Trader Joe's — Whole Foods has a message for you: two can play the Two-Buck Chuck game. The Austin, TX-based natural foods grocer has come out with its own version of Charles Shaw called Three Wishes Vineyards.
The winery, which is based out of Livermore and Ripon, CA, produces three nonvintage bottlings of Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon, all at $3 a pop.
How did the value wine fare? One taster took the new selections for a spin; head to Slashfood for the full results.
Normally when I plan Thanksgiving dinner, I'm inspired by faraway places and exciting cooking methods. However this year, I'm embracing local ingredients and tried-and-true techniques. It's a meal that highlights my love for San Francisco and the surrounding areas. We'll begin with a messy but decadent appetizer: cracked Dungeness crab with horseradish mayonnaise.
Since the weather is still gorgeous, the turkey will be grilled to a succulent and smoky perfection. As for the sides? Raw kale and avocado salad is unexpected; sourdough bread stuffing with celery and mushrooms and make-ahead baked mashed potatoes (made with butter and milk from my hometown creamery, Clover) round out the menu. Interested in these recipes? Read more to check them out.
While most classic Thanksgiving desserts don't feature meat, the majority do use dairy products. If you're catering to a mix of vegetarians and vegans, it's important to serve a dessert that everyone can enjoy. This pumpkin pie recipe is 100 percent vegan. The crust consists of flour and pecans blended with vegetable shortening.
The pumpkin filling gets its creamy, smooth, and thick texture from silken tofu. To make this pie gluten-free, substitute gluten-free baking mix for the flour and use gluten-free vanilla instead of vanilla. Get the recipe here.
Not only is oatmeal sexy again, but serve it up savory to make it the hottest bowl in town. Savory oatmeal's been popping up everywhere, whether it's Asian-inflected scallions and soy sauce, sharp gorgonzola and walnuts, or Cameron Diaz's leek, butter, and ponzu version.
Not convinced yet? For your next breakfast, dare to try oatmeal in both sweet and sugar-free applications, taking the time to compare their flavors. Enjoy rolled oats fortified with buckwheat groats and simmered in apples and cinnamon for a subtle sweetness — then match it up against a cheesy creation topped with a creamy coddled egg. See both fast, easy, and healthy recipes when you read more.
I have a love/hate relationship with Whole Foods. I love that it's two blocks from my house and has tons of great produce and specialty products like cheese and olives. I hate that it doesn't sell normal items such as Sprite, ranch dip packets, and salted blue corn tortilla chips. Whenever I end up with a bag of unsalted chips, I simply salt them myself. I dump a bunch of salt in the bag, fold down the top, and shake to coat each chip. Am I alone? If you can't find salted chips, do you salt the whole bag?
Now that I know where to find humanely-raised veal, I'm going to start experimenting with this meat more in the kitchen. Tonight, I'm whipping up an Italian classic, veal piccata.
It starts with flattened meat that's flashed in the pan, then served with a sauce made from butter, capers, lemon, and pan drippings. If you're not a fan of veal, you can substitute another type of protein, such as turkey paillards or thinly pounded pork tenderloin.
Serve the piccata over a bed of steamed egg noodles, and a crisp white wine on the side. For a gourmet Italian dinner in minutes, read on.
Add some allure to the idea of eating at home by serving your family, quite literally, a modern twist on a weeknight classic like lasagna.
Rather than layering sheets of pasta with sauce and cheese, present the noodles as individual-sized roll-ups, each stuffed with its own helping of ricotta, wilted spinach, and marinara, and topped off with melted mozzarella.
Don't be afraid to modify the recipe to your liking: make the dish worthy of weekend cooking by incorporating homemade tomato sauce and fresh cheese, or add in sausage crumbles if you're looking to up the protein. Want the recipe? Then keep reading.
Looking to find a speedy and convenient meal that's also gourmet? Then turn to quick-cooking scallops left over from last night's meal. Use wheat-free tamari (a type of soy sauce), honey, and red pepper flakes to create an irresistible, fragrant glaze. Serve it in a large bowl heaped with brown rice and sautéed greens for a nouveau Asian rice bowl. Want the recipe? Then be sure to keep on reading.
It's been a cool Summer in Northern California, which means many of the season's heralded vegetables are arriving later than usual. Yet I don't mind the delayed gratification, especially if it means I can still enjoy such pleasures as a perfect English pea in August. Tonight, I'm going to try the vegetable in a newfound way: as part of a freshly ground pesto with walnuts, capers, and parsley.
Although this meatless, dairy-free recipe calls for ultra healthy whole wheat linguine, feel free to change it up as you like, by using regular pasta, adding garlic, or subbing another nut for the walnuts. Experience a different Summer meal when you keep reading.
