Topic: Food / Drink

Sunday, January 27, 2008 - 10:04 AM

This is a recipe I adapted from Baker's Chocolate's "Soft & Chewy Chocolate Drops"

Prep: 20 min.
Total: 1 hr., 20 min. (including refrigerating)

Cookie Ingredients:
4 sq. BAKER'S Unsweetened Baking Chocolate
3/4 c. butter (1-1/2 sticks)
2 c. sugar
3 eggs
1 t. vanilla
2-1/2 c. flour

homepage: Boeuf Bourguignonne

Wednesday, October 24, 2007 - 05:37 AM

I made the "New Beef Burgundy" recipe from my "The South Beach Diet Cookbook" (modified a little) and used the "Chapelle-St.-Arnoux Gigondas" (the Rhone Valley - see my wine review at www. whattodrink.blogspot.com) in it and drank a second bottle with the meal. Although the recipe was good (and so was the wine), I would use a stronger red (preferably a Bordeaux) next time. I actually was looking for a Bordeaux vs. a Rhone but the little wine shop I was in did not have a good French selection. The salesperson in there was (unfortunately for me) a beer drinker and all he could tell me was that the Gigondas (a Rhone) was a big seller. When I got home (disappointed in my purchase) I googled Beef Burgundy and found Julia Child's recipe. My heart sank when she went on and on about cooking it with a St. Emilion or Pomerol. Then she stated actually any Bordeaux would do. Then she said any Rhone, and/or any red for that matter!! I laughed so hard.

She was so fantastic. I remember watching her on TV with my mom when I was 6 years old. She kept throwing scraps and packaging off the counter down by her side - it looked to me like she was throwing it all onto the floor. I asked my mom why she was throwing all the garbage onto the floor and she laughed her butt off. She then told me there was a garbage container on the floor next to her that I just couldn't see.


Recipe Follows:

Friday, October 05, 2007 - 07:17 AM

Tonight I was in the mood for white wine and fish. I bought some fresh Halibut from the "Fish Man" who frequents my town on Thursdays and crab cakes too. I purchased Kim Crawford's 2006 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc as an accompaniment and enjoyed dinner immensely. (See my wine review @ www.whattodrinktonight.blogspot.com)

Another good food and wine pairing. Alongside the halibut, I roasted spaghetti squash and served it drizzled with olive oil, sea salt, pepper and freshly grated parmesean cheese, and baby carrots in butter.

The halibut recipe follows.

homepage: Pairing of Chicken Francaise, Lemon Noodles, and Italian Spinach with The 3rd Bottle

Monday, October 01, 2007 - 07:21 AM

I knew I was purchasing Napa Valley's "The 3rd Bottle" white table wine for dinner so I planned my menu around it. I have a favorite "soul food" noodle recipe that we haven't had in a couple of years that I decided to make. I usually make "Sole Meuniere" with it but had a desire for "Chicken Francaise". As the latter also involves lemon, I knew I'd be safe. In addition, I cooked spinach the "Italian" way with garlic sauteed in olive oil and sprinkled with fresh lemon juice. My mouth ws salivating as I made each dish. I absolutely knew the wine and food would compliment each other. From food to wine, the following is a SURE THING menu.

Monday, June 18, 2007 - 06:27 AM

This recipe was delicious. I got it on-line when trying to pair a meal with my Four Vines "Biker" 2004 Zinfandel. It actually called for a different pork chop recipe but I thought this recipe would work just as well with the wine. I was correct. Incidentally, a chilled Liberty School 2003 Chardonnay also accompanied this dish very well - especially on a hot, humid day.

Sunday, June 17, 2007 - 08:37 PM

The suggested wine for the following recipe is "The Holy Trinity 2001", Grant Burge Wines, Jacobs Creek, Barossa Valley, South Australia (approx. $26/bottle). The alternative suggestion is either a Grenache or a Syrah. As I was unable to locally buy this wine without ordering it, I had Mirone red wine from Spain and found it enhanced the flavors of the meal. (This is another recipe taken from "The Wine Lover's Healthy Weight Loss Plan".)

PLEASE NOTE: I have since made this recipe again and had the pleasure of enjoying "The Holy Trinity 2000". Nice pairing (see wine review at www.whattodrink.blogspot.com").

Sunday, May 20, 2007 - 02:48 AM

Taken from "The Wine Lover's Healthy Weight Loss Plan", the following recipe was very good.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

Ingredients you will need:




1 c reduced sodium soy sauce
1/4 c honey
1/2 t finely minced garlic
4 salmon fillets, 6 oz. each
2 T sesame seeds

Saturday, May 12, 2007 - 09:29 AM

Wendy Dubit is founder of the way cool website The Senses Bureau (go to www.thesensesbureau.com) and founder of Vergant Media (www.vergant.com) has served as editor-in-chief of "Friends of Wine" and "Wine Enthusiast" magazines, among numerous other accolades. She writes and speaks about wine, food, lifestyle and leads tastings worldwide. In Kevin Zraly's book "Windows On The World Complete Wine Course, 2007 Edition", Wendy contributes to a chapter on wine smelling. I absolutely LOVE the following story she tells:
(more)

Tuesday, May 01, 2007 - 07:23 AM

Just like wine, another favorite relaxing indulgence for me is . . .chocolate, especially dark chocolate. And just like wine, there is a technique to tasting chocolate. Here are some pointers, care of a co-worker of mine who borrowed it from Hershey's "Cacao Reserve" just for me. Many thanks, Deb.

Be sure your chocolate is at room temperature before tasting:

Tuesday, April 24, 2007 - 07:58 AM

Excellent When Paired with Carpineto Dogajolo Dry Red Table Wine of Tuscany (or probably any other Sangiovese - see wine review @ www.whattodrink.blogspot.com)

This is a recipe taken direct from the book "The Wine Lover's Healthy Weight Loss Plan."

More . . .

Sunday, April 15, 2007 - 04:17 AM

Forever on a quest for healthy and interesting eating habits, I've embarked on yet another hopefully-not-just-a-fad diet. Over the last year I've incorporated any and at times all of the following ways of eating: anti-imflammatory, anti-aging, macrobiotic, and Mediterranean. BUT, the one thing I've never completely omitted is the darn BAD m&m's. I've tried substituting lots of dark chocolate in small quantities, mixed with cranberries or rasberries and almonds, but some really rotten days I hit up the secretary at work for her bottom drawer deluged with bags of BOTH peanut and plain m&m's. And I don't just eat a small handful - I fill up a Poland Spring water cup . . . twice. I am on a new quest right here and right now to just stop it. No more junk sugar. I am re-committing to a new way of eating.