Thursday, November 8, 2012

Real Men Eat Quiche and Drink Wine: Vegetable Soup on a cold day - got Wine? Yes

Real Men Eat Quiche and Drink Wine: Vegetable Soup on a cold day - got Wine? Yes: Vegetable Soup on a cold day - got Wine? Yes I can't believe the weather literally dropped 20 degrees overnight. And we got rain to boot....

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Vegetable Soup on a cold day - got Wine? Yes

Vegetable Soup on a cold day - got Wine? Yes
I can't believe the weather literally dropped 20 degrees overnight.
And we got rain to boot.
Good 4 my lawn.
But, I could do without the chill.
What is good, is when cold wet weather comes around,
it means it's that time of year.
Comfort food.
Red Wine.
Maybe this year we can get back to tasting some zinfandels.

So tonight before my daughter arrived home from school and my wife from work,
I whipped up a large pot of vegetable soup.
Now as you now, you can find an earlier recipe of vegetable soup on my blog.
Just check the archives.
I suggest you make your own version.

Making vegetable soup is like making meatloaf.
Just about anything can go in it - and it always comes out delicious.
All you have to do is experiment!!!
Try adding string beans.
 Zucchinis?
Kidney beans.
Carrots...
Tomatoes.



I actually added to my soup tonight the rinds of 2 cheeses.
Parmigiano Reggiano and Kerrygold cheddar.

My daughter loved it even though she reserved the tomatoes to the side of the bowl.

Now for the wine.....
I found 2 more cheap wines 4 under $20.



2010 Barbed Wire Meritage
Price: $10.99
A St. Helena wine with a bordeaux style blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

here's another:

Lot 205 Cabernet Sauvignon
Price: $9.99
A Healdsburg wine with tastes of mocha chocolate and mixed berries.

But of course I had to drink a really good bottle of wine.
1 that I thought would bring out the ripe red tomatoes, tomato paste, and pepper of
my soup.


2009 Young's Vineyard  Shenandoah Valley Barbera

http://youngsvineyard.com/Home_Page.html

This winery in Plymouth, CA. is one of my favorites up in Gold Country
aka Amador County.
They only produced 420 cases of this wine.
They should have produced 420 cases more just because it's that  good.
Enough said...

It is cold, wet, rainy and I need to get back to my soup and my glass of red wine.

Enjoy,
Steven

Check out my recipe for vegetable soup:
http://realmeneatquicheanddrinkwine.blogspot.com/

and email me at:
realmeneatquiche@gmail.com

Next blog? Pesto chicken???


Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Real Men Eat Quiche and Drink Wine: 2 More Under $20 Wines & Spaghetti Recipe 2 Match

Real Men Eat Quiche and Drink Wine: 2 More Under $20 Wines & Spaghetti Recipe 2 Match: 2 More Under $20 Wines & Spaghetti Recipe 2 Match Here are 2 more wines. Both R under $20. Just like my previous posting. 2 inexpensiv...

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2 More Under $20 Wines & Spaghetti Recipe 2 Match

2 More Under $20 Wines & Spaghetti Recipe 2 Match

Here are 2 more wines.
Both R under $20.
Just like my previous posting.
2 inexpensive wines that would go great with this recipe that I am including.

1st:
2010 Wheelhouse Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
A cab full of delicious fruit with notes of black cherry and boysenberries.
$14.99 a bottle.
Lovely!

2nd:
2011 3 Girls Cabernet Sauvignon
Big cab.
This 1 needs to breathe.
But at the end of the night, this cab had a distinction of a richer pinot noir.
$9.99  a bottle.
Not bad.


And here is a delightful spaghetti recipe that brings out the reds, cherries, and tannins
of these wines.

Spaghetti  with Saffron, Sherry  & Olives.

1 box of your favorite spaghetti
2 cups of diced onions, I used Red Onions but you can use any variety
1 Tbsp. of capers
1/4 cup of chopped parsley
1 diced carrot
1 Tsp. of oregano
1/2 Tsp of celery salt
1/4 Tsp. EACH of black pepper and salt
1/4 Tsp. of red pepper flakes, add more if you like the heat
2 Tsp. of minced garlic
1/4 Tsp. of  diced Saffron threads
1lb. of lean ground beef, use turkey if you want something leaner
2 ounces of diced pimiento stuffed olives
1/4 cup of sherry
1 2/3 cups of marinara sauce, any store brand will do, I make homemade sauce
2 Tbsp. of olive oil

I cook the pasta in a large pot with salted water for 5 minutes.
I like my pasta al dente.
Besides, the pasta cooks in the warm sauce.
I heat a large skillet over medium heat, adding the olive oil.
Add carrot and cook for 5minutes.
Add the onions and cook until translucent.
Add garlic.
Cook for 1 minute.
Add oregano, celery salt, pepper flakes, black pepper, salt, and saffron.
Cook for an additional minute.
Crumble in ground beef or turkey and cook until browned
Add marinara sauce, olives, sherry, capers, and parsley.
Simmer over low heat for about 15 - 20 minutes.
Add spaghetti.
Stir  mixture.
Enjoy!

I love the dry sherry taste even though it is cooked down.
And the saltiness of the olives.
A little heat of the red pepper.
A the hint of saffron at the end.

A big glass of wine just adds to the red velvety taste of the sauce and vegetable mixture.
Wine goes great with every meal.
No picture here.
I ate every last bit of it.
I'm a glutton 4 good food & wine.

As always eat well and be merry,
STEVEN

email: realmeneatquiche@gmail.com 






Monday, November 5, 2012

Real Men Eat Quiche and Drink Wine: Good Wines 4 Under $20

Real Men Eat Quiche and Drink Wine: Good Wines 4 Under $20: Good Wines 4 Under $20 A couple of recent purchases in which my wife and I found a few GOOD wines for under $20. Usually that is a probl...

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Good Wines 4 Under $20

Good Wines 4 Under $20

A couple of recent purchases in which my wife and I found a few GOOD wines for under $20.
Usually that is a problem.
Finding a wine that is cheap in price yet drinkable.
Is it possible to find a good bottle for under $20.
YES !

I don't mind spending extra $$$ for wine when I go out to dinner with my wife.
At a good restaurant I often take advice from the sommelier (wine experience) on what to recommend,
if I don't know the wine, the varietal, or the wine regions.
You pay more for the wine and the recommendation (as if you were bringing your own wine and paying for corkage fee.)
On the other hand, I wince when a retail clerk recommends a certain bottle.
Ok, so this clerk (commission employed) graduated from Cal -Davis school of viticulture and enology. Doubtful.

Case in point: We were both wine club members at 4 wineries.
Gee, we found out we could purchase similar if not the same wines at discount prices from:

Costco
http://www.costco.com

Beverages & More (BevMo)
http://www.bevmo.com

The Grocery Outlet
http://www.groceryoutlet.com

Cost Plus ( World Market)
http://www.worldmarket.com/home.do?wk40=2&wk40=2

So here's my list of cheapy but good drinkable wines for under $20.

Cabulous Cabernet Sauvignon
Surprising bottle from the Trinchero Family Estates
Big on fruit and oak.
Price: $9.99


Also, included in the above picture:
Leese - Fitch 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon
This is a good 1 !
Who doesn't love a Sonoma cab?
Price: $8.99

2 here - split decision.
2008 Lyeth Sonoma County Meritage and 2007 Viano Vineyards Private Stock Contra Costa County Cabernet Sauvignon.
My wife found the Contra Costa wine a bit flowery.
Maybe she was dreaming of our days when we drank pinot noires.
Those days have passed.
I found it light and fruity.
The meritage had a nice bend of different varietals.
Something I really enjoy!


2008 Lyeth Sonoma County Meritage
Price: $15.99

 2007 Viano Vineyards Private Stock Contra Costa County Cabernet Sauvignon
Price: $6.99

So there u have it. 4 cheap but tasty wines 4 under $20.


Next review will be on a few + inexpensive wines under $20:

3 Girls Cabernet

Barbed Wire Meritage

Stonecap Syrah

Wheelhouse Napa Cabernet

and

Seriously Rock Cabernet


Here's 2 drinking good & inexpensive wines....

Enjoy!
Steven

Email: realmeneatquiche@gmail.com

My Blog: http://realmeneatquicheanddrinkwine.blogspot.com