Category: Wine

Ingredients

2 cups butter
2 cups white sugar
9 eggs
1/4 cup white rum (optional)
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon almond extract
1 grated zest of one lime
2 pounds chopped dried mixed fruit
2 cups red wine
1 cup dark molasses
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 pinch salt

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour 2 – 9 inch round cake pans.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, then add rum, lime juice, vanilla, almond extract, and lime zest. Stir in mixed fruit, wine, and molasses. Sift together flour, baking powder, nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon, and salt. Fold into batter, being careful not to over-mix. Pour into prepared pans.

Bake in preheated oven for 80 to 90 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.

Ingredients

2 1/2 pounds sirloin tips, uncut
1/2 (750 milliliter) bottle Burgundy wine
2 (14.5 ounce) cans beef broth
4 portobello mushroom caps, sliced
1/4 cup butter
1 clove garlic, chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste
1 shallot, finely chopped
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Directions

Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sautee the shallot until transparent, then add mushrooms, and cook, covered, until darkened, about 5 minutes. Remove mushrooms from pan, and set aside. Deglaze the pan with one can of beef broth, and burgundy wine. Increase heat, and bring to a boil. Allow the mixture to boil until it has reduced by 1/3.

Grill the sirloin tips to desired doneness. Season with salt and pepper if desired. Remove to a plate, and set aside.

When the sauce is reduced, stir in the other can of beef broth, and garlic. Return to a boil, and continue to cook for another 5 to 10 minutes. Sauce will be thin like au jus. Whisk in flour, and cook until the sauce is the desired thickness. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Stir in the mushrooms. Serve tips with mushroom sauce spooned over.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large leek, cleaned and thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup Arborio rice
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth, divided
1 cup dry white wine
1/2 pound bay scallops
1/2 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 cup fresh snow peas, trimmed and halved crosswise
1 medium red bell pepper, diced
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons dried basil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook the leek and garlic until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the rice, and cook for 5 minutes more, stirring frequently.

Pour in 1 1/2 cups of the chicken broth, and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, uncovered for 5 minutes, continuing to stir. Pour in the remaining chicken broth and wine, increase heat to medium, and cook for about 5 more minutes, stirring constantly.

Add the scallops, shrimp, peas, and red pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, until the remaining liquid is almost absorbed, and the seafood has cooked, about 5 minutes. When the rice is just tender and slightly creamy, season with Parmesan cheese, basil, lemon juice, and pepper.

Ingredients

5 (4 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves – cut into 1 inch strips
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried oregano
3 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup white wine

Directions

Combine chicken with ground pepper, cheese, parsley, garlic, salt, oregano, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce and wine in a shallow bowl. Marinate in the refrigerator for several hours (overnight is best).

Preheat broiler. Remove chicken from marinade (save marinade) and place in a shallow pan. Broil 8 inches from heat, turning once, until chicken is no longer pink inside (about 15 minutes).

In a small saucepan, bring marinade to a boil. Pour over chicken, toss and serve. Yummy!