Natl. Western Stock Show & Rodeo = A Different Kind of Parade + FOOD: Garlic Mashed Cauliflower

ART
A PHOTO ESSAY

The National Western Stock Show & Rodeo has a "different" kind of parade through a modern day canyon of office buildings in Denver, Colorado.

The recent National Western Stock Show and Rodeo Parade through Downtown Denver, Colorado was unlike most other city parades. For 45 minutes 17th Street in downtown Denver was transformed into the wild west of Denver's past. A cattle drive through these streets with hundreds of cowboys and cowgirls on horseback would have been the norm 150 years ago, but they are out of place now, as the various animals trot along the pavement.

This National Western Stock Show and Rodeo's annual parade marks the start of its 109th year of celebrating "all-that-is-western", open to the public from January 10th through the 25th. The National Western is considered the “Super Bowl” of America's Livestock Shows, World-Class Horse Shows and Professional Rodeos (with crowd pleasers like mutton bustin' and super dogs) plus over 300 events during its fifteen days. 

The stock show will offer dozens of livestock competitions, where the owners lovingly groom, fuss over and blow-dry their favorite critter, then present them to some very picky judges, all vying for a ribbon or best in show! Hundreds of vendors are set up to sell everything a ranch family could dream of needing and the food concessions seem to concentrate on BBQ and many types of sweet treats.

To this day, the city and many of its residents leave their Christmas/Holiday lights up to make Denver's environment festive for the thousands of National Western visitors.

This year's parade took place on a sunny day, sandwiched between the more normal snow storms and subfreezing temps, a time affectionately known as "Stock Show Weather". Ahhhh! Colorado in January!

Now, enjoy this photo essay featuring one of Denver's best traditions linking the old west with this present-day, 21st century city.

(Source: Above photos are © Copyright 2015 Jack A. Atkinson, all rights reserved.)

FOOD

Garlic Mashed Cauliflower

Ingredients
1 medium head cauliflower
1 tablespoon cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 cup home-made chicken broth
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh or dry chives, for garnish
3 tablespoons unsalted butter

Directions
- Clean and cut cauliflower into small pieces.

Cooking Options:

- (a) Set a stockpot of water to boil over high heat. Cook in boiling water for about 6 minutes, or until well done. Drain well; do not let cool and pat cooked cauliflower very dry between several layers of paper towels.

- (b) Try roasting the garlic and adding a little fresh rosemary for a whole new taste.

- In a bowl with an immersion blender, or in a food processor, puree the cooked cauliflower with the cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, garlic, chicken broth, and pepper until almost smooth.
- Garnish with chives, and serve hot with pats of butter.

Until later, 

Jack

ARTSnFOOD, is an online publication dedicated to "The Pursuit of Happiness through the Arts and Food." ™ All rights reserved for all original Concept, Original Art, Original Text & "Original or Assigned Photography" are © Copyright 2015 Jack A. Atkinson under all International intellectual property and copyright laws. All photographs were taken and/or used with permission. Artworks © individual artists, fabricators, respective owners or assignees.