What is not to love about Wine and Food?

Fun with wine food pairing.... especially while traveling the world ... CHEERS!

in reference to:

"This particular adventure began about 10 years ago when our friend Viktor came to Florida for a visit. Viktor is from Hungary and lest you think we might have trouble communicating, you need to know that Viktor lived several years in Australia and perfected his English skills "down under" before he went back to his Hungarian homeland."
- Adventures of Wine Food Pairing!: Wine Food Pairing ... Fun from Florida to Vienna (view on Google Sidewiki)

Wine Food Pairing ... Fun from Florida to Vienna

Adventures of wine food pairing is all about the fun you can have around the world with friends that you have known for many years.

This particular adventure began about 10 years ago when our friend Viktor came to Florida for a visit. Viktor is from Hungary and lest you think we might have trouble communicating, you need to know that Viktor lived several years in Australia and perfected his English skills "down under" before he went back to his Hungarian homeland.



Now, imagine having a Crocodile Dundee in your home cooking up a storm, serving up wine, food and humor with an Aussie twist .. LOL!

I caught Big Al and Viktor filling up their health drink bottles with chilled Pinot Grigio ... HEhehehe ... gotcha!


Bringing this saga to the present .... Big Al just recently shared "schnitzel" with Viktor and his Hungarian friend Tomas in Breitenau Austria ... I did mention that these wine food pairing adventures are worldwide .... anyway, the boys were served up some awesome food at Gasthaus Tauchner

...... Tanja and Franz Tauchner always have great food.



Now I, unfortunately, am drooling back in the United States and they only sent me a picture of the goodies ....

Wine food pairing ... have an octal of zweigelt for me, please.

CHEERS!

Wine Food Pairing a Blast on Isles of Capri!

Wine food pairing adventures can be right in your own backyard. Isles of Capri Florida, is a sleepy little gem nestled between Naples and Marco Island, but just because it is tiny doesn't mean that we don't have fun.

Enjoy a bit of tom foolery at one of the local eateries ....


Wine food pairing .... it is about the friends and the fun.

CHEERS!

Puppies and Dogs ...

Puppies and dogs bring so much fun into your life! You need a good resource to consult, though, when you decide to make that move .... http://puppies-and-dogs.com is the site to search out that important information ...

in reference to:

"Puppies and Dogs   Are you ready to be a puppy parent? Puppies and dogs are the cutest bundles of fur in the world, but if you aren’t prepared for this new member of your family it could turn your life upside down! First off, if you are thinking about buying a puppy or dog, be aware that this one small action will change your life … mostly for the better … and you need to be prepared, as this change will happen instantly upon bringing the new puppy or dog into your home."
- Puppies and Dogs - Puppies and Dogs (view on Google Sidewiki)

Wine Food Pairing goes Garbanzo!

Wine food pairing .... In 2009 I noticed that many of my eating and feasting had fallen into a rut ... and this meant that I could have been eating healthier by doing thing just a little bit differently.

Sooooo ... it is time to announce the resolutions for the "2010" New Year ... HEALTH ... mine and my family's eating, cooking and exercising habits are going to change for the better ... and to all of this I say GARBANZO!

I decided to take a closer look at the much forgotten legume that most people rarely think about. The lovely "chickpea" AKA garbanzo is versatile and tasty.




Chickpeas are high in protein and they are one of the earliest cultivated vegetables. 7,500-year-old remains have been found in the Middle East. Chickpeas are a super source of zinc, folate and protein. They are also very high in dietary fiber and hence a healthy source of carbohydrates for persons with insulin sensitivity or diabetes. Chickpeas are low in fat and most of this is polyunsaturated ... how cool is that?

Well, I sauntered off to the local Winn Dixie, picked up a bag and set about my journey with the great garbanzo. I boiled some RO water,tossed the beans in, let them boil for 2 minutes and then removed from the heat, kept them covered and let them sit for several hours ...

Now, I love hummus, but it is expensive to buy and know I can do it better ... so ... I got out my food processor and gave a couple handfuls of "chickies"a spin. I added water, pumpkin seed oil, EVOO, raw sesame seeds, S & P, and a squeeze of lime juice. I dolloped this out into a crystal bowl, drizzled a little more pumpkin seed oil and sprinkled a few raw pumpkin seeds on top. What an easy healthy recipe!

Ok, so I didn't want to ruin the "healthy" aspect of this treat so I sliced up some crunchy celery sticks and used those for dippers .... YUMMO ... I mean it ... tasty, crunchy and fresh ... a super combo.

Wine food pairing .. it is all about taste and the love of food. CHEERS!

Wine Food Pairing ... Marco Boat Parade ... Christmas Party FUN!

Wine food pairing always looks forward to the holidays ... Christmas in Florida is a special season indeed. Water, sand, boating and fun ... the biggest concern is whether you will actually need to wear a jacket to keep the evening "chill" off ... LOL!

A wonderful party hosted by my friends Carol and Jim Kinkead was once again the place to be for viewing the Christmas Marco Island Boat parade ... kind of like being on the 50 yard line!

Jim made sure that I had my "most" fave Santa Margarita Pinot Grigio ..... and plenty of it ... what can I say ... life is good ... take a quick watch ..



Rod McKenzie provided the music and outdid himself. He played Jimmy Buffett everytime I asked ... oh MY!

Wine food pairing on the Marco River. CHEERS!

Wine Food Pairing 2009 Isles of Capri Boat Parade

Wine food pairing ... every year at this time the folks on my street start to party and what better reason to get together and celebrate than the 2009 Isles of Capri Boat Parade!

We all gathered across the street at our friend and neighbors house, the Smith's and had a terrific time. Joanna, being a wonderful hostess, as well as a terrific cook, had a Ziti Feast that was to die for ... I paired this hearty fare with a Concha Y'Toro Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile. This red wine paired well with the ziti, as well as those divinely delicious brownies that she makes ... YUMMO!

Now, while we all munched and sipped on our wine and food extravaganza, the sun was dipping into the Gulf of Mexico. We waited breathlessly for a green flash, but alas, the only show was to come later, when the boats from our tiny Isles put on their finest display as they cruised past us on the Marco River.

Take a watch of my video and see what you think ....



Wine food pairing along with good friends make for a terrific evening. CHEERS!

Wine Food Pairing ... Thanksgiving Cheer from Austria

Wine food pairing is always best with family and friends. This year my husband was away in Austria for this "fowl" event so he sent me his Thanksgiving celebration, a real food and wine event, with some friends.

I enjoyed this video with a plate of turkey and all the trimmings along with slightly spicy Gewurztraminer from Austria ... LOL. Austrian wine is always a good wine food pairing match for the holiday bird.

CHEERS!

Wine Food Pairing ... "Olive" my Job!

Wine food pairing ... hmmm ... sometimes "Olive" my job!

I sitting at my computer looking out to the bay enjoying a chilled glass of Pinot Grigio and reading my emails. Now many of my emails are spammy and annoying, but this from Brewski and his friend Randy got my chuckling ... BTW ... they really need to get a job ... a lot of creativity going to waste!

From: Randy
Sent: Saturday, November 28, 2009 9:02 AM
To: 'Brewski'
Subject: Smoking turkey

Am smoking a turkey tomorrow. Any “SAGE” advice.

Randy


From: Brewski
Sent: Saturday, November 28, 2009 11:18 AM
To: Randy
Subject: RE: Smoking turkey

1. Be sure to have a new Bic clicker thingy as turkeys are sometimes very hard to keep lit

2. Try to do it on a day when it’s not to Chili

3. I have found that the only brine necessary is for you

4. The above works well if Marjoram and Rosemary or Herb are Cumin over

5. Allow plenty of Thyme

6. Be careful with the Anise as too much will give the bird a crappy taste

7. When your done be sure to Curry the hot bird carefully

8. Serve your creation with Relish

9. Don’t let my advice Rub you the wrong way

10. You should know better than to ask an old Salt

11. The party will be over when Tarragon

From: Randy
Sent: Saturday, November 28, 2009 1:57 PM
To: Brewski
Subject: RE: Smoking turkey

How many awards did you win with this recipe???




From: Brewski
Sent: Monday, November 30, 2009 7:28 AM
To: Randy
Subject: RE: Smoking turkey

How did the bird turn out??

Brewski


From: Randy
Sent: Monday, November 30, 2009 11:31 AM
To: Brewski
Subject: RE: Smoking turkey

Well I will tell you how the party went.

One guy got so drunk he tried to bay at the moon.
For flowers we had a bouquet garni on each table
There were some younger parents there so we had a cardamom program so we did not serve anyone underage
Our neighbor chervil do just about anything when she drinks too much
One guy went to the barber to get a dandicut for the party
One couple rode their cow and the cloves from its feet wrecked my driveway
Ginger really liked the turkey
I must have added enough sodium chloride because no asked “Please pass the saltpeter”
One guy grew some root crops in his pasture and he brought the horseradish
There was one jerk at the party
We had to use mace on him
Although she is a nutmeg can be fun at any occasion.
We had a magician who did an open sesame trick
One guy threatened to sumac when he caught Mac with his wife out in the woods
We tried to pepper the party with jokes to keep everyone interested.

I cheated and got a spice catalog to write this. I do not have too much time on my hands, I just elected to do this today instead of cleaning the garage.

I overcooked the turkey a little, but recovered by cutting it up, pouring some juices on it and sealing it up and warmed it in the oven. The thermostat on my new smoker needs to be checked. It cooked much faster than turkeys have cooked in the past.

Randy

Oh My .... wine food pairing ... I think I need another glass of wine. CHEERS!

Wine Food Pairing Checks the Turkey Testicle Fest

Wine food pairing ... many times we think of high brow events where the elite meet and greet, but sometimes the most fun you can have is when you go to someplace unexpected. Now I didn't actually get to visit the Turkey Testicle Fest this year, but I definitely plan on putting this on my calendar for a future date ... LOL

In the meantime, I think I will have to do a bit of research on the appropriate wines to pair with these "fowl tasties".

Wine food pairing ... it is all about the FUN.

CHEERS!

Wine Food Pairing - Turkey, Turkey Woo HOOO!

Wine food pairing ... 'tis the season to start thinking "fowl" and funny thoughts with about the star of the show ...


What kind of music did the Pilgrims like?
Plymouth Rock

Which side of the turkey has the most feathers?
The outside

Why did they let the turkey join the band?
Because he had the drumsticks

Why did the police arrest the turkey?
They suspected it of fowl play

What's the key to a great Thanksgiving dinner?
The turKEY

What did the turkey say before it was roasted?
Boy! I'm stuffed!

OK, I just had an awesome turkey casserole prepared by my good friend Aunt Patti. If I remember correctly she said that it was an old family recipe that she had "tweaked" a bit. Filled with wild rice, turkey (of course) bacon along with cream of mushroom soup, fresh mushrooms, onions and topped with panko crumbs, it was a delicious hearty and savory mix.

It was just the perfect foil for the chilled Cavit Pinot Grigio that I sipped before, during and after this feast. Crisp and in light character with terrifc scents and fruit flavors ... what is not to love about this wine and food combo?

Turkey in all forms make for some super wine food pairing ... gobble, gobble ... it is all about the good times along with the turkey and wine. CHEERS!

Wine Food Pairing - Pinot Brasserie in Las Vegas

Wine food pairing ... as you all know, I love an adventure that includes wine and food, but the awesome wine food pairing event that I was privileged to attend certainly is at the top of my list!

Guests of Drs. Darlene and James McCord ... Alfred, Houdini and I ... along with a chosen few were treated to a delightful 5 course culinary experience at the Pinot Brasserie located in the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas.

Pinot Brasserie has the warm ambiance of an urban Parisian brasserie. Celebrity chef Joachim Splichal traveled to France to locate accessories and antiques that provide the perfect backdrop for his signature California-French cuisine paired with an award winning wine list. We dined on a "killer" surf and turf and a decadent chocolate soufflé ... Oh MY ... and that doesn't include the cocktail party leading up to dinner where I sipped a Pinot Grigio that was crisp and chilled to perfection while munching on yummy Hors d'oeuvres. Those tasty pre-dinner treats ranged from puffed to flaky and all totally delish!

I have included some of the pictures that I snapped while enjoying every sip and morsel ....

We began our adventure with Baby Field greens, caramelized Bartlett pear, Roquefort crostini with a pear cider vinaigrette. What better way to set the pace ... Louis de Sacy, Tradition Brut, N.V. Champagne a delicate golden color with lots of tiny bubbles ... tickled the tongue and promised the palate good things to come!



Onion soup Gratinee Baguette, Gruyere cheese was our second course. This wonderful warming soup was paired with Justin, Paso Robles 2007 Chardonnay. This bright, crisp wine with flavors of peach, apricot, Meyer lemon and vanilla was the perfect compliment for the hearty soup. A mixture of deeply colored, caramelized onions, chicken stock, and layers of toasted French baguette.

Topped off with a thick, creamy cheese crust it tasted as good as it looked!


Our entree was Maine lobster and a "grilled to perfection" Filet Mignon, potato mousseline, mushroom, creamy spinach and Bordelaise sauce. With this we enjoyed a "Two Rivers" 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon. Houdini and I shared and I swear he was smacking his furry little lips... LOL!



Our fourth course was a Fromage ... an assortment of delicious imported and domestic cheeses accompanied with honeycomb, raisin walnut bread, grape and fig compote. Served with Penfolds Tawny port ... can you say YUMMO?

Now, for our fifth and final course ... a Belgian chocolate souffle served with a Gran Gala orange liqueur sauce. Now really ... what's not to love about this?



Chef Joachim Splichal is a leading figure in America's evolving food and restaurant industry. In 1995 he was inducted into the James Beard Foundation Who's Who of Food & Beverage in America, was named "Best California Chef" by them in 1991, and has twice been nominated "Best Chef of the Year" in 1991 and 1994. He was named in 1996 "Treasure of Los Angeles" by the Central City Association and Los Angles Mayor Richard Riordan. In 1997 he was voted Restaurateur of the Year by the California Restaurant Writers Association.