well, thank you for all your suggestions. I am not really thinking about food over here. I just want some suggestions for really good, bold wines.

I would like to know if you have some suggestions for good red wine. Why red? Because i tend to drink more red wine when it is colder outside. Here are wines that i truly love; they have impressed me so much and i adore them for so many reasons ; they are bold and supple with a deep clarity and intensity in their burgundy color. They are alluring wines, with a beautiful bouquet and aromas that entice you. Here is my list, what is yours ?

* Bouchaine Carneros Pinot Noir 2007 ($30.00)
* Côte-rôtie J. Vidal Fleury ($50.00)
* Châteauneuf du Pape
* Château Etang des Colombes Corbières Bois des Dames 2007 ($18.50)
* Louis Bernard Cotes du Rhone-Villages 2007 ($13.99)

Valentine's day is approaching and i am wondering what to cook for my husband on this special day. It is always such a pleasure to cook for someone you love because you want to give them the best, the ultimate meal and surprise them as well with your intention and devotion. I am thinking about Foie gras with a Boeuf bourguignon, and Champagne, bien sûr.

It is such an immense joy to cook for someone you love, because you know what they like and you also know what is going to be their reactions when you will serve the plate. Cooking for someone you love is certainly the best single act of unselfishness there is; you just want to cook and eat the meal that is going to put a smile and a lot of warmth in a heart you deeply treasure.

What is for you the ultimate meal to cook for someone you love ? Is it for your dad, your wife, your son, your boyfriend ?

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thanks for everyone who is helping me with this. So many great infos and tips. This is amazing !

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I am located in Virginia. Thank you for the book.

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Today, the post is more of a descriptive question and hopefully some people can help me with that one. Send me tons of feedback because i really need to hear from you. It is a cry of the heart but mostly of the taste buds.

So, about the question. We would like to do a small edible garden, with maybe 10 different vegetables. I am thinking about tomatoes and garlic of course and carrots, squash, but do you have suggestions for :
1. Name 10 vegetables, super easy to grow (please no peppers otherwise i will have to take tons of Alka-Seltzer after the meal).
2. When do you begin planting the seeds ?
3. What about fertilizers, which ones are the best and is there options for natural, organic ones?
4. I heard that there is some combinations of vegetables that you can make (side by side).
5. I want a small garden that won't take every single minute i have.
6. What about the bugs and the birds. We do have some Japanese beetles over here (i am not really in love with them, but i am trying to exercise my Buddha mind ... it is not easy).
7. And the seeds, is there better ones than others, do i have to put them in water for germination ?
8. Of course, all other suggestions are welcome !!!

Thanks for all your help you, online gardeners. I am waiting for your thoughts.

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Hello,
i am located in Virginia, but i was born in Quebec and i lived in Hawaii.

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It must be so bad to have allergies. So many things that you have to exempt from your diet. i always wondered if i was allergic to green peppers because for me it is a big no no.

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Immersion blender is definetely my all time best gadget. To do creams of vegetables, sauces, super smooth mashed potatoes, mayonnaise, it is fantastic. And the amazing thing is you can bring it with you anywhere when you travel.

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I am so in synchro with your thoughts. I brought back sea salt from Hawaii that is amazing. And how can we go wrong with Creme Fraiche. With maple syrup or homemade jams, it's just paradise.

And those scraps of cheese when your are making a soup, that's a well kept secret.

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Yes, everybody is right. 10 is surely not enough. And we did not talk about the gadgets, pots and pans ...
and i forgot the lemons, the garlic of course !

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There is always some products that you use every time you cook in your kitchen. Some gadgets that you cannot live without, some essential things that you absolutely adore.
Here are the best 10 ingredients, products that i use all the time and almost everyday. Without them, i would be nothing in a kitchen.

1. Sea salt. This is the only salt that i use for cooking. Coarse and fine, both
2. Dijon mustard. As a marinade or to do an easy vinaigrette.
3. Herbes de Provence. A french dried mix of herbs that is amazingly fragrant and versatile.
4. Extra virgin olive oil. That is the only oil that i use all the time.
5. Heavy cream. For finishing the soups, the sauces, the pastas, the salads.
6. Cheeses. All kinds. I use the leftover scraps of cheeses in soups, on a pizza. I never throw away cheese.
7. Olives. Because it is always a great appetizer. Not the ones in the can.
8. Parmesan cheese. As a garnish on salads, pastas, soups, as well as in cubes for an easy tapas.
9. Ice cream. It is always an indispensable to make a last minute dessert.
10. Butter. Do i have to say more ...

That would be an interesting discussion to have ; describing your 10 essentials in your kitchen ...

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On our way back to Virginia from Quebec, on the 95, we stopped at the nice village of North East, MD to eat at Woody's Crab House, one of our favorite place. I cannot tell you how much we like this place because the seafood is purely and surely cooked near to perfection. For us, there is no other place like this to have seafood. We always take The Net Buster platter: Lobster tail, crab imperial, crab cake, jumbo shrimp, steamed clams, king crab, fresh fish, shrimp. A menu fit for a king! The decor is really casual but the staff is amazingly nice. The North East village is also a great place to shop with nice Antiques and boutiques places. It is absolutely worth it !

Do you know other good seafood places in Maryland?

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Woody's Crab House
29 S Main St, North East, MD 21901

When it is cold ousitde and snow is falling like today, what is better than a great hot drink to cheer you up and make you slacken and relax. Here are 2 of my favorites hot concoctions for the holiday season ; The eggnog and the Hot cider.
And what is seriously more fun than watching some movies with a cup of your favorite hot beverage in front of the fireplace with the smell of the fresh cut Christmas tree. Ah! perfect setting.

Eggnog
-When we are entering the holidays, i am big on eggnog. It is a once a year treat. This recipe is a bit lighter than the usual ones that tend to be to richer for my own taste.

Ingredients
1 quart of reduce fat milk such as 2%
1 cup of egg substitute (egg beaters)
1 onces of Brandy
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

How to make it
1. In a large bowl, beat together all the ingredients.
2. Beat for 5 minutes until foamy.
3. Cover and refrigerate until chilled.
4. Serve in cup and ad a pinch of nutmeg

15 minutes to make
Serves 6

Hot cider
- I usually make hot cider when putting the Christmas lights outside or when decorating the tree inside. A perfect companion.

Ingredients
2 qts. unsweetened apple cider
1 (6 oz.) can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed & undiluted
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup honey
2 sticks cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoon whole cloves
1 easpoon coriander seeds
1 whole nutmeg
1 1/4 cup dark rum or brandy
Cinnamon sticks
Orange slices

How to make it
1. Combine first 8 ingredients in a large saucepan
2. Cook over medium heat until hot, stirring frequently.
3. Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
4. Remove and discard cinnamon sticks, cloves, coriander seeds, and nutmeg.
5. Stir in the rum.
6. Cook over medium heat until thoroughly heated.
7. Pour into mugs. If desired, garnish with cinnamon sticks and orange slices.
The cider can be refrigerated for a week in a container.

30 minutes to make
Serves 8

What are your favorite holiday drink ?
Be merry !

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It is now time to talk about some charming beverages. Let's not forget that the wine is the soul of a good meal; the Champagne for a wonderful festivity, the Sparkling wine for every holidays, and we surely know that there is a lot festive celebrations !

Christmas is nearby and New year is arriving, i have some merry suggestions for your holiday wine list.

For Christmas, as a cocktail or with some appetizers, i would suggest a very good sparkling wine, and not too expensive; The Sparking wine brut sonoma Gloria Ferrer ($15.99), a dry bubbly wine with some note of exotic fruits.

With some seafood appetizers like shrimps or scallops, a great white wine, always good and consistent is the Pinot grigio. I recommend The Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio ($19.99).

As for the meal itself whether it's a roasted rack of lamb, veal scallopini or turkey, there is nothing better than a great Beaujolais. 2009 is said to be a great year for Beaujolais. My recommendation is the Beaujolais 2009 Mommessin ($14.99). Excellent, supple, fruity. There is no aftertaste at all and this is a great wine for entertaining.

To celebrate new year, a wonderful Champagne, always good, sparkling and full of life, the Heidsieck monopole champagne brut ($35.99).

Holiday wine list

- Sparking wine brut sonoma Gloria Ferrer ($15.99)
- Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio ($19.99)
- Beaujolais 2009 Mommessin ($14.99)
- Heidsieck monopole champagne brut ($35.99)

What are your favorite wines for the holiday season ?
Merry Christmas and Happy new year !

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On our last visit to North Carolina, we discovered this super-great micro brew called The Whipping Radish with a great butcher shop. The beer was amazing as well as the sausages, love that place ! The Obx beer and their Christmas one were really good. The butcher is a German Master Butcher. He's originally from Kassel, Germany and he has been a butcher for 34 years. We liked the apple Brats and the Kielbasa.

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Here is a list of favorite places and restaurant that i enjoy a lot.

Favorite restaurants in Virginia (Hampton roads)

219 Bistro, 219 Granby Street, Norfolk 757-627-2896. This is an amazing bistro with great food and great wine. It has something of a french bistro, for lunch or an early dinner. The food is great, the Crabcakes and the Lobster & Blue Crab Roll are to die for and the waiters are exceptionals, real french Garçons. I really love that place. It can be super crowded during lunch. I went numerous times and it's always super good. Just go !

Taste Unlimited, 757-627-3330. Well, this is not really a restaurant but more a take out with amazing sandwiches. You can't go wrong going to that place, so many choices, so fresh, so good. The Portobello is my favorite. There is different locations so check the website before. For lunch it is crazy busy. This is a well known place.

Todd Jurich’s Bistro, Norfolk, 757-622-3210. Todd Jurich is a chef-owned restaurant run by James Beard Foundation chef, Todd Jurich. This is an amazing restaurant. A special treat for sure. I was blown away every time i went. So chic with such great food. The wine list is impressive. The oyster stew, The fois gras, as well as The duck confit are so well done. They do have a cocktail hour special too with great options. I adore that place!!! I feel like Princess Grace going there, and this is a great feeling.

Passion Restaurant, Chesapeake, 757-410-3975. In Chesapeake, there is not a lot of good places to eat fancy-gourmet-good, you have to dig deep. But, this restaurant is really good with a really nice wine list. I like when there is great discoveries on the wine list and there is some over here. This is cozy with a romantic feeling. It looks like nothing from outside but inside it is very nice. The she-crab soup as well as the strip of veal are amazing. They have some specials on monday and tuesday. A nice surprise.

Vintage Tavern, 1900 Governors Pointe Dr, Suffolk, 757-238-8808. A very good place with a lot of attention to local produces. This is always crowded so be sure to make a reservation. The nature surrounding the area is magnificent. The charcuteries plate as well as The roasted pig plate are amazing. I have a deep love for meat but there is so many healthy, hearthy options over here so don't be fooled by my recommendations. The wine list is exhaustive. They also have a very classy bar where you can eat. It has a luxurious cabin in the woods feel.

Domo sushi, 109 Gainsborough Sq, Chesapeake, 757-549-7977. Ok, this is not a fancy place but this small japanese restaurant is great and the food is excellent. We have been to a couple of sushi places over here and for us, this one is the best. Everything on the menu is very good and we love the big Kirin and Saporo beers. This is as close as japan as you can be in Virginia. The chesapeake roll is very good.

Cafe Europa, 319 High St, Portsmouth, 757-399-6652. This restaurant is beautiful and the food is unforgettable. You will think you are having dinner in a great Parisian restaurant, the decor is exquisite. The most romantic place. The food is superb as well as the wine list. And the waiters as well as the host are very nice. We had an amazing wine (Bouchaine Carneros) and the veal with gorgonzola was excellent. We felt so Parisian-french in this place, at the end of the evening, we were fantastiques as well!

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Cafe Europa
319 High St, Portsmouth, VA 23704

Vintage Tavern
1900 Governors Pointe Dr, Suffolk, VA 23436

Here is a list of favorite places and restaurant that i enjoy a lot.

Favorite restaurants in Virginia (Hampton roads)

219 Bistro, 219 Granby Street, Norfolk 757-627-2896. This is an amazing bistro with great food and great wine. It has something of a french bistro, for lunch or an early dinner. The food is great, the Crabcakes and the Lobster & Blue Crab Roll are to die for and the waiters are exceptionals, real french Garçons. I really love that place. It can be super crowded during lunch. I went numerous times and it's always super good. Just go !

Taste Unlimited, 757-627-3330. Well, this is not really a restaurant but more a take out with amazing sandwiches. You can't go wrong going to that place, so many choices, so fresh, so good. The Portobello is my favorite. There is different locations so check the website before. For lunch it is crazy busy. This is a well known place.

Todd Jurich’s Bistro, Norfolk, 757-622-3210. Todd Jurich is a chef-owned restaurant run by James Beard Foundation chef, Todd Jurich. This is an amazing restaurant. A special treat for sure. I was blown away every time i went. So chic with such great food. The wine list is impressive. The oyster stew, The fois gras, as well as The duck confit are so well done. They do have a cocktail hour special too with great options. I adore that place!!! I feel like Princess Grace going there, and this is a great feeling.

Passion Restaurant, Chesapeake, 757-410-3975. In Chesapeake, there is not a lot of good places to eat fancy-gourmet-good, you have to dig deep. But, this restaurant is really good with a really nice wine list. I like when there is great discoveries on the wine list and there is some over here. This is cozy with a romantic feeling. It looks like nothing from outside but inside it is very nice. The she-crab soup as well as the strip of veal are amazing. They have some specials on monday and tuesday. A nice surprise.

Vintage Tavern, 1900 Governors Pointe Dr, Suffolk, 757-238-8808. A very good place with a lot of attention to local produces. This is always crowded so be sure to make a reservation. The nature surrounding the area is magnificent. The charcuteries plate as well as The roasted pig plate are amazing. I have a deep love for meat but there is so many healthy, hearthy options over here so don't be fooled by my recommendations. The wine list is exhaustive. They also have a very classy bar where you can eat. It has a luxurious cabin in the woods feel.

Domo sushi, 109 Gainsborough Sq, Chesapeake, 757-549-7977. Ok, this is not a fancy place but this small japanese restaurant is great and the food is excellent. We have been to a couple of sushi places over here and for us, this one is the best. Everything on the menu is very good and we love the big Kirin and Saporo beers. This is as close as japan as you can be in Virginia. The chesapeake roll is very good.

Cafe Europa, 319 High St, Portsmouth, 757-399-6652. This restaurant is beautiful and the food is unforgettable. You will think you are having dinner in a great Parisian restaurant, the decor is exquisite. The most romantic place. The food is superb as well as the wine list. And the waiters as well as the host are very nice. We had an amazing wine (Bouchaine Carneros) and the veal with gorgonzola was excellent. We felt so Parisian-french in this place, at the end of the evening, we were fantastiques as well!

http://veroniquegodbout.blogspot.com/

-----
Cafe Europa
319 High St, Portsmouth, VA 23704

Vintage Tavern
1900 Governors Pointe Dr, Suffolk, VA 23436

Here is a list of favorite places and restaurant that i enjoy a lot.

Favorite restaurants in Virginia (Hampton roads)

219 Bistro, 219 Granby Street, Norfolk 757-627-2896. This is an amazing bistro with great food and great wine. It has something of a french bistro, for lunch or an early dinner. The food is great, the Crabcakes and the Lobster & Blue Crab Roll are to die for and the waiters are exceptionals, real french Garçons. I really love that place. It can be super crowded during lunch. I went numerous times and it's always super good. Just go !

Todd Jurich’s Bistro, Norfolk, 757-622-3210. Todd Jurich is a chef-owned restaurant run by James Beard Foundation chef, Todd Jurich. This is an amazing restaurant. A special treat for sure. I was blown away every time i went. So chic with such great food. The wine list is impressive. The oyster stew, The fois gras, as well as The duck confit are so well done. They do have a cocktail hour special too with great options. I adore that place!!! I feel like Princess Grace going there, and this is a great feeling.

Passion Restaurant, Chesapeake, 757-410-3975. In Chesapeake, there is not a lot of good places to eat fancy-gourmet-good, you have to dig deep. But, this restaurant is really good with a really nice wine list. I like when there is great discoveries on the wine list and there is some over here. This is cozy with a romantic feeling. It looks like nothing from outside but inside it is very nice. The she-crab soup as well as the strip of veal are amazing. They have some specials on monday and tuesday. A nice surprise.

Vintage Tavern, 1900 Governors Pointe Dr, Suffolk, 757-238-8808. A very good place with a lot of attention to local produces. This is always crowded so be sure to make a reservation. The nature surrounding the area is magnificent. The charcuteries plate as well as The roasted pig plate are amazing. I have a deep love for meat but there is so many healthy, hearthy options over here so don't be fooled by my recommendations. The wine list is exhaustive. They also have a very classy bar where you can eat. It has a luxurious cabin in the woods feel.

Domo sushi, 109 Gainsborough Sq, Chesapeake, 757-549-7977. Ok, this is not a fancy place but this small japanese restaurant is great and the food is excellent. We have been to a couple of sushi places over here and for us, this one is the best. Everything on the menu is very good and we love the big Kirin and Saporo beers. This is as close as japan as you can be in Virginia. The chesapeake roll is very good.

http://veroniquegodbout.blogspot.com

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Blue Crab
4521 Pretty Lake Ave, Norfolk, VA 23518

Vintage Tavern
1900 Governors Pointe Dr, Suffolk, VA 23436