, from classic Western fare to innovative fusions of global flavors. Mouthwatering photographs bring to life 120 recipes both simple and sumptuous from Colorado’s finest restaurants, lodges, guest ranches, and bed-and-breakfasts.

For a fresh take on fabulous food, sample the Cowboy Corn Cakes; Crème Brulee French Toast; Bear Creek Smoked Trout Pate; Tequila-Lime Salsa; Grilled Palisade Peaches, Serrano Ham, and Rocket Salad; Poblano Chile and Chive Mashed Potatoes; Buffalo Redeye Stew; Sweet Corn Soup with Cilantro Puree; Colorado Leg of Lamb with Creamy Polenta and Lamb Jus; Chili-Chocolate Bourbon Cake; and Roasted Colorado Peach-Pistachio Brioche Pudding with Ice Cream.

Authored by Michele Morris

  • 64 pages
  • 2.3 pounds
  • Size:‎ 8.75 x 0.9 x 10.25 inches

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#10 Best Colorado Cookbooks – The Fort Restaurant Cookbook: New Foods of the Old West from the Landmark Colorado Restaurant

The Fort is a must-go restaurant when visiting Denver, Colorado and this cookbook offers an insider’s view on the charm of the building as well as the culinary favorites it has served over its fifty-eight year history. It is a celebration of New Foods of the Old West.

Constructed as a family home and then living history museum in 1961, the adobe Fort was built to emulate the frontier trading posts of the nineteenth century. Taking its cues from the architecture and the foods of the Southwest, the building and the menu hearken back to an earlier time while providing patrons with a modern and elegant dining experience.

Contains more than 150 favorite recipes, including some from its most recent menus, and sixty-five full-color recipe photos. Popular recipes include Thomas Jefferson’s Green Chile Mac & Cheese Savory “Pudding”; Marinated Rack of Lamb with Couscous; and Mexican Chocolate Ice Cream Mud Pie.

Authored by Holly Arnold Kinney

  • 264 pages
  • 2.36 pounds
  • Size: 8.79 x 0.87 x 10.19 inches

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Comments

We hope you found this article about the best Colorado cookbooks helpful. We have touched on some of our favorites but we would love to know your favorite! Please tell us about your experience in the comments below.

In addition, we diligently research all information for our articles but still we are probably leaving out something important or circumstances may have changed since publishing so please provide any tips or info that you feel others should know.

We would love to hear your thoughts, comments and stories.

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