Sip and Celebrate: A Guide to Choosing the Perfect Wine for Every Occasion

Sip and Celebrate: A Guide to Choosing the Perfect Wine for Every Occasion

Friday 2 February 2024

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Selecting the right wine for an occasion can elevate the entire experience, turning a simple gathering into a memorable event. Whether you're toasting to a special milestone or enjoying a casual evening with friends, here's a guide to help you choose the perfect wine for every occasion.

1. Consider the Occasion:

Tailor your wine selection to the nature of the event. For celebratory moments like weddings or anniversaries, opt for sparkling wines or Champagne. Casual gatherings may call for a versatile white or red wine.

2. Know Your Guests:

Consider the preferences of your guests. If you're uncertain about their tastes, choose wines with broad appeal, such as a well-balanced Chardonnay or a crowd-pleasing Merlot.

3. Pair with the Menu:

Pairing wine with the menu enhances both the food and wine experience. Lighter dishes pair well with crisp whites or rosés, while heartier meals are complemented by robust reds. Sparkling wines are versatile and can often accompany a variety of cuisines.

4. Match Intensity:

Match the intensity of the wine with the intensity of the flavors in your meal. Delicate dishes pair well with light-bodied wines, while rich and bold dishes stand up to full-bodied reds.

5. Consider the Season:

Seasonal variations can influence your wine selection. Crisp whites and refreshing rosés are perfect for warm summer days, while robust reds and fortified wines are cozy choices for winter gatherings.

6. Experiment with Varietals:

Don't be afraid to experiment with different grape varietals. Explore the diverse world of wines, from Sauvignon Blanc to Cabernet Sauvignon, to discover new favorites that suit your palate and the occasion.

7. Budget Wisely:

Set a budget for your wine selection, taking into account the number of guests and the overall cost of the event. There are excellent wines available at various price points, so you can find a quality bottle that fits your budget.

8. Sparkling Wines for Festive Moments:

Sparkling wines, including Champagne, add a touch of elegance to any celebration. Reserve these for significant milestones and joyous occasions.

9. Temperature Matters:

Serve your wine at the appropriate temperature to enhance its flavors. Whites and sparkling wines are typically served chilled, while reds are enjoyed at slightly warmer temperatures.

10. Trust Your Palate:

Ultimately, trust your own taste preferences. If you have a favorite wine that you enjoy, it's likely that your guests will appreciate it too. Your enthusiasm for the wine will enhance the overall experience.

Choosing the perfect wine for an occasion involves a blend of thoughtful consideration and a touch of personal flair. Whether you're a wine connoisseur or a casual enthusiast, these tips will help you navigate the world of wine and select the ideal bottle for any event. Cheers to making every occasion a special one!

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Spring Essential Vitamins - the 5 must haves to improve overall health this season

Spring Essential Vitamins - the 5 must haves to improve overall health this season

Tuesday 2 May 2023

London, UK

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Spring is a season of renewal and rejuvenation, and it's a great time to focus on your health and well-being. One way to do this is by ensuring that you're getting the essential vitamins that your body needs to function properly. Here are some of the spring essential vitamins that you should consider taking to improve your overall health this season:

1. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect your cells from damage and improve your immune system function. It's also essential for collagen production, which is important for healthy skin, hair, and nails. You can get vitamin C from citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, and broccoli, or by taking a vitamin C supplement.

2. Vitamin D

Vitamin D is important for bone health, as it helps your body to absorb calcium. It's also been shown to improve immune function and reduce inflammation. While you can get vitamin D from sunlight, it's often difficult to get enough, especially in the spring when the sun is still weak. Consider taking a vitamin D supplement to ensure that you're getting enough.

3. B Vitamins

The B vitamins, including B12, B6, and folate, are important for energy production, brain function, and red blood cell formation. They're found in a variety of foods, including meat, fish, eggs, and leafy greens. If you're not getting enough B vitamins from your diet, consider taking a B-complex supplement.

4. Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect your cells from damage and reduce inflammation. It's also important for healthy skin and hair. You can get vitamin E from nuts, seeds, and leafy greens, or by taking a vitamin E supplement.

5. Vitamin A

Vitamin A is important for healthy vision, immune function, and skin health. It's found in animal products like liver and eggs, as well as in orange and yellow fruits and vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes. You can also take a vitamin A supplement if you're not getting enough from your diet.

In conclusion, taking these spring essential vitamins can help you improve your overall health this season. Remember to get plenty of vitamins and minerals from a balanced diet, but also consider taking supplements to fill any gaps in your nutrition. As always, consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen.

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5 Nutritious Breakfast Ideas

5 Nutritious Breakfast Ideas

Saturday 30 January 2021

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Good morning Saturday! 

Let's start the day with a nutritious breakfast. 

What is your go-to meal? 

I have always strived to be healthy and one of my favourite meals 

includes simple but tasty ingredients.

Porridge is one of them and I usually blast it for 2 minutes in the 

microwave and add blueberries, almond milk, and other fruits like apples, 

bananas or raspberries.  

I am also a big fan of toast with healthy spreads on top.

Some of my choices include avocado toast, 

sprinkled with herbs; salad and avocado on top 

(you can add some fruit to this one, trust me it is very delicious)

Also, eggs on toast and the combo with avocado.

Hummus and tomatoes.

An for the sweet tooths out there: peanut butter toast with banana slices on top.

You can also opt for apple slices and instead of the toast spread this on a rice cake.

So here you go; 5 ideas ( a bit more actually) for your breakfast meals.

And below I have included the ingredients you can add to your shopping list, 

in order to achieve these healthy snacks, which you can have in the afternoon too.

Ingredients:

porridge

bananas

apples

avocados

salad

hummus

blueberries

strawberries

rice cakes

peanut butter

rye bread

eggs

raspberries

Happy shopping and don't forget to subscribe for more articles like this one and let me know in the comments your thoughts.

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Poached eggs on toast

Poached eggs on toast

Wednesday 20 January 2021

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I have never been able to make poached eggs and I honestly never dreamed of making one any time soon.

But with this technique ( which is by the way absolutely genius) everything is so super easy and quick.

One truly special person to me showed me how to make these poached eggs and I was happy to assist with my usual role- chopping and prepping. 

All you will need here is: 

some toast, 

eggs ( as many as you like)

pickled beetroot

olives

pickled mini onions ( I know, but yes, they do exist and are tasty)

cherry tomatoes

soft cheese ( for the toast) 

coarse pate ( for the toast)

There is not any particular quantity here as you can add or remove depending on how hungry you are or how many people will feast on the result.

Additionally, you will also need some: 

cling film

one glass

For the ultimate trick, you can see below.

I truly hope you will like and enjoy this recipe and please let me know how you do your poached eggs and what your techniques are.

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Easy Home Made Burritos

Easy Home Made Burritos

Tuesday 19 January 2021

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Some of the ingredients we have used for these homemade super easy burritos I am going to attach below

for your reference. Again, We have simply used whatever we had left in the fridge so there really is not anything you can not use here. Play with it and have fun.

I particularly liked the chopping and neatly prepping everything on the plate ready to be cooked.

One additional piece of advice is to section the ingredients on: which ones go first and which ones require more cooking time, then the sauce etc.

* Here we used two Old El Paso kits: Burrito kit and Enchilada kit, purely for the wraps and the difference of sauce texture. We have added both sauces to the mix below. Also, do not forget to add their spices additionally to yours- You will not regret it. They are oh so lovely!

* The Deroni tomato sauce is not actually a sauce but more of a spread. It comes from Bulgaria ( my native country) and I simply love it. It is one of my childhood food memories that has just been embedded in my taste buds and once in a while, I insist on adding it here and there. You, however, can opt for any tomato sauce/paste.

* Can you spot the different textures of the wraps? The enchilada kit wraps tend to be more yellowish and tastes a bit better but overall both are very tasty. 

Lastly, we love olives so much so adding them was no brainer really.

Again, you are more than welcome to change and tweak this recipe by your own liking and I cannot wait for you to share your foodings results in the comment section below.

 

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Peanut butter coconut balls

Peanut butter coconut balls

Tuesday 2 July 2019

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Another essential snack for picnics, parties or before gym fuel!

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Supper -succulent Pheasant Sauce with soy, miring & ginger

Supper -succulent Pheasant Sauce with soy, miring & ginger

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A healthy portion is determined on how big you feel your stomach is and not your hungry eye.
So let's get to it. Another tastefulness from my kitchen with love to you:

Serves 4
Preparation 20 minutes
Cooking 10-12 minutes 
( so if you have a summer soare and you want to impress your guests, the quicker the better)

Ingredients

• 1 medium egg white
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons cornflour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 4 hen pheasant breasts, boned, skinned, sinew removed and cut into 2cm cubes ( send your men  on a hunt either in the open wild or to the shop for that hen)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 50g fresh ginger, peeled and finely sliced
• 1 small onion, finely sliced
• 4 pak choi, roughly shredded
• 4 table spoons soy sauce ( or any alternative you can find)

Preparation

1. Put the egg white into large bowl and break up slightly with a whisk. Add sesame oil, cornflour, salt and pepper and mix well.
2. Add cubed pheasant meat and mix well. Cover the bowl with clingfilm and leave to rest in the fridge for 20-30 minutes.
3. Once thereat is rested, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a wok until smoking. Drain the meat well and fry in small batches for 1-2 minutes just to seal the meat. remove from the pan and keep warm.
4. Wipe out the wok, then heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil until smoking. Add the ginger and onion and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes.
5. Add the pak choi and wilt slightly, then return the pheasant to the wok. Add the miring and soy sauce and cook only briefly to bring all the flavours and textures together - do not overcook!
6. Check the seasoning and serve straight away.

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Plum Clafoutis or some guilty summer pleasures

Plum Clafoutis or some guilty summer pleasures

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I really want to share this yummy recipe as it is one of the few new experiments I have tried out this summer and I swear it is deliciously tasty. And if you feel too guilty like me you can always go sweat it out in the gym afterwards. To be honest I find home made pies and cookies much healthier than the ones sold in shops.
Hope you enjoy this one!

Serves 4-6
Prepare 15 minutes ( yes! only 15 min to prep..wow)
Cook 45 minutes ( where you can read a book, chill out in the garden with a glass of wine or simply work out)

Ingredients

• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 150ml milk
• 100ml double cream
• 4 eggs
• 100g caster sugar
• 30g plain flour
• 20g unsalted butter
• 1tbsp light brown soft sugar ( tip: I use that as a lip scrub too )
• 6 large plums
• 1 1/2 tsp allspice
• double cream ( to serve)
• icing sugar (to dust)

Preparation

1. Heat the oven to 180 C. In a blender, whizz together the vanilla, milk, double cream, eggs, caster sugar, flour and a pinch of salt. Set aside for 20 minutes or so to allow the flour to swell in the liquid.
2. Meanwhile, grease a wide, shallow 1.25 - litre ovenproof dish with butter. Sprinkle in the brown sugar. Halve and stone the plums and spread evenly in the dish. Sprinkle with the allspice and turn to coat, ending with the plums cut side down. Roast for 10 minutes.
3. Remove from the oven and immediately  pour over the batter. Cook in the middle of the oven for 30-35 minutes, until risen and golden. Serve hot, with spoonfuls of double cream and a dusting of icing sugar.

Bon Apetit!

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