Ravenswood Zen of Zin (Red: Zinfandel)
I had to work this weekend so after work on Saturday, I couldn’t wait to kick back and relax with a lovely, tall glass of red wine. I find it so exciting to walk into a wine store, hand the cashier a few bucks for a wine that tastes like you’ve spent a lot more. I get a good laugh when my fiancé says, “Grace! You didn’t have to spend…
View Post
Rigatoni with Crumbled Sausage & Tomato Cream
If I had to choose three foods I couldn’t live without, I’d choose pasta, bread, and cheese. Talk about health foods, right? Throw chocolate in there, and I’d be a happy camper. I LOVE pasta. The weekend has almost arrived, and I’m practically and literally drooling on my keyboard over the idea that I will be making myself a giant bowl of this pasta dish. Rigatoni is a perfectly-shaped pasta…
View Post
Maple Mustard Glazed Salmon
Salmon doesn’t have to be dry. It really doesn’t! This salmon is literally (my favorite word LOL) melt in your mouth. Contrasting salty and slightly sweet flavors from soy and maple syrup create the perfect flavor profile to compliment a warm, buttery piece of perfectly cooked salmon. The brininess of mustard cuts the richness of salmon while freshly chopped thyme adds a brightness. Whether you’re looking to make this glaze,…
View Post
Roasted Eggplant Spread with Garlic-Olive Oil Crostini
Never did I ever think that eggplant could be so sweet and creamy. Roasted in the oven until charred on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside, eggplant makes the absolute perfect accompaniment to homemade crostini infused with garlicky extra virgin olive oil. This recipe lets these cute little plants shine pretty much on their own. The natural sweetness and slight smokiness of roasted eggplant are intensified by…
View Post
R-Rated Meatloaf (Hot or Chilled)
This meatloaf is fantastic served both hot and cold. It’s moist and earthy from a mushroom purée that’s mixed into the meat mixture, it’s bright from parsley yet homey from baking spices. If you love wine as much as I do, this dish is wine pairing heaven. Served hot, it is a perfect match with pinot noir which has allspice and clove notes. Served cold, it is a perfect match…
View Post
Vanilla Bean White Russian
Before this post, I’d never tasted a White Russian. I’m not sure why, given my love affair with coffee. But what’s so special about this recipe compared to the millions of other White Russian recipes out there? Instead of simply adding cream to the mix, I use a 50/50 ratio of cream and ice cream. The slight sweetness and depth of vanilla beans make a relatively one-dimensional drink come alive! …
View Post
Tenshen (Red: Blend)
Looking for a Valentine’s Day red that will trick even wine connoisseurs into thinking you spent a pretty penny on your date night bottle? Tenshen is a Rhône-Style Blend with an unusually long finish for its price tag, lingering on the palate with meaty black cherry, subtle anise, white pepper, and juicy ripe plums. Aged for two of ten months in new oak barrels creates a wine with a pleasant…
View Post
Authentic Tagliatelle alla Bolognese
First: could food get any sexier than this? Second: Bolognese is not what you think! Americans have screwed this one up. The typical Americanized Bolognese is smothered in tomato sauce. This is a big no, no, no in Italy! This dish originated in Bologna as a meat stew mixed throughout a generous helping of pasta. Emphasizing slow-cooked veal, pork, and beef – and intensified by the rich flavors of wine,…
View Post
Moroccan Pan Chicken
Need a one pan dinner for the family that’s fast and delicious? Or are you looking to “meal prep” for the week and need a hearty and healthy recipe to save for the whole week? I have your recipe! My One Pan Moroccan Chicken can be made in a few easy steps, and it’s my go-to when I cook for large groups or when I want leftovers. When life gets…
View Post
Mediterranean Cauliflower Salad
A stressful last week yielded a crazy weekend of pizza, pasta, and wine. It was a well-deserved splurge, but now it’s time to reset my body with Mediterranean Cauliflower Salad. One of my favorite parts of this dish is you can easily make a big batch of this fabulous goodness and keep it in Tupperware for the perfect lunches for the week. Mediterranean Cauliflower Salad is loaded with briny Kalamata…
View Post
