A primer on how to appreciate wine using the senses of taste and texture (i.e., touch)…read more

A primer on how to appreciate wine using the sense of smell and association…read more

A primer on how to appreciate wine using the sense of sight…read more

I love oysters, and one of my favorite summer snacks is oysters on the half shell with a crisp, “minerally” white wine like Muscadet, Dry Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc or unoaked French Chardonnay. If you enjoy oysters on the half shell or just like to use the freshest most flavorful oysters possible for your fried oysters or…read more

Whew chile, shrimp and grits may just be THE ultimate Sunday brunch comfort food. Rich creamy grits with the addition of cheddar cheese, shrimp and bacon make this version of a classic southern dish extra flava-full! Pair it with a refreshing cool drink like a Mimosa, mint julep, sparkling lemonade or a fruity and acidic…read more

  Made a Caribbean dinner of jerk chicken, rice and peas and a shaved Brussels sprouts salad tonight. I marinated the chicken in Walkerswood jerk marinade, before grilling it in a cast iron grill pan and finishing it off in a 250 degree oven to ensure it was cooked all the way through but not dried out. Conversely,…read more

The blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice… Whoever first said this was really onto something. It’s true that the deeper colored foods tend to have more flavor and nutritional value. Think of sweet potatoes versus white potatoes, brown rice versus white rice and dark leafy greens like collards and kale, compared to iceberg lettuce.…read more

It’s warming up outside and everyone is starting to think about summer. When the temperature goes up, we have to be careful to stay hydrated. One of my favorite summer snacks to hydrate and provide sustenance, without slowing me down is Gazpacho. I sometimes like to have a bowl before a workout. It gives me…read more

A Summer Living Recipe and Wine Pick Those of you who know me well know how much I love music. I frequently speak in musical metaphors. I also love to cook and put my own spin on traditional recipes. I call this dish “Hot Buttered Soul,” as a tribute to Isaac Hayes Some time ago, I…read more

“August is like the Sunday of summer.” Sundays have always been special days for me – days for cooking, relaxing and enjoying family. So the last official Sunday of summer is even more special, and I want to linger on it as long as humanly possible. It’s also my preferred day for celebrating Labor Day…read more

Fried chicken is a comfort food that reminds me of my daddy. It’s his favorite meal, and as a bachelor he learned to perfect it. Daddy likes fried chicken so much that his friends nicknamed him “Yardbird.” Here’s how to make Daddy’s famous fried chicken: What you will need: A large skillet or Dutch oven 2…read more

Although I have been making this dish for years, this is the best recipe I have run across to date. It is really flavorful, unlike some versions that have too much or too little sauce, and has the right proportions of everything, especially the pepper! You can substitute Littleneck clams for the Manila clams; because…read more

On the final day of Uptown Uncorked, we enjoyed a “Sips and Savors Chef Demo” led by Chef Roble and Adam Banks who generously shared this recipe with me for Chef Roble’s mother’s decadent potato salad made with King Crab, Tobiko and a Beurre Blanc. Serves 4 People Ingredients: 4 ea- Cooked king crab leg, taken out of the…read more

You’ve heard of a power lunch, but how about a power brunch? It’s Labor Day weekend, and for many that means you can enjoy a leisurely breakfast or even brunch from the comfort of your own home. If you’re tired of the same old, same old, instead of eggs and bacon, how about eggs, spinach and…read more