Michael David Petite Petit 2014

This is my “cheater” big bold red. Like training pants, this is the wine that subtly introduced me to the heartier wine style. So, now, when I’m in the mood for a good wine with substance — but I don’t want to fight with decanting an age-old cellar stasher or fight with the modern-day tannin bombs — I turn to Michael David Petite Petit. That’s a fact.

PS Yes I love elephants. Can you see my elephant drinking in the background?

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Simple Life Pinot Noir 2014

This is my ode to The Simple Life. Not just the wine, but the message it presents: wine does not have to be complex or expensive to be enjoyable. Sometimes it’s about popping the cork at the end of a long hard day and sharing a glass with the one you love over a mid-week meal while binge-watching Netflix.

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Pumpkin Seed Praline

Celebrate the fall season with this easy little recipe. Great for a snack, dessert, or dessert topping. It’s only 3 ingredients (and one of them is water). Added bonus: swap out the pumpkin seeds for your favorite nut or seed and you can use this recipe all year long.

Also, see below the recipe for how I use this as a gourmet topping to a delicious dessert. Bon Appétit!

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Vanilla Bean Parfait

I got the idea for this little dessert from watching (way too much) Master Chef Australia. I finally had the guts to try it and, turns out, it was easier than I thought! All you need are a few eggs, sugar, and vanilla bean for the basic recipe. Once you have it down, it’s fun to add your own flavor twist as well.

PS See below the recipe for how I fancy this up a bit (complete with wine pairing!)…Bon Appétit!

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