Real Men Eat Quiche and Drink Wine

Monday, June 6, 2016

Best Valued Wine of the Year?

Best Valued Wine of the Year?
Is this the best valued wine of the year?
For the price, the 2011 Healdsburg Ranches California Coastal Series Merlot may be the best value, best tasting wine for the price.

http://www.hrwines.com/home.html
My wife found this wine, priced at $7.99 a bottle at the Grocery Outlet.
Yes its a bold red, with flavors of licorice, blackberries and plums; yet it is drinkable as soon as you twist off the wine screw cap.
Screw cap, no cork, fine with me as long as the wine tastes good.
The only issue I have with this wine is that there is a lot of sediment at the end of the bottle.
You can find Healdsburg Ranches newer wines here:
http://www.hrwines.com/home.html

Yep, good value, good wine. Stock up now while it is still available.
I know i did, I bought 4 cases.
Time to check out their newer wines.
http://www.hrwines.com/home.html

Enjoy,
Steven W.
realmeneatquiche @gmail.com

Thursday, June 2, 2016

2013 Kirkland Signature Series Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Blended wine composed of 47% cabernet sauvignon, 42% merlot, 6% petit verdot and 5% cabernet franc. Great spice notes of oak and cedar, rich tannins and subtle hints of black cherry and rich plums.
Available through Costco.

PS: This wine paired fabulously with the onion, blue cheeseburgers that I cooked on my smoker filled with hickory wood chips.

Enjoy!
Steven W.
realmeneatquiche@gmail.com

2013 William Hill Estate Winery North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon

2013 William Hill Estate Winery North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon

http://www.williamhillestate.com

Cabernet Sauvignon from the North and Central Coast, vinted and bottled in Healdsburg, California. Rich in flavor of plummy fruit and blackberry jam with a finnish of oak, caramel and spices.

http://www.williamhillestate.com/Taste/Our-Wines/Our-Portfolio/Coastal-Collection/Overview.asp

Delightful and rich wine without the full bodied price tag.

Enjoy,
Steven W.
realmeneatquiche@gmail.com

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Real Men Eat Quiche and Drink Wine: A Wine A Day

Real Men Eat Quiche and Drink Wine: A Wine A Day: Life is busy. There is just so many things going on every day and every week. Work, volunteer work, computer studies, home repairs. And ...

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A Wine A Day

Life is busy.
There is just so many things going on every day and every week.
Work, volunteer work, computer studies, home repairs.
And the list goes on and on.
I wind up not getting to post as often as I should on my 3 blogs and websites.
Probably because I am managing 2 other websites for my daughter's school and church.
There are some simple pleasures in life.
My 2 daughters and my lovely wife.
For me personally, I like the simple joy of picking fresh vegetables from my garden.
Cooking with wine.
But of course, DRINKING WINE.
So, it's time to catch up on the writing.
I have been cooking for events and cooking at home and of course,
DRINKING WINE.
My goal is to publish a wine a day for the rest of the year.
If I run out of wines, I will publish cooking with wine.
I'm giving Thanks to my family, friends, and followers on Blogspot, Facebook, Twitter, Wordpress
and everyone else for following my blog and keeping me inspired to cook, make wine and DRINK WINE.

Here's today's choice:

2012 Ravenswood Cabernet Sauvignon
A relatively inexpensive bottle of wine.
I believe I purchased this bottle at BevMo http://www.bevmo.com
I originally had run to BevMo to pick up some sake because I was making tuna sashimi.
I found the Ravenswood cab.
An old friend.
I used to enjoy drinking this wine.
It got lost in the woods.
Chased by pinot noirs, barberas, meritages and zinfandels.
Great price.
I think I paid $20 for this bottle.
It has a full blackberry taste and notes of spices and cassis.
Not too jammy and very pleasant.
A fellow parishioner called me to ask me how to help her create a beef stew.
After given her my recipe and culinary tips, I told her she needed a red wine to add to the beef stock.
Ravenswood worked here.
Excellent choice I may say so myself.
Here's where you can find it at their website: http://www.ravenswoodwinery.com/#home
So there you go... my 1st pick for Wine A Day.
I'm off to deciding what to make for dinner tonight and what wine I will be enjoying later.

Chin chin,
Steven Wetherell
realmeneatquiche@gmail.com

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Real Men Eat Quiche and Drink Wine: The Growlers' Arms

Real Men Eat Quiche and Drink Wine: The Growlers' Arms: The Growler's Arms This may be my BEST restaurant in Oakland. Maybe the BEST restaurant in all the Bay area. Or even the BEST ...

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The Growlers' Arms

The Growler's Arms

This may be my BEST restaurant in Oakland.

Maybe the BEST restaurant in all the Bay area.

Or even the BEST restaurant in Northern California.

You know, my go to restaurant for a great and I underline GREAT meal.

The type of dinner, lunch,or breakfast that is so good you keep talking about the next day and the day after that to your wife, kids and friends.

When you never had a bad meal.

The wine was good.

The service was good because the host, hostess, owner(s) were friendly, knowledgeable, and cared.

You had an opportunity to speak to the chef.

You exited the restaurant and people were waiting outside and asked you "is it good? and what did you order?"

Yep.

This place is a hit.

A rare GEM on Park Boulevard in Oakland,CA.

Owners Seamus and Shelley Mulholland and Chef Brian Ventura.

When you mention "The Growlers Arms" great restaurants come to mind: La Folie, Danko, Chez Panisse, Boulevard, and A16.

Seamus, Shelley and Brian bring a wealth of knowledge of the food industry, experience from these restaurants and a love of food to The Growlers Arms.

I have been there 3 times now.

Twice with family and once with my neighbors and foodie and wine loving friends.

My first thought was.. English pub food?

Gastropub?

Would I like blood pudding, haggis, and did they have anything for kids to eat?

Yes,Yes, and Yes.

The menu changes from time to time.

I had the pot pie.

A vegetable inspired one.

Good and rich.

Kath (my wife) goes crazy over the white fish with the sauce that is made by smoking the bones of the fish.

Not always on the menu.

Kierann (my youngest daughter) orders the same thing every time.

Fish and Chips

Not always on the menu but the staff always seem to know when she arrives and they make it for her.

My Favorite Starters

House Cured Meats and Terrines of Pork Liver, Duck with Fig Jam, Pork Head, Sausages and Pickles.

It all comes together on a wooden platter.

Did I mention they make their own house made mustards and catsups?

Black Pudding with pickles and mustard

Bubble and Squeak (Roasted Vegetables usually pan fried with cold meat)with Trout Pate, Leeks and Creme Fraiche

For the main courses there are pork chops, steaks, salmon, lamb sausages and half roasted chickens.

The menu seems to change often but its always good.

They have Pork Pies to go and an English style weekend brunch.

Check out their specials and I highly recommend you get on their email list for their Tuesday Specials.

I can't wait to go back.

Now the decision is dinner, weekend breakfast, or Tuesday Special.

Maybe all of them!

They do take reservations.

Location is very convenient:

4214 Park Boulevard, Oakland,CA.

Call 510-328-1315

Email: shelley@growlersarms.com

Check their website for the menu and hours of service

http://www.thegrowlersarms.com

Enjoy!

Steven W.

realmeneatquiche@gmail.com

Real Men Eat Quiche and Drink Wine: Peter's Kettle Corn

Real Men Eat Quiche and Drink Wine: Peter's Kettle Corn: Peter's Kettle Corn If you're like me, you love popcorn. I must have a craving every time I need a snack or watch a movie. On F...

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Sunday, June 28, 2015

Peter's Kettle Corn

Peter's Kettle Corn

If you're like me, you love popcorn.
I must have a craving every time I need a snack or watch a movie.
On Friday, we had planned to watch the free movie in the park at Redwood Heights Recreational Center.
What could be better than watching a movie outside (like the old drive-in days?),with the family
and sharing a big tin of popcorn.
I stopped down at Peter's Popcorn, his store on MacArthur Blvd. in the Laurel District of Oakland,CA.
Brought in my spare and empty cans that ounce held popcorn before I devoured them during my last sporting event.
Filed 1 large tin can and had Peter's assistant make it a 1/2 and 1/2 choice.
I had the tin filled 1/2 spicy cheddar popcorn and 1/2 with sea salted caramel.
Kath and I had the spicy cheddar and Kierann, who invited 1 of her schoolmates to the movie shared the sea salted caramel.
Both are equally as good.
The popcorn is MUCH LIGHTER, MUCH FLUFFIER, and a better value than some of the other popcorn retail stores... think value, price, but most importantly: TASTE!
Peter offers a variety of flavors such as: Horchata, Matcha Green Tea, Maple Bacon Caramel, Cookies and Cream, Sea Salted Seaweed, Chipotle Lime, BBQ, Bacon Maple, and Tomato and Basil.

It was great to walk right into the store and simple a few flavors. You can buy the popcorn in bags or tins and in a variety of sizes and costs.
You can order the popcorn for parties, wholesale or for big catering events.
So a big shout out to Peter and his brother John for moving a location near us.
Check out their website:http://peterskettlecorn.com/#intro
There is a lot of information on their services and they support a LOT of community services!!!!
You can reach Peter, John and the whole great staff at:
PHONE - 510-612-1163 Email: info@peterskettlecorn.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peterskettlecorn
Twitter: https://twitter.com/petersKC

Thanks guys, I'll be around for more...
Steven W.
realmeneatquiche@gmail.com

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Hawker Fare

Tried out a new place for lunch. Always looking for a good find. Its rewarding when you have a great meal and your kid likes it too!

Hawker Fare
Located at 2300 Webster Street in Oakland, yes they do have a location in San Francisco too: (680 Valencia Street) although you know we prefer Oakland to San Francisco, they prepare Asian Fusion dishes.
I recently had lunch here with my wife and youngest daughter.
Kierann had a soda and should have ordered the light and refreshing Thai styled ice teas that Kath and I had which were served with ice and large mason jars. For an appetizer, Kath and I decided on the Blistered Green Beans Very similar to green beans cooked in a wok and similar to the ones you would find at The Slanted Door. Stir fried with red prik khing curry paste and a nice touch of smoked pork bacon. Loved it. Spicy but not too hot.
Kierann and I both ordered the Gai Thot. Rice flour battered fried chicken. Think of a crispy crab rangoon wonton. Crunchy crusty outside and yet the chicken was nice and moist inside. Served with rice, sliced cabbage, and nam prik pao charred chili jam. Cabbage was a little bland but if you mixed it in with the jam and rice, it worked. The jam was crazy, a little sweet and a little heat. loved it.I made the rice work to my favor adding a fried egg. Kierann skipped the egg.
Kath ordered the Moo Yang BBQ. A pork shoulder chop marinated in whiskey, pepper, coriander root, garlic, and nam jaew. It came with a serving of rice and a dipping sauce that is normally served with fish. Sauce was very salty. Pork chop fabulous.
3 lunches: $72 with tip. Good service, nice locality, welcoming and very friendly staff. Hip place to come to with coworkers for lunch, dinner and after hours drinks.
You can find Hawker Fare:
on Twitter @hawkerfareOak
Email: hawker.fare.oakland@gmail.com
Phone: 510.832.8896

or website:http://www.hawkerfare.com/

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

#FireCider

Fire Cider

The strangest thing happens when I see people who are coughing or sneezing.

I ask them if they have ever heard of Fire Cider?

They seem a little stumped.

Probably because they are too busy and traveling on Bart (Bay Area Rapid Transit) to get to work.

Who wouldn't be.

Sounds like a hard apple cider drink.

Makes me think of my good old friend, Aaron Mateychuk who works for Lookout Farm Hard Cider. http://lookoutfarmcider.com

But that's a whole another story.

Fire Cider http://firecider.com is a cider that is made from raw apple cider, fruits, herbs and spices.

The website states: " can help support immune function and digestive functions."

Let me tell you... it works!!!!

Even though the FDA will not approve.

My wife, myself and 2 daughters have been drinking it.

My oldest daughter gave me a sample bottle for my birthday / Father's Day.

Hint. Hint. Eden are you reading?

Since last June, my wife and I have not been sick.

I'm the type of guy who has a cold every 3 months and it seems to last 3+ months.

My wife and i have turned on many of our friends to Fire Cider.

They are now making it themselves.

However, the easiest way to get Fire Cider is to purchase it directly from the company at

http://firecider.com

Also, for convenience, especially if you are a Prime member, you can purchase it directly at Amazon

and get it shipped fast. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1/175-2609721-7557915?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=fire+cider

I actually still order directly from Fire Cider and from Amazon.

Now you can make your own Fire Cider.

I'm giving you the recipe here:

(Makes 1 pint)

Most of the items can be found at http://www.traderjoes.com

or at almost any Asian market or health food store.

1/2 cup of peeled and diced Horseradish

1/2 cup of peeled and diced Garlic

1/2 cup of peeled and diced Onion

1/4 cup of peeled and diced Ginger

1/4 cup of peeled and diced Tumeric

1 Habenero Chile, split in 1/2, (for me: seeds and all for extra heat)

1 Orange, quartered and thinly sliced crosswise

1/2 Lemon, quartered and thinly sliced crosswise

1/2 cup of chopped Parsley

2 tablespoons of chopped Parsley

2 tablespoons of chopped Thyme

1 teaspoon of Black peppercorns

2 - 3 cups of RAW Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar (at least 5% acidity)

1/4 cup of Raw Honey or more to taste

Place all the vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices in clean 1 quart jar.

Fill the jar with the vinegar, covering all the ingredients and making sure there are no air bubbles.

Cap the jar.

If using a metal lid, place a piece of parchment paper or wax paper between the jar and the lid to prevent corrosion from the vinegar.

Shake well.

Let the jar sit for 3 to 6 weeks, shaking daily (or as often as you can.)

Strain the vinegar in a clean jar.

ADD the honey to taste.

Refrigerate and use soon and often.

I actually boiled my mason jars, lids and seals and placed my Fire Cider in them.

So there you go.

Who says good things don't come out of Massachusetts (besides, yours truly)

and taxes.

Check out Lookout Farms Cider http://lookoutfarmcider.com

and Fire Cider http://firecider.com

or make it yourself.

Its the cure for what ails you.

Steven W.

realmeneatquiche@gmail.com

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Real Men Eat Quiche and Drink Wine: The 1st of 33 Wines for Christmas and a Simple Rec...

Real Men Eat Quiche and Drink Wine: The 1st of 33 Wines for Christmas and a Simple Rec...: The 1st of 33 Wines for Christmas and a Simple Recipe as a Present to You Here is the 1st in a series of wines that I am posting for C...

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The 1st of 33 Wines for Christmas and a Simple Recipe as a Present to You

The 1st of 33 Wines for Christmas and a Simple Recipe as a Present to You

Here is the 1st in a series of wines that I am posting for Christmas.

The 1st 3 out of 33 wines.

Also, as a gift to you, think of it as an early Christmas present, I am posting a simple healthy recipe.

Wine #1

Las Moras Estate 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz

This Argentinian wine is a blend of 50% cabernet sauvignon and 50% shiraz.

The wine was aged for 12 months in American and French oak barrels.

Well balanced fruit, tannins, oak and a bold dark burgundy color.

2011 Hill Wine Company Oakville Apellation Cabernet Sauvignon

A fine wine by owner Jeff Hill.

Sustainably grown from some of the finest grapes in Napa Valley.

A nice wine for under $25

2010 The Feast Red Wine

A red table wine.

Fine for everyday drinking and priced under $25.

Available form WWW.Cultivatewines.com

3 Wines for under $25.

Money well spent and more $ for presents for the loved ones.

Speaking of loved ones, they are going to love this recipe.

Healthy and you can serve it as an appetizer or main course dish.

Simple to make with only a couple of ingredients.

Turkey Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients:

1 iceberg lettuce cut in 1/2

1lb. of ground turkey

8 Tbsp. of Soy Sauce

http://www.kikkomanusa.com/homecooks/products/products_hc_details.php?pf=10101&fam=101

1/4 cup of Hoisin Sauce

http://us.lkk.com/en/Products/retail/cooking-and-dipping-sauces/hoisin-sauce

1 green onion or scallion onion finely chopped

1/4 cup of unsalted peanuts

3 Tbsp. of olive oil

1 Tbsp. crushed garlic

1/2 Tsp. of Red Pepper Flakes

In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.

Place in the ground turkey and cook until lightly browned.

Remove excess water and grease from the browned turkey using a colander.

Return turkey to skillet, add hoisin sauce, soy sauce, garlic, and red pepper flakes.

Mix well over medium heat.

Add chopped onions and peanuts.

With the lettuce cut in 1/2, use some of the lettuce to make cups and fill the turkey filling in the middle.

Light, healthy and serves 3 - 4 people.

1st 3 of 33 wines.

Check back for more wines and more recipes.

Merry Christmas,

Steven W.

Realmeneatquiche@gmail.com

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Real Men Eat Quiche and Drink Wine: Christmas Cheer - Wines for the Holidays!

Real Men Eat Quiche and Drink Wine: Christmas Cheer - Wines for the Holidays!: It's that time of year!!! The holidays are coming - Christmas and New Year's Day. Here at the Wetherell household, ...

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Real Men Eat Quiche and Drink Wine: Christmas Cheer - Wines for the Holidays!

Christmas Cheer - Wines for the Holidays!

It's that time of year!!!

The holidays are coming - Christmas and New Year's Day.

Here at the Wetherell household,

we love our wines for drinking and cooking and we want to share some with you.

There are 15 days to Christmas so I have 33 bottles of wine to blog about.

All great presents for the upcoming holidays.

So expect some presents in your stockings...

and some presents under the tree...

and get your wish list ready in the next coming days and

Santa's little helper, Steven will find some wines for you...

all for $25 or less which lets you spread some cheer and good tidings along the way.

Santa's helper will be blogging from the Wetherell house until Christmas with wines

for the holidays.

Merry Christmas!

Steven W.

realmeneatquiche@gmail.com

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Real Men Eat Quiche and Drink Wine: My 10 Red Wine Picks for Summer - pt. 2

Real Men Eat Quiche and Drink Wine: My 10 Red Wine Picks for Summer - pt. 2: My 10 Red Wine Picks for Summer - pt. 2 Here's my 2nd edition of 10 Red Wine Picks for the Summer. Just in case you missed the 1st e...

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My 10 Red Wine Picks for Summer - pt. 2

My 10 Red Wine Picks for Summer - pt. 2

Here's my 2nd edition of 10 Red Wine Picks for the Summer.
Just in case you missed the 1st edition, you can find the link right here:
http://realmeneatquicheanddrinkwine.blogspot.com/2014/06/my-10-red-wine-picks-for-summer-pt-1.html

I gave you 10 picks on my last blog of red wines that were in the $30 dollar range.
Here are a few more in that same range.
I didn't include links to the wineries in the last blog, just so you could do a little research on your own to find the wines,.
Most of the wines are available at stores like Costco, Trader Joes, Safeway, the Grocery Outlet, liquor stores and fine wine merchants.
I am providing the links here for the wineries so you have information on the wines, wine clubs and a means to order online.

Here we go...
2012 Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards Alexander Valley Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon
https://www.rodneystrong.com/#

2009 Schug Sonoma Valley Merlot
http://www.schugwinery.com/

2011 Kirkland Signature Series Napa County Cabernet Sauvignon
Kirkland Wines are sold through Costco. Here is the link to the list of Costco Stores by states that sell Kirkland Wines.
http://www.costcoconnection.com/connection/ks_wine/#pg1

2013 Clos Pegase Palisades Valley Napa Valley Estate Bottled Cabernet Sauvignon
http://clospegase.com/

2010 Schug Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon
http://www.schugwinery.com/

2011 Kirkland Napa County Cabernet Sauvignon
(This one is different from the above mentioned Signature Series)
http://www.costcoconnection.com/connection/ks_wine/#pg1
(List of Costco / Kirkland stores offering wine selections)

2004 Niebaum Coppola Napa Valley Zinfandel
https://www.inglenook.com/
(Now owned by Inglenook)

2010 Quickfire Top Chef Selection Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon
http://www.uncorked.com/shop-wines/brand/quickfire-wines.html

2010 Kirkland Signature Series Mountain Cuvee Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
http://www.costcoconnection.com/connection/ks_wine/#pg1

2011 Sterling Vintner's Collection Central Coast Meritage
http://www.sterlingvineyards.com/age_gateway?destination=home

And there we go... 10 more reds for the summer.
Next blog is part 3: more red wines and a few whites for summertime.

Have a few wines to share?
Email me your favorites.

Enjoy!
Steven W.
realmeneatquiche@gmail.com

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Real Men Eat Quiche and Drink Wine: Real Men Eat Quiche and Drink Wine: Canning / pick...

Real Men Eat Quiche and Drink Wine: Real Men Eat Quiche and Drink Wine: Canning / pick...: Real Men Eat Quiche and Drink Wine: Canning / pickling veggies : Summer is only days away. A perfect time for canning and pickling vegetable...

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My 10 Red Wine Picks for the Summer - pt. 1

Here are My Red Wine Picks for the Summer. ( 1 of a 3 part series )
Most of them are $30 or less in price.

2011 Leaping Horse Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon