Alexandra Feld

SI love food, so obviously I also love wine. If you’re eating food you’re supposed to have wine, right? In any case, a big red tends to be my go-to, but there is no better time to discover a new white than Summer time! 

Here are 3 newbies (at least to me) that I am dying to try!

BARRYMORE, Pinot Grigio 2013 | Monterey, California

I mean...as if we weren’t already totes obsessed with her! Of course she has a few grapes of her own! So, obviously we’re basically MFEO. This gal is a fan of crisp, fruity, whites and this varietal prides itself on just that! Tragically this may be a little tough to track down in store, it’s at a fabulous price point at $14.99 if you can make it to the vineyard but expect to pay a hefty shipping charge online. FUN IDEA:  get a few friends to pitch in and do a special tasting on the wines you don’t want to do a lone splurge on! I also recommend keeping a keen eye out at your favorite online wine store or at your local BevMo!

FERGUSON CREST, Viognier | Santa Ynez Valley, California

Who knew Fergie Ferg and her Dad own a winery together?! I do love a good Viognier! This 100% Viognier boasts a softer side with flavors of honeysuckle, apricot, florals and peach. If this doesn’t sound like your cup of tea... er... wine, then check out their well ranked Syrah!

SOPHIA MINI, Blanc de Blancs | California

We’re all familiar with the Coppola label, but can we take a moment to obsess over the cutest little can you ever did see! The Sofia Mini Blanc de Blancs just screams “girlie”! ...which is why we must take a moment to applaud the marketing geniuses behind it all. I mean, normally I would never dream of drinking champagne out of a straw, but they got me - I have yet to sip on it and I’m already in love. My train of thought: In case the bubbles aren’t on point, always have orange juice on the ready! So, if you’re looking for the perfect novelty beverage, these adorable little babies are the perfect addition to a Bridal or Baby Shower, Girls Night In, or simply to switch up your Sunday Sunday Bubbly!  If you aren’t able to splurge on these for your next brunch (about $15 - 4 pack), be sure to add them to your Pinterest searches while brainstorming your next event - I’m sure you’ll coming up with something equally as darling!  

Note: Each can comes with a little pink straw, and while this is quite clever and perfect for your summer movies in the park, I would recommend swapping out the straw for something a little more fance! 

Photography | Melanie Duerkopp Floral Design | Natalie Bowen Designs Creative Direction | Amanda O'Shannessy Creative

GoGi Wines | Los Alamos, California

Since we’re on the topic of Celebrity Wines, I must recommend one of my personal favorite wine makers, GoGi Wines. I had the pleasure of enjoying a glass of their Pinot Noir in Disneyland one sunny afternoon, before I knew who was behind it. It may have simply been the joy of toasting with my family in the Happiest Place on Earth but it still remains divine in my mind and on my palette. The man behind the grape is non other than Mr. Kurt Russell, you simply must do some googling to read about his “romance with wine”, it makes me smile. So I leave you with this charming video of bottling day at GoGi Wines, that just makes you want to be a part of their family. After all, isn’t that what it’s all about?

One of the many reasons I love visiting Flagstaff, Arizona, is Macy's European Coffeehouse. Need I say more? Well, okay...

Next time you find yourself in Flagstaff, do yourself a flavor flave by going to Macy's for the perfect cup of coffee and "the best bite around". Locally owned and operated, Macy's roasts their own coffee beans and offers cage-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options! ...I mean, it is Flagstaff sooooo let's not be too surprised. ;) 

My favourite is a double, rice-milk Viennese and house-made, honey yogurt and granola with fruit. Browse their cutie chalkboards filled with charming beverages and scrumptious eats to find your faves! Breakfast is when you'll find me among the crowded little room, but chow down any time of the day, I promise it will be worth it! Coffee, food, and people watching galore...bring your pup too!

I buy green bananas, not because they last longer, but because I prefer to eat green bananas. It's a thing. The problem is, bananas only stay greenish for a short while...so then what to do?! 

Banana Applesauce Muffins, yo!

Ingredients: 

1 3/4 cups flour

1/2 cup pure cane sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 eggs

1 cup mashed banana

1/2 organic applesauce

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 350F

Lightly coat 12 cup muffin tin with EVOO

Combine and mix the dry ingredients. In separate bowl, mix wet ingredients. Combine all ingredients and mix well. You may use your amazing Kitchen-Aid Mixer for this...or a fork.

Evenly distribute mixture into muffin tin.

Bake for 15 - 20 minutes. Use the toothpick trick!*

Remove from oven. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes, then carefully remove (a butter knife has been known to help with this process)

Enjoy with butter and honey or jam, or just as is!

My fiancé and I made Pomegranate Balsamic Salmon with Sautéed Spinach and Garlic Mashed Potatoes for dinner the other night; It was delightful, and as often happens with only two, there was a small container of left-overs. Please take note: I adore left-overs, in this case, mashed potatoes. 

The following night I made breakfast for dinner!

Potato Crust Quiche

Pre-heat oven to 350F

Lightly coat muffin tin cups with EVOO

Press mashed potatoes into cups (I only had enough for 6, so that's all I made. No big thang, make what you can.) Don't worry about making it perfect, a few uneven lumps are okay...I make chunky mashed potatoes with the skin.

Bake for 20 minutes or until there is some golden browning.

While waiting for your crusts...

Whisk eggs (8 or 9 eggs for 12 "muffins") 

Cut/Dice any veggies you have or want to add  i.e. spinach, mushrooms, onions, chives, scallions, garlic, basil, oregano...any quantity you desire.

Combine with egg mixture.

Add cheese if you like (I like). Mozzorella, feta, or cheddar are fab!

Once crusts are out of the oven, evenly disperse the egg mixture and bake quiches for 15 - 20 min or until they are slightly firm to the touch.

Let cool for 5 min in the pan then remove to finish cooling on rack.

Top with sour cream, chives, and/or cheese.

ENJOY!

So fabulous for breakfast, brunch, appetizers, or like us, last min, late night dinner!

Last night, my fiancé and I where talking, and out-of-the-blue he says, "You know what sounds good? ...deviled eggs!" To which I replied, "Well, we do have eggs. I'm on it!" 

The last time I made deviled eggs was for a big family Easter celebration a few years ago. I had planned a unique and delightful recipe for which I had to do specific shopping, but this time, there was not time to plan. I was set for a little kitchen game I like to call: "use what you have"! And so I did. Success! 

Ingredients, in no specific measurement: 

hard boiled eggs (obvi.)

sea salt & coarsely ground black pepper

diced sweet (or dill, my preference) pickles

olive oil mayonnaise 

dijon mustard

freshly pressed garlic clove(s)

a dash of hot sauce

a pinch of cayenne  

paprika, both in yolk mixture and to garnish  

The end resulted in a fairly traditional play on deviled eggs, and my honey was pleased. Make additions and subtractions based on what you have in your kitchen.

I've always been a little in love with jams, jellies, and preserves. The vision of a preciously-packaged, little jar of jam sitting on the kitchen counter waiting for it's next pairing makes my heart a little giddy. 

I mean, who doesn't love a good old fashion jelly-filled donut, or a classic PB & J?! Ever try lightly sautéing that sandwich in olive oil or butter - to die for!

My mom got me hooked on fig jam and goat cheese smeared ever so generously on rice crackers. This one is a dinner party success every time!

The list goes on: Smear it on pancakes & waffles; Add it to plain yogurt; mix your own raspberry vinaigrette; Amp up that turkey sandwich; Fruitify vanilla ice cream; Pair with a favourite cheese... 

Most recently we've been on a toast and jam kick. Try black cherry preserves on thickly sliced cinnamon-raisin, or chile-pepper jelly on crispy sourdough. Add a thin layer of butter first for an extra-heavenly experience!

I enjoy a good cup of coffee just about any moment of any day, but it is absolutely expected first thing in the morning. My morning routine goes like this: brush teeth, wash face, brew coffee, feed & walk dog, drink coffee. 

For the most part I brew my coffee in a standard, run-of-the-mill, household, coffee maker, but on rare and exciting occasion I get to use my  french press. I think it is the best way to try a new coffee (or drink coffee in general) in order to get the best and fullest flavour. Today was one of those days! 

A friend of mine recently began roasting beans here in Los Angeles! His company is still in the works, so as soon as it becomes official I will be sure to share the deets!

I have never personally known someone who roasts coffee, so it was extremely exciting to have the pleasure of being test subjects for something as dear to my heart as coffee. For now, I can report this: the two roasts (Eathiopian & Brazillian) he sent our way, are fantastic, and my fiancé - not an avid coffee drinker - thoroughly enjoyed this cup of french press, black coffee.