A Taste of Portugal's Native Grapes

With names like Trajadura, Loureiro, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet and Touriga Nacional, the grapes of Portugal don’t exactly roll off your tongue.  Nor do they have the recognition of a Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay.  But with more than 200 indigenous varietals, Portugal’s wines are definitely exciting to explore. For a great introduction to Portugal’s wines, I [...]

Wine & Culinary Celebration at the Museum of Discovery and Science

I’m not sure what I enjoyed more about the Museum of Discovery and Science’s Wine & Culinary Celebration: eating delicious food from Broward County restaurants or checking out the museum’s interactive exhibits. Fort Lauderdale’s Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) is a kid-friendly hands-on museum with exhibits ranging from Florida’s ecosystems to air and space [...]

Great Reds from Hungary at the Florida International Wine Challenge

More than 200 wines from all over the world were swirled, sniffed and sipped this weekend at the Florida International Wine Fair.  It was my first time at the FIWC and I was glad I was able to attend both the Saturday and Sunday tastings to fully enjoy the experience. The wines were spread out [...]

Going Vegetarian (For a Week)

This week I’m switching up my diet by going vegetarian.  All the recent wine and food events have caught up to me so I’m hoping to get back on track by changing my eating habits (and spending more time at the gym).  I’ll also be limiting my consumption of animal products like dairy and eggs.  [...]

Crispy Kale

Kale is a great vegetable to add to your diet.  It’s high in vitamins A, C and K, and a good source of iron, calcium and fiber.  Rather than sauteeing kale or using it in soups, I like to bake it so it’s nice and crisp.  This recipe makes a great addition to a meal [...]

Happy Earth Day!

In honor of Earth Day, I’m taking some time to greenify my lifestyle.  My first step: finally remembering to bring those reusable shopping bags to the grocery store! Some Earth-friendly companies are making it easier for you to go green by offering great savings and giveaways. Whole Foods is giving its customers a free reusable [...]

A Conch Tour of the Florida Keys

I love spending a weekend in the Florida Keys.  It’s a quick drive from South Florida but it feels so much farther away.  As soon as I turn onto the Overseas Highway and can see sparkling blue-green water on both sides, I immediately feel happy and relaxed. Of course no visit to the Conch Republic [...]

Surprising Cuisine in a College Setting

When it comes to dining out, South Floridians love to find the next big thing.  A unique experience in North Miami is always one step ahead, serving fare from up-and-coming talents in the food and hospitality business. The place: the dining room at Florida International University’s School of Hospitality. Twice a week the dining room [...]

AG Pick Under $20: 2005 Castano Solanera

I stumbled upon the 2005 Castaño Solanera in my local wine store.  I thought I would give it a try because it’s a somewhat unusual blend of grapes from Yecla, an emerging wine producing region in southeast Spain. Old vines of the indigenous Monastrell varietal make up 65% of the blend, along with 20% Cabernet [...]

Simple Ceviche

Simple ceviche is a bit redundant because ceviche is really simple to make.  Essentially all you need is lime juice and fish.  I don’t like to mess with the great fresh taste of this combination so I only add a couple other ingredients. Neither my husband nor I are big fans of onion so I [...]