Jun
16
How a “Sucky Wine” Brings a Legendary Coaches Words To Mind
Patches O'Houlihan
I felt it was time to quote a legendary coach when discussing this wine, a coach revered among the game he helped make great. This coach, before his passing, helped shape a group of players into national champions through both physical and mental preparations along with life lessons that would serve his boys for the rest of their days. When I drank the 2007 Francois Villard Syrah Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes L’Appel des Sereines (a mouthful to say the least) the coach’s words jumped out of my mouth, like I had been taken over by his spirit. I held the bottle in my hands and the words flowed; “you suck something awful”. Read More…..
Jun
11
Ok after a long time off getting settled with Little Kahuna 2 it is time to get back to some videos! Here is a cheese you do not see around unless you are shopping someplace with a really well stocked cheese counter. This is Lagrein and it comes from Northern Italy and the cheese is soaked in wine- so that has to be good right?
May
17
Potatoes Provence – Episode 165
By · CommentsOk so I left a little piece out of this video – the potatoes used were just small yellow potatoes that I peeled down into an egg shape- I always have stayed away from doing any cooking that required things cut exactly the same size for presentation however with these potatoes I now understand why the French technique would be to peel them into similar sizes and that is cooking time- Yes I know that is the reason for cutting things in similar size but this is the first time I really came across a situation were a 10% difference in size made a fairly large difference it doneness(is that a word?). I like them crunchy so I got the bigger ones and the wife liked them a little softer so it worked out well.
May
03
In this episode I am slow roasting some chicken legs using Cripple Creek BBQ Sauce and Rub. Chef John Lynch creates these great products, bottles and ships them so you know you are getting a quality fresh sauce. The original BBQ sauce used in this episode is Organic and John takes the time to do the little things that matter like chopping fresh garlic by hand and not using it out of a jar. Please take a moment to visit John’s website http://www.cripplecreekbarbeque.com/ and order some of his great products- I ordered the gift pack which came with 2 BBQ sauces, basting brush and the all purpose Rub and for $20 this is a steal plus I you can pick out what 2 sauces you want. Next time you are in your supermarket and getting ready to pick up a BBQ sauced just take a look at the ingredients and put it back down- because once you see the purity of the ingredients in John’s sauces you get an idea about what a big difference there is.
I make my own BBQ sauce often but more times than not I am looking for a BBQ sauce last minute for a late planned meal and right now Cripple Creek BBQ sauce will be my go to brand. I will be trying all the varieties John makes over the coming months and if I do not care for one, do not worry I will let you know. One thing for sure, if it is not to my liking it will just be a matter of personal taste and not the craftmanship behind it.
Apr
22
Little Kahuna 2 – Baby Luca Arrives!
By · CommentsLuca checking in t 7lbs 11 oz and 20.5 inches long
Apr
13
One of the truly legendary dishes in Italy and it contains an ingredient that can be hard to find guanciale, which is the dried pig jowell. YUMMY right! Well luckily if you are in the the North East and can get to a Fairway market then you can grab this speciality. Yes you could sub in pancetta but it is different enough to make a difference. So no adding onions to this sauce and if you have to go ahead and add a little garlic- I did.
Created in the town of Amatrice this dish originally was just guanciale and pecorino cheese- Hell that sounds just fine to me but after the tomato was brought back to Italy it got introduced to many dishes and well history of food is written new. So one thing is a must PECORINO!!!! Ok lets get eating – Oh and another little note- before Rome claimed the dish as its own the people of Amatrice actually proffered spaghetti.
Apr
08
2005 Rodney Strong Merlot Sonoma County – Episode 161
By · CommentsRodney Strong is a fairly large producer of wine and generally they make a very solid product. I never every shy away from grabbing one of their wines as they are always well made. Maybe not always my style but that does not and should detract from the winery as a whole.We have been to their winery and enjoyed it very much. This merlot checks in at around $13 -$15 at most retailers.
2005 Bodegas Diaz Bayo Ribera del Duero Nuestro - Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero (8/15/2010)
2007 Mockingbird Hill Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (8/12/2010)
N.V. Ca' Furlan Cuvée Béatrice - Italy, Veneto (7/25/2010)
2009 Bodegas Ateca / Zabrin Calatayud Garnacha de Fuego Old Vines - Spain, Aragón, Calatayud (7/25/2010)
2008 X Winery White X - USA, California, North Coast (7/3/2010)
2008 Alexander Valley Vineyards Zinfandel Redemption - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (7/3/2010)
2003 Toad Hollow Pinot Noir Eye of the Toad - USA, California, Sonoma County (7/20/2010)
2007 Buehler Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (7/3/2010)
2006 Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (6/17/2010)
2006 Marietta Cellars Petite Sirah Alexander Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley (7/9/2010)