Tag Archives: wine

Stone Crabs And Bubblies Galore For My Birthday

Foodiewinelover Stonecrabs


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October is a celebratory month in my family because there are 4 birthdays including mine. This past weekend, I celebrated my birthday with succulent stonecrabs and delicious bubblies, in the company of my amazing family.  I do realize I’m getting a “little”older, but I refuse to grow up, because age is just a number. The important thing is that I feel good, both physically and mentally. In my family, we celebrate with food and wine,  and this year, they decided to take me out for deliciously mouth-watering stone crabs.  The season just started here in South Florida, and it runs from October 15th through May 15th of the following year. Stone crabs are usually served chilled with a mustard sauce, and already cracked for your convenience. We went to Billy’s Stonecrabs in Hollywood and had a fantastic time. The decor is very modern and romantic, and has a fabulous view of the Intracoastal. The seafood is always fresh and delicious.  The stone crabs are succulent with the mustard sauce. I also use some lemons at times (instead of the mustard sauce) which is as tasty.  A little secret to keep in mind, take it easy on the mustard sauce, otherwise, you will get filled up on it and eat less crabs.  Most of my family ordered, “all you can eat” and we paired them with sparkling wine and Champagne. It was a match made in heaven, and we all had a feast. Our waiter Wilson took very good care of us and made the evening enjoyable. I highly recommend this place for special occasions.

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Very appealing to the eyes and melt in your mouth

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Great bubblies

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My family, My Life

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Stone Crabs Galore

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A delicacy

This was definitely a splurge but it was all worth it. The food, the drinks, the company, the ambiance, all worked together in perfect harmony. It was another wonderful birthday celebration with my loved ones, and they made me feel very special. In closing I’d like to share this famous quote:

“What a grand thing, to be loved! What a grander thing still, to love!” ~ Victor Hugo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shrimp Scampi, Oh-So-Yummy

Pasta is big in my family and there are so many ways to enjoy it. There is a variety of shape to choose from, and the recipes that you can create with them are endless. Today, I would love to share with you my Shrimp Scampi recipe, it is easy and delicious. You can use any size shrimp for this dish.

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Serves: 6 – 8
Difficulty level: Easy

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 lb of pasta, preferably linguine
  • 1.5 lb extra-large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 tbsp. olive oil + more for drizzling
  • 2 tbsp. butter + more as needed
  • 3/4 cup of dry white wine
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 1 head of garlic, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Parsley for garnish
  • Pasta water, as needed
  • Grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, (Parmesan cheese)

PREPARATION:

1) In a large pot, bring water to a boil, and add desired amount of salt.  Drop the Linguine and cook according to package direction. There is NO need to add oil to the water, IF you’re going to stand there and give it a good stir once in a while. This will prevent the pasta from sticking together. I prefer al dente, it literally means, to the tooth.  It’s when the pasta is cooked on the outside but firm on the core. You get this result by reducing the cooking time by 1-2 minutes. Use the package directions as a guideline. I recommend this method because the pasta will cook again in the Shrimp.

2) While the pasta is cooking,  season shrimp with salt and pepper. Over medium-high heat, in a large frying pan, heat the oil and 2 tbsp. butter, sauté shrimp for about 3-4 minutes on one side, turn them, add the garlic, and sauté for another 1-2 minutes. Those are extra-large shrimp and need more cooking time, for smaller shrimp,  cut the cooking time, otherwise, they will become overcooked and rubbery. Shrimp are considered cooked when they become opaque, and obtain a nice pink/orange color.

3) Deglaze with the wine and lemon,  simmer for about 2-3 minutes. Swirl in more butter for a creamy texture, and to add richness to the dish.

4) Drain the pasta (save some pasta water) and pour it in the shrimp, mix well. If you feel like the pasta is too dry, add 1/4 cup of pasta water. This step may not be necessary, please use your judgement as to the consistency you’re looking for.  Add a liberal amount of cheese and stir again until it’s melted. I use this method because everyone in my family loves cheese, otherwise, place it on the table.

5) Plate the pasta, garnish with parsley and drizzle with olive oil. You can serve it with a crostini, which is like a garlic bread, to dip in the sauce and wipe your plate clean. At my home, if the plate is not empty, I take it as my food wasn’t good enough. When someone asks for seconds, I know, I have a winner and it feels wonderful.

My family devoured this dish, and I hope you will enjoy it as much as they did.  It is such a simple recipe, quick and very flavorful. Go ahead, give it a try, you will like it!

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In closing, I’d like to leave you with Sophia Loren’s famous quote: “Spaghetti can be eaten most successfully if you inhale it like a vacuum cleaner.”

Wine pairing suggestions: A nice chilled unoaked Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio or a lovely Verdicchio. The choice is yours.

Bon Appetit from Gina’s Kitchen

 

 

 

 

 

 

Experiencing Colossal Rome

My paternal great grandparents were originally from Teora, a small town in the province of Avellino, in the Campania region of southern Italy.   My great-grandpa, Anselmo Martino owned a  lovely property with a small vineyard on it.  He employed many people from the town,  they harvested the grapes in a festival atmosphere, singing and  dancing.  He was also a shoemaker.  It’s no wonder, I have such passion for shoes and wine.  The property has been sold since then to the Caprio family.  My dad had always wanted to visit Italy and begged me on several occasions to go along with him, but I wasn’t ready to take this long transatlantic flight from Miami. Then, In 2007, I realized my parents were getting older and it was time to take this adventurous trip to Bella Italia. I knew, once I committed to going, there was no turning back. I mentioned to them about planning a family trip to Italy, and they were ecstatic about it. We were 7 of us, hubby and me, our boys, 16 and 19 then,  my brother, my mom and dad. We were all ready to embark on this amazing travel adventure. Since it was our very first time visiting, I thought it would be a great idea to take a tour and have them plan everything. We enlisted in Perillo Tours, and were very pleased with the entire experience.  In February, we booked a multi-city Italian trip for an escapade of a lifetime  in June 2007. The anticipation was building during that time span and, we used every moment to plan for a perfect family vacation. As time got closer, we made sure all the travel arrangements were in place, did our last-minute shopping, made sure we packed walking shoes for the cobblestone streets,  summer clothes, outfits for the evenings and lots of toiletries.  I will never forget that day, on June 3rd, 2007, my parents and my brother met us at the house and we took a limo to the airport. We were chanting on the way and extremely excited about what was about to come. We landed in Rome early morning, got picked up at the airport, then dropped off to our hotel. The Grand Hotel Beverly Hills is  located right outside of the city center near the famous Villa Borghese and the elegant area of Via Veneto.

Photo courtesy, Grand Hotel Beverly Hills

Photo courtesy, Grand Hotel Beverly Hills

One of my favorite cities in the world is Rome because of my fascination with its ancient architectures, magnificent artwork  and rich history. I also love it for its breathtaking sightseeing,  scrumptious cuisine and delicious wines. The next day, we visited the Vatican and were amazed by its opulence and lavish gold accented decor. Afterwards, we took a tour of St. Peter’s Cathedral, and were astonished by its grandeur and splendid beauty. We bought some souvenirs and grabbed some lunch at Piazza Navona.

Lunch at Piazza Navona

It is not a trip to Italy unless you visit  the Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi)  “A traditional legend holds if  visitors toss a coin into the fountain,  they are ensured a return to Rome. ”  We tossed some coins into one of the most beautiful Italian masterpiece fountain in the world in the hopes to return someday.  Hubby and I have been back twice since then, and my parents and the family once more. Magically, it works!

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Trevi Fountain

Mom & Dad at the Trevi Fountain

Mom & Dad at the Trevi Fountain

Peter-John at the Trevi Fountain

Peter-John at the Trevi Fountain

The highlight of the trip was definitely the tour of the breathtaking Colosseum. It was a surreal experience that gave me the chills, and felt like I was living a part of history. It was a magical moment that I will cherish forever. We then took pictures with the gladiators and bought souvenirs to keep these memories alive. It was time to head back to the hotel and get ready for dinner.

Mom and Dad with the gladiators

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Family Photo at The Colosseum

We ate dinner at a nice Italian restaurant called Al Grappolo.   It was a fun evening with an abundance of delicious food, elegant wine and some good laughs. It is fair to say, I was the loudest and very giggly because I walked into the lady’s room and there was a man in there.  I was already feeling tipsy, I went back to the table and had everyone in the restaurant in stitches. The next day, we visited the Spanish Steps, (Piazza di Spagna)  a major landmark that attracts millions of people each year.  It is located near the old city centre and  consist of 138 steps. At the base of the Spanish Steps, there is a beautiful fountain and some quaint shops.

The Spanish Steps with Mom & Dad

The Spanish Steps with Mom & Dad

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At the Spanish Steps with hubby, Peter

Facing the Steps is Via Dei Condotti, a very glitzy street filled with luxurious brand named stores such as Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton and so much more. Dad offered me a Gucci bag as a special gift for accompanying him on the trip,  it was very hard to resist. First, we stopped at a coffee shop, named Caffe Greco, beautifully decorated  but on the pricey side.  A cannoli set us back 8 euros but it was worth the splurge. We were rushing as mom and I could not wait to get to the Gucci store.

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Shopping at Gucci

Of course, no afternoon would be completed without  a refreshing gelato or granita, shaved ice with flavored syrup, topped with whipped cream.

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Gelato and Granita Time

One  night, we went to a Gala Party at the extravagant Palazzo Brancaccio,  had an amazing dinner and drank delicious wines to our heart’s content.  We were serenaded by an amazing orchestra and danced the night away.  It was a magical evening of fun celebrations with the family and new-found  friends we met on the tour.

Palazzo Brancaccio

Palazzo Brancaccio

Arriving  at the bay of Naples was another special moment that I will always cherish. The bus made a stop so we could shoot some family pictures overlooking  the magnificent view. We were having the time of our lives.
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On that trip, we also visited Pompeii, Sorrento, (ate dinner at the beautiful  restaurant La Tonnarella,) Capri,  Florence, Venice and Milan. That will be another blog all together. I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity  to take this once in a lifetime vacation with my amazing family. Please note, back then, I was not big on taking food pictures and the camera was barely adequate to take decent photos. The pictures featured here are from 2 separate trips. Thank you all for coming along with me on this amazing  travel adventure. There are a lot more details to this trip but it would take me too long to describe.

Update: Since this family trip, My husband and I visited Rome on other occasions, and most recently, in the summer of 2017. We explored Trastevere, a quaint neighborhood of Rome with multi-colored buildings and cobblestone streets. Many locals hang out in this charming area which is a walking distance from the City Centre. The restaurants are reasonable and they serve delicious and authentic food.

Gina Martino Zarcadoolas aka Foodiewinelover
My Food, Wine & Travel Lifestyles
Culinary Aficionado, WSET-Level 2 Wine Connoisseur
World Traveler – Lover of  Global Food Cultures & Traditions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bites, Bubbly & Blogs

Since I am still fairly new at blogging, I decided to have a little get together in my kitchen with a couple of fellow (beginner) bloggers. We brainstormed and exchanged notes and ideas to help each other out. Angela will be blogging about food and wine and Barbara will be blogging about her amazing photography skills. I learned a lot from Angela’s organizational skills and computer knowledge, and Barbara taught me how to give my photographs some character and make them pop.  Their sites will be up and running soon, and I could not be more excited for them. From what I am seeing, bloggers help one another and are very supportive of each other.  That in itself is a big inspiration and motivates me to bring out my creative side.

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Needless to say, we had fun in my “Gina’s Kitchen” with small bites and bubbly to celebrate our new ventures. Of course, we spent nearly two hours, on and off trying to get some great food shots. Thank goodness, Barbara was there to guide us and give us some useful tips in food photography. This takes practice, and one can only get better with time and lots of experience. I made a lovely lump crab meat salad “sans mayo” since Angela does not care for it. I know some of you are frowning but not all of us are created equal and that’s what makes life so interesting.

It is a very simple recipe that anyone can whip up in no time

  • 1 – 8 ounce jar lump crab meat
    you can also use imitation crab meat which works
  • 2 stalks of celery, sliced
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 small red onion, diced
  • 1 lemon
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 TBS olive oil

Degree of difficulty: Very easy
Serves 4-6

Preparation:

Lightly break up lump crab meat, if you are using imitation crab, you can shred it with your hands for a nice presentation. Combine all the ingredients at once and chilled for at least one hour. For added richness, you can add some mayonnaise and whatever spice you like.

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I also served some delicious smoked salmon with sliced cucumbers. They were light and tasty but most of all, they paired beautifully with the bubbly.

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Simple, yet sophisticated

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Barbara brought some delicious hummus with veggies and Angela made a very healthy and scrumptious salad with field greens, avocados, corn, cherry tomatoes and sunflower sprouts.

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It was a fun and productive day, especially in the company of two friends that I care for. I admire both for their lovely qualities and  generous hearts.

Stay tuned for more exciting blogs on food, wine and travels. Until next time, happy blogging from Gina’s Kitchen!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home Away from Home, A Sweet Escape

This year, my hubby surprised me with a weekend getaway in beautiful Fort Lauderdale to celebrate our wedding anniversary.  It’s a thirty to forty-five minute ride from our home. Since a vacation requires a lot of planning and time off, this was the perfect escape to enjoy the sweet life, La Dolce Vita as I like to call it. Of course, I packed as if I was going away for two weeks. We stayed at the W hotel, a very chic hotel facing the pristine Fort Lauderdale Beach, with a modern look and  upscale amenities. Upon our arrival, we were greeted courteously by the hotel staff.  While waiting for our beachfront view room,  we sipped on champagne, (courtesy of the hotel) to kick off our celebration, and took a tour of the lovely pool area.

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Shortly afterwards, we were notified that our room was ready, and could not wait to see it.  Well, we were blown away by a spacious and impeccably kept room, and a glass-encased peekaboo shower. Yes, nothing private about it, however, there was an option to order a curtain which we didn’t feel the need. The best part of course, was the spectacular view of the glistening ocean waves and the beautifully landscaped tropical palm trees. It was truly paradise on earth.

Postcard worthy view

Postcard worthy view

 

At nighttime, we took a stroll on the beach, and had dinner at the exotic Casablanca cafe. The ambiance was romantic, the decor had a Mediterranean flair with a gorgeous view of the ocean from afar. Hubby had a crab crusted mahi-mahi with a lobster sauce and I had a black grouper with a beurre blanc sauce (white wine, butter and shallots).  Both dishes were beautifully plated, very fresh and tasted delicious.

 

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Black grouper with beurre blanc sauce

 

Crab crusted mahi-mahi

Crab crusted mahi-mahi

Friday morning we lounged around the pool at the hotel and savored some delicious hummus, tasty Ahi tuna tacos and enjoyed fabulous drinks.

Hummus platter

Hummus platter

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Ahi tuna tacos

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Around 2:30 PM, we headed to the spa for our massage and body wraps. It was ninety minutes of pure “bliss”,  and we both felt rejuvenated after this amazing pampering experience.

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That evening, we ate dinner at a newly opened restaurant in the trendy Las Olas area called, Fork & Balls. A fun place but on the noisy side,  I recommend going there with a group of people.  They have a nice assortment of meatballs on their menu.

Meatballs over polenta

Meatballs over polenta

Afterwards, we went back to the W and played pool with some hotel guests. On Saturday, we basked in the sun and had a relaxing day. In the evening, we got dressed up and enjoyed some fine dining at Steak 954. We shared a Porterhouse steak paired with an elegant super tuscan wine.

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Aged porterhouse for two

While eating dinner, we got a notification that someone dropped off a bottle of champagne for us at the front desk. It was a family member and a friend who came for a surprise visit.  We joined them for drinks and ended up at the hotel’s nightclub, Whiskey Blue. It was the perfect ending to a beautiful weekend away.

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Whiskey Blue

Whiskey Blue

On Sunday morning, we ordered room service for breakfast  and sipped coffee on the balcony while enjoying the fabulous view of the ocean.  We, then packed our bags and headed back to our home, sweet home.

Life is beautiful, live it up!

Gina

 

A visit to the Hamptons with food and wine

One of my favorite cities in the world is New York City. I have gone there since I am a little girl and I love it more, every time I visit. While in New York, I also enjoy going out to the Hamptons which is about a 2 to 5 hour drive East of the city, depending on traffic. My hubby grew up in the area and loves taking me there to show me all the cool spots and the beautiful beaches.  In 2012, we re-visited the area on a family vacation.  While strolling around in the Hamptons, we found this amazing artisanal food and cheese store called Lucy’s Whey.  We bought a loaf of crusty bread and some scrumptious cheese, then, stopped to get some wine at a liquor store nearby.  We brought them back to the hotel and had a feast. It was such a heavenly pairing and perfect for a leisurely afternoon.

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If you have been to the Hamptons, you will definitely recognize this windmill which is a landmark in the area.

Since our last visit in 2012, we found out the store, Lucy’s Whey has a Pop Up Shop in Lieb Cellars in East Hampton. They also own 2 stores in New York city that are open all year-round.

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2009 Domaine Le Sang des Cailloux “Cuvée Azalais” Vacqueyras –

Rated 92 points by Wine Spectator.  Smoldering charcoal and black tea notes lead the way, with fleshy, supple notes of blackberry preserves, mulled fig and spice. A roasted chestnut hint weaves subtly through the finish. This has good character. 
 
This red wine is an amazing blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault. It is from Rhone, a breathtaking region in France known for its corpulent wines and wonderful terroirs.  
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 If you are looking for a scrumptious and pungent cheese to pair with your wine, this is it. I could not get enough of its deliciousness and burst of flavors caressing my palate.
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There is no denying, New York has the best bread in the world (along with Italy and France) and this one proved to be tasty and crusty. This sumptuous food pairing was a Menage a Trois in a foodie world.  I hope you have enjoyed my culinary travel in the Hamptons, and this blog will have you salivating for some delicious eats. Don’t be afraid to experiment when it comes to food and wine pairing, be daring and make it fun.  If you do not consume alcohol, just omit the wine and enjoy the bread and cheese.

Bon Appetit! Cheers and Happy Travels!

Clams Oreganata

Good evening all! I hope you are ready for some fun in Gina’s Kitchen. Tonight, I prepared Clams Oreganata and I am happy to share this recipe with you.  They were so delicious, my family devoured them one by one.

Serves: 4
Degree of difficulty: Easy – Medium

INGREDIENTS:

  • 25 little neck clams
  • 1/2 cup or so of seasoned breadcrumbs, (Progresso, Italian Style)
  • 1/2 cup chopped flat leaf parsley
  • 3/4 tsp Oregano
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, (plain olive oil will do also)
  • more olive oil for drizzling
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper, optional
  • 1 lemon

PREPARATION:

In a colander, wash the clams thoroughly and place them on a flat baking tray. I will share with you a little trick to make it easier to open them. Preheat oven at 375 degrees and bake the clams for 3 minutes.  They will be open, just detach them one by one so each clam is on one shell. Do this while they are still on the tray. There will be some juice from the clams, leave it in there. Set aside.

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In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, parsley, oregano, black pepper and olive oil. Sprinkle this mixture on top of all the clams and cover the tray as well.  Place in the broiler for 3 minutes and remove promptly. They should have a nice golden color to them.  Drizzle liberally more olive oil, and squeeze the lemon juice all over the clams. Voila! They make a fancy appetizer but do require a little work.  They are so worth the extra effort, your guests will be very satisfied.  If you choose to drink, I would pair it with a nice Chardonnay.

Bon Appetit!

From Gina’s Kitchen

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