Recipes + Winery Recycled Threads

[Heirosyth]

Well, bloody hell, I lost my old reply on the old forum to this very same question.

Well, here goes again (the quick and dirty version)...

There's a number of factors that you can consider (they may not all apply, but just the same, here they are for your reference):

1) What are you having with your wine?

Basically, if you're having fish, go with a "white" wine.
If you're having red meat, go with a "red" wine.
If you're having chicken or pork, it's up to you.

2) What kind of wine do you prefer?

What someone else prefers, you may not, and the whole range of wines out there is as diverse as it is to appeal to all tastes.

Personally, I enjoy drier red wines, like Pinot Noirs and Chiantis. While French wine is certainly some of the best, California Pinots are great as well, and Chiantis are of course Italian. However, an Argentinian Malbec, and Australian Shiraz are also among my favorites as well, so *do not* limit yourself to just California or Europe; feel free to explore!

For white wines, I enjoy Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and Rieslings. They tend to be more tart, and crisper.

I have no interest in Merlot, Cabernets, or any sort of blush (ie, White Zinfandel). Between red and white, if I had to choose, Reds win.

3) How much money are you willing to spend?

Most of the time, the more expensive wines are generally better, but not always. I would encourage you to not go as cheap as possible, and never buy what can come in a jug or box (if you see that as an option for the brand you plan on buying, avoid that). However, there are some very affordable and very tasty wines made by wineries that are trying to break into the market and will cost much less than the traditional big names. The best thing you can do is look up wine reviewers and see what they say. Many times they can point you to a wine that is both tasty and affordable.

4) Just experiment! I've found many wines I like by doing just that. Sometimes, you just have to find the wine that works for you, and that's exactly how you come to discover what you like best. If you're a fan of Zinfandels, knock yourself out. Just because I don't like them, doesn't mean you shouldn't enjoy them!

5) Don't be afraid to ask someone who seems to know his/her wines! I've gotten a few favorites by reading what others recommend.

Hope that helps!

~Heirosyth, Closet Wine Connoisseur

[Gabriel Zero]

My friend and I were having a discussion on the muffin-cupcake spectrum: what exactly is the muffin cupcake spectrum and does it have more than one variable?

I’ve always thought that muffins were healthier versions of their cupcake brethren, but he was quick to point out chocolate muffins and the like. He’s always seen it in terms of size, muffins always being bigger than cupcakes.

So, I come to you. What is the muffin-cupcake spectrum?

[Anne Bonny]

Even bran muffins have loads of fat in them. So the health factor doesn't work. Therefore, we must go by taste. And if frosting>no frosting, then cupcake>muffin.

[Mysteria]

and one must take into factor that most muffins/cupcakes are based on the same ingredients. Also, you must ask yourself, does the muffin have a streusel topping in which case makes it the equivalent of a cupcake with icing.

[Mockingjay]

The only thing I can sort of make is tuna.

... and I only make that when there is no food in the house.

[Mysteria]

I love making home made baked mac and cheese, lasagna, scalloped potatoes, and all different kinds of chicken. I do ok with steaks on a grill but no so much making them on the stove.

[StormyNyte]

I can cook just about anything so long as I have a recipe.

[The Gypsy Queen]

I'm not half bad. My enchiladas are famous, as are my stuffed shells. I've got a whole list of oddball but delicious recipes.

[Stream]

Name it, I can cook it. Venison in a dark chocolate sauce is my personal favorite, but I can make really good spinach and ricotta ravioli.

I'm also great with shellfish, though that stuff is too easy to make. Lobster's a lot simpler then people like to make it out to be, and all you have to do is give it a decent side. My personal favorite with them are spring rolls, but that's just me.

Yeah, I like cooking. A lot.

[The Gypsy Queen]

I have to get some recipes from you!