Flour de Cana rum is a 12 year old rum from Nicaragua.
“Not my favorite rum.” the Dude of Food
Category: Surfer Food
Mr. Coffee is back in my kitchen!
Back in July of 2013 I had to lay my Mr. Coffee to rest after many years of good service. I tried to embrace another brand but the brewer just could not perform to the standards that my trusted Mr. Coffee maker operated at. The biggest set back was the new machine just would not brew the 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 machine.
Now all good is restored in my kitchen.
Welcome back Mr. Coffee and thank you.
Chocolate Candy Showdown!
Whitman’s vs. Russell Stover chocolate candy taste test.
Today I had the awesome task of tasting a bunch of chocolates and then telling the world my opinion. Lets 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, neither Marsatta Chocolate or See’s candies were not sold at Rite Aid and did not 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 many quality attributes.
The Dude of Food rating:
Give this wine a try.
RAVENSWOOD California Cabernet Sauvignon
Going to a party and can’t decide how much to spend and not trying to buy some junk wine that was a waste of money? Nobody wants to hear the voice of ridicule as party goers make their statements regarding your choice of wine. Well there is a wine to add to the buy list that won’t get you ridiculed. It’s reasonably priced and decent tasting. The Ravenswood line of wines are alright. Try some.
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 top wines from Argentina that I happen to enjoy. The Malbec and the Red Blend from Bodega Elena de Mendoza are my favorites.
According to the web, the “legs” or “tears” of wine that run down the inside of the wine glass are a sign of 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. The legs may be attributed to sugar, I don’t know.
This Red Blend, like it’s sister Malbec, is loaded with solid flavors and not too sweet.
It’s not too dry either, but just right. These wines will slowly undress for your tongue, landing softly, pleasuring your taste buds, leaving you wanting another sip.
Was priced under $10. Get some.
MALBEC Review – Espuela del Gaucho Reserve 2012
This tasty limited edition Malbec was also grown and bottled in the Mendoza region of Argentina and is imported by WX Imports, Novato, CA
Do Not Confuse with the 2011 which wasn’t good.
www.espueladelgaucho.com
This is 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 winning wine is a 2012, so maybe could use a year to age, but is a very good selection.
The Espuela del Gaucho has unique, slow running, heavy legs. It carries a lighter body, that lands gently on the tongue, joyfully leaving hints of mixed berries grown in the fresh Andes air and then drifts away.
This is another quality Malbec from Argentina, that any California cab or Merlot drinker will enjoy for under $12.
Kudos to this spatchula 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 inquire about it.
The problem was the first spatchula they sent me was super flimsy and wasn’t worth the plastic it took to make it. To the credit of the company, they were interested in hearing about my experience and what happened. After we spoke they were more than happy to replace the product. Today the new product arrived and the replacement is heavy duty, solid and overall is a much better made product. 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.
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 style of the same producer.
The Terrazas is a good wine, reasonably priced and will be gone before the other bottles that folks brought to the party.
For comments or contact with the Dude of Food, please visit me at
Yelp as Dude Food G.
Red Rock Malbec Reserve 2010
Grown and bottled by Red Rock winery Healdsburg, CA
This Malbec is grown here in California, not Argentina.
The flavor of this reserve wine lacks the depth of the Bodega de ELENA Malbec, which is my current favorite. It is not a bad wine, but if looking for a reasonably priced California red, I’d go Murphy-Goode Cabernet.