BY MIGUEL OTÁROLA, @MOTAROLA_EATS

I'm enjoying today's snow in Denver, especially since I got a chance to go out to dinner with friends before it started falling last night. Food, and the memories of eating it, always warm my heart, body and spirit on cold days like these.

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EAT THIS

Maria Empanada

Twice now this year, I've taken friends I was hosting at home to eat lunch at Maria Empanada, the popular empanada counter with several locations across Denver. Their display racks contain dozens of empanadas with different fillings, including the "Diego" and beef varieties pictured above. Named after Argentinian soccer legend Diego Maradona, the former has a savory mix of braised chicken, sauteed onions, bell peppers and chimichurri sauce. At $5.49 each, pick however many you want -- and see if you have any room left for an "alfajor," a chewy cookie, or a Nutella-filled empanada for dessert.

Located in Denver, Aurora and Denver International Airport; mariaempanada.com