Stylo and Substance – A Food and Wine Blog
Chrissy Teigen’s Spicy Clams and Pasta
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
Memories of Father Figures
“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give a person. He believed in me.” — Jim Valvano “My father used to say it’s never too late to do anything you wanted to do. And he said, ‘You never know what you can accomplish until you try.'” — Michael Jordan These two quotes from…read more
It’s Spring! Think Pink!
It’s spring, and that means everything is coming up Rosés. When the weather warms up I tend to want to lighten up in the wine department, but don’t always want to drink white wine. Here’s a to-the-point video on how to appreciate pink wine, a great middle-of-the road option..Click here to purchase great rosé…read more
Daddy’s Fried Chicken
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
A Mardi Gras Meal in under 60 Minutes
Mardi Gras food is notoriously rich and calorie-laden. On top of that, many of the dishes require lots of prep and long simmering times. That’s a shame, since Fat Tuesday falls in the middle of the week, and most of us have to work during the day. By the time you go to the grocery…read more
Getting to Know Your Wine Terminology
Imagine this: you’re invited to a wine tasting event by your best friend, significant other, or a family member. Just as you begin to picture yourself enjoying the evening by sampling different vintages and blends, a strike of panic hits as you realize that, while you enjoy the occasional glass of wine, you aren’t overly…read more
How to Shuck Oysters on the Half Shell at Home
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
Quick Salmon
A quick dinner of salmon seasoned with salt, pepper, fresh garlic, dried cilantro, olive oil and lemon juice. Did you know that salmon is a “brain” food? …read more
Meatballs and Montepulciano
I finally got my hands on some of Joe Campanale’s Annona Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo, a wine I first tried at dell’Anima in the West Village several years ago and then again at L’Apicio Restaurant in the East Village last December. Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo is a deep-colored hearty rosé wine for people who like red wine but want something a little different. Not to…read more
How to Use A Chimney Starter
I’ve been in Atlanta visiting my mom this week. We’re grilling tonight so I decided to teach her how to use a chimney starter to get a charcoal grill started without lighter fluid. She didn’t have a chimney starter so I went to the local Lowes Home Improvement Store to pick one up for her.…read more
Summer Breeze Gift Basket
Are you going to be a house guest this summer? Why just take flowers or a bottle of wine when you can bring a customized “Summer Breeze” gift in a reusable planter? Granted, most of us may not be visiting Provence or a place with lavender and jasmine fields blowing in the background. However, herbal…read more