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Posts for May 12th 2010

Review of Opala Vinho Verde
summer

Happy Hour: Opala Vinho Verde

Readers, meet your new Summer sipper: Opala's Vinho Verde.
by partysugar

Readers, meet your new Summer sipper: Opala's Vinho Verde. A couple of weeks ago, I happened to grab a bottle of this wine on sale for only $6.99 at Whole Foods. I picked it up because I've developed a recent interest in Portuguese wine, the price was right, and I thought the label was pretty.

Boy, did I score a winner with this one! It's a wonderfully refreshing white with a slight effervescence. It has a light body, crisp finish, and fresh apple flavor. It's easy to drink and versatile. I've enjoyed it with everything from seafood to cheese to chicken tacos. It even tastes good alone.

It's the perfect bottle for picnics, barbecues, and other outdoor activities. I highly recommend you stock your fridge with this likable white. Has anyone else had it?

Strawberry and Chocolate Tart Recipe 2010-05-12 16:04:08
recipes

Strawberry and Chocolate Tart

From Bon AppétitStrawberry and Chocolate TartIngredientsCrust 1 cup all purpose flour 3 tablespoons sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/3 cup walnuts (about 1 1/2 ounces) 1/2 cup (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces 2 egg yolks 1/3 cup (generous) strawberry jam Filling 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons whipping cream 6 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped 2 1-pint baskets strawberries, hulled, halved Directions For Crust: Combine flour, sugar and salt in processor and mix.
by partysugar

From Bon Appétit

Strawberry and Chocolate Tart

Strawberry and Chocolate Tart Recipe 2010-05-12 16:04:08

Ingredients

Crust
1 cup all purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup walnuts (about 1 1/2 ounces)
1/2 cup (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 egg yolks
1/3 cup (generous) strawberry jam
Filling
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons whipping cream
6 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped
2 1-pint baskets strawberries, hulled, halved

Directions

  1. For Crust: Combine flour, sugar and salt in processor and mix. Add walnuts; process until chopped. Add butter and cut in using on/off turns until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add yolks and process just until moist clumps form. Gather dough into ball; flatten to disk. Wrap in plastic and chill 30 minutes.
  2. Preheat oven 375°F. Butter 9-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Roll out dough between sheets of waxed paper to 11-inch round.
  3. Peel off top sheet of paper. Transfer crust to prepared pan, pressing dough firmly to fit pan and patching if necessary. Discard paper. Trim edges of crust. Freeze crust 15 minutes.
  4. Bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes. Spread jam in crust. Return to oven and bake until jam sets, about 4 minutes. Cool completely on rack.
  5. For Filling: Heat cream in heavy small saucepan over medium-low heat until tiny bubbles appear around edges. Remove from heat. Add chocolate and stir until melted. Cool until mixture is room temperature and beginning to thicken but still pourable, stirring occasionally, about 50 minutes. Pour chocolate filling into crust. Refrigerate until filling is set, about 1 hour 45 minutes. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. cover and keep refrigerated.)
  6. Arrange strawberries cut side down in concentric circles atop filling. Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 1 hour.

Serves 8-10.

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2010 Daytime Emmy Food Show Nominees
News

Bobby Flay, Martha Stewart Among Daytime Emmy Nominees

The James Beard Awards may be over, but the culinary accolades continue as award show season soldiers on.
by

The James Beard Awards may be over, but the culinary accolades continue as award show season soldiers on. Today, the nominees for this year's Daytime Emmy Awards were announced, and the list included a number of notable culinary programs and food figures.

PBS and Food Network each have two shows that'll compete head-to-head for the title of Outstanding Culinary Program. For Public Broadcasting, it's America's Test Kitchen and the new travel show, Gourmet's Adventures With Ruth; for Food Network, the shows are Giada at Home and Tyler's Ultimate.

Vying for the Outstanding Lifestyle/Culinary Host award are a number of Food Network stars — Bobby Flay, Ina Garten, Paula Deen, and Giada De Laurentiis — as well as Martha Stewart for her syndicated talk show. Food Trip With Todd English, Eric Ripert's Avec Eric, and De Laurentiis's Giada at Home are also up for honors in outstanding directing.

I'll be rooting for new shows Avec Eric and Gourmet's Adventures With Ruth when the winners are unveiled on June 27. What cooking shows will you be cheering on?

What Is a Macchiato?
Drinks

Definition: Macchiato

At coffee college, Starbucks coffee masters set the record straight on the definition of this drink.
by

At coffee college, Starbucks coffee masters set the record straight on the definition of this drink. Macchiato is simply Italian for "marked," and typically refers to an espresso macchiato — an espresso shot that's been dotted with a dollop of frothed milk. In contrast, a latte macchiato is steamed and frothed milk marked with espresso that's poured over the top, and a caramel macchiato is a variation of a latte macchiato with vanilla syrup and caramel drizzle on top.

Pancetta-Wrapped Asparagus Recipe 2010-05-12 12:50:46
Appetizers

Pancetta-Wrapped Asparagus Is Wildly Delicious

During the Spring, prosciutto-wrapped asparagus is a very popular appetizer.
by partysugar

During the Spring, prosciutto-wrapped asparagus is a very popular appetizer. While I've enjoyed it many times, I recently experienced a mind-blowingly better combination of pork and plant. I'm talking about grilled pancetta-wrapped asparagus.

Most recipes for the prosciutto variation cook the asparagus in the oven or boiling water. This version throws it on the grill — which imparts a rich smoky flavor that's unattainable from roasting or blanching.

Ham-like prosciutto doesn't have to be cooked, but pancetta, which is similar to bacon (and everyone knows bacon is ten million times tastier than ham), can not be consumed raw. Thus, the resulting dish is crispy, juicy, meaty, and downright perfect. It's a serious must make, so get the recipe now!

Pancetta-Wrapped Asparagus Recipe 2010-05-12 12:19:18
Spring

Pancetta-Wrapped Asparagus

Inspired by Food & WinePancetta-Wrapped AsparagusIngredients1/2 lb of asparagus 14 slices of thinly sliced pancetta (the thinner the better it will cook quicker) extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling salt and freshly ground black pepper Directions Tightly wrap each asparagus spear in a slice of pancetta.
by partysugar

Inspired by Food & Wine

Pancetta-Wrapped Asparagus

Pancetta-Wrapped Asparagus Recipe 2010-05-12 12:19:18

Ingredients

1/2 lb of asparagus
14 slices of thinly sliced pancetta (the thinner the better it will cook quicker)
extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling
salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

  1. Tightly wrap each asparagus spear in a slice of pancetta. Place on a platter and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  2. Light a grill. Once hot, grill the asparagus over moderate heat, turning often, until the pancetta is crisp and the asparagus is tender, about 8 minutes total, 3-4 minutes per side.
  3. Transfer to a serving platter and enjoy!

Serves 4.

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This Week's Food Section Headlines: May 12, 2010
News

Food Section Sampler — May 12, 2010

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