Mon - December 12, 2005
Non-Fat, Vegetarian Dip
Great with
veggies
This is SO easy. And isn't it time we declared
Ranch Dressing DEAD?
I can Black Beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup salsa
1 clove garlic
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 large carrot
splash of hot sauce, if you like
Toss everything into the food processor and blend until smooth.
Cover and chill for at least an hour.
Makes about 1 1/2 cups.
I can Black Beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup salsa
1 clove garlic
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 large carrot
splash of hot sauce, if you like
Toss everything into the food processor and blend until smooth.
Cover and chill for at least an hour.
Makes about 1 1/2 cups.
Posted at 08:00 AM
Thu - November 17, 2005
Inexpensive Wine Buys from Consumer Reports
Some are available at Price
Cutter in Springfield
Just in time for the
holidays!
Quick Picks
Pinot noir
Delicate pinot noir grapes create wines that are subtle and moderately complex. Flavors include raspberry or strawberry, spicy notes, and cedar pencil shavings. Typically, wines are dry, with a medium finish--as in how long taste and texture linger after swallowing.
Artesa $18
Complex aroma notes, such as tobacco, leather, and pencil shavings, reflect classic pinots noir from France’s Burgundy region. Mouthwatering structure (tannin and acid) pairs well with food.
Meridian $10, CR Best Buy
Balances very ripe fruit with tartness, tannin, and some wood notes.
Beringer $12, CR Best Buy
Similar balance to the Meridian (3) but with less intensity. Has some classic pinot noir elements.
Pinot grigio/pinot gris
The same grape is called pinot grigio in Italy, pinot gris in France, and either name in the U.S. Both are relatively simple. Fruity aromas such as apple, pear, and citrus might be noticeable.
Hogue $10, CR Best Buy
Full-flavored pinot grigio with crisp acidity, clean finish, and wide array of ripe fruit aromas, notably tropical fruit, apple, pear, and citrus.
McManis $10, CR Best Buy
Similar to Hogue (16) but without the citrus; its aromas combine with the mouth-filling flavors of a classic pinot grigio.
King Estate $15
This pinot gris is full-flavored and crisp. It has a fuller body than most, as well as notable tropical-fruit, citrus, and honey aromas.
Ecco Domani $11, CR Best Buy
Though its flavors aren’t intense, they’re classic for pinot grigio, notably the tropical fruit. Crisp, dry, and short finish.
Bella Sera $8, CR Best Buy
Simple fruit flavors. Easy-to-drink pinot grigio.
Willamette Valley $12, CR Best Buy
Full-flavored pinot gris with ripe fruit and some wood notes; off dry.
Merlot and red blends
Merlots may have predominantly fruit aromas or offer a mix of fruit and wood on the nose. They may have herbaceous aromas in addition to typical dark-berry and spicy notes. The red blends in our Ratings
--which combine two or more varietals such as shiraz/syrah, cabernet sauvignon, and sangiovese--have similar characteristics to the merlots.
While as a rule wines are ranked in descending order of quality, two groups--Bogle (33), Concha y Toro (34), and Jacob’s Creek (35); and Chateau St. Jean (38) and Yellow Tail (39)--are ranked the same and listed alphabetically in the Ratings.
Gallo of Sonoma $13, CR Best Buy
This merlot has big, full fruit flavors and good structure (tannin and acid).
Bogle $9, CR Best Buy
Full-flavored, with ample fruit, good structure (tannin and acid), and a longer finish than most other merlots in this group.
Concha y Toro $9, CR Best Buy Intense ripe fruit and a firm structure (tannin and acid) characterize this merlot.
Jacob’s Creek $9, CR Best Buy
Consider cellaring this merlot for a year or two to allow its full fruit flavors to integrate better with components such as wood and tannin.
Yellow Tail $7, CR Best Buy
Big, young, rich, and fruity merlot. Lacks some wood to completely balance it. A bit sweeter than the others in this group.
Rosemount Estate $8, CR Best Buy
This blend of shiraz (62 percent) and cabernet sauvignon (38 percent) has rich fruit flavors and good structure (tannin and acid), and should soften if cellared.
Quick Picks
Pinot noir
Delicate pinot noir grapes create wines that are subtle and moderately complex. Flavors include raspberry or strawberry, spicy notes, and cedar pencil shavings. Typically, wines are dry, with a medium finish--as in how long taste and texture linger after swallowing.
Artesa $18
Complex aroma notes, such as tobacco, leather, and pencil shavings, reflect classic pinots noir from France’s Burgundy region. Mouthwatering structure (tannin and acid) pairs well with food.
Meridian $10, CR Best Buy
Balances very ripe fruit with tartness, tannin, and some wood notes.
Beringer $12, CR Best Buy
Similar balance to the Meridian (3) but with less intensity. Has some classic pinot noir elements.
Pinot grigio/pinot gris
The same grape is called pinot grigio in Italy, pinot gris in France, and either name in the U.S. Both are relatively simple. Fruity aromas such as apple, pear, and citrus might be noticeable.
Hogue $10, CR Best Buy
Full-flavored pinot grigio with crisp acidity, clean finish, and wide array of ripe fruit aromas, notably tropical fruit, apple, pear, and citrus.
McManis $10, CR Best Buy
Similar to Hogue (16) but without the citrus; its aromas combine with the mouth-filling flavors of a classic pinot grigio.
King Estate $15
This pinot gris is full-flavored and crisp. It has a fuller body than most, as well as notable tropical-fruit, citrus, and honey aromas.
Ecco Domani $11, CR Best Buy
Though its flavors aren’t intense, they’re classic for pinot grigio, notably the tropical fruit. Crisp, dry, and short finish.
Bella Sera $8, CR Best Buy
Simple fruit flavors. Easy-to-drink pinot grigio.
Willamette Valley $12, CR Best Buy
Full-flavored pinot gris with ripe fruit and some wood notes; off dry.
Merlot and red blends
Merlots may have predominantly fruit aromas or offer a mix of fruit and wood on the nose. They may have herbaceous aromas in addition to typical dark-berry and spicy notes. The red blends in our Ratings
--which combine two or more varietals such as shiraz/syrah, cabernet sauvignon, and sangiovese--have similar characteristics to the merlots.
While as a rule wines are ranked in descending order of quality, two groups--Bogle (33), Concha y Toro (34), and Jacob’s Creek (35); and Chateau St. Jean (38) and Yellow Tail (39)--are ranked the same and listed alphabetically in the Ratings.
Gallo of Sonoma $13, CR Best Buy
This merlot has big, full fruit flavors and good structure (tannin and acid).
Bogle $9, CR Best Buy
Full-flavored, with ample fruit, good structure (tannin and acid), and a longer finish than most other merlots in this group.
Concha y Toro $9, CR Best Buy Intense ripe fruit and a firm structure (tannin and acid) characterize this merlot.
Jacob’s Creek $9, CR Best Buy
Consider cellaring this merlot for a year or two to allow its full fruit flavors to integrate better with components such as wood and tannin.
Yellow Tail $7, CR Best Buy
Big, young, rich, and fruity merlot. Lacks some wood to completely balance it. A bit sweeter than the others in this group.
Rosemount Estate $8, CR Best Buy
This blend of shiraz (62 percent) and cabernet sauvignon (38 percent) has rich fruit flavors and good structure (tannin and acid), and should soften if cellared.
Posted at 07:10 AM
Mon - November 14, 2005
Cranberry Sauce For Adults
ESPECIALLY for those who
don't like cranberry sauce
Forget the wimpy, sweet stuff that passes for
cranberry sauce. This has a lively, vivid flavor. It keeps for up to 2 weeks in
the refrigerator.
Freeze a few bags of cranberries and make this sauce in the summer: serve with grilled chicken or pork chops.
CRANBERRY-PORT WINE RELISH
1 12-ounce package fresh cranberries
1 medium-sized onion, minced
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup golden raisins
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups Port
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Toss everything into a pan. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Simmer, uncovered, for about 30 minutes, until the mixture is thick and reduced to about 3 cups. Stir every once in awhile, as the mood strikes.
ENJOY!
Freeze a few bags of cranberries and make this sauce in the summer: serve with grilled chicken or pork chops.
CRANBERRY-PORT WINE RELISH
1 12-ounce package fresh cranberries
1 medium-sized onion, minced
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup golden raisins
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups Port
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Toss everything into a pan. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Simmer, uncovered, for about 30 minutes, until the mixture is thick and reduced to about 3 cups. Stir every once in awhile, as the mood strikes.
ENJOY!
Posted at 09:43 AM
Thu - September 15, 2005
The most you can say about British food is that it's harmless to large dogs
That's what the Brits told
us!
We lived in England for several years, and our
British friends continuously cautioned us that the food in most restaurants was
awful. They taught us to dine at THEIR favorite places: Indian
restaurants!
The Brits have sent emergency food packets to victims of Hurricane Katrina. A typical packet includes:
1. French onion soup; 2 Hot chocolate; 3 Savoury biscuits; 4 Milk chocolate; 5 Tissues; 6 Cooked rice; 7 Boiled sweets; 8 Fruit biscuits; 9 Chewing gum; 10 Chicken pate; 11 Orange drink powder; 12 Curried lamb; 13 Fruit dumplings in custard; 14 Bacon and beans; 15 Condiments;
16 Hot pepper sauce
Read more---including the results of a taste test---at the BBC News Magazine.
The Brits have sent emergency food packets to victims of Hurricane Katrina. A typical packet includes:
1. French onion soup; 2 Hot chocolate; 3 Savoury biscuits; 4 Milk chocolate; 5 Tissues; 6 Cooked rice; 7 Boiled sweets; 8 Fruit biscuits; 9 Chewing gum; 10 Chicken pate; 11 Orange drink powder; 12 Curried lamb; 13 Fruit dumplings in custard; 14 Bacon and beans; 15 Condiments;
16 Hot pepper sauce
Read more---including the results of a taste test---at the BBC News Magazine.
Posted at 09:36 AM
Tue - September 6, 2005
And now for something completely different.
Which wines go best with
fast food?
Matt Hopkins of the
Washington
Post advises that
"A wonderfully deep
fruity zinfandel would be just about perfect with my new favorite mushroom Swiss
burger (I'm a sucker for those "limited time" sandwiches, too). The wine's
peppery plums, hints of herb and a strong currant nose fit so well with the rich
mushroom reduction, subtle creamy Swiss paste and firm sesame bun that for a
moment I could not remember the reason they weren't delivered through the window
of my car as a packaged meal deal.'
Other recommendations:
KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN ORIGINAL RECIPE
Wine: 2003 Raptor Ridge Pinot Noir Yamhill County Cuvee
Why it works: A decent light red, like the simple, balanced Raptor Ridge, works well with the lighter seasoning used in this buttery batter. In fact, most burgundies probably would work well.
TACO BELL BURRITO SUPREME
Wine: 2003 Vina MontGras Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah Reserva
Why it works: This blend, which would go nicely with just about any food with a bit of kick, seems especially designed for the spicy grilled smack-in-the-taste-buds that this wrap's hot sauce provides.
WENDY'S SPICY CHICKEN SANDWICH
Wine: 2003 Domaine Puech Cocut Merlot, Vin de Pays d'Oc
Why it works: The acerbic, earthy table wine is a perfect pair for the dry spice on the chicken. Most syrahs and some Italian wines would also partner well, but the Puech Cocut tends to be a better bargain.
OK, OK, since you insist, here's the link.
Other recommendations:
KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN ORIGINAL RECIPE
Wine: 2003 Raptor Ridge Pinot Noir Yamhill County Cuvee
Why it works: A decent light red, like the simple, balanced Raptor Ridge, works well with the lighter seasoning used in this buttery batter. In fact, most burgundies probably would work well.
TACO BELL BURRITO SUPREME
Wine: 2003 Vina MontGras Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah Reserva
Why it works: This blend, which would go nicely with just about any food with a bit of kick, seems especially designed for the spicy grilled smack-in-the-taste-buds that this wrap's hot sauce provides.
WENDY'S SPICY CHICKEN SANDWICH
Wine: 2003 Domaine Puech Cocut Merlot, Vin de Pays d'Oc
Why it works: The acerbic, earthy table wine is a perfect pair for the dry spice on the chicken. Most syrahs and some Italian wines would also partner well, but the Puech Cocut tends to be a better bargain.
OK, OK, since you insist, here's the link.
Posted at 08:42 AM
Tue - August 23, 2005
Tapioca
Cassava
We've lived in Africa and
Indonesia, and in both of these tropical locations the starchy root of the
cassava plant is a main source of inexpensive food. The roots look a bit like
sweet potatoes, and are cooked and eaten in about the same ways as sweet
potatoes.
Pulverized cassava and cassava flour are used as thickeners in the tropics, where wheat flour is expensive. Wheat or wheat flour have to be imported in the tropics. Think about it: have you ever seen photos of wheat fields on Bali or in Nigeria? In addition, wheat flour clumps, spoils and becomes bug-infested quickly in tropical climates.
The roots are also harvested and processed commercially, and assume a new name: tapioca.
Forget those boxes of "instant" or "quick cooking" tapioca. Pick up a bag of the real thing: Pearl Tapioca. Yes, it'll take longer to cook. But we're talking real food here, not processed stuff that is alarmingly similar to wallpaper paste.
Old-Fashioned Tapioca Pudding
1/3 cup Pearl Tapioca
3/4 cup water
2 1/4 cups skim milk
1/4 tsp. salt
2 eggs, separated
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
Soak the pearl tapioca in water for 30 minutes in a saucepan. Add milk, salt, and lightly beaten egg yolks to the tapioca and stir over medium heat until boiling.
Simmer uncovered over very low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring often.
Beat egg whites with sugar until soft peaks form.
Fold about 3/4 cup of the hot tapioca into the egg whites, and then gently fold the mixture back into the saucepan. Stir gently for about 3 minutes, until everything's blended.
Cool the tapioca for about 15 minutes, and stir in the vanilla.
Serve warm or chilled.
Makes 3 1/2 cups.
Pulverized cassava and cassava flour are used as thickeners in the tropics, where wheat flour is expensive. Wheat or wheat flour have to be imported in the tropics. Think about it: have you ever seen photos of wheat fields on Bali or in Nigeria? In addition, wheat flour clumps, spoils and becomes bug-infested quickly in tropical climates.
The roots are also harvested and processed commercially, and assume a new name: tapioca.
Forget those boxes of "instant" or "quick cooking" tapioca. Pick up a bag of the real thing: Pearl Tapioca. Yes, it'll take longer to cook. But we're talking real food here, not processed stuff that is alarmingly similar to wallpaper paste.
Old-Fashioned Tapioca Pudding
1/3 cup Pearl Tapioca
3/4 cup water
2 1/4 cups skim milk
1/4 tsp. salt
2 eggs, separated
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
Soak the pearl tapioca in water for 30 minutes in a saucepan. Add milk, salt, and lightly beaten egg yolks to the tapioca and stir over medium heat until boiling.
Simmer uncovered over very low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring often.
Beat egg whites with sugar until soft peaks form.
Fold about 3/4 cup of the hot tapioca into the egg whites, and then gently fold the mixture back into the saucepan. Stir gently for about 3 minutes, until everything's blended.
Cool the tapioca for about 15 minutes, and stir in the vanilla.
Serve warm or chilled.
Makes 3 1/2 cups.
Posted at 07:04 AM
Sun - August 7, 2005
Wine from Canada
Who knew?
It's called Ice Wine. We first
sampled this many years ago in Germany, where it's known as
"Eiswein."
Canada is now the world's largest producer of this wonderfully sweet, dessert wine. The grapes are harvested after they've frozen on the vine, usually in late January or February. The grapes are pressed before they thaw. Much of the water in the grapes is frozen, so the resulting juice is rich in flavor and high in sugar and acid.
Sam's Club in Springfield carries a fine Canadian Ice Wine. Look for the gold foil-wrapped box of Inniskillen. Although it's a tad pricey, it'll last through several dinner parties. Or NOT.....
Canada is now the world's largest producer of this wonderfully sweet, dessert wine. The grapes are harvested after they've frozen on the vine, usually in late January or February. The grapes are pressed before they thaw. Much of the water in the grapes is frozen, so the resulting juice is rich in flavor and high in sugar and acid.
Sam's Club in Springfield carries a fine Canadian Ice Wine. Look for the gold foil-wrapped box of Inniskillen. Although it's a tad pricey, it'll last through several dinner parties. Or NOT.....
Posted at 10:03 AM
Mon - July 25, 2005
Best Recipe Ever For Fresh Tomatoes
'Tis The
Season!
This recipe is from The Complete Middle East
Cookbook by Tess Mallos (1979). I bought it in England, where
we lived from 1979-1981.
BAKED
PRAWNS
(The Greek name for this dish is "Garithes Yiouvetsi")
(The Greek name for this dish is "Garithes Yiouvetsi")
Serves 4-6
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2 pounds large, uncooked shrimp
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
1 cup chopped green onions
2 (or more) gloves of garlic, chopped
6 tomatoes, chopped roughly
1/2 cup white wine or vermouth
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon chopped oregano
salt
freshly ground black pepper
About 8 ounces Feta cheese
1. Shell the shrimp, leaving the last segment of the shell and the tail intact. De-vein and rinse. Drain and pat dry with paper towels.
2. In a pan, gently saute the onion in the oil until transparent. Add the green onions, the garlic, and cook 2 minutes longer. Add tomatoes, wine, most of the parsley, oregano, salt and pepper to taste. Cover and simmer gently for 30 minutes until thick.
3. Spoon half of the tomato mixture into a large oven dish. Add the shrimp and cover with the remaining tomato sauce. Crumble the Feta cheese over the top.
4. Cook in a very hot oven for 10-15 minutes until the shrimp are pink and the Feta is melted and lightly browned. Sprinkle with remaining parsley and serve immediately with crusty bread for dipping!
5. ENJOY!
Posted at 05:54 PM
Sun - July 24, 2005
Wine Buy
We like to find good wines
that sell for about $10 a bottle
Sam's Club in Springfield has an
excellent red wine for about $8.00. It's "Casillero del Diabalo, " a 2004
Cabernet Sauvignon from the central valley of Chile. It tastes of deep red
fruits (think cherries and plums) and has a wonderful, rich
aroma.
The wine is a product of Concha Y Toro , a winery with an international reputation for consistent quality.
GO FOR IT!
The wine is a product of Concha Y Toro , a winery with an international reputation for consistent quality.
GO FOR IT!
Posted at 08:58 AM
Sun - July 17, 2005
Loveless Motel/Nashville
No longer a motel...just a
restaurant that's been famous in Nashville since 1951. Their claim to fame is
fried chicken. REAL fried chicken. If you've eaten fried chicken at Stroud's in
Kansas City, you get the idea. This is chicken that's been fried in a cast iron
skillet, and not in one of those sissy deep
fryers.
Cluck, cluck!
Cluck, cluck!
Posted at 06:10 PM
Tue - July 12, 2005
Not any old Port
Our first annual Port
Tasting Contest was held last weekend at the house.
Six of us volunteered for duty.
First candidate in the contest was an Australian tawny Port, Galway Pipe. Other
entries were Smith Woodhouse 1990 (from Portugal, bottled in 1994); Les
Bourgeous Collector's Series 2002 (Rocheport, Missouri) and Sugar Creek Winery
Signature Port (Augusta,
Missouri).
Lots of Stilton cheese and Carr's water biscuits accompanied the samples.
The winner....Sugar Creek Winery Signature Port from Augusta, Missouri.
Before Prohibition, Missouri was one of the country's leading producers of wine. When Prohibiton was enacted, the vineyards were ripped from the ground and the fields were used for cattle grazing. These days, there's an increased interest in reviving the wine tradition in Missouri. Tradition is A GOOD THING!
Lots of Stilton cheese and Carr's water biscuits accompanied the samples.
The winner....Sugar Creek Winery Signature Port from Augusta, Missouri.
Before Prohibition, Missouri was one of the country's leading producers of wine. When Prohibiton was enacted, the vineyards were ripped from the ground and the fields were used for cattle grazing. These days, there's an increased interest in reviving the wine tradition in Missouri. Tradition is A GOOD THING!
Posted at 09:48 AM
Quick Links
Calendar
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
Categories
Archives
XML/RSS Feed
Statistics
Total entries in this blog:
Total entries in this category:
Published On: Dec 12, 2005 10:35 AM
Total entries in this category:
Published On: Dec 12, 2005 10:35 AM