Champagne Shallot Walnut Dressing

From Stonewall Kitchen
The refined taste of Champagne vinegar, shallots, and walnut oil join for an enchanting take in this very tasty Stonewall Kitchen Champagne Shallot Walnut Dressing. It turns any salad into a masterpiece, enhances roasted vegetables, and Read more…

Coq Au Vin Blanc

Wine Country Chicken
Living as close as we do to The Napa Valley is a very cool thing for those of us who occasionally enjoy a nice sip of wine. Spending time amongst the vines and sunshine is always a great way to enjoy your day even if you’re not wine tasting. (Eating your way through the area isn’t a bad pastime either except, perhaps, for your waistline.)

While the Napa Valley is known for its big Cabernets and oaky Chardonnays, personally I prefer the lighter wines. I admit, I am a Sauvignon Blanc kinda gal. A crisp cold glass while relaxing on my patio after a long day at work sounds like heaven to me but I would not turn down a lovely Rosé either.

I am the same way when cooking with wine. I will almost always substitute a white wine for a red except for those recipes where you just cannot like this Beef Bourguignon https://piedmontgrocery.com/beef-bourguignon/. One exception to that philosophy that I have found is coq au vin.

I love coq au vin any time of the year, although most people think of it as a Fall dish. However, if you use a white wine or even a Rosé, this Coq au Vin Blanc dish lightens up considerably and transforms into a great meal for a warm spring evening. I mean, you really can’t ever go wrong with wine, chicken, and garlic together in any form. And, if you can find fresh morel mushrooms, even better.

I used rosé in the recipe below, but you can always swap it out for your favorite white just be sure to save a little for sipping as you wait.

Coq Au Vin Blanc Recipe
Yields 4 servings
Adapted from NY Times Cooking Read more…

Mumbai Snack Mix

From Indian Life
Mumbai Snack Mix is a delicious snack made with delicately spiced chickpeas, peanuts, and green peas. It can be considered a healthier alternative to chips and is loaded with authentic Indian flavor.

Mumbai Snack Mix makes a delicious topping Read more…

Spiced Roasted Cashews (Masala Kaju)

Kind Of Nutty
I’m not exactly sure when the recent nut craze began. People have been eating nuts for centuries. But it seems that recently nuts have been having a moment. My best theory is because of the popularity of the Paleo diet. But, there are so many other possibilities—not the least of which is that they are tasty—especially when they are spicy. Chili-Lime anyone?

Many world cultures and cuisines enjoy spiced nuts as a snack and India is one of them, with cashews being the most popular. Sometimes they are fried and eaten simply with a dusting of salt. Other times they are covered in fiery chili or other flavorful spices.

No matter how you prefer to eat your favorite nuts, be they spicy or sweet, you can forget about having to purchase them at your favorite retail establishment. Making your own spiced nuts at home is easy and has the added benefit of customization. Personally, I like my cashews a little spicy with a touch of curry powder or garam masala.

Go ahead and experiment. Roasted nuts are great by themselves as an afternoon snack or sprinkled on your favorite salad for some added crunch.

Spiced Roasted Cashews (Masala Kaju)
Adapted from Cook with Kushi
Yields 1 cup

Spiced Roasted Cashews is a crispy and delicious snack you can whip up in 20 minutes. We have included three spice blends: Salted Chili, Pepper Garlic, and Pakora. But, the potential varieties are endless.

They make a great snack and are a welcomed addition to a party snack tray or with afternoon tea. Read more…