Author: The Dude
https://www.facebook.com/thedudeoffood
Mr. Coffee is back in my kitchen!
Welcome back Mr. Coffee.
Back in July of 2013 I had to lay my Mr. Coffee to rest after many years of good service.
I was given another brand that I tried to embrace but the brewer just could not perform
like my trusted Mr. Coffee maker. The biggest thing was the new one just would not brew
the coffee or tea water hot enough.
Anyways, after a couple months of struggling I gave the new one away to my security guard
buddy who works nights and bought another Mr. Coffee. Now all is good in my kitchen.
Thanks Mr. Coffee 
Candy!
Whitman’s vs. Russell Stover chocolate candy showdown
Today I had the awesome task of tasting a bunch of chocolates and then telling the world my opinion. Well let me get down to business.
I had a box of Whitman’s assorted chocolates containing 7 candies, a box of Whitman’s Reserve that had 2 candies in it and a box of Russell Stover chocolates containing 4 candies.
After tasting each I came to the conclusion that I like the Russell Stover chocolates a bit more. It’s hard to say chocolate is better than chocolate but being side by side made it easier to pick a favorite. My taste buds told me that I favor the Russell Stover candies a little more than I liked the Whitman’s candy.
In 1993, the Whitman’s Chocolate brand became part of the Russell Stover’s Family. They continue the tradition of creating the Sampler boxes.
Unfortunately See’s candies were not sold at Rite Aid and were not able to participate in this survey.
AQUINAS – Napa California Cabernet
AQUINAS 2011 California Cabernet Sauvignon
Named after St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), an Italian Dominican friar, priest and revolutionary scholar who used the laws of science to support his belief in the Almighty. This wine, like it’s namesake, is smart, bold, dedicated and has lots of good characteristics.
The Dude of Food rating: Give this a try.
RAVENSWOOD California Cabernet Sauvignon
Going to a party and can’t decide how much to spend and not buy some junk wine that was a waste of money and made you the indirect voice of ridicule as the tasters made their statements regarding your choice? Well there is another wine to add to the list. Reasonably priced, decent tasting. The Ravenswood line is alright.
R.I.P. my beloved Mr. Coffee coffee maker
I have owned a Mr. Coffee coffee maker for the last 10 years and have formed
somewhat of a bond with it. The basic machine got my day started right.
Every morning it patiently waits on the counter for me to decide if I will be making coffee or not.
Well much to my dismay earlier this week my Mr. Coffee coffee maker just
decided to quit working this week. It was easy to clean, worked quick and
efficiently and made good, hot coffee.
So this week, I have been getting to know my new, replacement coffee maker, the Toastmaster. it looks pretty similar to the old Mr. Coffee. Same color and about the same size. Easy change.
Well now I have been using a Toastmaster and have to say that I am not all that impressed. I know you are thinking that how can a coffee maker be that different, but they are, and this one bugs me a little.
The new cone shaped filter change is the first change I am dealing with.
It seems the the fine folks at Toastmaster want to use cone shaped filters, so I am adapting my old filters to work since I have so many square ones.
The second thing I immediately noticed was when I poured the coffee out, the fluid hits the lips of the pitcher and gets diverted onto the countertop. This I fixed by taking the top off and cutting it back on my band saw.
The next thing I noticed was that the heating element is not as hearty as the Mr. Coffee coffee maker and now my cups of morning java are not quite hot enough after I add a little milk.
Personally, the Dude of Food would like to buy another Mr. Coffee coffee maker and return to quality.
Bodega ELENA de Mendoza 2010 Red Blend
This family of fine wine is named after the matriarch who came from Italy, Elena Napoli.
Bodega ELENA de Mendoza Argentina
2010 RED BLEND
62% Malbec 21% Syrah 17% Bonarda
This family has developed some of my top wines from Argentina. The Malbec and the Red Blend from Bodega Elena de Mendoza are my favorites.
According to wikipedia, the “legs” or “tears” of wine that run down the inside of the wine glass are a sign of low alcohol. The heavier the legs, the lower the alcoholic content of the wine. If this is in fact true, then these wines are low in alcohol and big in flavor.
This Red Blend, like it’s sister Malbec, are loaded with solid flavors. Not too sweet.
Not too dry, but just right. These wines will slowly undress for your tongue, landing softly, pleasure your taste buds and leave you wanting another sip.
Priced under $10.
MALBEC Review – Espuela del Gaucho Reserve 2012
This tasty limited edition Malbec was also grown and bottled in the Mendoza region of Argentina.
Imported by WX Imports, Novato, CA
www.espueladelgaucho.com
Another fine Malbec that is now on my Top 5 Malbec list. Not as good as my favorite, Bodega de ELENA, but gets close. This wine is a 2012, so maybe it needs a year, but still was a very good selection.
The Espuela del Gaucho has unique, slow running, heavy legs. It carries a lighter body, landing gently on the tongue, joyfully leaving hints of mixed berries grown in the fresh Andes air and then drifts away.
Another quality Malbec, that any California cab or Merlot drinker would enjoy for under $12.
Kudos to this kitchen product maker.
http://www.farberware.com http://www.lifetimebrands.com
A couple weeks ago the Dude of Food needed a new “spatchula” and ended up purchasing a Farberware “slotted turner”. It turns out there was a problem with the one I bought and I wrote the company an email to ask about it. To the credit of the company, they were interested in hearing what happened and were more than happy to replace the product. Today the new product arrived and all is good in the kitchen again.
Thank you Farberware and parent company Lifetime Brands, for supporting your customers and standing behind your product line. Maximum respect. You can bet the Dude of Food endorses your kitchen gear and when I need new kitchen utensils you can bet I will be looking at your brands.
Follow the Dude of Food on facebook at – www.facebook.com/thedudeoffood
Malbec – TERRAZAS de los Andes 2010
Another fine wine from the Mendoza region nestled in Argentina.
TERRAZAS de los Andes Reserva Malbec 2010
Produced and bottled by Terrazas de los Andes, Argentina
Selected grapes of the Mendoza region terraces, found a little more than 1,000 meters above sea level, make their way into this wine. The selectivity of this wine is probably why it is imported by the Moet Hennessy company.
Personally, this wine is almost as good as my still favorite Malbec, Bodega de ELENA. The Terrazas is kind of similar to the Elena, but I found it to be a touch lighter in body and flavor when landing on the tongue. The Terrazas is flowery and fruity. Perhaps the Terrazas could be imagined as a merlot version of the Elena if it were imagined as a cabernet of the same vinter.
The Terrazas is a good wine, reasonably priced and will be gone before the bottles of Mondavi that other people brought to the party.
For comments or contact with the Dude of Food, please visit me at
Yelp as Dude Food G.