Neat Thoughts About Food, Wine, Travel & More
Made of three varietals, Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuelo, this Rioja is dark cherry ruby with a pale ring in the glass that reminds me of some of my favorite California Pinot Noirs. On the nose are aromas of wet wood, stone fruits and vanilla. On the palate, this lighter-bodied Spanish wine offers cherries, some rosy […]
[Continue reading...]Need some inspiration for a romantic meal this Valentine’s Day (or any old day)? Thought I’d share some of the recipes I’ve made recently that have earned me rave reviews. 5 recipes to treat your Valentine to: Gnocchi with Butternut Squash and Bacon in Sage and Danish Blue Cheese Sauce Porcini Mushroom and Lobster Macaroni […]
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There are many theories as to the true origin of the Red Velvet Cake. Whether you believe it to be a southern traditional devil’s food cake tinted red with beet juice, a northern one dating back to the 1950s when Pillsbury Bake-Off contests were held at the Waldorf-Astoria and where the cake was possibly introduced […]
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This cream cheese frosting is simple to make and is perfect on a carrot cake or a red velvet cake. Ingredients: 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature 16 ounces (2 8-ounce packages) cream cheese, at room temperature 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted Directions: In the bowl of an […]
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My dad’s mother, Antoinette, raised 10 kids on limited financial resources and managed to provide healthy meals while stretching her food budget. Even now, if someone happens to stop by her home unexpectedly around lunchtime, she keeps them for a meal consisting of a soup, salad, entrée and dessert! At the young age of 87, […]
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Based on the label and my knowledge of Zweigelt, I was expecting cherry upon sipping this wine, but I also found bright, fresh red berries with spicy undertones along with the ripe cherries. This inky wine is medium-bodied and at that affordable price point, could easily become one of my mid-week or BBQ, go-to wines. […]
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This comforting sauce is best served with rigatoni or gnocchi and would be delicious in a lasagna. Ingredients: 1/4 cup olive oil 3 medium carrots, finely diced 1 medium onion, finely chopped 3 garlic cloves, finely minced 3/4 pound ground pork 3/4 pound ground veal 3/4 pound ground beef (20% fat) 2-28 ounce can Italian-style […]
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I hosted a couple of foodie friends from Florida for my birthday and wanted to take them to brunch in Manhattan but also wanted to pick a restaurant or chef they’d heard of. Being food reality TV fans, I opted for March Forgione’s namesake Tribeca restaurant as they’d recognize him as the winner of Food […]
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This Portuguese wine with a huge mouthful – do open it 30 minutes before you’re ready to drink it. A friend brought this Douro region gem to the BYOB we dined at for my birthday dinner – boy does she know my tastes well. It is deep ruby in the glass, has an intense luscious […]
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Had been saving this wine for a special occasion and boy what a treat it was. This Spanish wine is 100% Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo) and inky black in the glass screaming at you to grow a backbone and dare have a sniff and a sip. The nose is intoxicating with loads of black, ripe […]
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