Vietti Barbera d'Alba Tre Vinge 2018; Organic, Sustainable, Bio-dynamic #ItalianFWT

I opened this bottle of Vietti Barbera d'Alba wine to serve with Milanesa Napolitana in anticipation of this Italian Food Wine and Travel post.

Mexican Chopped Salad #CincoDeMayo

Romaine, tomatoes, corn, beans and peppers dressed in a light vinaigrette flavored with honey and cumin, this chopped salad filled with Mexican flavors is the perfect side dish at your Cinco de Mayo Fiesta.  

The Festive Foodies are here to help you plan your Fiests coming up in a short while.......

Asparagus and Pea Salad and a Book Review

 I just finished reading Home Cooking by Laurie Colwin.  Laurie Colwin wrote for Gourmet magazine.  She passed away in 1992.  I had not heard of her prior to receiving this collection of essays from my friend Cam of Culinary Adventures with Camilla.

Maple Muffins and the Weekly Menu #MuffinMonday

These muffins flavored with fresh Maple Syrup and cinnamon then topped with a pecan streusel make a perfect breakfast accompanied by yogurt and fresh fruit or just grabbed as you are running out the door.

It's time for Muffin Monday.....................

An Ode to Kung Pao Tacos #SundayFunday

 A Haiku from Me to You

Cultures are combined.

Tacos meet Asian filling.

It sure is tasty. 

I'm sure you are wondering why in the heck I am writing a Haiku at all, let alone a Haiku about Kung Pao Tacos.  Well, other than these tacos are incredibly beautiful, much like a work of art.  They are also amazingly delicious.  A masterpiece from the kitchen.  They also give Taco Tuesday an Asian atmosphere so there is the cultural aspect, kind of like going to a museum.  Ok, okay.....all of what I say is true but the real reason?

It's Sunday Funday and we are sharing Food Poetry........

My virtual trip to Rias Baixas #WorldWineTravel

This month for our World Wine Travel event Linda of My Full Wine Glass invited us to join her on a virtual trip to Galacia, known as Green Spain.  You can learn more in her Preview Post. Some participants were  sent a wonderful flight of wines along with a luggage tag and ticket for the trip from sponsor Gregory + Vine.

Come along with us as we get onto the bus........

Celebrating Earth Day with L'Ecole Syrah #L'Ecole #Sponsored

I had great plans for this Syrah from L'Ecole.  Posting on Earth Day as I am, I had planned on making an evironmentally friendly, local and organic meal to pair with this amazing wine that I received as a gift for being chosen as an ambassador for L'Ecole Wines. 

Then, as often is the case, life got in the way of my plans.  I ran out of time to make that dinner and do a formal pairing before it was time for our ambassador zoom meeting.  We left for vacation on Sunday, driving down to Florida's Universal Studios from Michigan.  We planned on a two day trip, stopping in Knoxville on Sunday night and then traveling the rest of the way to Orlando on Monday. 

The Zoom meeting was scheduled for 7 pm on Monday.  I packed my bottle of wine and thought I would pick up some nice cheese and charcuterie to enjoy during the meeting.  It became apparant that this wasn't going to happen.  So then I decided that I would join in the Zoom meeting while en route to our resort and then follow up with my plan of charcuterie and cheese with the wine.

Then we stopped to get gas before the Zoom meeting was scheduled and our credit card was declined so I spent the time that I was supposed to be in the meeting on the phone with a bank rep explaining that we had tried to go on line to advise of travel plans but the website said that was no longer necessary.  I managed to get into the last few minutes of the meeting....long enough to say hi and bye to the others.

Then, just to add a little more stress to the day, the Teen and her friend told us they thought they had lice.  So now we had to stop at the drug store and get treatment to apply when we finally arrived at the resort.  We also had 4 loads of laundry to wash, dry and fold so that any of those little buggers that might be in their suitcases were destroyed.  

So here we are....It's 1:20 AM.  The laundry is done, the girls are deloused and I am FINALLY enjoying a glass of this wine in a plastic glass with some peanut butter pretzels.   

I am happy that I am an ambassador for L'Ecole wines because otherwise I would have not had this bottle to help rid me of the stress of the 2 days of travel.  By the time we arrived at the resort which, as we had hoped, is a very family friendly resort, all the bars were closed for the night.  Luckily, we were still able to open this wine, clink our plastic glasses and let the vacation commence!!

I still have another bottle of this Syrah at home.  After tasting it and enjoying the deep, smooth, and fruit forward flavors I can't wait to serve up the next bottle with some grilled meat.  Sorry, I know it is Earth Day....I will make certain the meat is sustainable, humanely raised, and local.  I will get it from my friends, the Ruemenapps, who take care to raise the very best meats that they can.  

In the meanwhile you can learn about L'Ecoles organic, sustainable growing practices on their website.  

Tres Leches Cake #CakeSliceBakers

 I didn't save this cake for Cinco de Mayo but I am posting it in time for you to plan your Fiesta.  This Tres Leches Cake is dense but moist from being drenched in the rum milk syrup.

This was my selection for this month's Cake Slice Bakers................

Slow Cooker Sunday Gravy #MultiCookerMonday

Chunks of pork and sweet Italian sausage slow cooked all day long in a savory tomato sauce.  Put it into the slow cooker and walk away until it is time to boil the pasta and set the table.

Welcome to Multi-Cooker Monday.......

Sunchoke Chips and a Book Review #SundayFunday

Sunchokes, also known as Jerusalem Artichokes. are a tuberous vegetable from the sunflower plant that can be served in much the same fashion as any other root vegetable.  I chose to slice these thinly and fry them up for a snack.

This makes a perfect Sunday Funday snack that you can fry up and enjoy while curled up with a good book.  I recommend The Black Swan of Paris by Karen Robards..........

Cranberry and Rosewater Bundt #BundtBakers

This delicious bread like cake is flavored with rosewater and studded with cranberries before being topped with a rosewater glaze.  I added some spring sprinkles and served it up as one of the Easter desserts.  It was a huge hit........

It's time for Bundt Bakers.......

Smoked T-Bone Steaks and a Bouza Tannat B6 #TannatDay #UruguayWineWeek

I received samples from Elixir wines in celebration of Tannat Day and Uruguay Wine Week.  All writings, opinions and thoughts are strictly my own.  I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Easy Peasy Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls #BreadBakers

These dinner rolls made of 100% white whole wheat flour require no kneading. They are simple, rustic, hearty and delicious.

Welcome to Bread Bakers.........

Chicken Mexican Bake-DASH Diet Friendly #BakingBloggers

Turn your leftover Sunday Roast Chicken into this delicious and easy Mexican Monday or Taco Tuesday dinner.  Made with leftover chicken and common, everyday pantry items this casserole is sure to become a regular in your rotation.

The Baking Bloggers are sharing Mexican Dishes with you today...............

Garlic Roasted Salmon with Brussels Sprouts #SundayFunday

This scrumptious, savory,  one pan dinner of Garlic Roasted Salmon with Brussels Sprouts is ready in less than an hour and clean up is minimal.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing Garlicky recipes today......

Milanesa Napolitana #EattheWorld

Steak cutlets breaded and fried before being topped with ham, tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese.  

We are traveling to Uruguay today as we Eat the World.................

Georgia on my mind and The Weekly Menu #WinePW

So I am gastronomically visiting Georgia today.  The Country not the state.  I made a traditional dish called Mtsvadi (grilled pork skewers) and paired it with wine made from ancient grapes.  

Welcome to Wine Pairing Weekend......

Balsamic Braised Chicken Breasts #ImprovCookingChallenge

Quickly braised in a mixture of tomatoes and balsamic vinegar, these chicken breasts remain juicy and tender.  I served mine over pasta but it would be delicious with rice too or just a side salad if you are watching your carbs.

This is the dish I'm sharing for this month's Improv Cooking Challenge.......

Carrot Salad with Feta and Pistachios #NationalCarrotDay #FoodnFlix

Crisp carrots, creamy feta cheese, crunchy pistachios and sweet dried pineapple combine to make a wonderful spring salad.

I was inspired to make this salad after watching Peter Rabbit with the Angel Face.  Perfect because today is also National Carrot Day!!!

Pasta and Broccoli in Garlic Oil #LitHappens

"And Joe cooked them all a great garlicky pasta-and-broccoli meal."

This single sentence from The Midnight Library by Matt Haig was the inspiration for our Good Friday dinner.

Au Gratin Potato and Ham Casserole #SundayFunday

Rejoice,  for He is alive, Alleluia, Alleluia!!!

This is a wonderful dinner to serve up using some of that leftover Easter ham that many of us are enjoying today.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are providing ideas for using up your Easter Leftovers this week.......

Honeysuckle Tangerine Marmalade #CooktheBooks

Sweet tangerines and a citrusy lemon combine with honeysuckle tea to make a marvelous marmalade.  I made enough to give as a little gift to our guests for Easter dinner this year.  A wonderful taste of spring in a jar.

I was inspired to make this marmalade after reading the Cook the Books selection for this period.....

Alberico Appia Antica 400 Rosso 2016 paired with Stracci di antrodoco #ItalianFWT

Oh my word! This was not just a fantastic dinner.  This was not just an amazing wine.  Combined this was pure bliss!!!

The Italian Food Wine and Travel group are visiting Lazio today.......

No April's Fool, just an Easter Cocktail and the Easter and Weekly Menu

 It is April Fool's Day but don't let the joke be on you.  Make up some of these candied Kumquats and serve up a Kumquat Martini as a special Easter treat.

I enjoyed mine while perusing my latest Cuisine at Home and deciding my Easter Menu as well as the Menu for the rest of the week.