Christy Majors

Sheltering in place has felt like the right thing to do based on all the world news I read (please note, I did say world not U. S. news as I feel that U.S. news has become biased based opinion news and not fact reporting). The region is also known for food and wine pairings such as Vin Jaune with chicken and morel mushrooms or Comte Cheese. Cremant du Jura, there must be a minimum of 70% Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and/or Trousseau, and for rosés a minimum of 50% red grapes. No, Jura David from Cooking Chat entices us with Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs with Jura Wine Terri from Our Good Life will tell us about Sparkling Jura for Celebratory Moments Wendy from A Day in the Life on the Farm  tempts us with Bourride served with a Chardonnay from Jura Nicole from Somm’s Table shares Cooking to the Wine: Two Savagnins from Domaine Daniel Dugois with Coquilles St. Jacques Gwendolyn from Wine Predator shares Exploring Flavors of Jura Food and Wine

Nevertheless, I was excited when Camilla from Culinary Adventures with Cam reminded of the Cote du Rhone wine pairing event, and with all this time at home with COVID Shelter in Place, it seemed like a good time to get back on the Rhone (not that I ever actually quit drinking – just an extended sabbatical of documenting my drinking). It is my geographical region of choice when it comes to drinking for two reasons – 1) endless options for drinking/pairing at all price points; and 2) wines are meant to be consumed with food and pair beautifully with simple food to lavish meals. Côtes du Rhône and Clearwater Camping: Charcuterie in God’s Countryfrom Terri of Our Good Life A Côtes du Rhône from Franck Balthazar and A Deconstructed Pairing by Crushed Grape Chronicles

Ranch water origins are from West Texas where the weather can be hot and humid, and was concocted by a rancher to provide refreshment to his crew after a hard day of work. The cocktail is super easy to make, and isn’t a recipe so much as a suggestion to eliminate a little mineral water and tequila and lime juice. Tequila is about 69 calories an ounce, so depending on how much you use this is a skinny drink with a lot of flavor! -Though the cocktail recipe calls to discard 2 ounces mineral water and replace with 2 ounces tequila, you can alter this to your taste.

We were all having a severe bout of melancholy over canceled summer plans, maybe going a little stir crazy within our four walls, so a trip to Italy with friends seemed like the perfect RX. The Silver Spoon Puglia published by Phaidon is filled with delectable recipes you can easily prepare at home or use for inspiration to adapt to your taste. The tomatoes can be baked in to separate baking dishes and married together if you want more of a baked tomato consistency on both layers. If you have someone in your family who needs meat with their meal, a nice side of meatballs can accomplish that, and if you are set on one dish cooking, cook some Italian sausage and add when you mix the sauce and pasta together.