Xmas Has Come Early: Saag's Speciality Sausages

Saag's Specialty Sausages

Yesterday, I got the best present in the mail--a package of Saag's Specialty Sausages! I can't wait to start cooking with them.

Saag's is a small San Francisco Bay Area manufacturer that maintains the tradition of handcrafted sausages and deli meats first practiced by its founder, George Saag, in 1933 and continued today by artisans who take pride in their work. This is a company truly after my own heart.

I'm especially excited about their Naturals line, which features sausages made with all natural ingredients.

Meatless Monday: Whole Grain Spaghetti with Spinach-Walnut Pesto

Whole Grain Spaghetti with Spinach-Walnut Pesto

Big news--the ultimate diva herself, Oprah Winfrey, announced last week that she's adopting Meatless Monday at Harpo, her company (read about it here)!

This was on the same episode that she put over three hundred of her staff members through Oprah's Vegan Challenge for a week, which I think is a great exercise for anyone looking to reform their eating habits. The episode also featured the veganist advocate Kelly Freston and the omnivore himself, Michael Pollan.

Sous Vide Pork Tenderloin with Apple-Bourbon Coulis

Sous Vide Pork Tenderloin with Apple-Bourbon Coulis

Divas, I'm still rocking out my Sous Vide Supreme, a sous vide machine for the home cook. It makes the best pork tenderloin on the planet Earth!

So last Sunday, the A-Girl, my frequent dining companion, came over for nosh and movie night. When she walked in the door, The Adorable Monster nearly lost his fur brain, crying and jumping for joy. He loves the A-Girl, and I think that the feeling is mutual.

Parmesan Grits

Here's my healthier take on Parmesan Grits (yes, they can typically be cooked with milk or cream or smothered with butter).

I use organic yellow corn grits from Arrowhead Mills--they're wheat-free/gluten-free, a good source of whole grains, and they cook up in under ten minutes. I cook them up and then stir in a generous portion of parmesan reggiano cheese, the nutty flavor of the cheese perfectly compliments the grits.

Raise Your Glass to Pinot Days: A Pinot Noir Tasting Extravaganza

There's nothing like a glass of pinot noir to brighten your day.

At least, that's how I felt when I accepted two tickets to attend Pinot Days on January 15th, a Southern California wine tasting extravaganza celebrating wine made from the pinot noir grape.

Even though I consider myself a bonafide pinotphile, this would be my first trip to Pinot Days. The annual event is held in the Barker Hanger at Santa Monica Airport, a huge venue meant to house airplanes. That gave me  an idea of just how much pinot noir was going to be on display. It promised to be a pinotphile's vision of heaven.