Simmering Sunday - Spiced Wine
Ooh, it's that time of year again. Autumn is a magical time for me. Aromas of rich pumpkin and apple spices fill the crisp air. The days get shorter and we all seem to slow down a bit as we watch the gorgeous, colorful leaves fall from the trees. Autumn is truly my favorite season of all. A favorite of mine this time of year is Spiced Wine. Here's a great recipe....
Ingredients:
1 quart of red wine
1 cup of rum or brandy
2 cups of water
1 vanilla bean (cut in half lengthwise)
10 cardamom pods
5 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
2 tsp. whole allspice
2 tsp. orange zest
1 tsp. grated lemon rind
sugar to taste
Preparation:
Put all ingredients in a saucepan and simmer slowly for 15 minutes. Strain (so vanilla bean, cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon stick, allspice, orange zest and lemon rind are strained out of the liquid). Keep warm and serve.
This drink will keep you warm from the inside out. Salute! :-)
Ingredients:
1 quart of red wine
1 cup of rum or brandy
2 cups of water
1 vanilla bean (cut in half lengthwise)
10 cardamom pods
5 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
2 tsp. whole allspice
2 tsp. orange zest
1 tsp. grated lemon rind
sugar to taste
Preparation:
Put all ingredients in a saucepan and simmer slowly for 15 minutes. Strain (so vanilla bean, cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon stick, allspice, orange zest and lemon rind are strained out of the liquid). Keep warm and serve.
This drink will keep you warm from the inside out. Salute! :-)
Labels:
Simmering Sunday
My Favorite Wines
I love wine. Who doesn't, huh? ;-) I've tasted many different wines over the years. Some were expensive while others were not. What I have noticed is that not all expensive wines taste good and not all inexpensive wines taste bad. Here are some of my favorites....
Oak Grove Zinfandel - This wine is my favorite "everyday" wine. Since the wine is so inexpensive (cost: $9 at Total Wine) you could drink it everyday if you chose. It is a rich wine that gives you a burst of wild raspberry and plum flavors and follows with a touch of peppery spice. This medium to full-bodied red is sure to please both your palate and pocket.
Dominican Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon (2003) - One of the best cab's I've tasted! Fantastic value (cost: $15 - $20 at Total Wine)! It is a rich, full-bodied wine that goes down smooth with a long finish. It has strong hints of vanilla and oak. It is delicious -- you won't be disappointed.
Saintsbury Carneros Pinot Noir - This is an amazing wine -- a huge favorite of mine! Saintsbury has a few different Pinot's. Make sure you get it from the Carneros region. It is an elegant, medium-bodied wine with rich flavors of black cherry, sour cherry and spice. Another fantastic value (cost: $20 at Total Wine)! It is delicious and super smooth.
Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay - This is my ultimate favorite white wine! It's from Beringer's Private Reserve not to be mistaken with the regular Chardonnay. It is a rich, full-bodied Chardonnay with aromas of butterscotch, lemon curd and toasted almonds which evolve into rich tropical flavors that are balanced by bright citrus notes. It is a wine for special occasions (cost: $35 - $40 at Total Wine). This elegant, luscious wine is a must for all Chardonnay lovers!
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon (2006) - This is a truly amazing wine! Each year tastes different. In my opinion, the 2006 vintage was exquisite. It is a rich, full-bodied wine with powerful aromas of ripe blackberry, dark cherry with notes of vanilla and cocoa. This wine is pretty expensive (cost: $60 - $80 at Total Wine) but so worth it. Great for special occasions or if you just want to splurge. This wine makes my taste buds happy!
WINE TIP: Red and white wines should be poured towards the middle of the glass. Sparkling wines should be poured against the side of the glass. When you finish pouring a glass, twist the bottle slightly to stop any drips.
Look for more wine tips and fun facts in the coming weeks. Salute! :-)
Oak Grove Zinfandel - This wine is my favorite "everyday" wine. Since the wine is so inexpensive (cost: $9 at Total Wine) you could drink it everyday if you chose. It is a rich wine that gives you a burst of wild raspberry and plum flavors and follows with a touch of peppery spice. This medium to full-bodied red is sure to please both your palate and pocket.
Dominican Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon (2003) - One of the best cab's I've tasted! Fantastic value (cost: $15 - $20 at Total Wine)! It is a rich, full-bodied wine that goes down smooth with a long finish. It has strong hints of vanilla and oak. It is delicious -- you won't be disappointed.
Saintsbury Carneros Pinot Noir - This is an amazing wine -- a huge favorite of mine! Saintsbury has a few different Pinot's. Make sure you get it from the Carneros region. It is an elegant, medium-bodied wine with rich flavors of black cherry, sour cherry and spice. Another fantastic value (cost: $20 at Total Wine)! It is delicious and super smooth.
Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay - This is my ultimate favorite white wine! It's from Beringer's Private Reserve not to be mistaken with the regular Chardonnay. It is a rich, full-bodied Chardonnay with aromas of butterscotch, lemon curd and toasted almonds which evolve into rich tropical flavors that are balanced by bright citrus notes. It is a wine for special occasions (cost: $35 - $40 at Total Wine). This elegant, luscious wine is a must for all Chardonnay lovers!
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon (2006) - This is a truly amazing wine! Each year tastes different. In my opinion, the 2006 vintage was exquisite. It is a rich, full-bodied wine with powerful aromas of ripe blackberry, dark cherry with notes of vanilla and cocoa. This wine is pretty expensive (cost: $60 - $80 at Total Wine) but so worth it. Great for special occasions or if you just want to splurge. This wine makes my taste buds happy!
WINE TIP: Red and white wines should be poured towards the middle of the glass. Sparkling wines should be poured against the side of the glass. When you finish pouring a glass, twist the bottle slightly to stop any drips.
Look for more wine tips and fun facts in the coming weeks. Salute! :-)
Labels:
Wine
9/11 Remembrance
Today marks the 10th anniversary of one of America's greatest tragedies. I would like to take a moment to recognize the many families who suffered loss due to the tragedies of 9/11 and give a special recognition and thanks to the men, women and service dogs who risked their lives to help save victims of the World Trade Center attacks. May we all find a quiet moment for peace and remembrance today.
Labels:
9/11 Remembrance
Movie Review - The Secret Life of Bees
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I am a member of Netflix (which I love). The other day I was searching their site for some new movies -- movies that are not mainstream. I came across this movie and was intrigued. Even though it was not new (made in 2008) I hadn't seen it before. It was given 5 out of 5 stars so I knew it had to be good. It also was based on the book - The Secret Life of Bees.
I saw the movie yesterday and absolutely LOVED it! Set in South Carolina in 1964, this is the tale of Lily Owens a 14 year-old girl who is haunted by the memory of her late mother. To escape her lonely life and troubled relationship with her father, Lily flees with Rosaleen, her caregiver and only friend, to a South Carolina town that holds the secret to her mother's past. Taken in by the intelligent and independent Boatwright sisters, Lily finds solace in their mesmerizing world of beekeeping.
This is a story that is filled with themes of love, acceptance and forgiveness as well as needing to feel love and encouragement. You will laugh and you will cry. It is a beautiful story and a must see. Enjoy! :-)
Labels:
Movie Review
Funny Friday's - New Doctor
Happy Friday Everyone! The info (joke) below has been sent to me via email on more than one occasion and it still makes me laugh. Too funny not to share -- enjoy! :-)
Q: Doctor, I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true? A: Heart only good for so many beats, and that it... Don't waste on exercise. Everything wear out eventually. Speeding up heart not make you live longer; it like saying you extend life of car by driving faster. Want to live longer? Take nap.
Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: Oh no. Wine made from fruit. Brandy distilled wine, that mean they take water out of fruity bit so you get even more of goodness that way. Beer also made of grain. Bottom up!
Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio? A: Well, if you have body and you have fat, your ratio one to one. If you have two body, your ratio two to one.
Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program? A: Can't think of single one, sorry. My philosophy: No pain...good!
Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU NOT LISTENING! Food fried in vegetable oil. How getting more vegetable be bad?
Q : Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle? A: Oh no! When you exercise muscle, it get bigger. You should only be doing sit-up if you want bigger stomach..
Q: Is chocolate bad for me? A: You crazy?!? HEL-LO-O!! Cocoa bean! Another vegetable! It best feel-good food around!
Q: Is swimming good for your figure? A: If swimming good for figure, explain whale to me.
Q: Is getting in shape important for my lifestyle? A: Hey! 'Round' is shape!
Well... I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.
And remember: Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO-HOO, what a ride!!"
AND.....
For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.
1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans...
5. The Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
CONCLUSION: Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.
Love this Doctor!
Q: Doctor, I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true? A: Heart only good for so many beats, and that it... Don't waste on exercise. Everything wear out eventually. Speeding up heart not make you live longer; it like saying you extend life of car by driving faster. Want to live longer? Take nap.
Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: Oh no. Wine made from fruit. Brandy distilled wine, that mean they take water out of fruity bit so you get even more of goodness that way. Beer also made of grain. Bottom up!
Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio? A: Well, if you have body and you have fat, your ratio one to one. If you have two body, your ratio two to one.
Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program? A: Can't think of single one, sorry. My philosophy: No pain...good!
Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU NOT LISTENING! Food fried in vegetable oil. How getting more vegetable be bad?
Q : Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle? A: Oh no! When you exercise muscle, it get bigger. You should only be doing sit-up if you want bigger stomach..
Q: Is chocolate bad for me? A: You crazy?!? HEL-LO-O!! Cocoa bean! Another vegetable! It best feel-good food around!
Q: Is swimming good for your figure? A: If swimming good for figure, explain whale to me.
Q: Is getting in shape important for my lifestyle? A: Hey! 'Round' is shape!
Well... I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.
And remember: Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO-HOO, what a ride!!"
AND.....
For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.
1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans...
5. The Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
CONCLUSION: Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.
Labels:
Funny Friday's
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