Wine According To The Goldilocks Principle

Posted by Jamie Grafton on July 9, 2009 | No Comments

At first glance, the narcoleptic, house-breaking porridge-thief known to generations of children as Goldilocks may not seem a likely role model for wine drinkers looking to maximize enjoyment of each bottle purchased (and in these lean times we all want bang for our buck), but her finicky perfectionism when blithely helping herself to the Three Bears’ breakfast is a trait all wine drinkers can learn from. Too often, wine is served at a temperature that is, as our heroine opined, “too hot” or “too cold” – a glass of vino poured when the mercury level in the thermometer is “just right” is less common than one might assume. Read more

Filed under: Drinking, Shopping, Wine

Budgeting Extravaganza

Posted by Rachel Crawford on June 22, 2009 | 3 Comments

Starting today, I am embarking on a 4-week food budgeting exercise. For anyone who loves food, loves to cook, and/or reads or writes about food all day long, resisting that amazing $10 triple creme cheese or $6 box of farm fresh berries is nearly impossible. These days, however, it’s become necessary. My goal is 4 weeks, $50/week, 3 meals a day for 2 people. This is not the most ambitious goal out there, but I think it’s realistic. I am not trying to set myself up for failure, rather, to reorient my thought process when I hit the grocery store or farmer’s market. Ask myself not just “do I want it?” but “do I need it?”. Force myself to be more creative to create delicious food, because if there’s one area I’m not willing to compromise on, it’s taste. Here are my ground rules:

  • My budget of $50 per week will feed 2 people 3 meals a day. That is an average of $1.20/serving.
  • My goal is to make the most diverse, delicious things I can on my budget, not just ketchup sandwiches and ramen noodles.
  • I will not count the most common “pantry” items toward my costs (salt, pepper, sugar), although I will try to estimate price if they are not as common.
  • Beverages are not included in the budget, although I am on a month-long booze hiatus anyway, and make coffee at home in the morning to save money (and the environment). Read more
Filed under: Budgeting, Cooking, Shopping

America’s Test Kitchen: The Only Cookbook You Need

Posted by Diane Erwin on June 11, 2009 | No Comments

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When I first moved out of the house, my mom not only gave me lots of advice, but also her old Betty Crocker cookbook.

Like the advice, the cookbook was filled with the tried-and-true for someone just starting out on her own. But unlike Mom’s advice, I outgrew Betty Crocker a few years ago.

Now I almost exclusively rely on The America’s Test Kitchen Family Cookbook. If you have room in your budget for only one cookbook, this $23 gem (available at Amazon) is the one to get.

The 1,200+ recipes — broken down into specific categories from appetizers to grilling to frozen desserts — satisfy both the novice cook as well as the gourmet.

America’s Test Kitchen often calls for a few more ingredients or a couple of more steps than Betty Crocker, but the consistently delicious results make the extra, easy effort worthwhile. Best of all, America’s Test Kitchen actually explains how and why these extra steps change the taste and texture of the final product.

Although there are plenty of recipes for the experienced cook, America’s Test Kitchen doesn’t skimp on the classics. I’ve made the fluffiest pancakes, moistest banana bread and chunkiest chocolate chip cookies using recipes from this cookbook.

I’m such a fan that my mom and sister each found a Test Kitchen cookbook under the Christmas tree last year, and now we compare our favorite recipes. This year they may just be getting my second favorite cookbook: The America’s Test Kitchen Family Baking Book. So long Betty Crocker!

Filed under: Books, Shopping

Thinking Inside of The Box

Posted by Thrifty Gourmet on May 20, 2009 | No Comments

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These days it seems like everyone is trying to figure out ways to save money. When it comes to wine, sometimes it’s smart to think inside of the box. Wait, I know what you are thinking and I am not talking about Franzia White Zinfandel or the atrocious Merlot usually served at art openings. There is a number of wonderful box wines out there that are a great way to save money without sacrificing quality or taste. Here are a few of my personal favorites. They are all available at Astor Wines and Spirits.

From The Tank, 3 liters $34.99 – Jenny and Francois Selections is a wine importing company that specializes in natural wines from France. Working with the Cotes du Rhone cooperative Estezargues, they have come up with a white and a red that are really incredible. The white is a blend of Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc and Viognier. It’s a big and rich white that has a permanent place in my fridge. The red is a classic, peppery Cotes du Rhone Blend of grenache, syrah and carignan.

Yellow+Blue, 1 liter $8.99 – Yellow and Blue imports Torrontes and Malbec from Argentina made from certified organic grapes. Matthew Cain, an importer based in Pennsylvania decided that bringing wine in a TetraPak or box was not only cheaper, but also better for the environment. The white wine made of 100% Torrontes is light and floral with a pleasant acidity, perfect for spring. The Malbec is medium bodied and slightly spicy with hints of plum and orange rind.

VRAC, 3 liters $26.99 – VRAC is a light and fruity Cotes du Rhone, perfect served with a slight chill in warmer weather. VRAC is a French term referring to something bought in bulk, appropriate for this larger format wine.

These wine are all a great deal and since they come in a box they have a much longer life span than bottled wines. The sizes they come in are also a draw as three liters correspond to four bottles at well under $10 a bottle.

Filed under: Drinking, Shopping, Wine

Sweet Deals on Even Sweeter Cupcakes

Posted by Diane Erwin on May 18, 2009 | 1 Comment

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I’m no cupcake slouch. I know a good one when I taste it.

And those at Butter Lane are good. In fact, they’re better then good, and others seem to agree. A recent New York Times article even noted that Butter Lane is on the “street of superlatives,” a block of Seventh Street between First Avenue and Avenue A in the East Village that boasts several eateries that offer some of the best food in their niche. Read more

Filed under: Dessert, Eating Out, Shopping
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