[1] Carménère has become a flagship grape in Chile (photo © Dziana Hasanbekava| Pexels).

[2] The wine pairs very well with aged cheeses—in this photo, it’s Parmigiano-Reggiano (photo © Luigi Giordano | Dreamstime).

[3] Serve it with steak and most other meats (photo © Organic Beef Company| Facebook).

November 24th is National Carmenénère Day. Many people will say, understandably, “What’s that?”

People looking for a good value in red wine should take a look. Many bottles are available in the $10 to $20 range, with the crème de la crème going for $100 and more.

> The History Of Wine.

> Pairing Wine & Cake.

> Pairing Wine & Chocolate.

> Pairing Wine & Desserts.

> Pairing Wine With Ice Cream & Sorbet.
 
 
THE HISTORY OF CARMÈNÉRE

Carmenénère is a red wine grape variety that originated in the Bordeaux region of France, a natural crossing of Cabernet Franc and Gros Cabernet. It was traditionally used in blending with other grape varieties, particularly Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The grape was thought to have been largely extinct in Europe due to the phylloxera epidemic* in the 19th century, but it was rediscovered in Chile in the mid-1990s.

It was then that Chilean winemakers discovered that some of the Merlot vines they were cultivating were actually Carménère. This led to the realization that Carménère had unknowingly been grown in Chile for decades, masquerading as Merlot.

With a focus on the Carménère varietal achieved great success in Chile, where it found a particularly suitable environment for cultivation†.

Carménère has become a flagship grape for Chilean winemakers, and it has gained popularity both domestically and internationally.
 
 
WHAT DOES CARMÈNÉRE TASTE LIKE?
  
Carménère wines are medium-bodied and known for their deep red color, often with a purplish hue, and a rich, full-bodied flavor profile.

They exhibit dark fruit notes such as blackberry, black cherry, plum, and raspberry, along with hints of green bell pepper, herbal, black pepper, and other spicy notes.

Some expressions may also showcase chocolate, tobacco, or vanilla notes.

The tannins in Carménère can be moderate to high, contributing to the wine’s structure, and the acidity is generally moderate. These make the wines well-suited for aging.

With age, the wine can develop additional complexity and time will smooth out its tannins.

As with all wines, the characteristics of Carménère can vary depending on terroir (the region where it’s grown, the climate, etc.) and the wine-making techniques employed.
 
 
PAIRING CARMÈNÉRE WITH FOOD
  
Carménère is easy to enjoy on its own and to pair with food, particularly with hearty dishes. Serve it with:

 
The wine’s herbal and spicy notes can also work well with dishes that incorporate herbs and spices, making it a versatile choice for pairing.

The majority of Chilean Carménère is grown in the Central Valley. In the Central Valley, in the Maipo Valley and Rapel Valley, and in the sub-regions of Colchagua Valley and Cachapoal Valley, among other areas.

From the first spoonful, we’ve been huge fans of Tipsy Scoop, super-premium artisan ice cream imbued with alcohol.

It’s an easy way to get into the holiday spirit in your own home, and it’s a wonderful gift for any lover of ice cream and spirits.

This holiday season, Tipsy Scoop has a four-pack of limited-edition boozy ice cream that is perfect for everyone on your naughty and nice lists (yes, naughty people need ice cream, too).
 
 
TIPSY SCOOP HOLIDAY 4-PACK

All flavors contain up to 5% alcohol by volume and are meant to be consumed by those 21 and over.

The holiday gift pack includes four 16-ounce pints of liquor-infused ice cream and sorbet with festive flavors:

 
 
GET YOUR TIPSY SCOOP!

Nationwide delivery is available to all 50 states through Goldbelly.com for $99, including shipping.

It’s worth it!

Please note that an adult signature is required upon delivery.

Scoop this gift pack up quickly (pun intended) before the holidays because the limited-edition holiday flavors will only be available—while supplies last—through New Year’s Eve.

Beyond the holidays, Tipsy Scoop’s boozy ice cream is a memorable gift for anniversaries, birthdays, other celebrations, and client gifting.

Check out the wonderful flavors on TipsyScoop.com.

And if you’d like to have your own ice cream shop, check out Tipsy Scoop franchising.
 
 
> The history of ice cream.

> A glossary of frozen desserts with pictures.

> The different types of whiskey.

> The different types of rum.

[1] Coquito Dulce De Leche Ice Cream, made with rum (all photos © Tipsy Scoop).

[2] White Chocolate Peppermint Bark Ice Cream made with Mozart White Chocolate Liqueur.

[3] Mrs. Clausmopolitan, cranberry sorbet with vodka and lime.

[4] Oreo Old Fashioned Ice Cream With Whiskey.

[1] Fries with kimchi sour cream. The recipe is below (photo © Roy Choi | Idaho Potato Commission).

[3] You can serve a variety of fries with different dips (photo © Stonewall Kitchen | Facebook).

[3] Classic kimchi showing two different cuts (photo license CC-BY-SA-2.0 KR).

[4] Napa cabbage, the most commonly-used vegetable for kimchi (photo © MG Produce).

[5] Mother-In-Law’s excellent kimchi is available at grocers nationwide. Here’s a store locator (photo © Mother-In-Law’s).

November 22nd is Kimchi Day, a day dedicated to the Korean national dish that has been made for thousands of years. We’re featuring some fusion food to celebrate: French fries with kimchi sour cream. The recipe is below.

The South Korean government designated Kimchi Day to celebrate and promote the salted and fermented napa cabbage that is made in most Korean homes around this time of the year.

(Napa cabbage is the most commonly used vegetable, but other types of cabbage, plus carrots, cucumber, daikon radish, and scallion are also used. Garlic, ginger, and gochugaru (Korean chili sauce) are common seasonings.)

According to the Korean Herald, gimjang, the process of making large quantities of kimchi before winter, has long been a major annual event in Korean households.

Family members and/or neighbors gather to salt and drain the cabbage, make a spicy paste with hot chiles, mix it with the cabbage, and let it ferment.

Koreans used to store gimjang kimchi in large earthenware jars called jangdok, along with soy sauce and other condiments, on jangdokdae, an outside space near the kitchen, where they could be preserved and kept fresh. Today, homes have a special kimchi fridge (indoors!).

The recipe is from chef Roy Choi and sent to us from the Idaho Potato Commission.

There are additional kimchi recipes below, from kimchi hot dogs and tacos to wings and waffles.

> The history of potatoes.

> The history of French fries.

> The history of kimchi.

> The different types of potatoes: a glossary with photos.

 
 
RECIPE: BAKED FRIES WITH KIMCHI SOUR CREAM

This recipe is a nice blend of regular French fries and sweet potato fries.

You can purchase kimchi in many large supermarkets and in Asian groceries.

Use the kimchi sour cream as a dipping sauce or topping.
 
Ingredients For The Fries

 
Ingredients For The Kimchi Sour Cream

 
Preparation

1. PREHEAT the oven to 400°F oven.

2. MAKE the sour cream sauce. Whisk together all ingredients. Set aside.

3. BAKE the whole sweet potatoes for about 20 minutes and the Idaho® potatoes for about 30 minutes. Cook just until they are slightly fork tender, but not totally soft. When they are cool, cut them into large wedges.

4. DREDGE the wedges in rice flour and deep them fry in oil at 330 °F for 3-5 minutes until slightly brown. Drain on paper towels and season with salt. Serve with kimchi sour cream.
 
 
MORE KIMCHI RECIPES

 
 
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*You can make rice flour simply by grinding rice in your food processor or spice mill. Here’s how. Rice flour is gluten-free, and can also be used as a thickening agent for soups and stews as well as tempura batters for frying vegetables, chicken, and more.

Why don’t more cheese makers make chocolate goat cheese? It is a splendid indulgence, a more dense version of chocolate cheesecake.

Since we had our first bite of Capri Chocolate Goat Cheese Log, we were hooked. (You can buy it from the producer, Westfield Farms, or from iGourmet or

An entry from France, La Bonne Vie Chocolate Chip Goat Cheese Log, is available from Instacart and other retailers, but you might as well roll your own: a plain goat of goat cheese in mini chocolate chips.

Thanks to Vermont Creamery for adding Chocolate and Cherry dessert goat cheese log to its first two sweet flavors, Honey Truffle and Strawberry Spritz.

The goat cheese is blended with cocoa powder and dried tart cherries before being rolled in tiny semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Says the Creamery: “Channeling the depth and decadence of a Black Forest cake and boasting a ridiculously rich fudge-like texture, Chocolate and Cherry is…ready to be eaten on its own, any old time and just because.”

Say we: “Enjoying an inch-wide slice of the chocolate log, with or without a graham cracker or other cookie, is far more prudent than devouring a whole slice of chocolate cheesecake.”

Yes, it’s a dessert, a snack, a chocolate fix, all rolled into one 4-ounce, heavenly delicious log.

Among other fine food chains, Chocolate Cherry Goat Cheese is available at Albertsons and Whole Foods Markets.

Here’s a store locator.

> The history of chocolate.

> The history of cheese.

> The different types of cheese: a glossary.

> The history of goats is below.
 
 
HOW TO SERVE CHOCOLATE GOAT CHEESE

Serve slices of chocolate goat cheese on a platter, board, or individual plates, with:

 
Another nice presentation is to include a slice of log and a cookie on a mixed dessert plate with a macaron, meringue, tartlet, etc.
 
 
THE HISTORY OF GOATS

The history of goats is intertwined with the history of human civilization. Domestication of goats is believed to have occurred more than 10,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent*, making them one of the earliest domesticated animals.

Prehistoric mankind recognized the utility of goats for providing milk, meat, hides, and fiber (cashmere and mohair). Archaeological evidence suggests that goats were domesticated in the Zagros Mountains of Iran and Iraq around 10,000 to 11,000 years ago.

The practice of goat domestication then spread to Africa, Asia, and Europe. Goats adapted well to diverse climates and landscapes, making them valuable for various agricultural and pastoral communities.

Goats played a crucial role in early agriculture. They were prized for their ability to graze on a variety of vegetation, including grasses and shrubs that other livestock might avoid. Their adaptability allowed them to thrive in different environments.

Goats are now found all over the world, having adapted to a wide range of climates and ecosystems. They are kept for various purposes, including subsistence farming, commercial agriculture, and even as pets.

Over time, different breeds of goats have been developed for specific traits such as milk production, meat quality, or adaptation to certain climates. Examples include the Alpine, LaMancha, Nubian, and Saanen breeds known for their milk production; and the Boer, Kalahari Red, and Spanish breeds which are raised primarily for meat.

[1] Oh, how delicious—we could eat the whole thing: Chocolate Cherry Goat Cheese (all photos © Vermont Creamery).

[2] Serve it as a dessert spread with cookies.

[3] The package is just 4 ounces. You’ll want several!

[4] An Alpine goat, whose milk contributes to the cheeses at Vermont Creamery.

A 1630 census of Jamestown lists goats as one of the most valuable assets!

Goats were brought to the southwestern U.S. in the 17th century by early Spanish explorers and clergy. These goats are the ancestors of the Spanish goats of Texas and the Lamancha breed of California.

Other European settlers also brought their goat breeds to the U.S. as they moved into the eastern U.S. in the 18th century.

The early 1900s was a period of explosive growth in the number of dairy goats being brought into the U.S.

Goat popularity surged following the Louisiana Purchase Exposition (a.k.a. the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis), where the first dairy goat show in America was held.

Most popular there was an exhibit of 300 Angora goats. Their appearance, with curly, heavy hair, drew hundreds of fans to the Louisana Purchase Exposition.

As a plus, goats are also used for vegetation management in certain areas—including ours—as their “eat anything” grazing habits help control unwanted vegetation that is too difficult for man or machine to remove.

According to the USDA, as of 2022, there were 2.55 million goats in the U.S., representing 200 different breeds.

There are approximately 450 million goats worldwide.

Goats are members of the Bovidae family, which also includes antelope, buffalo, cattle, and sheep.

Goats are herbivores (they only eat vegetation). They are ruminants, and like cattle, they have four stomach compartments [source].
 
 
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*The “Fertile Crescent” or “cradle of civilization,” are names given to the land between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. It was the original area for much cultivation of essential crops. Today, the area includes modern Iraq, northeastern Syria, southeastern Turkey, and southwestern Iran.

†Pastoral societies are nomadic or semi-nomadic and rely heavily on herds of domesticated animals for food, labor, and trade.
 
 

[1] Leek and goat cheese dressing. The recipe is below (photos #1 and #3 © Vermont Creamery).

[2] A rustic sourdough loaf (photos #2, #4, and #5 © Good Eggs).

[3] Vermont Creamery’s Unsalted Cultured Butter — 82% Butterfat.

[4] Shallots taste like a cross between red and yellow onions, with a more delicate, sweet flavor.

[5] Leeks are members of the Allium family, along with chives, garlic, onions, scallions, and shallots.

[6] While you only need a four-ounce goat cheese log, the eight-ounce size affords snacking possibilities (photo © Murray’s Cheese).

[7] Fresh sage, of course.

Perhaps our favorite item on the Thanksgiving dinner table is the stuffing. We’re a bread-a-holic to start with, and we simply don’t think to make stuffing at other times of the year.

We’re not talking about the basic Pepperidge Farm stuffing: bread and butter with onions, celery, and herbs. Not that we’d turn it down at someone else’s house; we just wouldn’t make it at ours.

We’re always looking for recipes with a complex layering of flavor: butternut squash, chestnuts, chicken livers, fruit (apples, dried cranberries, grapes, pears, persimmon, raisins), mozzarella perlini, mushrooms, nuts, oysters, nuts, scallops and more have made it into our stuffing—not all at the same time, but three or four choices.

Plus lots of herbs, especially sage. To us, it isn’t stuffing if it isn’t redolent of sage.

Varying the bread is also something we enjoy: cornbread, pumpernickel, rye, turmeric bread, and even bagels!

We match the bread to the ingredients: cornbread with fruits, nuts, and squash; pumpernickel with oysters and scallops; and so on.

The recipe below is a gourmet’s dream: a cross between a savory bread pudding and classic stuffing.

Rich with the flavors of leeks and shallots, toasted bread, herbs, and celery, all complemented by tangy goat cheese.

November 21st is National Stuffing Day!

The recipe is below, but first:
 
 
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STUFFING & DRESSING

It’s simple:

 
While the idea of stuffing the bird appeals to many, most experts recommend cooking a separate dressing.

For food safety reasons, stuffing in the cavity of the bird must reach the same 165°F temperature before it is ready to serve.

If you have a vegetarian dressing, it’s not an issue. But if you have a dressing made with raw meat or seafood, make sure it cooks to 165°F.

It’s also a heck of a lot easier to make dressing, both in placing it in a pan instead of spooning it into the turkey cavity; and in avoiding the labor of scooping the stuffing out of the bird.

While we grew up in a family that made stuffing—and we loved watching Mom put it into the bird and scoop it out—as soon as we learned about the dressing alternative, we changed our perspective.
 
 
RECIPE: LEEK & GOAT CHEESE STUFFING

To us, this is “gourmet” dressing—food for foodies.

The recipe is from Vermont Creamery, which used its goat cheese and 82% butterfat butter (a revelation). divided Vermont Creamery Unsalted Cultured Butter – 82% Butterfat

We happened to have a duck and Armagnac sausage from D’Artagnan. What to do?

We made a double batch of the stuffing and added a small dice of the sausage to one pan. We liked it!

As a note: To feed a larger group, double the recipe and bake it in a 13×9-inch baking pan.

Prep time is 30 minutes, and cook time is 45 minutes.
 
Ingredients For 6 Servings

 
Preparation

1. POSITION the rack in the upper third of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350ºF.

2. LIGHTLY BUTTER a 9-inch round baking dish or equivalent. Set aside.

3. PLACE the bread onto a rimmed baking sheet; toast for 20-40 minutes or until dry and lightly golden. (Baking time depends on the type of bread used. Soft white bread toasts more quickly than heartier breads.)

4. PLACE the leeks in a large bowl; cover with cool water. Separate the leek slices to rinse off any sand; let stand for 5 minutes, swirling a few times. Any sand should sink to the bottom of the bowl.

5. MELT 3 tablespoons butter in a wide skillet over medium heat. When the butter is hot, lift the leeks from the bowl, shaking off the excess water. Add them to the skillet.

6. ADD the celery, shallot, garlic, and salt. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5-10 minutes or until tender. Add the wine and continue cooking for 2-4 minutes or until evaporated.

7. PLACE the toasted bread pieces in a large bowl; add the leek mixture, parsley, sage, thyme, and pepper.

8. ADD the egg to the broth and whisk to combine. Pour over the bread mixture and toss well to combine. Let the mixture stand for 5 minutes to absorb a bit of moisture, tossing a few times.

9. SCOOP half of the bread mixture into the prepared baking dish; top with half of the crumbled goat cheese. Top with the remaining bread mixture, then sprinkle with the remaining goat cheese. Dot with the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter cut into small pieces.

10. BAKE for 40-50 minutes or until the top of the stuffing is golden and crisp and the center is hot. Sprinkle with additional parsley, if desired. Serve warm.
 
 
MORE DRESSING OR STUFFING RECIPES

All of these delicious recipes are “not just for Thanksgiving.”

 
 
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*Save the crusts! We had them for lunch with a bowl of soup, and toasted them the next day to spoon up Greek yogurt.