Savings & Enjoymment

        The holidays are right around the corner. Before you know it, Christmas will be here and soon after the New Year. It's the time to save but you can also have a nice lunch or dinner on a decent  budget. Some worry that to have a nice glass of wine, you have to spend  a lot of money. This is not always true. Italian dishes are great with wine but there are also other cultural dishes that make nice pairs with wine. 

Recipe for thought***  Chicken Enchiladas with Yellow Rice and Malbec Wine

2 pounds of chicken breast                          1 chicken taco seasoning
6-8 flour tortillas                                        1 enchilada sauce mix
1/4 cup red peppers                                    1 1/2 cups shredded cheese
8 oz tomato sauce                                      1 package yellow rice

     Cut chicken into strips or cube into small size pieces. Saute' chicken and red peppers until cooked through well. Add taco seasoning mix as directed to season chicken and set aside to cool. Make enchilada sauce as directed and assemble enchiladas using tortilla, sprinkle of shredded cheese and seasoned chicken. Arrange enchiladas in pan or glass dish and cover with desired amount of sauce and cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 to 20 minutes. While enchiladas are baking, prepare yellow rice as directed and serve enchiladas over rice. 
     This dish is paired with Malbec wine. It is a full-flavored wine with fruits such as blackberries and plums that bring out a unique taste. The Malbec grape is great for blending and great among red wines. Even if your not in the mood for a Mexican dish, Malbec also goes well with tomato based Italian, Cajun taste such as jambalaya or Indian cuisines. Never think your options are limited. 
     Serving sizes for this meal are at least 2 people and 4 people at the most. The grand total comes to approximately $15 including your wine. Prices may vary depending on store and brand of Malbec wine. So if your entertaining a few guest or having a cultural dish for two, you can have wine at a good price. 

THE Sweet Grape

     There are so many people that like sweet wines. A popular sweet grape is the Muscat grape. It is used to make so many varieties of Moscato Wine along with sparkling wines. This grape can create so many different distinct flavors that this wines can be enjoyed just standing alone. But whenever ordering a dessert, Moscato wine is always a good choice. Plus you don't have to limit yourself to just a night out.
     Moscato wine can be paired with desserts you can make right at home. Although desserts that are made with fruits usually pair really well with wines, it is also best to choose a wine slightly less sweeter than your dessert. Tasty options include:

Vanilla Bean Cheesecake
Marbled Brownies
Apple Dumplings 
Blueberry Cobbler
Chewy White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

Recipe for Thought*** White Chocolate Chunk Cookies with Moscato d'Asti 

Chewy Fudge Brownie Mix
2 cups of white chocolate chunks
1/3 cup of oil
2 large egg

     Preheat oven to 350 degrees and in mixing bowl combine, brownie mix, oil and eggs. Stir with a fork and then add white chocolate chunks to cookie dough. Spoon out tablespoons of cookie dough on a ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 12 minutes or until cookies are set. The Moscato d'Asti is a sparkling wine among the varieties. It pairs well with white chocolate but always remember, there are other options for you to try with white chocolate. 
     Even though Moscato can be paired with desserts, it is always best to test out all possibilities for your taste buds. You may find that you like this wine paired or more so just as a crisp glass for the evening. 

Tasty Red!

     Cabernet Sauvignon! Enough said.. The taste is smooth and when paired with the right dish, it dances across the pallet of your tongue. Cabernet is also a red wine that improves with age. While two and three years old Cabernet's are great, even older cellar years have amazing flavor. These wines have been known to drive collectors crazy and are well worth the wait.
     When it comes to food, Cabernet Sauvignon can combine and bring out qualities of the wine that you didn't know existed. This tasty red goes great with strong cheese, red meats, and red pastas. It also is not limited to just a main dish. For any and every chocolate lover, it can mesmerizer your sweet buds. Some ideas for a harmonious meals or desserts include:

* Grilled Ribye Steak with Cheddar Garlic Mashed Potatoes
* Ground Beef and Sharp Cheddar Cheese Pizza
* Lamb Burgers with Gouda and Arugula
* 3-Cheese Ground Beef Lasagna
* Espresso Dark Chocolate Cookies
* Black Forest Chocolate Cake

     These are recipes that can be searched on all general recipe websites. Some may be even passed down through the family or created to ones taste. The key is to know what meals pair with Cabernet's and always remember, there is nothing like having a chilled glass paired with a quiet evening.

Making It Special

     An ideal evening to relax and not worry about the day you had at work, is to enjoy a glass of wine. Whether it is with a meal, dessert or standing alone. Pinot Grigo is a smooth white wine. It is enjoyable at room temperature but amazing chilled. Although it is slightly sweet, depending on what brand and whether it is made with pears or melons, it develops a soothing undertone that sticks with you. It is great to pair with pastas and light desserts. An acceptable dish is Pinot Grigio and Garlic Chicken Orzo. 
         

Recipe for thought***

                                   2 pounds of chicken breast
                                   1/2 stick of butter or 1/2 cup margarine
                                   1/2 clove of garlic 
                                   1 tsp of garlic powder
                                   1/2 tsp italian seasoning
                                   1/4 tsp onion powder
                                   1/8 tsp salt
                                   pinch of black pepper
                                   1 cup orzo pasta 
                                   2 tbsp of sunflower oil

     Cube chicken breast and season with Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt and black pepper. Saute' garlic and chicken with sunflower oil  in a large skillet until chicken is no longer pink. Biol orzo as directed on packet and drain. Mix orzo and cooked chicken while hot with butter until butter is melted  through. Last, add garlic powder to pasta and serve. 
      The flavor is light and the butter sauce doesn't over-power the wine. This meal would go great for a special occasion or to make any day of the week special. Don't hesitate to have a great Italian wine right at home.