by Sharm | Oct 27, 2014 | Food & Drink, Recipes
Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte is the hit of the season right now, but unfortunately it is full of sugar and doesn’t even have real pumpkin in it but a pumpkin sauce that is full of high fructose corn syrup! Yikes!
Below is my version of a healthy pumpkin sauce that can be used to make a healthy pumpkin spiced latte in your own home. It also works great other recipes where you are trying to add pumpkin flavor.
1 can Pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
2 cups Almond Milk
1/2 cup So Delicious french vanilla coconut creamer
1/2 cup Coconut Nectar
1 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 tsp Cloves
1/4 tsp Nutmeg
Whisk all ingredients together until smooth. Yield: 4 cups.
For the latte:
Warm 1/2 cup of the pumpkin sauce for 30 seconds in microwave or in a pan on the stove top then add it to your coffee mug. Add 1/2 cup brewed coffee of choice to mug and stir well. Add additional creamer and sweetener of choice if desired.
by Sharm | Oct 4, 2014 | Food & Drink, Food Finds, Wichita
My husbands job recently relocated us to Wichita from Kansas City and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have the new Whole Foods Market here in Wichita. The store opened just four weeks ago and I think I have been there at least 15 times already.
There is something about the store that is intoxicating.
I love the fresh flower bouquets awaiting as you first walk in the store, the beautiful fresh produce and the handy bulk bins that have just about any dry ingredient you would need. The fresh meats and seafood are amazing. We recently got some cherry chipotle thick cut bacon and it was incredible.
The pre-cut fruits and vegetable make having quick snacks on hand a breeze and of course the deli has all sorts of wonderful pre-made salads, entrees, soups, sushi, pizza and more to make dinner on the go easy!
The bakery is my weakness with the whole wheat sourdough bread, carrot cake and key lime pie being my favorite indulgences. But at the coffee and smoothie bar, I can balance out that key lime pie with the Super Greens Smoothie!
The decor is delightful and uses many reclaimed airplane parts which is a refection of Wichita being the air capitol of the world.
I could go on and on but I am sure you get the picture. There are so many fun things I find there that I am sure this won’t be my last post about Whole Foods.
Don’t be fooled by the “whole paycheck” phenomenon that is associated with it. Most things are reasonably priced and much better quality. If you haven’t been yet it is worth the visit!
If you have something you think makes living finer please contact me.
by Sharm | Oct 4, 2014 | Kansas City, Restaurants
The Capital Grille, known for its dry aged steaks and award-winning wine list announces the return of its Wagyu and Wine program, a limited-time, gourmet burger and wine pairing experience offered exclusively in the restaurant’s lounge. Now through November 23, 2014, guests of the lounge area can enjoy one of three featured American Wagyu beef burgers paired with a glass of Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon or J Pinot Noir for the price of $25.
Best known for its superior marbling and incredible richness, Wagyu beef is highly prized, and it pairs beautifully with wine. This year, in addition to its signature Wagyu Cheeseburger – served on a toasted brioche roll and topped with Havarti cheese, a sunny-side up egg and crisp onions – The Capital Grille has added two equally mouth-watering options: the Kona Crusted Wagyu Burger with shallot mayo and the Wild Mushroom Wagyu Cheeseburger with 15-year aged balsamic. Each burger is accompanied by Parmesan Fries.
The Capital Grille’s American Wagyu beef, also referred to as American Kobe Beef, is sourced from Snake River Farms in Boise, Idaho, which started operations over a decade ago with a small herd of Wagyu cattle from the Kobe region of Japan. Today, its proprietary Wagyu/Angus herd produces what is considered by many to be the finest quality of beef in the U.S., with every step of the process strictly controlled to ensure that this level of distinction is achieved.
The Jordan 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon and J Vineyards 2013 Pinot Noir, selected by Master Sommelier George Miliotes, not only pair beautifully with the burgers’ distinctive velvety flavor, but they also are rarely available by the glass. The Jordan Cabernet is highly regarded for its rich texture and balance between smooth tannins and dark fruit aromas of blackberry and cassis with nutmeg and vanilla aromas and a lingering finish. The J Pinot Noir has a ripe, full texture, showcasing cherry to black raspberry fruit flavors with a silky finish.
About The Capital Grille
The Capital Grille is a fine dining restaurant known for its dry aged steaks and award-winning wine list in an atmosphere of relaxed elegance. The Capital Grille features an on-site butcher who dry-ages each steak between 18 and 24 days to maximize its quality. Additionally, the restaurant features a wine list of more than 350 selections, including some of the most highly allocated and sought-after wines in the world. The Capital Grille also offers a variety of elegant private dining spaces for meetings and group events.
by Sharm | Jul 12, 2014 | Cocktails & Wine, Events, Restaurants
The Generous Pour wine event returns to The Capital Grille and runs from July 7 to August 31.
The Stoli Doli at the The Capital Grille is just about the best thing on earth, but once a year I give up my precious cocktail and partake in The Generous Pour.
For only $25 you can enjoy five highly acclaimed wines and two exclusive premieres to compliment your dinner. All wines are selected by The Capital Grilles’s Master Sommelier George Miliotes.
I had the chance to attend last years event and have to say Mr. Miliotes does an amazing job at picking the wines.
The wines available for the 2014 Generous Pour event are:
Carmel Road “Liberated,” Monterey, 2012 Riesling
Atalon, Napa Valley, 2012 Sauvignon Blanc
Byron, Santa Barbara, 2012 Chardonnay
La Crema, Willamette Valley, 2012 Pinot Noir
Freemark Abbey, Napa Valley, 2011 Merlot
Arrowood “Catchwire,” Sonoma, 2011 Bordeaux Blend
Kendall-Jackson “Winemaker Selection,” Sonoma, 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon
by Sharm | Apr 9, 2014 | Food & Drink, Restaurants
Seasons 52 celebrates spring with a dish based on Master Sommelier George Miliotes’ family recipe. An update to the classic Mediterranean dish, Spring Lamb Kefta features lamb skewers served with a fresh Greek salsa and a side of creamy tzatziki.
One of 214 Master Sommeliers worldwide, Miliotes recommends pairing this dish with a medium-bodied red wine, such as Jolie Saison Gamay.Along with several other dishes highlighting what’s good now, the Spring Lamb Kefta appetizer is available on the new spring menu at Seasons 52 through mid-June.
Ingredients:
1-pound ground lamb
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 medium sized onion, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
½ cup milk
½ cup panko bread crumbs
1 egg
Sea salt, to taste
Black pepper, finely ground, to taste
¼ cup mint, minced
¼ cup flat leaf parsley, minced
Bamboo skewers
Procedure:
• Combine milk and bread crumbs for 10 minutes to soften
• Heat olive oil in a small pan and lightly sauté onions and garlic. Cool garlic and
onion while breadcrumbs soak
• Place lamb in a large bowl. Add cooled garlic-onion mixture and soaked
breadcrumbs. Add all other ingredients and mix well to combine.
• Shape into 3”x1” oblong size meatballs and slide onto bamboo skewer, lightly
flattening sides. Spritz with olive oil.
• Grill over charcoal fire, no flame, 3-4 minutes per side.
• Top with Greek salsa and crumbled feta cheese, if desired. Serve with a side of
tzatziki sauce
Greek Salsa Recipe:
1¼ cup cucumber, diced ¼”
¾ cup tomato, seeded, diced ½”
¼ cup Kalamata olives, diced ¼”
2 tablespoons fresh oregano, minced
Juice and zest from 1 lemon
2 ounces extra virgin olive oil
*Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
by Sharm | Oct 12, 2013 | Decedent Desserts, Food & Drink, Food Finds, Hotels, Products & Reviews, Restaurants, Travel & Resorts
With over 70 locations in the United Kingdom and Europe and 2 locations in the U.S. in Boston and New York, the British Cocoa Grower and Chocolatier Hotel Chocolat is now launching their USA website.
In celebration of the launch, Hotel Chocolat graciously sent me some samples to try and I must say they were quite a treat. The samples were amazing, which included The Sleekster Everything Collection and Caramel Cheesecakes. The Everything Collection was a delightful array of luxurious chocolates made with bean to bar chocolate and the highest quality of ingredients including whole macadamia nuts, buttery shortbread cookies, rich caramel and more. The Caramel Cheesecakes were creamy and delicious. The elegance and quality of these chocolates made me curious to find out more about this Hotel Chocolat.
Turns out, they are one of the world’s few chocolate makers that actually grow their own cocoa. In addition, they also own a few restaurants and the Hotel Boucan in Saint Lucia, which is now on my bucket list. Who can resist a vacation in a tropical rainforest surrounded by chocolate, not me!
For serious chocolate aficionados you might be interested in the Hotel Chocolat Tasting Club, where you can sign up to have new and different tasting selections sent you every few weeks.
With over 20 years of experience as the UK’s largest online chocolate retailer, those of us in U.S. can now enjoy the luxury chocolates and stylish gifts Hotel Chocolat offers. Visit the Hotel Chocolat website for more information on ordering chocolates or one of the many other ventures Hotlel Chocolat is famous for.
