Apr 26 – the Italian Family Kitchen

Posted on April 23, 2025 by Guy

Who doesn’t like Italian Family Cooking!  My guests this week are Eva Santaguuida and her husband Harper Alexander with their new book: The Italian Family Kitchen

Learn the secrets of authentic Italian home cooking, passed down through the generations with love, and embrace a passion for good food as you cook your way through 100 comforting recipes.

Distilling the episodic knowledge Eva Santaguida and Harper Alexander share on their popular Italian cooking YouTube channel, Pasta Grammar (@PastaGrammar), The Italian Family Kitchen shares how to make uncompromisingly authentic Italian recipes while also putting the food into the greater context of the Italian culinary landscape. Learn more at https://www.pastagrammar.com/

Learn how to make favorite classics, discover new and surprising dishes, acquire hands-on Italian kitchen skills, get actionable tips on how to source the right ingredients or find substitutes, and learn how to put it all together into memorable, lifestyle-fitting meals. ​In The Italian Family Kitchen you’ll find:

  • 100 straightforward, delicious, and comforting recipes from all over Italy
  • Recipes organized by course, including Fritti (fried appetizers and street food), Bread and Pizza, Ragù, Pasta, Riso (rice), Secondo (second courses), Contorno (side dishes), and Dolce (desserts) ​
  • Basic recipes for making fresh egg and semolina pastas, potato gnocchi, simple tomato sauce, and besciamella
  • How to stock your Italian kitchen​
  • Stunning photography throughout​

Experience the real food of Italy, just as a lucky guest would witness in a family kitchen in Italy. Get a copy NOW!

Eva Santaguida was born and raised in Calabria, Italy. She learned how to cook in the best environment possible: a small Italian village where no restaurant survives because everyone’s Nonna is the best chef in town! She and her husband, Harper Alexander, are the creators of the popular Italian cooking YouTube channel, Pasta Grammar, where they share authentic Italian food through a humorous video format. They quickly found success on the platform after being named one of YouTube’s “Creators on the Rise.” Their brand has expanded as they serve their customers and fans with unique merchandise, video cooking guides, Italian language lessons. and an enormously successful series of culinary tours where they take eager foodies on ten-day trips through southern Italy. Harper Alexander worked as a cinematographer in Hollywood before meeting his wife, Eva Santaguida. She immediately started sharing the food of her country with him, and he was shocked at just how different (and better!) it was from the “Italian” food he thought he knew. Harper and Eva are the creators of the popular Italian cooking YouTube channel, Pasta Grammar, where they share authentic Italian food through a humorous video format. They quickly found success on the platform after being named one of YouTube’s “Creators on the Rise.” Their brand has expanded as they serve their customers and fans with unique merchandise, video cooking guides, Italian language lessons. and an enormously successful series of culinary tours where they take eager foodies on ten-day trips through southern Italy. Follow Pasta Grammar on Facebook.


Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
Something FUN to go with Italian Cooking 🙂
Lombardo Carrabbas Sweet Marsala
The Lombardo winery has been producing Italy’s finest Marsala wine for well over 100 years. Elevate your favorite Italian dishes with a quality Marsala wine.  This wine is perfect for Chicken Marsala! Just one of many types of Marsala, try some dry styles as well.

Grab a bottle at Jacob Liquor Exchange on North Rock Road and make the Chicken Marsala recipe above !

 

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Apr 19 – UMMA

Posted on April 14, 2025 by Guy

My guest this week is Sarah Ahn with her new book “Umma: A Korean Mom’s Kitchen Wisdom and 100 Family Recipes”

Learn Korean cooking alongside social media star Sarah Ahn as her Umma passes down 100+ family recipes and decades’ worth of kitchen wisdom.

Sarah Ahn’s viral food videos of her and her mom have captivated millions of viewers with their behind-the-scenes look at Korean cooking and multigenerational home life. This collaboration is now a must-have cookbook blending the emotional intimacy of Crying in H Mart with practical culinary advice from Nam Soon’s lifetime of kitchen experience. The recipes are framed by mother-daughter conversations that are funny, profound, and universally relatable—plus all the food is backed by the recipe-testing power of America’s Test Kitchen. Check out Sarah’s videos on TikTok

  • Thorough ingredient guide: Walk through a Korean grocery store with a Korean umma for in-depth guidance on what pantry ingredients and fresh produce and protein to buy.
  • Recipes both traditional and contemporary: Learn to make everything from simple banchan, a variety of kimchi, and foundational stews to an assortment of yasik (midnight snacks) and inventive desserts.
  • Kitchen wisdom from mother to daughter: Shared confidences open a window onto a level of family intimacy rarely seen in cookbooks.

The Ahns understand that when generations come together in the kitchen, so much is shared: not only food, but also knowledge, advice, family history, and love.  Get your copy NOW!

About the Author
Sarah Ahn is ATK’s social media manager and the creator of the Ahnest Kitchen website. She records her experiences on Instagram and TikTok of living with her Korean immigrant parents, chronicling her mother’s cooking, grocery shopping trips, and more. Many of Sarah’s posts have gone viral with 10+ million views and they have sold grocery stores out of product. She has been featured on NBC News, ABC News, Yahoo News, and Good Morning America. Nam Soon Ahn learned to cook from her mother in Korea before immigrating to America in the 1990s. She owned and operated an Asian noodle restaurant for nearly a decade. Learn more at www.ahnestkitchen.com

Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
2022 Coppola Diamond Collection Claret
Dark and luscious, the 2021 Diamond Collection Claret brings together fragrant notes, good length, firm tannins, and sophisticated character, enhanced by a full body and long finish.  ABV14.5%

 This wine is vibrant, lively, with aromas of blackberry, Olallieberry, citrus, bittersweet chocolate, toasty vanilla, and florals on the nose. The flavor on the palate are boysenberry, blueberry, Pink grapefruit zest, chicory, espresso, and a velvety dry finish. Decant and Pair with Waygu Beef. WE93 Best Buy

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Apr 12 – The Wines of California and more!

Posted on April 7, 2025 by Guy

Up first is Elaine Chukan Brown with her new and comprehensive book: “The Wines of California.” Later in the show Gabriel Geller from Royal Wine company joins us to talk about the award winning wines of Israeli’s Psagot winery. These wines are perfect for your Passover or Easter celebration.

If you want to learn about wine, and of course California wine, this is the book!  Regardless of your journey in wine; novice, enthusiast, or Sommelier – This is the book you need!  Get a copy NOW

A concise, complete, smartly delivered and cohesive book for serious readers and students of wine. Focusing on the world’s fourth largest producer of wine – California – the book takes readers on a journey through the golden state’s wines, paying due attention to famous regions such as Sonoma and Napa as well as introducing readers to exciting up-and-coming regions to explore.

The book is divided into three major sections. The first presents the key ideas that help make sense of California wine as a whole, including the history of California wine in brief, how the topography delivers California’s overarching climatic and soil conditions, and the basics of vineyard and winery factors relevant to the state such as the role of the AVA.

The second section takes each major region in turn and looks into its history, growing conditions and varieties, as well as discussing the most significant and interesting producers. A final section looks at current themes in Californian wine and discusses the future of the industry across the state.

  • Explains all the state’s AVAs, examining the development, growing conditions and varietal trends for each.
  • Profiles the main producers and individuals shaping the wine industry today.
  • A useful reference on California that also provides alternative insights and insider knowledge.
  • Author Elaine Chukan Brown is a prolific commentator on the wines of California and a speaker at events around the globe.
  • Supported by color maps and photos. 

Elaine Chukan Brown serves as a writer, speaker and global wine educator. Previously, Brown served as the Executive Editor US for JancisRobinson.com, a columnist for Decanter Magazine, and a contributing writer to Wine & Spirits Magazine. They contributed to both the 4th and 5th editions of Oxford Companion to Wine, the 8th edition of the World Atlas of Wine, and the compilations On Burgundy and On California from Academie du Vin Library. They co-founded the Diversity in Wine Leadership Forum and have advised diversity initiatives in multiple countries. Brown serves as a judge for the Texsom Awards and is a board member of the Wine Writer Symposium.

In the second half I’ll be chatting with Gabriel Geller from the Royal Wine Company about the wines of award winning winery “Psagot.”

Psagot Winery is more than just a kosher brand—it embodies the spirit of Israel, uniting a diverse team of individuals from all walks of life. Its renowned visitor center welcomes people from around the world who seek to experience the best of Israeli winemaking. Each label features an exact replica of the 2000-year-old coin found in an ancient cave in the Psagot Village in 2003 during the establishment of the winery and is hand glued to each label.

Nestled in the historic hills near Jerusalem, Psagot stands as a beacon of dedication, artistry, and passion. The winery’s mission is clear: to be the most passionate winery in Israel. The vineyards benefit from a perfect climate for viticulture, rich soil, and centuries of history. Sustainable practices ensure the land remains fertile for future generations, with each grape harvested reflecting the extraordinary terroir of the region.

Winemaking in Psagot is both an art and a science, driven by an unwavering commitment to excellence. Sam Soroka, the master winemaker, approaches his craft with precision and artistry—meticulously selecting grapes and carefully aging each wine in Psagot’s cellars. The result? Wines that are rich, complex, and expressive, embodying the pinnacle of winemaking expertise.

Every bottle of Psagot wine is crafted with dedication, ensuring that each sip transports you to new heights of flavor and emotion. Psagot is synonymous with quality and excellence, offering wines that inspire and delight. With many varietals, you can learn more at https://psagotwines.com/en/

Good Life Guy’s Wines of The Week:
Three great wines from Israel and Psagot Winery

 

 

 

 

 

Order these wines today for delivery before April 20th!

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Apr 5 – Wine aging and storing

Posted on April 3, 2025 by Guy

This week I’ll be chatting with Mathew Cock, a WSET Diploma, Advanced Sommelier certified vinicultural expert about “does wines can go bad.” We will talk about storing wine and the changes that occur during the aging process.

Does Wine Go Bad?
The good news is that wine does not spoil, but it does degrade over time. The air starts this process, and heat controls the speed. You can’t stop it from happening, but you can slow it down. The most important factor is temperature. Not all wines will transform at the same rate. Interestingly, the less you want to share a wine, the longer it seems to last. If you remember nothing else, remember these things: keep it sealed and keep it cool.

Is Wine Safe to Drink as It Ages?
As a beverage, wine is naturally acidic and alcoholic, which makes it inhospitable to harmful bacteria. Potentially dangerous organisms cannot survive in the levels of acid and alcohol found in wine. Additionally, many wines, especially those shipped in bulk containers or made with residual sugar, undergo filtration that removes microbes. As a result, wine always remains safe to drink, no matter how long it has been stored.

However, wine does not always remain enjoyable to drink because it is a perishable product with a life cycle. Wine moves irreversibly through the stages of youth, maturity, old age, and decay with the passage of time. This transformation initially offers the drinker more charm, then progressively less, and eventually none.

Matthew Cocks, DipWSET, is a vinicultural expert with the “VinoVoss AI Sommelier” smartphone app and web-based semantic wine search and recommendation system, developed by BetterAI. VinoVoss picks the perfect wine for any occasion, courtesy of a highly advanced artificial intelligence architecture. Matthew, as an educator, international judge, and consultant, uses a data-informed approach to help HORECA companies hone their operations and procurement processes, and private clients optimize their wine cellar for enjoyment and investment. Matthew also holds the Advanced Sommelier Certificate from The Court of Master Sommeliers. Reach him and more at www.vinovoss.com.

Later in the program I’ll be sharing some of the technical and chemical faults that can occur in wine regardless of age.  🙂

Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
2020 Roger Goulart Gran Reserva Cava
Pale yellow color with light greenish reflections, clean and bright. Appearance of very fine bubbles and a slight formation of a crown on the surface. Intense fruity notes reminiscent of fresh white fruit and citrus, and light notes of fine lees from the aging. A fresh cava with medium-long intensity. On the palate, lively and fresh acidity with a slight sweetness, making it very pleasant due to its balance and elegance. Fruity aromas, fleshy, long and persistent. Persistent finish with a very elegant bouquet with delicate notes of aging and creaminess. ABV12% Blend: 50% Macabeo, 30% Parellada, 20% Xarel·lo  James Suckling 91 – Wine Spectator 90

Learn more about this wine!
Grab a bottle or 6 at Jacob Liquor Exchange on North Rock Road here in Wichita

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Mar 29 – Spain & Sherry

Posted on March 28, 2025 by Guy

Today, It’s just you and me talking about one of my favorite wines from Spain. Sherry brings to mind all the great things about this very unique fortified wine from Southern Spain.  It also evokes great memories of Jerez in Andalucía, the Sherry Triangle.  The warm climate, the Mediterranean sea breezes, the snow white soil and the captivating aromas of Sherry in barrels.  Join me and I’ll take you to Spain, and tell you all about and why you should try some tonight.

What is Sherry?
Unique agricultural product
Geography
Climate
Grape variety
Soil and Vineyard methods
Vinification and aging by Solera
The art of blending

Where it’s from and why it’s unique?
Andalucia – the home of the “Sherry Triangle”
One of Spain’s first Denominacion’s
Jerez de la Fronterra
Santa Maria
Sanlucar de Barrameda
The Snow White Albariza Soil is the key to water retention and sun light reflection!

Sherry can be intimidating or even off-putting at first, conjuring up visions of dusty bar cart bottles filled with sticky-sweet brown liquid. But this southern Spanish treat is actually one of the most interesting beverages around, with complex flavors that are unlike any other wine.

Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
NV Lustau Oloroso Don Nuño WA94 $31
This Oloroso wine has an intense, concentrated aftertaste, lightened by a tangy acidity. Aged following an oxidative aging for 12 years in Bodega La Campana in Jerez de la Frontera. Dark bronze in color with a pronounced golden rim. Intense aromas of nuts and smoked wood, with spicy notes on the nose. On the palate, it’s reminiscent of walnuts and dark chocolate. Long, intense finish, perfectly balanced with light acidity. Learn more about Lustau and this wine.

Foor & Wine Pairing – Perfect with aged cheeses or red meats. It pairs well with dishes such as oxtail, Iberian pork cheeks, or grilled bluefin tuna. A simple cheese and charcuterie plate with roasted walnuts, is another great pairing. Try this wine with  Chicken sherry mushrooms

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Get this book to learn even more.

Sherry Feb 2025 WSU Power Point lecture

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