Love Food

Who said: ‘…the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach...’?

The phrase “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” is most commonly attributed to Fanny Fern, a 19th-century American writer known for her witty and sometimes controversial columns.Food is for sharing – discussing it, creating it, deciding what to drink with it, eating it and … getting him to do the washing up!!!

You don’t have to be madly in love to enjoy a delicious meal together.

Three delicious recipes to share this weekend:Pan-Roast Chicken w. French-style Peas.

Classically French throughout, and so much easier than it sounds. Chef has even included a video to help inspire you.

You’ll find the RECIPE – HERE and pairing notes below.Spicy Pork Mazemen.

Spicy Pork Mazemen, also known as “Mazesoba” or “Taiwan Mazesoba,” originates from Nagoya, Japan. It was developed by chefs wanting to highlight noodles and toppings without the usual broth.

It is packed with flavour and the recipe is HERE.

[Pairing notes below.]

Gressingham Confit Duck Cassoulet.

Most of the work has already been done by Gressingham, who supply the confit thighs after hours of slow cooking in duck fat. You just create the cassoulet and flavour by following Chef’s wonderful RECIPE – HERE.

Enjoy a fun Valentine’s Day weekend.

“I cook with wine; sometimes I even add it to the food.” – W.C. Fields.

The pairing of wine with food drives many critics to despair, and most ordinary foodies to ‘don’t really care‘.

Red with meat, white with fish – humbug, drink what you enjoy with the food you love.

These pairings for the Valentine’s Weekend recipes (above) introduce some fresh ideas and wines you  may not have tried before.

[The following are all generally available on line and in most popular Supermarkets.]

Try something new and let us know what you think.With the French-styled Roast Chicken & Peas we are suggesting a classic French rosé or blush.

Some of the best rosé wines in the world come from Provence, France including this relative newcomer Mirabeau Pure Provence. It offers fragrant citrus and exotic fruit on the nose, leading with pink grapefruit, papaya and vineyard peach. Fever Tree pair this with their Raspberry & Orange Blossom Soda to create a refreshing spritz.This is quite an ‘out there‘ suggestion to pair with your Spicy Pork Mazemen. Brave or what. I go for ‘what‘ because it’s a corker that will open your eyes and palates to something very new to most British kitchens.

Spicy, exotic dishes such as this (also cheese and deserts) cry out for spicy, exotic pairings. De Colmar Gewürztraminer is such a thing.

It’s a finely crafted Gewürztraminer from vineyards extending between Bas-Rhein and Haut-Rhein, with an intense golden yellow colour, delightful aromas and flavours of lychee, rose petals, guava and mango reflecting its sweeter nature.NOTE: If this is a step too far, enjoy your Japanese Mazemen with a Japanese beer – a well-chilled Asahi.With another classically French dish – your Confit Duck Cassoulet – you might well expect a classically French pairing. Not today!

Having been cooked slowly in fat for hours, duck confit is a very rich dish. Pinot Noir is the classic go-to pairing for its slightly acid punch to the fat. Let’s go to Argentina (via Tesco’s) for our pairing.

Trivento Private Reserve Malbec comes from the high altitudes of Mendoza’s Uco Valley at the foothills of the Andes. It is aged for 8 months in oak barrels, transforming the wine to a deep red colour, with nutmeg and black pepper aromas, married with chocolate notes that evolve into a fresh, long finish.

Please let us know if you agree with the thoughts, tastes and pairings.

Enjoy.

I love her because she makes me laugh. How much?!?

“I wanted to make it really special on Valentine’s Day, so I tied my boyfriend up. And for three solid hours, I watched whatever I wanted on TV.” – Tracy Smith

I love you for your personality, but you being hot is a nice bonus.

I’d give you the last fry off my plate. If that’s not love, idk what is.

“You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” –Dr. Seuss

The group chat agrees, so far you’re my best Valentine ever.

I love you more than I love my phone.

“The trouble with some women is that they get all excited about nothing – and then marry him.” – Cher

There’s no one I’d rather argue with about who forgot to turn off the light.

Love is eternal, just like the fact you won’t pick up your socks.

I’m off to tidy my room and warn the postman – in my dreams !!!