There's probably nobody that looks forward to the arrival of Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte more than I do. Alright, maybe there's a few other die-hard fans out there but my love of the PSL (as it's affectionately known to its fans) blossomed under unique circumstances.
I had to undergo extensive hip surgery in January of 2011 and during my recovery my husband Steve brought me a PSL every morning to cheer me up. Needless to say, I've been in love with the PSL ever since! And since then, this drink has become quite popular (it even has it's own Twitter account) and my enduring penchant for the PSL compelled me to create an alcoholic version of this Fall favorite.
It would've been easy to just purchase Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice syrup to make this drink, however, unlike many of their other flavors, the coveted PSL syrup is not for sale so I had to improvise. Unlike Starbucks' version, this recipe uses real pumpkin as well as a few other easy to find ingredients. This time of year orange colored sugar can be found at craft stores or gourmet markets and pumpkin pie spice is located in the spice aisle of your local market. Feel free to adjust the final sweetness level according to your personal taste and I hope you enjoy this edition of Cocktail Couture as much as we do.
I'd also like to wish everyone a very Happy and Delicious Halloween!
P.S. If you're looking for a delicious dish to dazzle your Halloween party guests, this Savory Severed Arm in Marinara Sauce is a hands-down favorite!
print recipe"PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE MARTINI"
Makes 1 drink
INGREDIENTS
3 Tablespoons vodka
2 Tablespoons half and half
2 Tablespoons coffee (Starbucks House Blend works nicely)
1 Tablespoon sugar (or 2 Splenda or other artificial sweetener packets)
1 teaspoon canned pumpkin puree
2 teaspoons maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin spice
Orange colored sugar (available at craft stores or gourmet markets)
Juice of 1 lime or lemon
Combine orange colored sugar and 1/8 teaspoon of pumpkin spice on a small plate. Dip the rim of a chilled martini glass in a dish of lime/lemon juice and then dip in sugar and spice mixture to coat the rim.
Add vodka, half and half, coffee, sugar or sweetener, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, remaining 1/8 teaspoon pumpkin spice to a martini shaker and fill with ice. Shake vigorously to chill drink mixture and strain into prepared glass.
Garnish with additional pumpkin spice if desired and enjoy!
The weather’s getting chilly, the holidays are coming and who doesn’t want someone special to snuggle up with when the weather man issues the first “Snuggle Alert” of the season?
I’m here to help set the mood for l’amour with my latest installment of Wines of the Week featuring four fabulous “Date Night Wines.” So whether you’ve got a (1) Casual First Date, (2) Hot Date with your new Match.com crush, (3) Special Occasion Date or (4) ‘Date Night’ with your husband or wife of many years on the calendar, I’ve got something for everyone!
1.) Galerie Naissance Sauvignon Blanc, Napa, California, 2015 ($30): This elegant white wine from winemaker Laura Díaz Muñoz is a STEAL and is so incredibly versatile it can pair with pretty much any date OR situation. So whether you’ve got a picnic at the beach or movie night at home planned you’re GOOD to GO! And this isn’t your everyday Sauvignon Blanc either, Muñoz ferments one third of the grapes in stainless steel for crispness, another third in French oak for aromatics and the remaining third in concrete egg for minerality resulting in a thoroughly enjoyable, complex wine. The name “Naissance” also means “New Beginning” in French and who knows…this first date could be the beginning of something special!
2.) Cuvaison Spire Pinot Noir, Carneros, California, 2013 ($50): There is no grape sexier than Pinot Noir. It’s temperamental, expensive, high maintenance and often called “the heartbreak grape” by the winemakers themselves but you know what? It’s TOTALLY worth it! Pinot Noir is highly aromatic with seductive aromas & flavors of black cherries, chocolate, earth and spice with an undeniably supple, sexy and sensuous mouthfeel…think liquid velvet. There’s simply NO better wine for a Hot Date and I love this special splurge from Cuvaison’s sustainably farmed Estate Vineyard!
3.) Taittinger Prestige Brut Rosé Champagne, Reims, France, NV ($70): Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary or even an engagement, Champagne is the perfect choice for the Special Occasion Date. I adore this delightful rosé from Taittinger which gets its gorgeous pink hue from the addition of still Pinot Noir wine which imparts delicious notes of strawberry and raspberry to the finished wine. It’s fuller body also makes it perfect for Fall. And since true Champagne can only come from the Champagne region of France (for Champagne 101, click here), don’t show up with a bottle of a bargain bubbly – an inexpensive bottle like Prosecco might just to get you ghosted!
4.) Chateau Le Trois Croix, Fronsac, Bordeaux, 2011 ($35): ‘Date Night’ or simply taking a night to focus on each other without the intrusion of kids, work, pets or phones is very necessary in this day and age. But rather than blowing a lot of money on an expensive bottle of wine, why not just enjoy something with some special significance to both of you? Picking a wine you enjoyed on your first date or discovered during a trip or special meal can be a way of upping the intimacy without breaking the bank. This bottle has special significance to my hubby and me (please watch video below for ALL the deets!) and is a total STEAL at $35 a bottle.
For ALL the details on these special “Date Night Wines,” please watch the Facebook LIVE video above and to view past episodes of “Wines of the Week” on Facebook LIVE, please click here. And if YOU have any favorite “Date Night Wines” I’d LOVE to hear about the in the Comments section below!
Cheers,
The post Wines of the Week: “Date Night Wines” on Facebook LIVE appeared first on The Glamorous Gourmet.
This week’s tragedy in Las Vegas has left me reeling. While terribly cruel and savage on its own, the fact that it happened on the heels of a string of catastrophic natural disasters (Hurricanes Irma and Maria as well as earthquakes in Mexico) makes me want to curl up in a big, cozy blanket with my dogs and never. leave. the. house.
Unfortunately, if I were to do that, I’d be letting fear win which is NOT an option. Plus, I’d have to venture out sooner or later to stock up on food and wine anyway. So I thought I’d share five of my favorite Comfort Food Recipes that are perfect for everything from soothing a broken heart to restoring your faith in humanity.
As always, wine pairings ARE included.
1.) Smoky Stuffed Cabbage Soup: This favorite, inspired by my husband’s Ukrainian heritage, includes delicious Savoy cabbage, ground beef and pork, fresh dill, tomatoes and garlic in a savory, smoky-paprika infused broth.
Wine Pairing: A medium-bodied Italian red wine like Barbera d’Asti or Dolcetto from Piedmont
2.) Moroccan Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemons: I always found this delicious North African dish daunting because I thought I had to buy special equipment to make it. But guess what? I was WRONG! Featuring mouthwatering flavors of chicken thighs, ginger, saffron, turmeric, cilantro and green olives, you are guaranteed to enjoy.
Wine Pairing: Pair with a Spanish white wine like a Godello or Rioja Blanco
3.) Arroz con Pollo (Spanish Chicken & Rice): This delicious, Spanish-inspired dish is a classic one pot meal. So if time is an issue, opt for this comfort food recipe which features meaty chicken pieces, piquillo peppers, saffron and dry white wine. The dish’s beautiful colors make a dazzling presentation as well.
Wine Pairing: Pair with a Spanish white wine like an Albariño or Viura.
4.) Quick Coq au Vin: This dish is a Glamorous Gourmet favorite and French comfort food at its best! A riff on the famed classic French recipe from Burgundy, this reimagined “quick” version can be on the table and ready to eat in under an hour AND packs oodles of delicious flavor.
Wine Pairing: Enjoy this dish with a hearty red Burgundy or Cru Beaujolais.
5.) Lamb Ragu with Tagliatelle Pasta: If it’s pasta you’re craving – look NO further! This divine recipe features ground lamb, garlic, shallots, red wine and purchased marinara sauce so you’re not stuck over the stove ALL day. Topped with fresh ricotta and mint leaves, you’ll feel instantly transported to Tuscany.
Wine Pairing: A Tuscan full-bodied red wine like Montepulciano d’Abruzzo or Chianti Classico Riserva
The post 5 Essential Comfort Food Recipes & Wines to Pair With appeared first on The Glamorous Gourmet.
And all at once, Summer collapsed into Fall.” ~ Oscar Wilde
As much as I love Fall, it doesn't feel like it's official until I've made one of my favorite desserts of ALL time, Ina Garten's mouth wateringly delicious Pear Clafouti.
Somehow the heavenly aroma of ripe Bartlett pears, sugar, vanilla, pear brandy and lemon zest baking away in the oven makes it truly official for me, despite what the calendar might say. So if you're looking to ring in the season with something sweet this month, this delightful recipe is the perfect choice and it also couldn't be easier to make.
And if you've never "clafoutied" before (YES, it can be used as a verb), a clafouti is essentially a baked dessert that originated in the Limousin region of Southwest France. It features sliced fruit (traditionally cherries but pears are in season longer), arranged in a buttered dish which are then covered with a custard-like batter and baked until golden brown. The clafouti is then dusted with confectioners' sugar and served warm or at room temperature. Honestly, I'll take it any way I can get it, it's THAT delicious!
And while Ina's recipe already has pear brandy baked into it, this Pear Clafouti also happens to pair deliciously well with one of my new favorite dessert wines, the Barboursville Vineyards Passito from Virginia ($32/375mL).
Yes - V I R G I N I A!
This wine is a blend of Moscato Ottonel and Vidal grapes that were air dried in order to concentrate their flavor and sugars. The dried grapes were then pressed and the resulting juice underwent a lengthy fermentation with additional time on the lees to accentuate the wine's mouthfeel. The result is a viscous, luscious wine with notes of spiced pear, candied citrus and vanilla which still retains a bright acidity and lightness to balance its sweetness. If you can’t find this glorious dessert wine a Sauternes from Bordeaux or an Italian Moscato d’Asti will be equally as fabulous!
If you find yourself hankering for something other than pumpkin spice to satisfy your sweet tooth and put you in the Fall spirit, you can't go wrong with this recipe. Just be sure you also have some of your favorite vanilla ice cream on hand to round out the experience (Haagen-Dazs is the BOMB!).
I really hope you enjoy this recipe for Pear Clafouti and do YOU have a favorite Fall dessert OR dessert wine you look forward to all year? If so, I'd love to know so please let me know in the Comments section below.
"FALL DELICIOUSNESS: INA GARTEN’S PEAR CLAFOUTI"
Author: Ina Garten | Barefoot in Paris
Pair this delicious recipe with a luscious, white dessert wine like the Barboursville Vineyards Passito from Virginia, a Sauternes from Bordeaux or an Italian Moscato d’Asti!
Ingredients
1 Tablespoon unsalted butter, room temperature
1/3 cup plus 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
3 extra-large eggs, room temperature
6 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest (1 lemon)
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
2 Tablespoons pear brandy such as Poire William
2-3 firm but ripe Bartlett pears
Confectioners' sugar
Instructions
) Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 10 x 1 1/2-inch round baking dish and sprinkle the bottom and sides with 1 Tablespoon of the granulated sugar.
) Beat the egs and the 1/3-cup of granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixerfited with a paddle attachement on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. On low speed, mix in the flour, cream, vanilla extract, lemon zest, Kosher salt and pear brandy. Set aside for 10 minutes.
) Meanwhile, peel, half, core and slice the pears. Arrange the slices in a single layer, slightly fanned out in the baking dish. Pour the batter over the pears and bake until the top is golden brown and the custard is firm, 35-40 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature, sprinkled with confectioners' sugar.
As much as I love Fall, it doesn’t feel like it’s official until I’ve made one of my favorite desserts of ALL time, Ina Garten’s mouth wateringly delicious Pear Clafouti.
Somehow the heavenly aroma of ripe Bartlett pears, sugar, vanilla, pear brandy and lemon zest baking away in the oven makes it truly official for me, despite what the calendar might say. So if you’re looking to ring in the season with something sweet this month, this delightful recipe is the perfect choice and it also couldn’t be easier to make.
While the recipe calls for pear brandy like Poire William, I adore this Pear Liqueur from J Vineyards!
And if you’ve never “clafoutied” before (YES, it can be used as a verb), a clafouti is essentially a French dessert which originated in the Limousin region of Southwest France. It features sliced fruit (traditionally cherries but pears are in season longer), arranged in a buttered dish which are then covered with a custard-like batter and baked until golden brown. The clafouti is then dusted with confectioners’ sugar and served warm or at room temperature. Honestly, I’ll take it any way I can get it, it’s THAT delicious!
And while Ina’s recipe already has pear brandy baked into it, this Pear Clafouti also happens to pair deliciously well with one of my new favorite dessert wines, the Barboursville Vineyards Passito from Virginia ($32/375mL). Yes – V I R G I N I A!
This wine is a blend of Moscato Ottonel and Vidal grapes which were air dried in order to concentrate their flavor and sugars. The dried grapes were then pressed and the resulting juice underwent a lengthy fermentation with additional time on the lees to accentuate the wine’s mouthfeel. The result is a viscous, luscious wine with notes of spiced pear, candied citrus and vanilla which still retains a bright acidity and lightness to balance its sweetness.
If you find yourself hankering for something other than pumpkin spice to satisfy your sweet tooth and put you in the Fall spirit, you can’t go wrong with this recipe. Just be sure you also have some of your favorite vanilla ice cream on hand to round out the experience (Haagen-Dazs is the BOMB!).
I really hope you enjoy this recipe for Pear Clafouti and do YOU have a favorite Fall dessert OR dessert wine you look forward to all year? If so, I’d love to know so please let me know in the Comments section below.
Bon appétit,
The post Fall Deliciousness: Ina Garten’s Pear Clafouti appeared first on The Glamorous Gourmet.
It’s HERE, Folks!
My FAVORITE season of the year…FALL! It’s time for cashmere sweaters, leaf peeping and pumpkin spice EVERYTHING (yes, I’m one of THOSE people) – what’s NOT to love about that!?!?
It’s also the time of year we say buh-bye to the light, refreshing whites and rosés of Summer and start embracing wines with a little more heft. Wines like Viognier, oaked Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are all excellent choices which really embody the Fall spirit. They also pair brilliantly with the delicious dishes we all love to enjoy this time of year as well like Rosemary Roasted Chicken with Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms and Lamb Ragu with Tagliatelle Pasta.
I recently had the chance to visit WPTV, our local NBC affiliate, to share some Fabulous Wines for Fall with the wonderful Roxanne Stein and John Favole (pictured above). I featured both whites and reds at a variety of price points that are sure to suit your palate AND your budget. I also did a more in depth tasting of these wines in my Facebook Live Show, Weekly Wine Picks later that day. To view both videos and learn more about these amazing wines, please scroll down and check them out below.
1.) Domaine de Triennes Viognier Sainte Fleur, Rhone, France ($18)
2.) Failla Chardonnay Sonoma Coast, Sonoma, California ($13)
3.) Chateau Saint Cosme Cotes-du Rhone, Rhone, France ($14)
4.) La Crema Fog Veil Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, California ($55)
What are YOUR favorite wines for Fall? I’d LOVE to know so please let me know in the Comments sections below.
Cheers,
The post Fabulous Wines for Fall on WPTV & Facebook LIVE! appeared first on The Glamorous Gourmet.
While a little delayed due to a bout of food poisoning (ugh!) this week’s episode of “Weekly Wine Picks” finally aired TODAY featuring some fun Labor DayWines! Better late than never, right?When picking wines for virtually any long holiday weekend which usually involves friends and family with a variety of tastes, I like to select wines that are: (1) easy to find, (2) budget friendly, (3) crowd pleasers and (4) theme appropriate (in this case, American wines). In keeping with my tried and true criteria, my picks this Labor Day are:
Charles & Charles Rosé, Columbia Valley, Washington, 2016 ($15)
Charles & Charles Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah, Columbia Valley, Washington, 2015 ($15)
The Federalist Chardonnay, Sonoma Valley, California, 2015 ($20)
The Federalist Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi, California, 2015 ($20)
To view the full “Labor Day Wines”Facebook LIVE episode and join in the ongoing conversation, please click here, or you can also watch the video below.Many thanks to all who joined me for this delayed episode. I'm so happy to be feeling better and had a lot of fun sipping wine with you. I hope to see you next Friday, September 8th at 5pm EST on my Facebook Business page where I’ll be featuring even MORE wines I hope you'll enjoy.P.S. To be notified when I go LIVE in the future, click FOLLOW and LIKE on my Facebook Businesspage OR to view previous episodes of “Weekly Wine Picks,” please click here.Cheers,
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