what's for dinner?

I hope you enjoy my new series called "What's for Dinner?" I have had so many friends and family ask me how I manage to create such special and creative meals at least five nights a week. Well, truthfully, I have an advantage, because for me, cooking is no chore, it's a privilege to be able to create something as basic and necessary as a meal, and feel good about it and make it precious. But still, even with that gift, it can sometimes get difficult to keep it exciting. So, like everything worthwhile, it does take effort. But I don't mind. So here you will find how I do it, basic recipes and suggestions to keep you going during those tedious moments during the week. And...done economically.

June 26th Tuesday's What's For Dinner?

Chicken and Sausage Spaghetti

Background: yesterday I made a chicken dish with italian dressing and tomato sauce, tomato soup, garlic, onions and bell peppers. I put whole pieces of chicken inside seasoned with sea salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika and a touch of cayenne pepper. I let it cook until done and the chicken was falling off the bone. I served it over yellow rice with green beans and fried ripe plantains for a spanish flair.
Tonight, I am taking the remainder of the sauce, which has been blessed by bits of chicken mixed in, adding cooked italian sausage and fresh basil, pouring it over some spaghetti noodles and viola...another happy husband.
Don't forget the wine. We are having leftover wine, a bit of riesling for my spicy sauce and some south african chardonnay, well, because it's here and it's fruity. Don't look to me for the obvious pairing. I was trained by the Aussies. Eat what you like and drink what you like! But for purists, a nice california merlot, aussie shiraz or for summer a pinot noir.
Cheers.
p.s.
interpret these recipes anyway you like. substitute spaghetti for penne pasta, smoked paprika for regular or hot paprika, chicken for leftover duck...mmm.

acacia 2003 chardonnay

oh what a day, sunny, hot and humid. air so thick you can cut it with a knife. i am pleasantly distracted from work by my cousin acacia asking me if i wanted to share a chilled bottle of her namesake winery's acacia chardonnay (she is not connected at all to acacia winery. they have no idea who she is.)

how could i say no? the only question that came to our minds was whether or not we would brave the heat and sit outside on the deck or retreat to an air conditioned room. we chose the latter. smart girls.

acacia 2003 chardonnay, carneros region of california was creamy, fruit-forward with a tamed taste of the oak barrel that lends it some maturity. most importantly, it was fun. it was delicious. and it took the sting off of a hot summer day.

not sure how much this particular bottle costs, but knowing a bit about acacia, it probably runs about $20 on average.

check it out, any vintage.

and yes,
don't be afraid to tilt the glass.

old world subtlety vs new world spunk

i have a wine buddy who loves to have debates with me about which wine regions are better. he adores old world wine, italy being his all-time favorite. i like italian wines also. italy makes some of the best wines in the world. barollos are among my favorite.

but i grew up in the wine world with new world wines, california, australia, new zealand, and south africa (which actually combines the best of both worlds, new world experimentation and boldness but with the taste of old world soil). i enjoy the spunk of new world wines, that fat flavor, big fruit boldness, sometimes higher alcohol content. let's face it, a lot of new world wines are very forward. i have american taste buds which means i also tend to be drawn to that slight hint of sugar which sits in the background of many of our so-called "dry" wines. i read an article once that said that "americans talk dry, but buy sweet", meaning that we talk a good game about how we prefer wines with very little to zero residual sugar, but behind closed doors, we consume a lot of off-dry to sweet wines.

my buddy has his right to debate with me. it is one of those things that makes the wine world such an interesting place to live. we all have such strong opinions. he likes his wines to speak to him softly, to court him, take him out on a few dates before consummating the relationship. i, on the other hand seem to be a bit easier. i like to be spanked by my wine on the first date. welcome to wine...and the underground.

don't be afraid to tilt the glass.

it's red, it's bubbly, it's australian

being a big fan of the bubbly, sparkling wines from around the world and the occasional champagne, i am always looking for something new. about 4 years ago i had the privilege of being apart of an australian tasting that showcased an exciting new product for the u.s. market, sparkling shiraz.

for those of you who know about aussie wines, you know that shiraz is huge. they do such a great job at making these highly fruit loaded, burst in your mouth red wines. especially from the southern aussie regions. the westerners are a bit more subtle.

but back to the bubbly; so, a producer named alkoomi makes a bodacious full-bodied sparkling shiraz, fit for any special occasion. if you can find it in our local wine & spirits, it's usually about $26. for that everyday hankering for something a little different, there is "lorikeet", a $9 bottle, not as complex, but just as juicy and even more fun.
here's to bubbling over with excitement!

yeh,
don't be afraid to tilt the glass.

house wine? part 2

the mission grill is amazing. modern mexican fare and the decor to match. you sort of know that it's southwestern, but it's tasteful. it's no chili's (no offense to the chain restaurant...really). i was invited to a great networking event there last evening that turned out to be incredibly rewarding.

but let's get to the point, which is always wine. the wednesday evening specials were yeungling lager $2, margaritas and sangria $4, and house wine $3. that's correct, you're not insane (well i'm just guessing). yes, $3 glasses of wine. wine in real wine glasses, bold flavor, distinct in character. the house white wine was a dante chardonnay, sold for around $7-$9 depending on where you are in the country. fruit-forward, a hint of fruit-sweetness, good alcohol, meaning that you feel a nice warmth at the base of your throat after swallowing, sensual.

the house red was a montpellier cabernet sauvignon, just as it should be. warm, wraps around your tongue and stays there. good lover. this one retails for around $10 depending once again upon where you make your purchase.

mission grill: 18th & arch sts. philadelphia. spicy chunky guacamole, authentic salsa, and sooooo much more delicious fare (they are not paying me..they have no idea who i am).

and..uhhh. don't be afraid to tilt the glass.

house wine? part 1

my life is incredible...really. sometimes i whine and groan for no reason at all, exercise, i guess. but i get invited to the coolest events. anyway, tomorrow, which is wednesday, i will be headed to an event to promote healthy living at the new mission grill in center city. free appetizers, $3 house wines. i cant tell you how excited i am. yes, i am constantly seeking info to make myself healthier, but what really got me to rsvp? the $3 a glass house wine.

what is "house wine"? probably the equivalent to a four-letter word for some wine folk. but not me. i have wine wisdom. i know enough to know that a good restaurant (i am a restaurant snob) would never carry a really crappy wine. why would they? so the house wine can only be so bad. and i have had great luck with ordering house wine. it's always the economical choice and unless you are on a splurge, first date or your husband forgot your anniversary, there is really no need to spend $10 a glass or $75 a bottle for your nightly buzz. and...if you ask the server for the name of the house wine, most likely they will tell you and wonders never cease...it's probably some well-trusted bottle you have at home.

so, i wont be afraid tomorrow, when i place my $3 order and because i am trapped by passion for this wine thing, this life of vino, i will dare to ask what it is and as long as its not some watered-down pinot grigio...i wont die.

all i do is for the underground.

don't be afraid to tilt the glass.