Tonight I found myself home with no plans, no guests, no menu and no agenda. I grabbed my apron and decided to take full advantage of one of life’s simple pleasures – cooking dinner. While it would be easier to meet friends out, heat up a can of soup or throw something in the microwave, there’s something magical about being in the kitchen. The chopping, sipping, stirring and mixing while listening to music that speaks to your soul.
After surveying the freezer and pantry I decide on homemade turkey meatballs and whole wheat pasta with red sauce. In the mood for something relaxing I put on Billie Holiday and select a bottle of red. Tonight I am heading out of the state and choose Blackstar Farms 2004 Cab Franc. This interesting Michigan winery has a story all its own, but I’ll save that for another time.
People often ask me about decanting wine. One of the easiest no fuss no muss ways to do this is simply uncork the bottle and pour half a glass. Let it breathe. This allows air to get into the glass and gives some room in the bottle allowing the wine to open up. Take a sip immediately after opening and then return ten minutes later for another sip, you’ll see what I’m talking about.
The meatballs are browning, pasta water is boiling and it’s time for the sauce. While I long for the day that my dear, semi-professional chef, friend Matt teaches me to make his families old-world recipe, I make due using a jar sauce as a starter. Maybe this blog post will encourage him to put me on the Sunday afternoon cooking schedule to share the secret. I know there’s something about a chicken bone!?!
Tonight it will have to be Joe - Trader Joe’s! I love their house brand sauces, I begin with tomato basil. Adding a few spices and ingredients is a great way to make the sauce your own, not to mention a great time saver. While this feels a bit like cheating, I draw the line at some substitutions. I always use fresh garlic and hand grated Parmesan Reggiano cheese they make all the difference!
Cheers to a delicious and relaxing evening!
After surveying the freezer and pantry I decide on homemade turkey meatballs and whole wheat pasta with red sauce. In the mood for something relaxing I put on Billie Holiday and select a bottle of red. Tonight I am heading out of the state and choose Blackstar Farms 2004 Cab Franc. This interesting Michigan winery has a story all its own, but I’ll save that for another time.
People often ask me about decanting wine. One of the easiest no fuss no muss ways to do this is simply uncork the bottle and pour half a glass. Let it breathe. This allows air to get into the glass and gives some room in the bottle allowing the wine to open up. Take a sip immediately after opening and then return ten minutes later for another sip, you’ll see what I’m talking about.
The meatballs are browning, pasta water is boiling and it’s time for the sauce. While I long for the day that my dear, semi-professional chef, friend Matt teaches me to make his families old-world recipe, I make due using a jar sauce as a starter. Maybe this blog post will encourage him to put me on the Sunday afternoon cooking schedule to share the secret. I know there’s something about a chicken bone!?!
Tonight it will have to be Joe - Trader Joe’s! I love their house brand sauces, I begin with tomato basil. Adding a few spices and ingredients is a great way to make the sauce your own, not to mention a great time saver. While this feels a bit like cheating, I draw the line at some substitutions. I always use fresh garlic and hand grated Parmesan Reggiano cheese they make all the difference!
Cheers to a delicious and relaxing evening!
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2 comments:
Amen, sister - cooking is therapeutic. And sauce cheating aside :), I long for the day Columbia has its very own Trader Joe's.
Can you get Black Star Farms wine in Columbia?
Always looking for a good meatball recipe, wanna share?
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