Having a bad day? Would you love to curl up on the couch with a big plate of lasagna? Your head says yes, your arteries say no. Among the things that make comfort foods comfort foods are fat and calories, but you can still enjoy the classics without blowing your diet. The idea is to focus on flavor lamb shanks braised in red wine with herbes de provence of fat and there are lots of ways to add flavor while reducing fat. Here are 10 tips for cutting the fat and amping up the flavor without sacrificing comfort.
An active fireplace and the seasonal aromas of autumn receive a gastronomic boost from braising. There's nothing like filling the home with the redolence of a slow-cooked masterpiece - and many of these hearty meals elicit the best attributes of red wine. More lamb shanks in red wine-based weekends occur this time of year; embrace them with a new culinary project at the stovetop.
Not too far away from the Fruit Loop was a beautiful remote campground located at Lost Lake. When we arrived at the lake, we noticed people filling small pails with beautiful berries. When we inquired what type of berries they were picking the young ladies explained to us that they were wild huckleberries. We spent the next 3 days eating as much huckleberries as we could.
Fins Creekside in Calabasas and Fins Seafood Grill in Agoura Hills/Westlake Village offer an a la carte menu including a four-course turkey dinner with all the trimmings or, as alternatives, slow cooker lamb shanks in red wine jus, or - this being a seafood restaurant - lobster pasta, halibut, salmon and other fish entrees. Cost: $49.99 for adults, $19.95 for children.
However, glogg is beginning to take on a new life as a summer beverage. The very nature of the drink, a sweet and pleasantly spicy slow cooker lamb shanks in red wine taste, lends itself well to warmer weather as well, much like a wine cooler.
White wines tend to be lighter and go well with seafood. A crisp sauvignon blanc, or the French counterpart sancerre, always pair well with shellfish. The citrus notes are very refreshing on a hot summer day. If you are eating a more heavier sauced fish a rich, buttery chardonnay might be a better choice. Always remember, however, champagne works well with anything! If you are trying to impress, start off with a true French champagne, and if you find Bollinger on the menu, scoop it up! It is made with pinot noir grapes so tends to be not as dry as the bruts.
Peel & Eat Shrimp $4.95. Hands down. Although shrimp contains cholesterol, it's the heart-healthy variety. The plate of shrimp proves impressively portioned for the price, and very well flavored. Be light with the cocktail sauce, as it's high in sugar, but McCormick's version has a great smoky touch.
The oldest foods in the world are pasta and wine and you will get these in almost every dinner table. They go almost as hands to gloves; and you would hate having one without the other.