Lots of good tips in here. And yes, don’t throw out your cheese rinds folks–your sauces and soups will thank you.
Monthly Archives: January 2014
Thai Curry Episode XII: Pad Prik Khing Goong: Stir Fried Shrimp and Green Beans with Chili Paste
I love THHG’s recipes; for those needing a deviation from Mediterranean cuisine for a night, read her blog.
You Can Have GREAT WINE Without Taking Out A Second Mortgage !!!
This is a great post, and one of the great things about Italian wine. While everyone’s busy paying too much for Cali and French wine, I’m finding food friendly gems for under $12 all day long thanks to the awesome wine shop across the street, and having tasted plenty of $20 and up wine from plenty of differing locales…I don’t think I’m missing that much.
Will be blogging from Venezia next week, will see what I can find–the grocery store I like on Strada Nuova has some real finds. Stay tuned. 🙂
How many times when I see someone drinking an under $10 bottle of wine do I hear the phrase “IT’S PRETTY GOOD FOR THE PRICE”? It shouldn’t be Pretty Good it should be GREAT FOR THE PRICE!! Once you get away from buying the standard grape varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Malbec, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc etc that is where you will find the “GREAT FOR THE PRICE WINES”
Tempranillo has many Synonyms depending what part of Spain or Portugal the grape is grown. In the Toro region of Spain where this wine Pictured above is from it is known as Tinta De Toro Very Close to Ribera Del Duero, Toro has been growing grapes and making wine many years B.C. so you have some really OLD VINE Fruit which makes for Great Wines. It is located in the Province of Zamora in the Northwest Part of Spain…
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Is Italy despising its own cultural heritage ?
In my hometown our local pizzeria is run by a couple of Napolitan gents, whom I’ve often heard lamenting how poorly their countrymen and fellow Campagnians take care of treasures like Pompeii. Dear Italians: please work on this.
Seat of the Milan Provincial Government, Christmas Eve. A little party is ongoing, and the Chief of Personnel is opening a sparkling wine bottle. Unfortunately, the cap violently hits a XVIII century picture decorating the room and damages it. It was just an accident, and the officer is ready to pay for the repairs.
However, the episode is somehow symbolic of the neglect by the Italian Authorities (and citizens ?) of the very rich national cultural heritage.
Pompei is crumbling. Museums are badly managed. Surveillance of prized places and artifacts is lacking at best. The Caserta Royal Palace is in very bad conditions. The Government Offices tasked with protecting heritage, called Superintendencies, are understaffed.
There are exceptions, of course. To protect Venice, the Government is building a mammoth mobile dams systems, which would be the first of its kind in the world. Tycoon Diego Della Valle poured…
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Tortelli di Ricotta & Patate in Crema di Tomino & Coulisse di Pomodoro & Basilico
Now this looks molto squisito…and fun to make. Nice presentation.
Wine movies to watch
A good list–and had I known Maynard’s 2010 film existed, I’d have already watched it.
Somm (2013)
A documentary film that follows 4 men attempting to pass the Master Sommelier exam.
Layered and complex… like a fine wine, Somm follows the tribulations of 4 real people –real sommeliers– in the final days before the most challenging exam of their life. If they pass they’ll become Master Sommeliers; a title shared among just 200 people around the world.
Somm is much more than just a wine movie, it’s a documentary about real people, their passion, and their will to succeed while struggling both physically and emotionally under extreme pressure. What’s more, there is an unexpected twist in the end –so thought-provoking, you’ll be shocked that it really happened.
Sideways (2004)
Two men reaching middle age with not much to show but disappointment, embark on a week long road trip through California’s wine country, just as one is about to take a trip down the aisle.
–…
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Cavoletti!
The wife roasted some Brussels sprouts (a much, and unfairly, maligned veggie); I paired them with a sourdough toast with fresh mozzarella. The garnish was fresh basil, anchovies, olive oil, raw garlic balsamic, and sun dried tomatoes toasted on top.
It was ludicrously delicious, cheap, and easy to make.
Pisa, Florence, Venice…a Slide Show
Tried to make this one a bit more personable, with some good clients and old friends in most of the shots. If you’re a meat eater, that Florentine steak is your Everest. Ever give blowing glass a try?
Aglianico!
Very much enjoyed this with our shallot butter tomato soup with homemade garlic bread this evening. While I’m partial to anything Italian and red, aglianico isn’t always at the top of my list for some reason; this one however immediately won me over and only got stronger with 10-20 mins out of the bottle. Corky, woody tannins that aren’t overdone and a fantastic mouthfeel–it’s just wonderful to sip.
My local wine store had it on sale for a price so low I’m embarrassed to say, but they claimed it was ordinarily $14. I got it for $8, and enjoyed it more than bottles I’ve spent three times as much on. Buy it if you see it.
Sassi Italy Tours 