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Must-Know Tips When Serving Wine

January 5, 2016 by

You may enjoy drinking wine at home, but how much do you really know about serving it to your guests? If you want to learn how to properly serve reds, whites, and even dessert wines at your next dinner party at Marquis Lofts on Sabine, check out these simple tips.

  • Invest in a good set of wine glasses. They don’t have to be expensive (many closet less than $5 a piece), but having the proper wine glasses is the first step toward serving great tasting wine. Choose tulip-shaped glasses with stems or without, and make sure that they’re made of real glass to avoid that plastic taste.
  • Clean the glasses. Before serving wine, clean your glasses thoroughly by hand using simple dish soap and hot water. Rinse thoroughly before using.
  • Serve at the proper temperature. If you’re serving light white wines or sparkling wines, keep them at a cool 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Full-bodied whites, such as chardonnays, and lighter reds should be served at 50 to 60 degrees, while red wines and ports should be served at 60 to 65 degrees.
  • Keep it at the proper temperature. Keep your wine tasting great all night by using an ice bucket for white wines. Red wines can simply sit on the counter to stay at room temperature.

25 Tips on How to Serve Wine [Bauduc Blog]
Organic Wine Serving Tips [Frey Vineyards]
How to Serve Wine 101: Tips on the Perfect Serving Temperature [Wine Spectator]

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Easy and Healthy On-the-Go Snacks

November 3, 2015 by

Whether you’re going on a summer road trip or just going to the gym, there are always times in your life when you could use a healthy snack to keep you going. Rely on these simple, on-the-go snack recipes for a boost of energy — whenever you need it!

Gorp [eatingwell.com]
This unique take on trail mix includes a tasty and nutritious mix of nuts, dried fruit, and dark chocolate chips for a bit of added sweetness. Make a big batch and keep it sealed in an air-tight container at home, then scoop out just as much as you need for those days when you’re just too busy to stop and eat.

Baked Kale Chips [allrecipes.com]
Instead of grabbing a bag of fattening potato chips when you’re feeling hungry, make this crispy kale chips at home. These offer the same salty flavor and satisfying crunch as traditional chips, but with much less fat and calories.

Spiced Apple Crisps [bbcgoodfood.com]
If you frequently crave sweet treats throughout the day, replace your usual chocolaty indulgence with these spicy, sweet apple crisps. Their only ingredient is dried apples and a bit of cinnamon, but they still offer a deliciously sweet taste that is sure to satisfy.

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5 No-Bake Desserts to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

September 9, 2015 by

Sometimes you crave a sweet dessert after your evening meal, but digging out pans and preheating the oven just seems like so much work. If you want to create a tasty, creative dessert dish without messy baking, no-bake recipes are a convenient alternative.

You can make just about any type of treat with a no-bake recipe, from cookies to bars to candies. These five recipes are also perfect for last minute dinner parties or those times when the kids need a snack for school with little advance notice.

Double-Chocolate Mascarpone Raspberry Pie [Better Homes and Gardens]

Creamy Frozen Lime Pie [Recipe Lion]

No-Bake Snickers Caramel Apple Pie [Fox News]

Cookies & Crème Pudding Pops [Kraft]

Strawberry Freeze [Kraft]

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Rethink Pie Crust in These Savory Recipes

June 2, 2015 by

While pie has a seemingly endless number of different variations, the savory pie is often overlooked. For those whose taste buds skew toward the savory, there are a lot of reasons to love these savory pie recipes.

Lucinda’s Spinach and Ham Pie [marthastewart.com]
Equal parts salty and flaky, this Italian-style pie is everything that a savory pie should be. Eat it for breakfast, with a salad as a light lunch, or even as a dinnertime side dish—the possibilities are endless with such a uniquely versatile dish.

Mushroom Pie [allrecipes.com]
Mushroom lovers will simply adore this dense, flavorful pie that is filled with fresh mushrooms. Swiss cheese and heavy cream give it a deliciously rich taste, while bacon acts as a surprise ingredient to offset the earthy taste of the mushrooms.

Leek and Bacon Pie [huffingtonpost.com]
Although this dish technically looks like a pie, it doesn’t have the usual pastry crust. Instead, a savory custard layer acts as the base for all of the delicious bacon and leeks inside, and a crumbly top gives it just the right amount of extra crunch. It may seem complicated, but this pie includes only seven ingredients and takes just 45 minutes in the oven.

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Try These Tasty Alternatives to Cow’s Milk

February 3, 2015 by

There are a number of reasons to give up regular dairy milk, from food allergies to personal diet choices. If you’ve decided to take the plunge into dairy-free milk substitutes, these simple and tasty alternatives to cow’s milk will make the transition easy.

  1. Soy milk. This is one of the most popular milk alternatives, and it’s been around for quite some time. Soy milk is made with filtered water, whole soy beans, and thickeners that give it the same thick, creamy consistency as regular milk, and they also make it easy to bake with. Most brands of soy milk even contain the same amount of protein, Vitamin D, and calcium as cow’s milk.
  2. Almond milk. If you want to cut out milk in order to reduce your calorie intake, almond milk is a great alternative choice. This nutty mix of filtered water and ground almonds has only around 60 calories per cup, but it offers the same thickness and consistency as dairy milk.
  3. Rice milk. Rice milk has a more neutral flavor than many other milk substitutes, and it’s a bit thinner. However, it contains the same amount of calcium and Vitamin D as cow’s milk, and it offers a light, sweet flavor that’s mild and pleasant.

Meet the Milk Substitutes [Cooking Light]
Non-Dairy Alternatives to Cow’s Milk [SparkPeople]
5 Delicious Milk Substitutes [FitSugar]

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3 Quick and Healthy Pasta Recipes to Serve Tonight

December 2, 2014 by

Pasta is a comfort food that’s perfect for just about any occasion, but it is often packed full of calories and carbohydrates. If you’re on a diet but still crave spaghetti, lasagna, rice noodles, or any number of other delicious pastas, you might just love these quick and easy pasta recipes:

Mediterranean Pork Penne
This is certainly not your mama’s pasta dish, but it’s a welcome, unique addition to your usual pasta recipes. Using whole-wheat penne makes it a bit healthier, while stir-fry pork strips add a ton of beneficial protein to this complex and well-seasoned dish.

Bowtie Pasta With Chicken, Broccoli and Feta
Even children will love this simple, cheesy pasta dinner, and it’s a great way to get picky eaters to get a full serving of vegetables. Grilled chicken is a lean source of protein, and a full serving will leaving you feeling full without ruining your healthy diet.

Pasta Primavera
This Italian cuisine classic is jam packed with a variety of nutritious vegetables, and it takes just 20 minutes to prepare. Whole-wheat spaghetti and low-sodium tomatoes make this recipe an even healthier take on the beloved original. At just over 300 calories, this is a pasta dish that won’t make you feel guilty about indulging.

For more healthy, nutritious pasta recipes, visit the NIH website here.

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In a Pinch? Memorize These Common Cooking Substitutes

September 3, 2014 by

If you want to try out a new recipe but you don’t have time to run out to the grocery store, don’t sweat it. These helpful ingredient substitutions will show you how to use an item that you have on hand in place of one that you don’t, and they just may save your entire dish.

  1. Beef or Chicken Broth. Though it is easier to use a pre-packaged broth, there are ways around it. Simply mix one bullion cube with one cup of boiling water to create a simple broth, or blend one tablespoon of soy sauce with enough water to equal one cup.
  2. Brown Sugar. For sweeter dishes, substitute one cup of white sugar plus 1/4 cup of molasses in place of one cup of standard brown sugar, but be sure to decrease the liquid in the rest of the recipe by 1/4 up. 1 1/4 cup of confectioner’s sugar will also work.
  3. Buttermilk. Instead of less-common buttermilk, mix one tablespoon of vinegar with enough regular milk to equal one cup.
  4. Honey. 1 1/4 cup of white sugar plus 1/3 cup of water is an equal substitution for one cup of regular honey. You can also use one cup of corn syrup.

Common Ingredients Substitutions [All Recipes]
Cooking: Ingredient Substitutions [UNL Food]
Baking Ingredient Substitution Table [Joy of Baking]

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Deliciously Unique Uses for Fresh Parsley

July 8, 2014 by

Fresh parsley is a very versatile herb, and it’s also one of the most common in any at-home herb garden. If you love the bright, fresh taste of parsley but you’re growing tired of your usual recipes, all it takes is a bit of inspiration to come up with brand new dishes. Here are three unique uses for parsley.

Parsley Ravioli with Brown Butter Sauce
Instead of the traditional Italian ravioli, why not spice things up with the decadent flavors of brown butter, ricotta cheese, and parsley. These homemade raviolis are made using won ton wrappers instead of pasta, and the robust taste of flat-leaf parsley really shines against the creamy flavor of the brown butter sauce.

Cucumber, Onion and Parsley Salad with Feta Cheese
This fast and easy salad is perfect for a quick lunch at home. The cucumber and onion make a crisp, crunchy base, while the lemon juice and olive oil blend to create a healthy dressing. Sprinkle some fresh parsley and crumbled feta cheese across the top before serving.

Chimichurri
This Argentinean sauce is similar to traditional pesto, but the addition of chili pepper gives it a bit of added spice. Fresh parsley, oregano, garlic, and olive oil create a lovely deep green color throughout the oil-based sauce. Argentineans use chimichurri as everything from a steak marinade to a pasta sauce.

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Greet a Snack Attack With These 5 Creative Popcorn Recipes

June 3, 2014 by

The typical movie theater buttered popcorn is delicious, but sometimes you just want a little something extra from your popcorn. These creative recipes will show you a variety of surprising toppings to spice up your snack, from sweet to savory and every flavor in between.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Popcorn [Swanky]
It may seem strange, but the sweet flavors from everyone’s favorite childhood lunch sandwich work just as well as a topping on your evening snack. Peanut butter and jelly popcorn takes only a few simple ingredients, and it even uses white chocolate for an extra boost of sweetness.

Nutted Popcorn [Real Simple]
Popcorn and nuts are both popular snacks, and this fun recipe combines the two into one filling bowl. Pecans, almonds, and pumpkin seeds stick to each popcorn kernel with a light, cinnamon flavored syrup, much like the kettle corn at county fairs and baseball games.

Samoa Popcorn [Babble]
Achieve the taste of the beloved Girl Scout cookie by drizzling toasted coconut, caramel, and chocolate over your salted popcorn.

Spicy Nutella Popcorn [Healthy Jalapeno]
Nutella is everyone’s favorite sweet spread, and adding spicy ancho chile powder takes this popcorn from a common snack to a gourmet treat.

Bacon and Cheese Popcorn [Popcorn.org]
Bacon is an increasingly popular addition to many dishes, and it works just as well on popcorn. In just five minutes and with a few simple ingredients, you can enjoy this bacon and cheese popcorn snack.

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Where to Find Online Pancake Recipes for All Occasions

April 1, 2014 by

Pancakes are a breakfast favorite for weekend mornings and other special occasions. The classic buttermilk pancake with butter and maple syrup is always a delicious treat, but there are a wide variety of other ways to make pancakes as well. Find some inspiration for your next pancake breakfast from these recipe websites.

All Recipes
The popular online recipe resource All Recipes offers a variety of unique, creative pancake recipes. Sunday Morning Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes are a delicious dish for a formal brunch with the family, while Chunky Monkey Pancakes with chocolate and bananas make a special treat for kids’ birthday breakfasts. If you want to improve your regular pancake recipe, All Recipes has a few tips and tricks for that as well.

Food Network
Learn to make fluffy, buttery pancakes from your favorite cooking show hosts! The Food Network’s website teaches you to make classics like potato pancakes, homemade “instant” pancake mix, and blueberry buttermilk pancakes, as well as more unique styles like the Tri-Berry Oven Pancakes or Oatmeal Cookie Pancakes. No matter your tastes, you can even search the Food Network website by ingredient to find the perfect pancakes for your family.

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