Friday, September 24, 2021

Take Out September 2021

September 3rd = Even though it's not my week to pick, I still got to provide "inspiration"! Pai had sushi earlier in the week and I was super jealous and it's probably my favorite. At least we mixed it up and ordered from Blue Ocean!

Blue Ocean Sushi

September 17th = Pai and I both were out of town for the previous weekend and so we were finally back on track. Pai needed some comfort food after a long work trip so Mai Lee was called upon to get her feeling right. Since we order from them so often, I decided to try something new... Duck with Egg noodles!

Duck with Egg Noodles

September 24th = In case you hadn't heard Southern is back open for Curbside pick up and that's exactly what I did for this week's "Take out Friday"! Easy to order online (you can pick a date/time in advance) and you just pull right up front and they hand you the order through the car window! 

I ordered the Firebird sammich with mac & cheese on the side, and then extra side of cucumber salad!

Firebird Sandwich with Mac & Cheese and Cucumber Salad sides

Photos by Patience Scanlon

Saturday, September 4, 2021

Big Macs & Burgundy Wine Class

I can't remember the last time I was at a wine class...much less one hosted by the STLWineGirl, so I was incredibly excited to attend this class. And it's been at least two years since I was at a Cocktails Are Go cocktail class with Beth Sorrell, who was the other host.

I have to admit it was so good to see some old friends that the class itself is mostly a blur, especially after five courses of heavy pours. All the wines were excellent and I only shared one of them, which was probably not in my best interest to finish so many of them. I am so rusty!

This class, Big Macs & Burgundy, is based on the book by the same name and there were so many people who couldn't make the class that night that there is already demand for another one.

Anyway, we started off with one of my favorite pairings, "salt + bubbles". The salt this time was potato chips, although some BBQ chips were mixed in as well. This might be my favorite because I love bubbles so much.

Salt + Bubbles

A challenging pairing of spinach artichoke dip, made sense with a Gruner Veltliner, and a glass of Pinot Gris was also added. Gruner Veltliner is the go-to for foods that are difficult to pair with.

Vegetal + White wine

I usually don't eat too many spicy foods, but luckily my other favorite, Riesling, is the best thing to pair with it. And it was Mai Lee's Lo Mein so extra bonus.

Spicy + Sweet

The title pairing, half a McDonald's Big Mac with a Coteaux Bourguignons, was just OK. I feel bad because it's hard for me to eat a Big Mac these days since I think most fast food is gross now, but I bet a fresh grilled burger from an actual grill would have done it. The wine was amazing though. I think this wine would have been awesome with some chocolate too.

Fast Food + Fancy

We wrapped up the night with Starbursts, Twinkies, and bites of cheesecake, which was well paired with an equally sweet Moscato. I had trouble drinking the Moscato as I can't do those sweet wines anymore!

If you get a chance to take the class, or any STLWinegirl or Cocktails Are Go class, be sure to sign up quickly!

Big Macs & Burgundy Menu

Resources:

Big Macs & Burgundy = https://www.amazon.com/Big-Macs-Burgundy-Pairings-World/dp/1419744917

STLWinegirl = https://stlwinegirl.com/

Cocktails Are Go = https://cocktails-are-go.com/

Novel Neighbor = https://thenovelneighbor.com/