EDIBLES
Summer Wine Savvy
3 ways to upgrade your summer sipping routine
(Family Features) Rosé slushies. Spiked seltzers. Boozy ice pops. Has young adults’ quest for the next party gimmick led to soulless substitutes for real, quality wines?
It’s not hard to find wines with well-balanced natural flavors, according to Leslie Sbrocco, author of “The Simple and Savvy Wine Guide.” She recommends looking for wine from different international regions, like Wines of Sicily, which guarantee value and quality, and are made from more than 400 wineries across the island.
Sbrocco also recommends these wines and entertaining tips to make your spread the center of the party for all the right reasons.
- Bring a balanced red to the barbecue. It’s an art to craft a truly balanced wine that needs nothing more to be enjoyed than a wine opener and an open mind. In fact, Sicilian red wines are crafted to be as lively and bold as the island itself. The icon of Sicilian wine-making and hero red grape, Nero d’Avola, balances elegance with drinkability and can range from royal ruby with aromas of strawberry and sour cherry to a more full-bodied red with sweet spices and cocoa. Whether it’s a ribeye or a spicy rack of ribs, Nero d’Avola can elevate a weeknight summer dinner on the patio to an elegant event.
- Freshen up summer whites. Grillo, Sicily’s most famous indigenous white grape, with an aromatic bouquet and lively citrus notes, is like a pair of fresh linen pants. When paired with delectable bites like bruschetta, ceviche or a well-crafted charcuterie board, Grillo pulls out the salinity and savory notes that come from grapes grown in close proximity to the Mediterranean Sea. The other predominant yet fuller-bodied white wine grape from Sicily is Catarrato. With notes of ripe citrus and herbal flavors, it makes for a delicious counterpart to a seasonal vegetable spread.
- Act like a sommelier. Frappato, Sicily’s cult-favorite answer to pinot noir – served chilled – is an upgrade to the ubiquitous rosé routine.It’s easy to pronounce and even easier to pair with light summer fare like these simple-to-make Open-Faced BLT Sandwiches. With its fruit-forward, lighter style, Frappato is a sommelier’s secret weapon that many people classify as pinot noir’s cool cousin. Pouring this sets the tone for even your most sophisticated set of friends.
For more food and wine pairings, visit winesofsicily.com.
Open-Faced BLT Sandwiches
Prepare an easy, seasonal appetizer with fresh produce from your local farmer’s market. Take this summertime classic sandwich up a notch by topping it with capers and pairing it with a chilled Grillo or Frappato from Sicilia DOC.
Recipe courtesy of Wines of Sicily
Servings: 4
- 6-8 strips bacon
- 1 loaf country bread
- 1 cup arugula leaves
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus additional to drizzle
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- kosher salt
- ground pepper
- capers
- Heat oven to 375° F.
- Place bacon on baking sheet and bake 15-20 minutes depending on thickness of bacon. Remove bacon from oven and transfer to paper towels to drain.
- Using bread knife, slice bread 1/3-inch thick into single-serving slices; toast lightly.
- Add arugula leaves and cherry tomatoes to medium bowl. In separate bowl, whisk olive oil and balsamic vinegar; add to tomatoes and arugula, and gently toss to coat.
- To assemble, drizzle olive oil on one side of toasted bread. Arrange arugula, bacon and tomato mixture on top. Finish each sandwich with sprinkle of salt, ground pepper and a few capers.
SOURCE:
Wines of Sicily
EDIBLES
A sweet, savory, simple holiday side dish
(Culinary.net) No matter what your main course looks like at the holidays, this Asparagus with Cranberry Sauce offers a sweet yet savory complement. Plus, the surprise pop of flavor and color are perfect for a festive tablescape. Find more easy holiday recipes at Culinary.net.
Asparagus with Cranberry Sauce
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 6
- 1/2 pound bacon
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 1 bunch fresh asparagus
- 1 can (14 ounces) whole cranberry sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- Using kitchen shears, cut bacon into pieces then fry in skillet. Drain and set aside.
- In same skillet, add butter and garlic powder. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Saute asparagus then add bacon back to pan.
- In saucepan over medium heat, heat cranberry sauce, brown sugar and balsamic vinegar.
- Place asparagus on platter and pour sauce on top.
SOURCE:
Culinary.net
EDIBLES
Cozy, comforting recipes to take on the cold
(Family Features) If blustery conditions are giving you the blues, come inside from the cold for a winter warmup in the comfort of your own kitchen. Cold-weather favorites that are baked, roasted or slow cooked are usually equal parts easy, delicious and filling, making them perfect solutions for chilly, snowy days.
Add a bit of comfort to your weeknight menu with this Loaded Chicken Bake that’s ready in about half an hour. A short list of ingredients and allowing your oven to do most of the work for you mean it’s ideal for saving time (and money at the grocery store) while still satisfying winter appetites.
Serving as the hearty base is READ German Potato Salad, made with thinly sliced potatoes and bacon in a traditional sweet-piquant dressing. While it’s delicious when served chilled, heated or at room temperature on its own, it can also be the star of the show in family meals.
For another true cent saver, try Oven-Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Beets. This savory side dish highlights the flavors of the season in a recipe that’s as easy to assemble as it is to enjoy with loved ones.
Picked and packed at peak ripeness, antioxidant-rich Aunt Nellie’s beets are pickled with a delicate balance of sweetness and vinegar for a homemade flavor that’s perfect in this roasted side that can accompany winter meals of all sorts. Versatile jarred whole pickled beets are always in season, meaning you can enjoy them chilled, warmed or worked into recipes.
Find more favorite wintertime recipes by visiting READSalads.com and AuntNellies.com.
Loaded Chicken Bake
Recipe courtesy of Hungry In LA
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 8
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 2 cans (15 ounces each) READ German Potato Salad
- 4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken or other cooked chicken
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
- 3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cups crumbled, cooked bacon
- French fried onions (optional), plus additional for serving (optional), divided
- Preheat oven to 375 F.
- Lightly coat 9-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Spread German potato salad evenly in dish. Top evenly with chicken.
- In small bowl, stir heavy cream, salt and pepper. Pour mixture over chicken.
- Sprinkle with cheese, bacon and onions, if desired.
- Bake 15 minutes, or until casserole is bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes. Top with additional onions, if desired.
Oven-Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Beets
Servings: 4
- 1 jar (16 ounces) Aunt Nellie’s Whole Pickled Beets
- 2 large sweet potatoes (about 1 pound) peeled and cubed (1/2-3/4-inch cubes)
- 2-3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 red onion, sliced about 1/4-inch thick
- 2 fresh rosemary sprigs, plus additional for garnish
- Preheat oven to 400 F. Drain beets. Discard liquid or save for another use.
- In large bowl, toss sweet potatoes, olive oil, salt, pepper and onion until coated.
- Place silicone mat on baking sheet or line with aluminum foil.
- Pour contents of bowl onto baking sheet in single layer. Remove rosemary from stems; sprinkle over vegetables. Bake 30 minutes until potatoes are almost tender.
- Add beets to baking sheet. Return to oven 10-15 minutes, or until potatoes are fork-tender and beginning to brown. Garnish with additional rosemary, if desired.
SOURCE:
Seneca Foods
Seneca Foods
EDIBLES
Please pumpkin lovers with a twist on a fall favorite
(Family Features) Apple, cherry and blueberry crumbles may get all the adoration, but when fall comes around, you may as well lean into the flavor of the season: pumpkin. This simple dessert satisfies the sweet tooth with some fiber to boot.
Discover more desserts designed for pumpkin lovers at Culinary.net.
Pumpkin Crumble
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 8-12
- 1 can pumpkin
- 1 can evaporated milk
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin spice
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 box cake mix (yellow, white or spice)
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans
- 3/4 cup chopped white chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups melted butter
Whipped Cream:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- Heat oven to 350 F.
- In bowl, mix pumpkin, evaporated milk, brown sugar, eggs, pumpkin spice and cinnamon. Pour into greased 9-by-11-inch baking dish.
- In separate bowl, mix cake mix, pecans and white chocolate chips. Sprinkle over pumpkin mixture. Pour butter evenly over top. Do not mix or stir. Bake 1 hour.
- To make whipped cream: Using hand mixer, whip heavy whipping cream and sugar until thick.
- Serve crumble with whipped cream.
SOURCE:
Culinary.net
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