Holidays, Sweet Treats and Wine - OH MY!

What do holidays, sweet treats, and some of your favorite wines have in common? It's a quality that may not pop into your mind immediately, or at least until I mention it - it’s the cozy, rich, toasty aromas of warm baking spices.

Just like you, when pumpkins become ubiquitous and the Halloween decorations appear in the stores, I begin thinking about the holidays. Thus, this post about the spicy goodness in some red wines.

Have you ever participated in a wine tasting, and as soon as certain red wines are poured and passed, a collective "mmmmm" arises from the group? That involuntary sound of pleasure is exactly what we’re talking about here. The smell of cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and nutmeg are all included in this collection of spices that evoke comfort and sweetness, cool weather, sweaters, family and friends.

Another name for these holiday pantry staples? Oh yeah - SUPER SPICES. Each of them brings their own nutrient goodies to the table, but among them are Vitamin K, fiber, manganese, iron, calcium, fiber and more! A perfect tiny package: aromatherapy, spicy flavors and good-for-you too!

To make these spices even more interesting, warm baking spices smell sweet as well as spicy. Don’t believe me? Try adding a quarter teaspoon to your oatmeal tomorrow morning without the sugar. The oatmeal will still be full of spicy sweetness we crave.

Humans crave sugar. As an article by Harvard Professor Daniel E. Lieberman, puts it, “Humans are designed to crave sugar, store it and then use it!” So, it’s not surprising that we love the smell of warm baking spices on a cool morning, cookies and cakes filled with cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and nutmeg and a glass of wine full of spicy, juicy, fruitiness!

I get SO excited about things we can add to our food that make it taste better and be better-for-us. But, back to the wine… There are many different varietals that are rock with the aroma and the taste of the holidays.

Not wines that are artificially flavored – I’m talking about the natural smells and flavors that develop when wine is made.

Here’s a really good wine word to learn: one that explains why wine smells and tastes like spices, fruit, wood, etc. Stereoisomers are the different configurations of the same chemical compound – that is created by yeasts, fermentation, or influenced by oak or the lack of oak used in making a wine.

Hey! The best news is that you don’t have to wait for the holidays – you can enjoy these wines year round.  Two of my favorite varietals, (grapes are called varietals instead of variety), and a couple of examples are listed below, along with a recipe for one of my favorite seasoning mixes – incorporating holiday spices in a savory-sweet way!

Syrah or Shiraz – Yes, it's the same grape, grown the world over, but wines from the Northern Rhone and wines from Australia especially seem to capture the red spicy goodness.

Grenache or Garnacha – Native to Spain, this red wine smells and tastes like candied fruit, with a dash of warm baking spices. What could be better? Both France and Spain make yummy examples of a spicy Grenache wine.

Want to enjoy some warm baking spices in a glass? Try these winners:

Evodia Garnacha about $13 from World Market

Spicy, intense rich blackberries appear when you smell this wine. A perfect Spanish pairing for a black pepper sauced Portabella mushrrom

Perrin Reserve Rouge about $11 from Total Wine

Fresh Fruit with jam and spices make a blend worth trying with any bold flavored veggie dish like this awesome stuffed pepper from the Friday Four. This one is a blend of Grenache, a little Syrah and Mourvedre – another grape from Spain.

Peter Lehmann Portrait Shiraz about $14 from Total Wine If you like big, bold jammy reds this is your wine. Full of spice, pepper and smoke, this Shiraz can stand up to any holiday roast you throw at it. For veggie lovers, try this incredibly good Spanish AlmondCaper Sauce on roasted veggies.

2012 Bridlewood Red Blend 175 about $10 from Costco

Need something to serve at the summer barbeque? How about when everyone heads to your house over the holidays? This wine provides your answer. What’s wrong with a super taste of spices, berries and cherries and a great price point? This is one to try now, and buy for later in the year.

African Spice Dip - Dukkah 

1/2 cup salted peanuts
 (almonds or macadamia nuts may be used as well)


1/4 Tsp ground ginger


1/4 Tsp ground nutmeg


1/4 Tsp ground cloves

¼ Tsp ground cardamom 


1/4 Tsp ground cinnamon


1 Tsp chili powder

Sea Salt to taste

Grind the nuts to a coarse powder in a mortar, blender or food processor, then add the ground mixed spices, chili powder and a little salt to taste.

Serve with Goat Cheese topped Apple Slices. Use for a rub on Chicken, pork or fish, use as a "dip" for fresh fruit like Apples or Pears, or serve it with Crusty Bread and Olive Oil.

Ten Ways to Take Care of YOURSELF During the Holidays!

Check out the easy and light granola recipe at the end of this blog!

We recently hosted a class with wonderful teacher Angela Buttimer about taking care of OURSELVES during the holiday season. If you weren't able to come - here is my heartfelt handout. I'm thinking about posting it by my desk as the days cool off and the holiday season heats up!

1) Start NOW
Yes, it’s only October – but it’s also ALREADY October! The holidays are right around the corner, and this is your “window of opportunity” to think about how YOU want to spend your holidays. This is the time to talk to family and friends about travel plans and parties. Reaching consensus about celebrations is much, much, much easier now – then when the pressure is on.

2) Have a PLAN
Today, (or this week), is the time to dust off the cookbooks, fire up the computer and pick out your menus for the hectic (s’cuse me, the holiday) season. Make copies of your recipes and compile a notebook – organized by meals and week.
Use a list like the one attached.
Shop for staples once a week and for fresh produce twice weekly.
MISE EN PLACE: Assemble all ingredients and utensils before beginning to prepare a dish.

USE THE FREEZER: Make larger quantities, and freeze portions for later use.

3) YOUR Cooking Strategy
Strategy means a timeline to me. When the family descends upon you, if your cooking is timed out – you don’t have to worry. The best meals are those where everything is hot and done at the same time. This doesn't happen by accident - it takes some serious strategy. You must plan how many things can be in the oven at the same time, how long they need to cook or which dish needs to be on the top shelf to brown. Remember other appliances:
A slow cooker will allow you to cook with minimum preparation time and effort. Your dish will cook safely in it throughout the day.
An electric griddle will provide another cooking surface for a big meal – even a toaster oven can handle things like baked sweet potatoes.

4) SIMPLIFY!
The sun WILL come up tomorrow if you make one less dish than last year. Don’t bake 10 different kinds of cookies unless you enjoy it. You may also try asking for help. Getting your family and friends involved in the holiday preparations can alleviate the stress of doing it all on your own. Ask a guest to bring a part of the meal. You CAN ask them to make a specific recipe – just send a copy. If you don’t feel comfortable doing that, just ask for a specific course.

5) GO with the Flow
So, you thought Great Aunt Brenda was bringing the salad. Instead she decided that no one would eat salad and brought her world famous lemon-carrot- chocolate-pecan-coconut- cookies. Bend your knees and drink lots of water. Put out the cookies. Eat a big salad tomorrow.

6) LET THEM HELP!
When everyone arrives, hand ‘em a spoon to stir, ask the to time the nuts in the oven, put ice in glasses, pour water, or carry food to the table. Guests are usually

www.tasteandsavor.com

more comfortable hanging out in the kitchen - let them!

7) Eat BEFORE the PARTY
Eat a healthy snack before you start preparing for your party OR head out for the evening. The foods being passed around won't feel so tempting and you can enjoy the socializing without obsessing about what you can or can't eat.

8) Drink UP!
Water, that is. Resist the urge to drink too much by matching a drink or glass of wine, one-to-one with water. Rushing around during the holidays, you probably are dehydrated anyway, so the water will fill you up, make you feel better AND keep you from drinking too much.

9) EAT your veggies
If you eat better, you feel better. The holidays are notorious for baked goods and heavy meals. Eat Better by loading up at least half of your plate with vegetables and fruits. Plan your meals for others this way too! This will not only help you and your guests keep off weight this season, but it will give you more energy to cope when the unexpected arrives this year.

10) PITCH Perfection
The need for perfection – whether it is hosting the

Culinary Self Care for the Holidays! Healthy Chef Partyologist Nancy Waldeck
perfect party, having the prettiest table decorations on the block, or the most delicious family dinner is especially alluring this time of year. Of course you want to do your best, but it’s also important to be gentle with yourself and not aim for perfection. Remember that perfection is a matter of perspective. Think about Julia Child when she dropped a chicken on the floor and picked it up, ON TELEVISION. We tend to be most critical of ourselves and our actions so use this season as a reminder to practice grace with yourself as well as others. Your food will be wonderful, Breathe. 

And here's an easy recipe to serve for breakfast, a snack or even for dessert with a little frozen vanilla yogurt!

Lighter and Luscious Apple Granola

3 Cups Oats
1⁄4 Cup Uncooked
Millet (Optional)
1⁄4 Cup Sesame Seeds
1⁄4 Cup Chopped Walnuts 1⁄4 Cup Chopped Almonds
1 1⁄2 Tsp Cinnamon
1⁄4 Tsp EACH Mace and Cardamom
1⁄2 Cup Dried Apples
1⁄4 Cup Maple Syrup
1⁄4 Cup Orange Juice Zest of 1 Orange

Step One
Preheat the oven to 300F. In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients except dried fruit. Drizzle in the maple syrup

and stir well. Add orange juice and zest, stirring so all ingredients are coated.

Step Two
Spread the mix out onto a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet and bake for about 30 minutes, stirring checking about every 10 minutes so nothing burns.

Step Three
Remove from oven, add the dried fruit and cool completely. Store in an airtight container.