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Archives for 2009
Intro to Veuve Clicquot
The following is my January 2010 entry into Wine Whore Wednesday. On Twitter? Be sure to follow Randy @thewinewhore
Question: What’s that one bottle of wine that changed your life? Explain how!
I’m Canadian, so beer drinking is sort of second nature to me, and what I’ve done since my teen years (yes, you can legally drink at 18 in Canada). Wine was never really my thing until my 21st birthday.
For my 21st birthday, I had a huge South Florida pool party with tons of food, friends and adult beverages. A friend of mine brought a case of Veuve Clicquot to pop for the occasion. Not sure if it was the wine itself or the fun of celebrating with some bubbly, but I was hooked. From that day forward, I’ve wanted to experience all sorts of wine and to learn as much about pairing it with food (my other passion) as possible.
Wine rocks.
Soft Boiled Egg
They say a banana is the world’s most perfect food, but a soft-boiled egg with the right seasoning and a dollop of mayo might just be ‘it’ for me.
Directions:
- Place room-temperature egg in a small saucepan. Cover with cold water so there’s about 1-inch of water above the egg.
- Put saucepan over high heat. Allow to come to a boil, then immediately remove from heat. Allow eggs to stand in hot water for 5 minutes.
- Drain hot water and place the egg on an egg cup or small saucer.
- Cut a small ‘cap’ off the top of the egg, exposing some of the soft yolk.
- Season with sea salt, cracked pepper and a small dollop of mayonnaise.
2005 Cable Bay Chardonnay Waiheke Island
This is THE Chardonnay for folks who don’t enjoy big, buttery California Chardonnays. It’s not heavy on the oak, but has enough of it to make it…interesting. This New Zealand wine is similar to a French Chardonnay and is dry with a fresh, complex taste.
Around $30.
PS: Good call pairing this wine with smoked salmon Jean-Guy
Maple Taffee on Snow (Tire sur la Neige)
As my family began getting ready for the food frenzy my visit to Quebec would bring on, one thing that my oldest niece, Maude, wanted to be sure my sister would fix for us is Tire sur la Neige, or Maple Taffee on Snow. This treat is one most popular at sugar shacks during maple syrup season, but great anytime there’s snow outside.
Ingredients:
- 2 – 3 cups maple syrup
- Freshly gathered snow packed tightly into a wide, low container
Directions:
-
Pour the maple syrup into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil on high heat. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until it reaches 240°F on a candy thermometer, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Using a ladle, drizzle some of the hot syrup onto the snow, making certain not to cover the entire surface (you can re-pour additional syrup after the first round of taffee is gone).
- Let the taffee set for a minute then pick up by rolling on a fork or wooden chopstick.
Notes: Don’t have snow where you live? Finely-crushed ice from a blender would work!
Grandma's Chocolate and Peanut Butter Treats
These treats come straight from my childhood as my Grandma made them for the holidays as far back as I can remember. She’d make a double batch and freeze the finished treats so we’d have them well into the new year.
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup grated paraffin wax
- 8 ounces milk chocolate chips
- 1 cup smooth peanut butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 cups puffed rice cereal
Directions:
- Melt paraffin and chocolate in a glass or metal bowl placed over a pot of simmering water over medium-low heat. Don’t allow the bowl to touch the simmering water.
- Add peanut butter to the melted chocolate and blend well until fully incorporated.
- Stir the powdered sugar into the mixture. Remove from heat and add the puffed rice cereal, making certain that the cereal is fully coated with the chocolate mixture.
- Drop spoonful of the mixture on a wax paper-lined cookie sheet and cool. Refrigerate cooled treats.
Makes approximately 24 treats.
Notes: Paraffin wax can be found at most grocery stores in the canning section where Mason Jars are found. Only use consumable wax such as Gulf Paraffin Wax. Grate the paraffin using a box grater or microplane.
Loving Pop Chips!
Got home to an empty pantry and fridge after being away for a week only to find this super neat present from the fine folks at @PopChips on my front door!
Haven’t tried Pop Chips yet? They are great and only 100 calories per bag!
Happiest of Holidays to All
On this Christmas Eve, I want to take a moment to wish everyone a happy holidy season and a prosperous, healthy 2010.
I`m visiting family in Canada and baking traditional Quebec treats, cooking old favorites and drinking some pretty neat wines that I can`t wait to share with you in the new year.
All the best for all of you and please share some of your family holiday traditions.
Best,
Veronique
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