Good Cheap Wine Guide

 
RATING: Serve Proudly to Guests

I wrote a post recently about visiting the Adam Puchta Winery and sampling their Hunters Red.    I finally had the chance to open up a bottle and sample more than a mouthful.  True to our mission, we discovered a good cheap wine that you can serve to guests!  Yes, this wine quest [...]

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Inglenook California Classic Burgundy

Rating: OK TO COOK WITH
During my “Dennis the Menace”-like childhood I served a stint as an altar boy.  I don’t remember being asked or actually volunteering, but just the same…I wound up serving.  I have very strong memories of putting on the hassock and preparing everything for the mass.  I recall the smoky issue of [...]

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Ruffino Il Leo Chianti Superiore 2006

 
Rating: Serve Proudly to Guests
Grilling is an interesting way to cook for others and entertain them at the same time.  Though fairly easy with experience, even simple dining choices can cause some preparation purgatory.  Example, some like their grill-fare rare, some like it medium and some like well done.  (except [...]

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OK, it’s March Madness time!  Conference playoffs are going on.  Time for real simple fare that doesn’t take you away from the tube.  (Would a 60″ flat panel look good over the stove?…hmm)  Anyway, got a great red sauce that we whip up.  Go Illini!
Ingredients:
2 jars Classico Traditional Basil pasta sauce
1 8 oz. jar mushrooms drained
5 oz [...]

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Dirty Risotto
from:Giada De Laurentiis, Giada’s family dinners

Serve to Guests!
This is an AWESOME restaurant quality meal!
Ingredients:

5 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 ounces pancetta, chopped
6 ounces spicy italian sausage, casings removed (we use turkey sausage too)
3/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
4 ounces button mushrooms, trimmed and coarsely chopped
1 [...]

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