Archive for June, 2008

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Onion Dip from Scratch

Submitted by Chef Tom Cooks
I know, it’s just so easy to grab one of those little packets and a tub of sour cream and have onion dip in a flash. Did you know it’s not that much harder to make it from scratch. If you have a party coming up this weekend, I’d definitely try [...]

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Italian Pick of The Week, 6/30/08

Submitted by Wine Reviews from the Wine School
Dino Illuminati 2005 “Ilico”, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC
Montepulciano is one of those Rodney Dangerfield grapes, the kind that get no respect. It can be a crowd pleaser for its pronounced, rounded fruitiness and soft tannins. A modest grape not prone to steal the spotlight from Sangiovese for example. Always [...]

Wines of The World,for Water For People, 6/25/08

Submitted by Wine Reviews from the Wine School
Gunderloch 2005 Riesling, Rheinhessen (GER)
Steenberg 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Constantia (SAfr.)
Concho y Toro Marques de Cas Concha 2006 Chardonnay, Pirque (CH)
Falesco 2005 Merlot, Umbria (IT)
Faiveley 2003 Mercurey 1er Cru, Nuits-St.-Georges, Burgundy (FR)
Truchard 2001 Syrah, Carneros (CA)
Ch. Haut-Bernasse 2005 Cotes de Bergerac, Dordogne (FR)
Cat Walk 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley [...]

It’s Guacamole Time!

Submitted by Chef Tom Cooks
It’s Friday! Time to party! Fiesta!!! I picked up some fresh avocados at the market today. So that means it’s time for Guacamole! Why use that pre-made crap when you have all the fresh ingredients at you finger tips?
3 ripe Hass avocados, pitted and [...]

Sexy Snails

Submitted by Barry’s Wine Notes & Memories
Two snails mating in the garden….ah..back in the days..they would have ended in the pan………the French ate everything…this time they were ‘disposed’ of……..
The sight of copulating was not the reason to open a sexy Pinot Noir…..a recent article in ‘Wein Gourmet’..all about the Graubünden area of Switzerland..had meant I [...]

Call Me Don

Submitted by Barry’s Wine Notes & Memories
I am a godfather (The Don Corleone of Wine?)…2 times actually..one is my niece in England..and the other is here in Germany..Merle is her name…’little stinky’(my name for her)..is on the right. She and her sister (Lisa)…and their parents..came over and we barbecued….wonderful evening..fascinating to see youngsters evolve..Merle is [...]

The Three R’s

Submitted by Barry’s Wine Notes & Memories

The three R’s..back in school..used to be Reading, (W)riting & (A)rithmatic.
More to my liking nowadys are Rheingau, Rebholz & R…which means this is a Grosses Gewächs.
Rebholz is a dynamic young grower….probably the best in the Pfalz…
NB: Background to the wine is a new book ‘Weinatlas Deutschland’…as far as I [...]

Easy Green Bean Pie

Submitted by Chef Tom Cooks
This recipe puts a simple twist on the classic green bean casserole recipe.
8 oz         fresh green beans, cut lengthwise
1         can mushroom pieces, drained
1/2 cup     chopped onions
2         cloves garlic, crushed
1 cup         cheddar cheese, shredded
1 1/2 cups     milk
3/4 cup [...]

American Wine Values, June 20th

Submitted by Wine Reviews from the Wine School
First Flight: The Pacific NorthWest
1. A to Z 2006 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley (OR)
2. Bergevin Lane Vineyards 2005 Viognier, Columbia Valley (WA)
Second Flight: All About the Fruit
1. Summers 2005 Charbono, Napa Valley (CA)
2. Seghesio 2005 Zinfandel, Sonoma County (CA)
Third Flight: The Unexpected
1. French Hill 2002 Barbera “Grand Reserve,” [...]

Italian Pick of The Week, 6/24/08

Submitted by Wine Reviews from the Wine School
Benini 2006 “Sassotondo”, Maremma Toscana IGT
The Tuscan Maremma is becoming the place to go for lighter, softer reds, a contrast to earthy Chianti Classico and brooding Brunellos. In the airy hills of Grosseto province Sangiovese is known as Morellino, which has become a popular alternative to other wines [...]

A Sheep, A Dog & Crazy Joe

Submitted by Barry’s Wine Notes & Memories
We GBWT’s (Great Blogging Wine Tasters) all have good taste…we know what a good wine is…but once in a while..we agree to differ…
How can I explain better..let try this..
I love women…(sorry darling..liked)…no..it won’t work unless I say love…men love women…but we all have our own taste…actually..some women love women..and [...]

My Free Cookbook Download Is Back !

Submitted by Chef Tom Cooks
Many of you have contacted me and asked what happened to my free cookbook offer. It was down for a couple of months, but I am glad to announce that it is back.
I recently put together a new cookbook featuring over 100 recipes called, “You Can’t Beat Home Cooking“. I [...]

My Review of Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce

Submitted by Chef Tom Cooks
The wonderful crew over at Country Bob’s sent me a sample of their All Purpose Sauce, so this weekend I put it to the test. I would say that the sauce is similar to A1 sauce. So for the test, I prepared two different dishes. On Saturday, I made my famous [...]

Connect with Chef Tom across the web!

Submitted by Chef Tom Cooks
I’m so happy with all the positive feedback that I receive through this website. I love sharing recipes with others and I love hearing peoples comments. I just figured I’d take a moment today to share with you some other sites that you can find me on. So if you are [...]

Wine Education for the Homeless

Submitted by Wine Reviews from the Wine School
My friend Sven sent over this great cartoon from the comic blog Toothpaste for Dinner. In the current economy, I think this may be a good market for the Wine School to capture.

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Colorful Pepper Appetizers

Submitted by Chef Tom Cooks
I was at a graduation party this weekend and someone made this simple appetizer using different colored peppers. This is a great recipe for any party and it couldn’t be easier to prepare!
1/2 green pepper
1/2 sweet red pepper
1/2 yellow pepper
1/2 orange pepper
1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons chopped ripe olives
1/4 [...]

Who’s the Wine Snob Anyway?

Submitted by Wine Reviews from the Wine School
Sure, we’ve all seen them. Turning their noses up at what they perceive to be merely average or inferior wines, the so-called wine snob is as much of a fixture in wine culture as cork in a bottle. Hey, everyone is entitled to their opinions. Let’s face it, [...]

Doing The Dont’s

Submitted by Barry’s Wine Notes & Memories

In the world of wine..there are DO’S & DONT’S…
One DO is….Do give Barry a good wine if he visits you!
DONT’S include….Don’t offer him Aligoté (sorry Joe..hee hee).
One definite DON’T is…when you receive a case of wine and open it..DON’T decide to drink the bottle a few hours later. It’s [...]

Vegetable Burrito

Submitted by Chef Tom Cooks
1 each Greeen, Red, and yellow bell peppers, cut in strips
1 Onion, sliced
2 Carrots, cut into strips
1 stalk Celery, sliced on an angle
1 bunch Broccoli, cut into bite sizes
4 cloves Garlic, crushed
1 Tbs. McCormick Montreal Chicken seasoning
1/2 tsp. Chili powder
1/2 cup Fresh cilantro, chopped
3 Tbs. Oil
2 Tbs. Cornstartch
1/2 cup Water
6 Fresh [...]

I Heart Charbono: Summers 2005 Charbono, Napa Valley (CA)

Submitted by Wine Reviews from the Wine School
Yes, the mercury has risen, the muggies are threatening, and the food most of us crave has likely become lighter. So why extol the virtues of a wine of only moderate acidity, low tannin, and pronounced, round fruit?
Because it’s good. Really good. And that’s why you drink wine [...]

Summertime Wines, Thursday, June 18th

Submitted by Wine Reviews from the Wine School
First Flight
1. Nino Franco NV Prosecco “Rustico,” Valdobbiadene (IT)
Second Flight
1. Weingut Hofer 2005 Grüner Veltliner, Freiberg (AT)
2. Turkey Flat Vineyards 2007 Rosé, Barossa Valley (AU)
Third Flight
1. Summers 2005 Charbono “Villa Andriana Vineyard,” Napa Valley (CA)

Fourth Flight
1. El Curato 2005 Toro (SP)
2. Château Bouscassé 2003 Madiran (FR)
Fifth Flight
1. Las [...]

Marbled Cheesecake Brownies

Submitted by Chef Tom Cooks
Bring on all the sweet tooths! This recipe takes the classic brownie to another level.
Cheesecake Topping
8 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
2/3 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 large egg white
1 tablespoon cake flour

Brownie Batter
1 cup sifted cake flour
1/2 cup dutch-process cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 [...]

Cajun Style Onion Rings

Submitted by Chef Tom Cooks
1     Large sweet yellow onion
1/2 tsp   Salt
1     egg
1/4 tsp   Thyme
2 tsp     vegetable oil
1/4 tsp   Black pepper
1/2 cup   Dry bread crumbs
1/8 tsp. Cayenne pepper, more or less to taste
1 tsp     cajun seasoning
1/2 tsp   Paprika
Cut onion into 1/2 inch thick slices. Separate slices into rings, leaving 2 [...]

Sons Of Haag

Submitted by Barry’s Wine Notes & Memories
After the Lieser..with one of Wilhem Haag’s sons…here is his own vineyard now run by son Oliver Haag who has taken over from father and the quality has continued. He learned by Helmut Dönnhoff in the Nahe…not a bad schooling!
This is from the Juffer vineyard..the Juffer Sonnenuhr is still [...]

What Would Giovanni Drink?

Submitted by Wine Reviews from the Wine School
While the Wine School’s Hardy Boys wre laying waste to Spain’s porcine population yours truly was engaged in exhaustive research concerning patterns of wine consumption among Italians. Specifically, what will they be drinking as the solstice creeps over the Apennines.
My unscientific poll among winemakers, barristas, resterateurs and enoteca [...]