Chabernet

Another Glass of Chabernet

Lipp for Joy

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We follow travel blogger Nick Bredimus on Instagram. He wrote "Lipp for Joy" explains the correct pronunciation of the name of the legendary brasserie on Paris' Left Bank. Brasserie Lipp on Boulevard Saint-Germain was a favorite of artists and writers. "My father filled my head with dreams of Paris centered around cafes and brasseries like Lipp" wrote Bredimus. "Robert Bredimus traveled to Paris at age 21 and enjoyed the food and drinks at Brasserie Lipp. I did the same at that age, then later extended that tradition to my own children." The "Lost Generation" which included writers like Ernest Hemingway and artists like Pablo Picasso frequented spots like Lipp. The grand city of Paris was once a bargain compared to current times. Starving Read more [...]

Nick Bredimus a man for all seasonings

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Today is World Baking Day, May 21st. We will celebrate a man who was ahead of his time by learning to cook and bake when most males shunned such things. Nick Bredimus was fortunate to have a father, Robert Bredimus, whose mother taught him to cook when the kitchen was considered off-limits to his gender. Robert also traveled to Paris at age 21 and developed a deep appreciation for the finer points of dining. Twenty years later, Nick Bredimus was born in Oakland NJ, and Robert was putting the finishing touches on the home he had built for his growing family. The home had a nineteen-forties era galley kitchen which was modern for its time. Like most geniuses, his father thought more about cooking, and talked more about cooking, than actually cooking. Read more [...]

Slinging it Singapore Style

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I had traveled to Singapore for business many times. The Missus was keen to accompany me and experience the Eastern mystique herself. Being a good husband and an even better tour guide, of course I brought her to the original, iconic, and legendary Raffles Hotel. And what better way to acquaint her with this historic venue than to order a "Singapore Sling" while sitting in the posh dining room. Orchids at every table, a chef in his Touque, and our server wearing a white dinner jacket. Thankfully, I was not required to wear a neck-tie.     Supposedly, this hotel invented the "Singapore Sling". I didn't have the good fortune to read this history ahead of time, but you can certainly look this up What It’s Like Read more [...]

Remembering a closed restaurant

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A favorite local restaurant has been closed following a fire. We're hoping it reopens, but we don't know when. For now, we have only memories like these recorded in this photograph. A partially eaten portion of Eggplant Rollatini makes my mouth water. It was a light dish with some mild ricotta cheese rolled up in a slice of eggplant. Topped with tomato sauce and stringy mozzarella cheese, it is an example of Italian gastronomy: a few ingredients, prepared expertly. You could call it vegetarian, but why bother? The rest of the table is a "Still Life". The lone olive discarded after flavoring a Martini along with a pickled onion that escaped the skewer; Plus, Croutons leftover from a Caesar Salad prepared table-side. The memories are Read more [...]

The 7 Most Popular Wine Varieties to Try

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Do you want to expand your wine palate? If so, you've come to the right place. Here's a list of the 7 most popular wine varieties to try. From bold and full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon to crisp and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc, there's something for everyone. Whether you're a seasoned wine connoisseur or just starting to explore the world of wine, these varieties are a must-try. 1- Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied red wine with bold, rich flavors and aromas of black fruit, such as blackberry and black currant, as well as notes of cassis, vanilla, and spices. It has firm tannins and high levels of alcohol (13.5%!) A good Cabernet Sauvignon can be enjoyed for years and improve with age. Are you looking for a great Read more [...]

Wine versus Beer (Which Is Healthier?)

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It's a debate as old as time (or at least as old as wine and beer): which is better for your health, wine or beer? Both have their pros and cons when it comes to health, so it's tough to say which one is definitively "better." However, we can take a closer look at the two beverages and see which one might be the healthier option. Let's compare wine and beer on key health factors: alcohol content, calorie count, carbs, fat, protein, and vitamins and minerals. Alcohol Content Wine typically contains less alcohol than beer—about 12% alcohol by volume (ABV) for most wines, compared to 5-10% ABV for most beers. That means that you would have to drink more wine than beer to get the same amount of alcohol. And because alcohol can have negative Read more [...]

Vegan Cooking with Wine

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Can you cook with wine as a vegan? This is a tricky question. And I’m here to answer those questions for you in this post. Most of us think of wine and automatically think, “Of course it’s vegan! Wine is just fermented grapes, right?” This is where cooking vegan and wine run into a problem. Most mass-produced wines are filtered to remove the natural sediments and opaque colors that form during the fermentation process. Go into your kitchen and look at the bottle of apple cider vinegar in your cabinet. You’ll notice that it has a somewhat opaque consistency and sediment at the bottom. This is formed when you ferment apple cider make the vinegar. So, is it the fermentation process that makes the wine non-vegan? No, Read more [...]

What Can You Cook with Wine and Mushrooms?

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The unlearned in the culinary arts and tastes might think that wine and mushrooms do not fit well together on the same dish. But those who have explored the sautéed regions of the human experience understand the power of the grape and the foundations of the cepes.   Wine and mushrooms go together like peanut butter and jelly. You just have to know how to bring these two magic ingredients together… and why you would want to. Mushrooms are a great source of protein. They are prominently featured in many a vegetarian recipe. They are also popular on pizza. By virtue of pizza alone have mushrooms become ubiquitous--a commonplace member of the western menu. But did you know that different species of mushroom have different flavors? Texture Read more [...]

Sausage Links With Wine

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Sausage. Links. Get it? Sorry, I can never resist a food-related pun. The gist of this article is the pairing of wine with an often overlooked menu protein - sausage. There are many articles about steak and wine, so why not meat in its tubular form? I'm up to the task since, if you were ever going to pair a hot dog with a wine, it would need to be a Chabernet - a wine with no pretense. The first pairing, and one we enjoy quite often at home, is Italian sausage accompanied with a Chianti Classico wine. I'd recommend the sweet Italian sausage, but the hot links will not overpower the Sangiovese grapes in this Super Tuscan wine. For preparation, we start the sausage in a dry saute pan and add a little wine, water, or chicken stock (why not all Read more [...]

Queso and Wine

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The title Queso and Wine might trigger the thought of processed Velveeta cheese dip with a sickly sweet wine. Not in our home, where Spanish-style cheeses served with Spanish wines evoke thoughts of many pleasant food experiences. For example, a hot cheese dish paired with wine is a reminder of Javier's Gourmet Mexicano serving continental Mexico City cuisine in Dallas, Texas. They offer a Cheese Panela (grilled Monterey cheese with Chorizo sausage, prepared specially at the table) that we paired with a glass of Tempranillo wine from Spain.   Viña Sol is a popular light white from Torres, ubiquitous in Spain and sometimes available in US cities. It is a delightful accompaniment to Tapas and we enjoy it with Manchego cheese and Read more [...]