Tag Archives: wine

paris: the new workout

29 May

we’re planning on going to paris in december.

 i’ve been wanting to go to paris for over 25 years.  i just really wanted to go with someone i loved.  like romantically (sorry mom.)

Amy Robert

so now, ROF is using his one week of vacation to take me there!  december may seem like an odd time to go, don’t you think?  not the spring when the buds on the trees are budding and the lovers are strolling down the Seine.  sidetracked <i hate that word ‘lovers’ by the way.  love-er.  almost hate that as much as the M word.>  

but there is a reason i picked december.  

it is the last month in the year and i’d like to lose 40 lbs before going to paris.  i better start.  that’s a lot of weight in not a lot of time.  the problem is, i don’t really want to change anything.  it’s no secret that ROF and i like the good life.  and that is what it is.  indulgence.  we like good friends, good wine, good food, good everything!  and i love living that kind of life with ROF.  but i’m going to have to tap the brakes, as they say, before paris.

Screen shot 2013-05-29 at 8.58.59 PM

because this is my DREAM TRIP and i can’t settle for anything less than feeling great while i’m there.

so if you have some diet pointers (other than stop opening your mouth and eating good things) – send them my way.  use the code word “PARIS”.  I’ll know what you’re talking about.

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wine night fight night

30 Sep

this past thursday, we were the guests of our friends demian and lauren at scardello cheese store for a “showdown of the wine reps”.

the concept was this: the store has terrific wine reps that visit the store and thought it would be a good idea to pair them against each other.  a bit of a throwdown, you could say.  so 3 reps brought 4 bottles of their best wines and scardello paired them with some outstanding cheese.  each rep told us the story of the vineyard and the wine and we – along with about 30 other people – got to vote after each of the 4 rounds.  the winner was crowned with a hat of wine corks.

what a fun evening.  got me thinking how fun this would be to do at home.  have three couples over who each bring their favorite bottle of red, white and sparkling.  we have to sell our wine to the other couples and then there is an overall winner.  the only problem with that is that we’d all vote for our own wine.  that could be an issue…

maybe i need to think about this a minute.  any thoughts?

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stuffed brie, paradise & vino

31 Aug

by m. decker

“if you’re alone, i’ll be your shadow. if you want to cry, i’ll be your shoulder. if you want a hug, i’ll be your pillow. if you need to be happy, i’ll be your smile… but anytime you need a friend, i’ll just be me.” – anon

the above quote pretty much sums up my love and adoration of “the appreciator.”  so, when she asked if i wanted to post a recipe on her blog, i instantly said yes! as the best female friend always obliges.

the “appreciator” and i met many light years ago at a dog park in uptown dallas (yes, very romantic..)  our dogs instantly clicked, which left us with little choice but to go out for an alcoholic beverage at our favorite pooch patio (for the sake of the dogs, of course!).  luckily for all of us, the booze never ran out, the laughter never stopped and the friendship blossomed.  i feel blessed to have you in my life.

the below mushroom stuffed brie was recently created on vacation in Seaside, FL.  30A, is the 20-mile scenic shore tucked neatly between destin and panama city beach, florida, or as my son called it, “paradise mommy.”

mushroom stuffed brie a la “30A”

ingredients

  • sancerre sauvignon blanc – in a glass, straight up
  • chopped mushrooms — (2 hands full)  cos that’s how I roll
  • chopped fresh garlic –  (1 clove) yes, the real stuff you have to peel
  • chopped crabmeat – (1 generous hand full) preferably not from Fiesta
  • one egg  — (1) beaten not stirred
  • defrosted phyllo pastry sheet – (2 sheets) “fee-lo” for all you Southern Folk
  • round of brie –– (the bigger the better) – “that’s what she said..”

 

what next?

  • set your oven to 350 degrees on bake.
  • in a pan, fry with butter the mushrooms, garlic and splosh of wine.  sprinkle salt and pepper to season.
  • slice the brie in half (like a bread roll) and stuff the cooked fried pan mix from above in the middle of the brie.

  • place the crabmeat on top of the fried pan mix.  cover this with the brie top – sandwich style. drizzle salt, pepper and EVOO on top of brie.
  • swaddle the whole brie with the phyllo pastry sheets, like an itty bitty baby.
  • baste the egg over the fillo before putting in the oven :
  • place itty bitty baby brie in the oven for 20mins or so.
  • remove from oven and eat with a spoon or crackers of your choice.

to quote woody allen (the “appreciator’s” favorite movie icon), “i am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose.”

enjoy!

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