Baccala Recipe: Holiday Wine Match

Baccala or bacalhau is the Portuguese dried and salted fish dish for Christmas dinner. “Bacalhau” is the Portuguese word for cod, although the dish now incorporates other types of fish due to the overfishing of cod. It is believed that there are more than a thousand recipes for baccala, though most include salted and dried fish, potatoes, onions, tomatoes and olives. try this recipe for baccala.   Ingredients   Preparation   Please share your tips on preparing this recipe or another baccala recipe in the comments below. Return to the Joy to the World Holiday Wine Match.

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Moroccan Lamb Recipe: Holiday Wine Match

This slow-cooked savory lamb stew celebrates the end of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar that Muslims observe by fasting. The stew combines spices and herbs, such as cumin, coriander, cilantro, ginger, fennel and cayenne pepper, and is often served on a bed of couscous. Ingredients   Preparation   Please share your tips on preparing this recipe or another Moroccan lamb recipe in the comments below. Return to the Joy to the World Holiday Wine Match.

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Collard Greens Recipe: Holiday Wine Match

This African side dish that is part of the feast for Kwanzaa, a week-long celebration of culture, community and family from December 26 to January 1 that is observed in both West African nations as well as by those of African descent in Canada, the United States and other countries. “Kwanzaa” is derived from Swahili meaning “first fruits of the harvest.” The loose-leafed collard greens are simmered in chicken stock, then spiced with chili flakes and other seasonings.   Ingredients   Preparation   Please share your tips on preparing this recipe or another collard greens recipe in the comments below. […]

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Fruitcake Recipe: Holiday Wine Match

A traditional United Kingdom dessert made from candied fruit, dried fruit, nuts and spices that is soaked in spirits. It is especially associated with Christmas and weddings. The earliest known recipes came from ancient Rome, and then soon spread throughout Europe. In the U.K., a round fruitcake is usually covered with marzipan (sugar and honey), and then a hard white icing made from beaten egg whites. Ingredients   Preparation   Please share your tips on preparing this recipe or another fruitcake recipe in the comments below. Return to the Joy to the World Holiday Wine Match.

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Roast Turkey Recipe: Holiday Wine Match

Roast turkey is the centerpiece of Canadian and American Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday tables. It’s associated with the Pilgrims who were introduced to it by Native North Americans. Side dishes often include cranberry sauce, bread stuffing, giblet gravy, oyster stew, sweet potatoes and creamed corn. Ingredients   Preparation   Please share your tips on preparing this recipe or another turkey recipe in the comments below. Return to the Joy to the World Holiday Wine Match.  

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LCBO Best Wines: Gnarly Head Zinfandel, Oyster Bay Pinot Noir Vintages September 14

  Here are my top wine picks from the September 14 Vintages Release. VIP Members can access all 53 wines that I reviewed as a text shopping list with my complete tasting notes, scores, food matches and the stock for each bottle in their closest LCBO stores. Stock numbers are usually posted online a day or two before the release based on the LCBO doing so. You can also see the September 28 LCBO Vintages reviews. They can also add my wine picks to their custom shopping list with one click and access that list on their smartphone. This is […]

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LCBO Wines: Australia Shiraz, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Niagara Chardonnay Vintages September 28

  Here are my top wine picks from the September 28 Vintages Release, the most quoted Canadian source of reviews in this release. VIP Members can access all 80 wines that I reviewed as a text shopping list with my complete tasting notes, scores, food matches and the stock for each bottle in their closest LCBO stores. Stock numbers are usually posted online a day or two before the release based on the LCBO doing so. You can also see the September 14 LCBO Vintages reviews. They can also add my wine picks to their custom shopping list with one […]

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Wine of the Week: Menage A Trois Red, California

Friday’s advice: If you have to ask if it’s too early to drink wine … you’re an amateur and we can’t be friends. This quote seemed most fitting for the saucy name on this red that delivers more than just a smile in the bottle. Cheers, Natalie Sale Ends: September 15, 2013 Sale Price: $15.95 | Save: $2.00 (Usually $17.95) Natalie’s Score: 90/100 Menage A Trois Red California Don’t buy it for the whimsical name: buy it because it’s good! Loaded with black fruit and dark chocolate aromas. Smooth and full-bodied with a lovely juiciness for many dishes. A blend […]

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Canada’s Wine Trends and Regions: Lang and O’Leary Exchange

Join me tonight on CBC’s Lang and O’Leary Exchange, the national television news program with hosts Amanda Lang and Kevin O’Leary (also of Dragon’s Den and Shark Tank). We’ll be chatting at 4:20 pm EST about trends in the Canadian wine industry as well as emerging new regions to watch from the perspective of Canada’s largest wine site and social media community. Speaking of Kevin O’Leary, you may find this Google + Video interview to the left with him about his own wines of interest. He’s definitely the “merchant of truth” even when it comes to wine ;) Enjoy your […]

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Wine of the Week: Malivoire Guilty Men Red, Ontario

This wine of the week shouldn’t spark any feelings of guilt, especially given the price. Cheers, Natalie Sale Ends: September 15, 2013 Sale Price: $13.95 | Save: $1.00 (Usually $14.95) Natalie’s Score: 89/100 Malivoire Wine Company Guilty Men Red V.Q.A., Niagara Peninsula, Ontario An incredibly tasty wine for the money! Wow. Luscious aromas and flavours of fleshy ripe plums and dark berries fill the glass and your senses. There’s some smoky cherries on the finish that make you sidle up closer to the bottle for a top up. Wonderfully supple! Guilty Men Red food pairings: grilled meats, roasted poultry, vegetarian […]

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