Wine
fromJezebel
1 day agoHow to Talk About Wine Like the Smartest Alcoholic in the Room
Elitist wine vocabulary is a tool for intimidation; confidence and creativity in description are key to enjoying wine.
Former consort braved the newly reincarnated Absolute Bagels & bailed when he found 45 people in line, in the cold. One of our oldest friends, who retreated to the Bay Area long ago, always used to say: "The more New Yorkers get fucked, the more they like it." Now with more Instagram...
Everything revolves around the food. Instead of trying to tweak a recipe to fit with a sweet or tangy drink, start with the food and ensure it remains the star of the show. The real purpose of seeking an appropriate drink pairing is to create balance with the food. Sweet with salty, bitter with sweet, etc. In this way, food flavors aren't masked with the addition of a drink, but instead are highlighted.
Not only is a second life as a salad dressing a far superior fate than the trash can, dips can also catapult what may have been an ordinary salad to new, crave-worthy heights. You can even get a little creative with them. The main thing to consider, however, is consistency. Most dips will need to be thinned out to make them more pourable and dressing-like.
Few low-prep dishes satisfy and delight on busy weeknights like one-pot pastas, and one of the best ingredients to take your pasta dishes to the next level is vegetable broth. Boiling dry pasta directly in vegetable broth instead of water imparts bolder flavor as the pasta soaks it up. Plus, you'll end up with a pot full of starchy cooking liquid from the boiled pasta, which can provide a solid base for building a pan sauce.
With Valentine's Day just around the corner, you might be starting to plan out a date night for the occasion. While some people love the idea of celebrating at a romantic restaurant, others prefer the intimacy of being at home. That said, if you've decided to stay home on the 14th, you don't have to resort to the same old food and drink you consume all week. Instead, consider being intentional with your food and wine pairing to highlight the date.
Romance and renewal are on the menu now and through February. It's a time to recharge and get moving on shaping a successful 2026. But that doesn't mean you can't slow down and enjoy an evening sip after a long day, or crack open a bottle with a loved one and celebrate the moment. These unique California reds offer an opportunity to relax and toast to finding joy in the new year.
Don't be intimidated by fresh mushrooms. They are prized for their flavor and versatility. Look for firm mushrooms that are free of soft spots or mold. Wash them just before using them but be sure to store them unwashed. Never submerge in water to wash them because mushrooms absorb like a sponge and become mushy. Wipe with moist paper towels. Some prefer to clean them with a soft-bristled mushroom brush. If extremely dirty, they can be very briefly dunked into cold water and wiped dry.
Long after the last forkful, there are still ways for a prime rib's savory richness to continue blessing your kitchen. Leftover meat gets shredded into tacos and instant ramen, drippings become au jus and gravy, and the bones? That's your secret to a deeply flavorful beef stock. Discarded far too often, their hidden richness goes to waste in the bottom of the trashcan, when really, it should already be simmering on the stovetop, giving all your future soups and stews the most hearty base imaginable.