Rouxbe’s Cherry and Wine Cake

I like to be guided by serendipity. My honey told me last Wednesday night, when we met for dinner, that his neighbor had given him a fresh bag of cherries from her tree, adjacent to his garden. He wasn’t sure what to do with them all. On Thursday I received one of the latest Rouxbe posts in my in-box. Sure enough, there was a recipe for a nice cherry torte. On Saturday, while he was working on a side job, I went to work on this recipe. It turned out to be a perfect grown-up dessert on a hot summer Vancouver night: not too sweet, with a healthy dose of white wine. Served with a bit of ice cream, it was a perfect ending, enjoyed on a cool evening  garden patio. I’ll be keeping this recipe close by to try with other fruit this season.

Cooking videos websites

Came across a couple of cooking video sites today, courtesy of Ohio.com. The first one is called The Food Channel, part of the larger AnswersTV lifestyle network. Nice series of recipes and tips and tricks free videos. There is also an extensive series with Chefs and restaurants. Quite nice. In addition, you can pair these videos with the Wine Channel, and its  “Wine School”, another free series of videos on wine.

The second one is Active Cooks. Think of it as the YouTube for aspiring tv chefs. Always wanted to have your own cooking show? Here’s your platform! There’s a mixture of slick and homespun videos. The site has a little over 170 members and membership is free.

Take out your pots and pans, get your “mise” ready and let the cameras roll…

Dinner with Paul Newman, all its Own

Paul Newman, the food brand, is branching out into wines. According to the Boston Herald, the conglomerate, which has donated some $200 million to charities since its inception, is partnering with wine company Wine Rebel Co. to develop a cabernet sauvignon and a chardonnay. According to Newman:

“Wine was the only thing missing at dinner time. Now the meal is complete.”

Newman’s Own, best known for its dressings, also now offers everything from salad mixes to pretzels and pet foods. (Who knew?). No news if the wine, to be bottled this December and retailing for $16 in the US, will be available in Canada.

Would you care to sniff the straw?…

The new wine tetrapaks are slowly making their way into liquor stores, gaining quite a few fans in the process. French Rabbit hit the shelves earlier this year in the Lower Mainland and rapidly sold out. Cordier Mestrezat Grands Crus, a century-old French wine maker is taking this packaging even further by adding a special straw. According to Max Colchester of The Wall Street Journal:

“…it announced plans to sell wine, dubbed Tandem, in an 8.5 ounce carton that comes with a special straw with four holes, designed to spray the wine into the mouth. The company says it gives a similar sensation to drinking from a glass. The red, white and rosé versions come in shiny red, green and pink boxes made by Swiss packaging company Tetra Pak SA. “

The company is currently testing the product in Belgium, with the plans of a French launch next year. The cost of the carton is $US2.50.
Can’t wait to see these little guys appearing in lunch bags at the office. Talk about a lunch packing a punch!… 😉