Favorite Things, Part 1

I am still trying to figure out what exactly this blog will be - part journal, part sharing of recipes, wines, knitting patterns, yarns, books and other ideas, part politics (especially as we enter the 2012 election season).  I think it will mostly represent me - an opinionated, multifaceted Southern gal with many interests.  As such, this is my first installment of favorite things:

Wine:

I bought this a few weeks ago at Costo - the first thing that caught my eye was that it was an unoaked Chardonnay.  I have finally figured out that the butter flavor so preferred by Americans is something I don't love.  I still drink the oak-y Chardonnay's but much prefer the French style Chardonnay's.  Second thing that caught my eye was the unique bottle and the it was from the Santa Lucia Highlands, one of my current favorite wine regions in California.  Finally, how cool is that bottle? The Mer Soleil Vinyard Silver unoaked Chardonnay 2010 was absolutely delicious and was a perfect pairing with my Mahi Mahi I had with my dinner.  Not sweet, nor fruity, it was crisp, with a nice acidity that worked well with my food, especially considering I used Meyer lemon with my fish.  It also has a nice amount of minerality, which I found over the summer was a wine trait I couldn't get enough of.

Condiments:

Opening my refrigerator, one immediately notices a huge array of jars, from jellies, olives, spreads, butters, pickles to sauces for cooking.  I can't resist and hardly leave a story without trying something new.  On a recent lunch to Lulu in San Francisco, I picked up a little jar of Preserved Meyer Lemon in olive oil .  My intent was to use in on a roasted chicken or with some fish.


 
Greg pulled some Mahi Mahi out of the freezer from his Mexico fishing trip. I spread the meyer lemon on the fish, and then topped it with fresh vegetables.  After baking the fish (see below for the last installment), the lemon flavor really complemented the fish, yet wasn't overpowering or tart.  Next time I will saute some of my vegetables as they didn't cook enough, and in order to get them cooked, the fish would have been overdone.  Next week I plan to try a roast chicken.  Stay tuned.


Cooking Tool:

Finally, my last favorite thing today is none other than cooking wrap.  No, it isn't tin foil, as we call it in the South, nor is it parchment.  It is Martha Wrap, a wonderful combination of parchment with aluminum foil on the back.  It folds like parchment, allowing you to cook food en papillote, without added oils.  The foil on the outside really insulates while the parchment prevents sticking of the food.  I line my pans with it when cooking to make them easier to clean, and wrap my vegetables for roasting right in a little packet.  I really can't say enough about this product.  Hard to find though.  First found this at our local Fresh and Easy market.  Only bought one roll and had to get my second from Amazon.  On the hunt again as I am at the end of roll two.


This weekend, I will get to enjoy another of my favorite things - soccer.  McKenzie's team, the Stingrays, are playing in the CYSA Association Cup.  It is now single elimination, so if we win, we will stay over tonight in Elk Grove.  Otherwise, we will return home.  As I always mention, these girls are such a pleasure to watch.  I just have to keep my cheering in control.  It is always positive, and I never coach from the sidelines, but I am loud.  Go Stingrays!!!