Easy At Home Date Night Idea: Valentine's Day Special

Staying at home for Valentine’s Day has always been a good idea, but it’s a bit more of a realistic one this year. What’s our recommendation for making Valentine’s Day special? Create your own wine and cheese pairing experience complete with score card below!

Wine and cheese scoring card. Rate wines and cheeses 1-5 with 5 being a top score. Compare your totals at the end of your experience to see which wines and cheeses you and your partner liked best.

Choose three or four wines from your local grocer or vineyard. Then, ask questions about which cheese might go well with the wines you’ve chosen. Or, start the opposite way by selecting the cheeses, and then ask your local grocer or vineyard for tips on wine pairings. In my experiences, local experts are happy to help!

Here’s a sample menu we enjoyed over the holidays with input from Ab Astris winery and Cooper’s Hawk winery (some dessert pairings included!):

Ab Astris 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon: pair with goat cheese (no desserts)

Ab Astris 2019 Aurora Rosé: pair with desserts (slightly sugary or fruity desserts are best) or simple fruit (raspberries)

Ab Astris 2019 Picpoul Blanc: pair with blue, comte, or gruyere cheeses, or pineapple upside down cake.

Cooper’s Hawk Blueberry Acai: pair with chocolate cake, berry tart, or a creamy cheese like brie.

Extra tips: use a large cutting board or butcher’s block to arrange all cheeses so that they are not touching each other to preserve flavor. Allow the cheeses to reach room temperature before serving to maximize taste. Allow the wine to “breathe” before serving.

Wine at home

Leave us a comment about your own wine and cheese pairing experience created at home, and enjoy this Valentine’s Day with your loved one!

References to Ab Astris winery and Cooper’s Hawk winery are based on my own opinions and experiences, and I received no compensation from the wineries for discussing my own opinions.

First and third images above: Shutterstock.

© 2021 Balanza and Beyond, LLC. All rights reserved.

Recipe: Easy and Flavorful Fall White Chicken Chili

Need a hearty fall recipe? Try this super easy one using some of the most common staple items that are probably already in your pantry and fridge!

Utensils:

Slow cooker

Ladle / large spoon for stirring

Ingredients:

1 brick of chicken broth

1 can / 1-2 cups of garbanzo beans

1 lb. chicken breasts or tenderloins

1/2 stick of cream cheese

1/2 jar of green chili salsa

Salt and pepper to taste

Optional ingredients: diced garlic or onion

Steps:

1. Place all ingredients in slow cooker on low for 5-6 hours (or on high for 3-4 hours); the longer you let it simmer, the more the flavors come together!

2. Stir the ingredients occasionally to help mix them together. If the chili is too thick, add some additional water or chicken broth. If it’s too thin, add some flour to thicken it. Pull the chicken apart (it should naturally come apart as it cooks). Season with salt and pepper as desired.

3. Garnish with shredded cheese, scallions, or corn. Serve with tortilla chips or crackers. Enjoy!

Seasons of consumption: Fall and winter

First image above: Shutterstock

© 2020 Melanie Glover. All rights reserved.

Top Four (Healthier) Summer Ice Cream Stops (Around the World)

Self care means indulging every once in awhile, and for me that means enjoying ice cream during the warmer summer months!

I LOVE ice cream. In the summertime, there’s nothing better than experimenting with fun flavors in a cup or a cone while watching the sunset over a lake, walking around a cute downtown area with a dear one, or hanging out with friends on a porch or deck. Here are a few of my favorite ice cream stops around the world so that you can enjoy ice cream (or gelato) wherever you are!

(1) Ice Cream Joy Cafe in Lakewood, OH: Ice Cream Joy Cafe is a cute ice cream shop near Cleveland, Ohio serving vegan ice cream with other natural ingredients. Oh, and they also serve coffee, teas, and espresso — bonus!

(2) Furniture Creamery in Grand Rapids, MI: Located between downtown and east Grand Rapids, Michigan, Furniture City Creamery offers its customers a wide variety of ever-changing flavors made with vegan and other natural ingredients; however, chocolate always seems to be at the top of the list! True to its name, the ice cream is always super creamy. Don’t miss the private patio at the back of this shop to enjoy your special treat. And, it’s pet friendly!

(3) Di Angelo Gelateria in Madrid, Spain: This is my favorite gelato stop in Spain. The gelato is thick and full of flavor, and the gelateria uses natural ingredients such as whole fruits in their batches. Ask for “energético,” which is a combination of citrus flavors plus carrot.

Gelato

(4) Tasty Treat in Lake City, MI: This place boasts “the largest cones in the North!” — and they’re not kidding! They offer such generous portions that even a “kid” size does not disappoint, and the variety of their sizes makes this place an easy one to visit while watching your portions. Their list of flavors is pretty extensive too; I love the variety of flurries they offer (plenty of fruit!).

So there you have it — my top four picks for ice cream stops around the world. Here’s to enjoying ice cream wherever you are this summer!

All opinions are my own, and I received no compensation for expressing them.

© 2019 Balanza and Beyond, LLC. All rights reserved.

First image above:  Shutterstock.

Restaurant Review: Vidrio in Raleigh, NC

“Wow,” was the first thought that came to mind as I walked into the loud, bustling restaurant named “Vidrio” in downtown Raleigh on a cool March evening in 2019. My cousin had asked me if I knew what “vidrio” meant and whether it was Spanish. I thought and responded quickly, “Yes, of course. ‘Vidrio’ means glass in Spanish.” But after responding to her, I could not picture what that meant in the context of this new modern restaurant; I was super curious.

Vidrio main dining room

Walking into Vidrio took my breath away. I was immediately distracted by the vibrant colors, unique glassware protruding from the main wall several feet high, and the rich ambiance reflecting foodies who enjoyed Mediterranean food just like me. I was so in awe that I admit I snapped a few photos before being seated.

Once we took our seats, I immediately asked our server for a brief tour of the restaurant after dinner. I had never seen any restaurant like this. It was then I would learn that Doug Frates (https://www.dougfratesglass.com/), the artist behind the glass masterpieces, had created the mural of “vibrant orbs, which are designed to inspire visions of Mediterranean sunrises or sunsets over crystal-blue waters” (source: www.vidrio.com). Covering one of the restaurant’s back walls, in fact, was a reel of projected photos that alternated images of various Mediterranean landscapes including countrysides, sunrises, and sunsets.

Vidrio main dining room ceiling decorations

I would like to say that the best part about this restaurant is its glassware, and it it probably is. But its food and drinks do not disappoint. After all, my cousin had brought me to this restaurant knowing I enjoy authentic food and unique dining experiences. We began our evening by ordering a variety of tapas. I expected the portions to be small as tapas tend to be in the U.S. However, Vidrio served such generous portions that we ended up ordering more than enough!

Serrano ham pizza

Patatas bravas (fingerling potatoes in a tomato-based sauce)

The food was tasty and generous in portion size, the ambiance was breathtaking, and the vibes were trendy. We had cocktails and wine, and all drinks impressed as well. Dress is trendy to casual; this would be a great date night spot or night out on the town with your favorite friends. The restaurant tends to be on the pricier side, but it is worth the cost to experience the environment and food.

Vidrio main dining room

Vidrio wine cellar

After dinner, we embarked on our tour and noticed a wine cellar and more than enough space to host a private party perfect for a wedding reception or networking event.

Vidrio private space

Last but not least, the service was impeccable. We were greeted; our server was attentive; and the manager gave us the personal tour of the space after our meal. This place is definitely worth a try if you’re looking for Mediterranean fare in an upscale, modern atmosphere.

All opinions are my own, and I received no compensation for expressing them.

© 2019 Melanie Glover. All rights reserved.

Recipe: Fresh and Easy Guacamole

The cooler months call for potlucks, holiday parties, and football games. What could be more appetizing than a bowl of fresh guacamole? Follow this recipe to whip up your own crowd pleaser in no time.

Utensils:

Cutting board

Chef’s knife

Large mixing bowl

Large spoon

Masher

Ingredients:

4 avocados

1 roma tomato

1/2 small white onion

Garlic salt to taste

1 lime

2-4 stems of cilantro

Steps:

1. Wash, dry, and slice the four avocados in half. Remove the pits, and scoop out the avocado meat into the large mixing bowl.

2. Wash, dry, and dice the tomato, onion, and cilantro.

3. Combine avocado, tomato, onion, and cilantro in the large mixing bowl. Mash the avocado, tomato, onion, and cilantro until the mixture is clumpy.

4. Wash, dry, and slice the lime in half. Squeeze the juice of one of the halves of the lime into the large mixing bowl.

5. Add the garlic salt (as desired).

6. Continue mashing and mixing the mixture with all ingredients combined until you reach your desired consistency (I like a clumpier texture!). Enjoy!

Season of consumption: All

© 2018 Melanie Glover. All rights reserved.

First image above: Shutterstock.