• Other

    Posted on November 20th, 2011

    Written by

    Related Posts

    Nov 26 – Big Ranch Big City, Everyday Exotic and Beaujolais Nouveau

    Now here’s a show that’s diverse, yet I think really interesting and FUN!  First up is Louis Lambert, Chef/Owner of some of Texas’ best restaurants and author of a great new cookbook.

    The Big Ranch, Big City Cookbook is a proudly Texan collection of more than 100 recipes from chef Louis Lambert’s popular restaurants. The signature cooking style is unapologetically refined but not fussy, impeccable but with a hearty, rustic flair—what he calls “elevated ranch cuisine.” Each dish showcases Lou’s classical French training and sure-handed facility for combining crowd-pleasing, soul-satisfying flavors.

    If you’re serving up a down-home feast fit for a cattle rancher’s table, you’ll want to try the Achiote-Seared Chickpeas, Spicy Oak-Smoked Chorizo, Wood-Roasted Chicken with Mexican Chocolate Chile Rub, Hot Smoked Pecan-Cured Salmon, Crispy Wild Boar Ribs with Fresh Plum Barbecue Sauce, and Fried Green Tomatoes with Crab Rémoulade.

    Try some of these recipes and more…get a copy today!

    In the second half, I’ll be talking to Roger Mooking about his journey in food, music and the good life.  You’ve seen him on the Food Network & Cooking Channel and may even have his book Everyday Exotic. Roger’s got some innovative tips to spice up your old holiday favorites by incorporating some unique and flavorful ingredients.

    Chef/musician Roger Mooking gets bored easily. Bored of the same old, everyday meals we all end up making time and time again. His mission? To give everyday weekday meals a fantastic exotic twist with one new ingredient. Whether it’s jazzing up a so so meatloaf with a hit of corriander, awakening ho hum chicken with fresh ginger or adding a dazzling sweet mango to a blah pork chop, Roger spreads the joy of flavour and adds an exotic thrill to everyday cooking.

    Check out Roger’s Food Network page & get a copy of Everyday Exotic

    Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
    2011 Georges Dubeuf Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau

    The Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau 2011 shows deep and sparkling carmine red color. The nose offers a wide range of aromas with subtle and fruity (cherry, peach), floral notes. On the palate, this wine is round and fleshy, full of finesse and elegance! A delight

    The 2011 harvest in France’s Beaujolais region began August 22 under perfect weather conditions and finished on September 15, less than a year after the completion of the 2010 harvest. “It is a rarity for our winemakers to harvest twice in 12 months; in 2010 we completed the harvest on September 13,” said Georges Duboeuf.

     

  • Other

    Posted on November 15th, 2011

    Written by

    Related Posts

    Nov 19 – The Japanese Grill, Be a Wine Expert & Oregon Pinot Gris

    First up is Harris Salat with the new book he co-authored with Tadashi Ono; The Japanese Grill, From Classic Yakitori to Steak, Seafood and Vegetables. Get a copy of this great book now!

    American grilling, Japanese flavors: That’s the irresistible idea behind The Japanese Grill. In this bold cookbook, chef Tadashi Ono and writer Harris Salat, avid grillers both, share a key insight: that live-fire cooking marries perfectly with mouthwatering Japanese ingredients like soy sauce and miso.  Packed with fast-and-easy recipes, versatile marinades, and step-by-step techniques, The Japanese Grill will have you grilling amazing steaks, pork chops, salmon, tomatoes, and whole chicken, as well as traditional favorites like yakitori, yaki onigiri, and whole salt-packed fish. Whether you use charcoal or gas, or are a grilling novice or disciple, you will love dishes like Skirt Steak with Red Miso, Garlic–Soy Sauce Porterhouse, Crispy Chicken Wings, Yuzu Kosho Scallops, and Soy Sauce-and-Lemon Grilled Eggplant. Ono and Salat include menu suggestions for sophisticated entertaining in addition to quick-grilling choices for healthy weekday meals, plus a slew of delectable sides that pair well with anything off the fire.

    Grilling has been a centerpiece of Japanese cooking for centuries, and when you taste the incredible dishes in The Japanese Grill—both contemporary and authentic—you’ll become a believer, too.  Check out www.matsurinyc.com and Harris’ blog at www.japanesefoodreport.com

    In the second half I’ll be talking to James Gabler about his new e-book “Be Your Own Wine Expert.”
     Download a copy now and join us…it’s only $.99!

    Be Your Own Wine Expert makes learning about wine fun. In less than 3 minutes you can learn about any one of more than 100 of the world’s best wine varietals. No more intimidating wine lists, no more mispronouncing wine names, no more feeling left out when the conversation turns to wine. The more than 2000 Value For Money Wine recommendations that cost less than $10, $15 and $20 a bottle prove that wine doesn’t have to be expensive to be good. The best way to enjoy the book is with a glass of wine. The next time you have a glass of wine, open Be Your Own Wine Expert to the wine you are drinking. You’ll learn as you taste and taste as you learn. It’s a fun experience.

    Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
    2009 Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Gris

    The stylistic vision of this wine is an “Oregon version” of Alsatian Pinot Gris. Depth of extract, richness, big mouthfeel but with elegance and ability to age. The grapes were picked at peak ripeness and the whole clusters were then lightly pressed. The must was cold settled and racked to another stainless steel tank where it was inoculated with 3 special strains of yeast which promote a rich mouth feel.

    This wine opens with bright, clean aromas of pear and green apple. The sip is round and creamy, with a good acid balance that highlights flavors of key lime and lemongrass, with tart notes of kumquat balanced by just a hint of sweetness. The bright, strong finish invites another sip. The small addition of Pinot Blanc, picked very ripe, adds emollient mouthfeel, and contributes to this classic Oregon style. The barrel fermented portions of the Pinot Gris add a kiss of toast and richness.

     

  • Other

    Posted on November 7th, 2011

    Written by

    Related Posts

    Nov 12 – Oregon Wine Country Visit

    Live from Oregon where I’ll be doing extensive touring and tasting as well as attending the Annual Salud Pinot Auction

    It’s all about Oregon…the focus will be on Pinot Noir but will also include some of the great white wines made in the Willamette Valley.  I’ll be posting video segments all week that will feature some of the top winemakers and wines recently released as well as highlights from this years Salud Gala event.

    The Oregon harvest is a bit later this year and was challanged by late rains prior t harvest.  I’ll have up to date info about the 2011 harvest and what we can expect from this interesting vintage.

    2011 Pinot Noir Harvest at Van Duzer Vineyards, Willamette Valley, Oregon

    Winemaker Jerry Murray oversees the sorting table at Van Duzer

    One of my guests…Winemaker Jerry Murray from Van Duzer will be sharing some info about this years harvest as well as the low-down on the current release Estate Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.

    Then from King Estate, a chat with Quentin Ransone, tasting room manager, about the 2009 King Estate Signature Pinot Noir.   Watch the video here!

    Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
    2009 King Estate Oregon Pinot Noir

    Deep garnet, bright ruby tint with aromas of dark cherry, raspberry, cranberry, blueberry, rose petals, vanilla, oak spice, cedar, and a hint of truffle.  Flavors of blackberry, cherry, cocoa, toasted marshmallow, raspberry, orange zest, baking spices, and a hint of menthol.  The mouthfeel is silky soft on entry balanced with nice acidity and firm tannins, complimented by a long lingering finish.

    Pick up a bottle at Jacob Liquor Exchange and join in the FUN!

  • Other

    Posted on October 31st, 2011

    Written by

    Related Posts

    Nov 5 – Moorish Fusion Cuisine, Alsatian Riesling

    My first guest is Chef Zouhair Zairi to talk about his new book Moorish Fusion Cuisine.  Now here is some interesting flavors to spice up your Autumn…

    Watch this video to get a feel for Chef ZZ’s food & style

    Chefs recipe for Tomato, Fennel, and Saffron Soup with Olive Oil-Poached Artichokes

     

    Relying heavily upon memories of his mother’s and grandmother’s fare in his youth, Zouhair’s ground-breaking culinary tour de force: Moorish Fusion Cuisine: Conquering the New World introduces a unique approach to a mouthwatering ancient gastronomy and represents a personal homage to the Moorish cuisine of his homeland.  Few cookbooks on the cuisine of the Moors have been written. Chef Zouhair approaches traditional recipes with an eye for lighter ingredients, while never sacrificing Moorish authenticity.

    About the Author:  Zouhair Zairi left his family in Morocco and touched down in New York at the age of nineteen. In 2002 Zouhair became the executive chef and director in his own restaurant, Spices. It was named Best New Restaurant in Maui. His abilities and passion earned him the coveted Culinary Excellence Award from the JW Marriott Resort & Spa and a Certificate of Appreciation from the White House.

    Get a copy of this great book NOW!

     

    Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
    2009 Paul Blanck Gewürztraminer

    A accomplished and fine Gewürztraminer with white flower and violet aromas followed by an exotic palate of fresh lychee fruit, subtle ginger spice and a backnote of sweet Turkish delight. Poised and elegant throughout, this is a beautifully balanced white with a long, smooth finish.

    This 100% Gewürztraminer has been produced from 20 year old vines, cultivated naturally with minimal intervention in the village of Kientzheim in Alsace. The must was allowed to ferment at its own rate, using naturally occuring yeasts to maintain its authentic flavour profile. The wine was then left to age on fine lees to add complexity and depth.   WS90

  • Other

    Posted on October 26th, 2011

    Written by

    Related Posts

    California Directory of Fine Wineries, Great Harvest Bread Company

    Come and be a part of The Good Life, I’ll be broadcasting live from Great Harvest Bread Company and their new location with my good friend Tim Herren.

    First up is a chat with Tom Silberkleit, a guest who has been on the show many times because he produces some of the most useful wine touring and information books on many regions of California.  He does it with great photography, skilled writing that’s informative and fun, and all the details you need.  Top it off with regular updated editions and it’s a must have for wine enthusiast who love California wines and wine touring.  www.californiafinewineries.com
    The latest update is the 5th Edition of the Napa/Sonoma/Mendocino

    Journey through the tasting rooms of a tri-county vineyard paradise… With The California Directory of Fine Wineries as your guide, you’ll wander through world-famous Napa, home of the state’s most recognized cellar landmarks. You’ll meander scenic back roads on the way to Sonoma’s premier wineries. You’ll travel to rustic Mendocino, where the winemakers themselves will pour you a glass of their specialty. This fully updated, fifth edition of The California Directory of Fine Wineries is an essential guide to both glamorous estates and intimate, family-owned vineyards. Order a copy of any or all of these great books!

    Here is a link to a great video segment Tom filmed at Jacuzzi Vineyards, one of the three wineries mentioned for a quick visit to Southern Sonoma from San Francisco.  The others for this short trip are; Cline and Gloria Ferrer.

     

    LIVE from Great Harvest with owner/baker Tim Herren, we’ll be telling you all about this creative family run business and not only all the great bread they bake, but all the products, sweets, sandwiches and more!

    Great Harvest handcrafts bread, sweets and sandwichs daily using only pure and simple ingredients. Each morning we fresh-grind premium whole wheat in the bakery and blend it with ingredients from nature, like yeast, salt and local honey. Great Harvest never uses chemicals or additives. The result is bread that tastes simply amazing.

    Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
    2010 Beringer Napa Valley Chardonnay
    Beringer’s Napa Valley Chardonnay is a quintessential expression of this beautiful varietal and the depth of flavors it can exhibit. Flavors of ripe citrus and apple are accented by aromas of toffee, tangerines and orange blossom. The mouth-coating, round texture highlights the rich flavors, all balanced by bright, refreshing notes that linger into the finish.

    WOW – Guy loves this wine, it may be one of the best Napa vintages from this stalwart for years, and there hasn’t been a loser in the batch up to this point.  I would rate this wine a 93 of 100, and it’s sure to get all manner of Best Buy, Editors Choice awards in the near future!

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

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

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