• Other

    Posted on December 28th, 2011

    Written by

    Related Posts

    Dec 31 – A Well Seasoned Kitchen, Yellow Tail Bubbles

    My first guest is Lee Clayton Roper, Co-Author of “A Well Seasoned Kitchen.”

    By mother and daughter, Sally Clayton and Lee Clayton Roper, A Well-Seasoned Kitchen is a gold medal-winning treasury of over 180 delicious recipes, creative menus, beautiful 4-color photos and poignant memories of cooking and entertaining together. This unique book is ideally suited for today’s modern cook who juggles a busy life but finds joy in preparing meals for others. Each recipe is handpicked and tested for uncomplicated preparation, sophistication and exquisite flavor.

    If you are like me you spend time (a lot of time) reading cookbooks. While searching for the next best meal or this weekend’s dinner party menu, you sift through just-okay recipes, glad-you-didn’t-try-that recipes, great recipes, and soon-to-be-favorite recipes. It seems more often than not the great and soon-to-be-favorite recipes are the easiest to make and the most delicious. Unfortunately they come few and far between. Lucky for food lovers, an entire soon-to-be-favorite cookbook has arrived! I spent much of the holidays reading and taste testing the recipes from the cookbook A Well-Seasoned Kitchen.

    This book was written by a mother daughter team from Denver – Sally Clayton and Lee Clayton Roper. The cookbook is more than just recipes; it’s a memoir of the cooking duo’s most loved dishes and stories from the family kitchen. Most recipes are easy to make with tips and tricks on simple yet elegant entertaining.  A portion of A Well-Seasoned Kitchen’s proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association Colorado Chapter –Amanda Faison, 5280 Magazine, April 2, 2010

    In the second half, and just in time for New Years Celebration – I’ll be talking to one of my favorite Chef-Author-Cooking Guru-TV personality and friend; Rick Rodgers.  Rick is the spokesperson for Yellow Tail Bubbly.

    Good Life Guy’s Bubbles of the Week:
    NV Yellow Tail Sparkling White
    NV Yellow Tail Sparkling Rose’

    Tried both of these inexpensive wines pre-Christmas and was impressed.  This isn’t fancy French Fiz, but it’s got fruit, some sweetness – but not too much, and just the right amount of bubbles to enhance the easy drinking fruit flavors.   Made using the Charmat process adding bubbles to the blend for each.  Great value to share with a crowd for the New Year or anytime!

    Sealed with the handy “Zork” an easy to open and re-seal wine closure that makes serving a breeze and still provide that festive pop when opened.

    Pick up some at Jacob Liquor Exchange and enjoy!
    Happy New Year!

  • Other

    Posted on December 18th, 2011

    Written by

    Related Posts

    Dec 24 – Holiday party planning, Hogue Riesling

    Happy Ho Ho Ho!

    First up is a great book for last minute holiday party planning. My guest is Josie Gordon, half of the Culinista team with co-author Jill Donenfield.

    Catering professionals Jill Donenfeld and Josie Gordon make a strong case for bypassing prepared and frozen foods as party fare and jumping in with both spoons to create freshly made party fare that will dazzle and delight your guests.

    Party Like a Culinista is your guide to throwing dinner parties using fresh recipes that balance health, fun, and class. The culinista way to party means letting loose in the kitchen with unforgettable menus full of flair and fun that will wow your friends without weighing them down. With a healthy body and environment in mind, culinistas are all about minimally processed whole foods and lots of greens and grains — but they also remember to balance our indulgent side, including plenty of recipes that splurge!

    In the second half I’ll be talking to one of my favorite authors and food and wine pairing gurus; Jill Silverman Hough. We’ll continue the fun with more on holiday party planning tips and techniques.

    Jill Silverman Hough is a food writer, recipe developer, and culinary instructor whose specialty is making food and cooking simple, special, and satisfying. Her work has appeared in Bon Appétit, Cooking Light, Fine Cooking, Country Home, Clean Eating, and Napa Sonoma magazines. And her cookbook, “100 Perfect Pairings: Small Plates to Enjoy with Wines You Love,” premiered in April 2010, with “100 Perfect Pairings: Main Dishes to Enjoy with Wines You Love” released in April 2011. Jill also developed the recipes for “Skinny Bitch in the Kitch,” a New York Times Best Seller, and contributed to Weight Watchers and JCPenny’s cookbooks. A regular and popular presenter at Ramekins Sonoma Valley Culinary School, Jill lives in Napa, California.

    Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
    2010 Hogue Late Harvest Riesling

    Eastern Washington’s low annual rainfall and cool nights during the growing season make it the perfect area for producing consistently great late harvest wines. The Hogue Cellars has developed a style of late harvest Riesling that is crisp yet moderately sweet. The wine was produced from select Riesling vineyards where the fruit can ripen to the required 24°+ Brix. At that level of ripeness, the wine develops its trademark tangerine/apricot flavor. Zesty aromas of orange, lemon-lime and peach are followed by flavors of tangerine, apricot and a trace of mineral. Serve with poached pears, apple pie or a cheese platter of Stilton, smoked Gouda and fresh goat cheese. It’s also excellent served well chilled as an aperitif.

    Pick up a bottle or two at Jacob Liquor Exchange and make the holidays SWEET!

  • Other

    Posted on December 12th, 2011

    Written by

    Related Posts

    Dec 17 – Ancient Grains – Barefoot Bubbly

    First up is Maria Speck with her new book Ancient Grains for Modern Meals: Mediterranean Whole Grain Recipes for Barley, Farro, Kamut, Polenta, Wheat Berries & More

    Food writer Maria Speck’s passion for propelling Old World staples such as farro, barley, polenta, and wheat berries to the forefront of new American cooking is beautifully presented in Ancient Grains for Modern Meals. In this inspired and highly personal book, Maria Speck draws on food traditions from across the Mediterranean and northern Europe to reveal how versatile, satisfying, flavorful, and sophisticated whole grains can be.

    Rustic but elegant dishes–Creamy Farro with Honey-Roasted Grapes, Barley Salad with Figs and Tarragon-Lemon Dressing, Lamb Stew with Wheat Berries in Red Wine Sauce, and Purple Rice Pudding with Rose Water Dates–are sure to please discerning palates and become favorites in any whole grain repertoire.

    Food lovers and health-conscious home chefs alike learn how to integrate whole grains into their busy lives, from quick-cooking quinoa and buckwheat to the slower varieties such as spelt and Kamut. The stunning flavors and lively textures of whole grains are enhanced with natural ingredients such as butter, cream, and prosciutto–in moderation–to create lush Mediterranean-inspired recipes. Maria’s approachable style and generous spirit make this collection of time-honored, updated classics a treasury for today’s cooks.

    In the second half I’ll be talking to winemaker Jennifer Wall from Barefoot & Barefoot Bubbly about some of the fun sparkling wine she is putting in to great value bottles perfect for entertaining this holiday season.

    During the harvest of 1995, Jennifer started her career as the winemaker for Barefoot Cellars Winery, which at the time was producing Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and White Zinfandel. She continued to lead the winemaking and production operation there for nearly ten years, focusing on producing wines that were varietally correct, fruit forward, and food friendly and expanding the varietals offered to include Zinfandel and Merlot as well as sparkling wines. The Barefoot & Bubbly brand was acquired by E&J Gallo Winery in 2005, and Jennifer continues as the winemaker for the Barefoot brand. Since then, Barefoot Pinot Grigio, Moscato, Riesling, and Pinot Noir have also been introduced, along with five Barefoot Bubbly sparkling wines.

    Jennifer has received numerous awards and accolades for her wines since becoming a winemaker in 1995, including many Gold and Double Golds (Barefoot is the most awarded wine brand in California under $15.)  When she is not working or spending time with her family and friends, she loves to travel and garden and volunteers her time to numerous not-for-profit organizations, including many that benefit Sonoma County charities

    Good Life Guy’s Wines of The Week:
    Sparkling Wine from Barefoot!  :-)

     

  • Other

    Posted on December 4th, 2011

    Written by

    Related Posts

    Dec 10 – Go Eat Give, Chef H cooking classes

    Join me this Saturday as we learn about Sucheta Rawal and www.goeatgive.com

    Check out this great web site and I think you will be as impressed as I was…

    Sucheta Rawal

    Sucheta is a freelance writer, foodie and travel enthusiast. Born and raised in India, she is a home grown chef who is an expert at many cuisines. Sucheta started off by borrowing American cookbooks from her high school library at her home town of Chandigarh and translating them in Hindi to her help at home. She taught how to make cheese blintzes, chocolate mousse and bird’s nest noodle bowls, amongst other totally foreign concepts in India at the time!

    After she moved to Atlanta at the age of 17, Sucheta started working at an Italian restaurant while in college. She would try a different dish of the menu every night of the week so she could describe it to the customers in her own words. Her passion for cooking started with Italian cuisine, learning through observation, direction and experimentation and expanded into many others. Soon she was trying new restaurants, critiquing them and refining the preparations in her own kitchen. She particularly enjoyed blending flavors and creating a variety of palates on her dinner menu, such as an artist would.

    Sucheta also has a passion for seeing the world and has traveled to 32 countries and counting. While most tourists review the sights and attractions of travel guides, she jumps straight to “where to dine” sections. Her favorite things to do while traveling are eating at family run places, talking to the locals and visiting local farmers markets and wineries. She likes to bring back recipes from people she met or places she ate at around the world and recreate that sense of exploration without leaving the home.

    In the second half I’ll be talking to local Wichita Chef Harry Pape about his latest cooking classes.

    Learn about this unique cooking class by Chef H;  Star demonstration Kitchen at 325 South West St., Wichita Kansas,  Dec 15,  - 7 PM.

    If you have seen Chef H on KAKE TV, you know that he is a practical cook. His menus are simple and contain ingredients that are available at local markets such as Dillon’s, WalMart, and Target. He also features recipes that are low in salt and fat… Most importantly, what he cooks is delicious and something the entire family enjoys. For the busy persons of Wichita his recipes are quick and easy to prepare. Check out his latest video and recipes at www.kake.com and find out more at Chef H here.

    For a first hand look at how easy great delicious cooking can be, come and enjoy a 90 minute cooking class with Chef H on December 15th. The evening will begin at 7 PM and you will enjoy tasting all that is prepared that evening. Star cooks with Chef H. Reservations required .

    $25.00 INCLUDES ,TASTING, MENUES, PRACTICAL HINTS, AND DEMONSTRATIONS
    Click here to make reservations

     

    Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
    NV Bisol Jeio Prosecco Brut Rosé

    50% Pinot Noir/50% Merlot – A rose with a bubbly personality that offers great drinking pleasure. The color is a brilliant delicate pink, with extremely fine and persistent perlage. The bouquet is elegant and complex, with a wide range of aromas, intense hints of rose, fresh fruit, citrus and lychee. On the palate it is crisp and balanced, with good acidity and a dry long finish. Due to its “brut” personality, this wines makes an ideal aperitif, perfect for appetizers and canapés at reception and cocktail parties, or even to accompany the entire meal.

    Pick up a bottle at Jacob Liquor Exchange on North Rock Road and join us!

    Santa will be at the Cigar Chateau next to Jacob Liquor Exchange on N. Rock Road in Wichita, 2-5pm, Saturday Dec 10th. Bring your camera for photo opportunities.  Donations will be accepted, Jacob Liquor will match all donations. Proceeds will go to the Wichita Childrens Home.

  • Other

    Posted on November 28th, 2011

    Written by

    Related Posts

    Dec 3 – Pinches & Dashes, J Sparkling wine

    This show is all about the new Junior League of Wichita cookbook; Pinches & Dashes: Recipes & Life Measures

    Pinches & Dashes: Recipes & Life Measures from the Junior League of Wichita is a culinary collection to help you celebrate all of life’s moments – whether big or small. The book includes a range of recipes from the elaborate, special occasion dishes, to fast and simple weeknight family dinner fare. The emphasis is on very fresh ingredients; with many dishes we consider comfort food with a fresh twist.

    Containing more than 180 triple-tested recipes, this cookbook represents the very best from Junior League of Wichita. Complementing the delicious recipes are informative sidebars with culinary tidbits and little-known food tips to help both the novice and more-experienced cook work with the ingredients. To enhance the meal, Jamie Stratton of Jacob Liquor Exchange has included expert tips and wine pairings. Pinches & Dashes is a beautiful book, worthy of display on a coffee table, including full-color photographs of selected recipes.

    Nine Wichita-area restaurants also contributed some of their most popular recipes to the book: Caffe Moderne, Chester’s Chophouse & Wine Bar, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Luca Italian Kitchen, Newport Grill, River City Brewery Co., Sabor Latin Bar & Grille, Watermark Books & Café, and YaYa’s EuroBistro.

    The book is organized into six chapters, each filled with delectable selections that will become instant favorites in your home.  Learn more and get a copy today!

    I’ll also be talking to George Rose from J Vineyards and Winery about one of my favorite sparkling wines – perfect for holiday entertaining, or better yet…year round fun.  :-)

    Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
    J CUVÉE 20 BRUT NV – 25TH ANNIVERSARY
    The non-vintage J Cuvée 20 “Anniversary Label” gracefully opens up with crisp lemon peel, honeysuckle and delicate yeast aromas. Upon entry, these notes are followed by a mix of Fuji apple, grapefruit and a sweet hint of angel food cake. The mid-palate flavors are interlaced with toast, caramel, warm pear, and almond. The acidity adds just enough liveliness and the citrus zest leads to a lingering lush finish. This is the perfect celebratory wine.

    Stop by Jacob Liquor Exchange on N. Rock Road
    Pickup a bottle of J, and between 2 & 5 p.m.  get a copy
    of Pinches & Dashes, taste some samples from the book!

  • Older Posts Yeah! There are more posts, check them out.

    Newer Posts Yeah! There are more posts, check them out.