Let the Good Times Roll and the Weekly Menu

Last night we hosted a Mardi Gras get together at the house.  It was a great time starting with Hurricanes and ending with Beignets.

You can't have a Mardi Gras Celebration without Hurricanes.  These sweet fruity drinks with plenty of rum are an iconic New Orleans cocktail.

Step in as I share details of the party, our upcoming week, a Hurricane recipe and the Weekly Menu......

Individual Nutella Swirl Pound Cakes #BundtBakers

Tender, moist pound cake with a swirl of chocolate hazelnut spread.  These individual sized little Bundts are perfect as a surprise treat in the lunch box.

It is time for Bundt Bakers. Won't you join me?.......

Ritzy Kisses #FantasticalFoodFight

Have an extra 10 minutes? Surprise your family with these easy peasy morsels of chocolate mint goodness......

It's time for the Fantastical Food Fight.......

Please join us as we discover Cabernet Franc Around the World for #WinePW

Cabernet Franc used to be best known for blending with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec to become a Bordeaux, one of the most beloved wines in the world.

image from Wine Folly found on Google Images

Lately, though this black grape is becoming a star all of it's own.  The Medieval town of Chinon in France's Loire Valley has always used Cab Franc as their main varietal yet, depending on the soil and area in which it is grown (the terroir) Chinon wines can be very different from each other.

Tech Sheet from Draceana Wines found on Google Images.

Here on this side of the globe, Cab Franc is becoming more popular and thrives in California.  In fact, one of our members of this group, Lori, owns Draceana Wines in California that specializes in Cabernet Franc.  Unfortunately, I am unable to purchase her wines here in Michigan but can't wait to try it the next time I am out west.

Photo from Google Images

Not to despair though, as Cab Francs become more popular they are getting easier to find wherever you live.   Now is the time to purchase too before everyone discovers them and the demand gets large.  Cab Francs are full bodied and fruity.  They are wonderfully tanic but not so much as to not be enjoyable on it's own and they age beautifully.  That means if you purchase now, while demand is low and price is reasonable you can place them in your cellar and in 10 years have a very dear and expensive bottle in your collection that you can open to enjoy.

I enjoyed this bottle of Cab Franc from South Africa in 2016 when this group last visited this varietal.  I loved it and it has stuck in my mind, hence my choosing this theme for this month's event.

I have asked my fellow bloggers at Wine Pairing Weekend to join me in exploring Cabernet Franc Around the World this month.  We will be getting together to discuss the wines we tasted and the pairings we made on March 9th at 11 AM ET following #winepw.  We would love to have you join us.

Crock-Pot Spinach and Chicken Lasagna #OurFamilyTable

Though not beautiful, this creamy lasagna cooked up in a slow cooker using leftover chicken is amazingly delicious and super easy.

Join the members of From Our Dinner Table as we share Slow Cooker Recipes.....

Dreaming of Provence with a Rabbit Lasagna and a Clos Cibbone #Winophiles

Tender layers of noodles, rabbit and mushroom ragout, and a brie and truffle bechamel sauce....you will swear that you are in Heaven....or at least Provence.

I made this amazing dinner to pair with a Provencal wine after reading A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle for our French Winophiles group.

Pappa al Pomodoro #SoupSaturdaySwappers

This hearty tomato and bread soup is a filling meal all by itself.  Pair it with a salad and dinner is served.

Please join the Soup Saturday Swappers crew as we share Italian Soups today........