There’s something quite magical about piercing a freshly-baked lava cake, letting molten chocolate flow out from within. Good news: you don’t need to go to a fancy restaurant to enjoy this sophisticated dessert. Our recipe for Molten Chocolate Lava Cake takes only six ingredients, and is surprisingly simple to make. Here are our tips for making the perfect cake, an easy recipe, and ideas for wine pairing with molten chocolate lava cake. Tips for making a perfect molten chocolate lava cake 1. Use the right-sized ramekins or cups. Not any ramekin will do! For example, soufflé ramekins are too la ..read more

As the wave of NBA professionals going into wine grows, we were curious: are they worth the hype? The Wine Daily decided to test two NBA Cabernet Sauvignon wines side by side: James Harden’s J. Harden Cabernet Sauvignon and the Three By Wade Cabernet Sauvignon. Both are California-appelated wines, meaning their grapes can come from anywhere in California. They are also similarly-priced, with Harden’s at $15.99 and Wade’s at $25.99. The Mission Both Harden and Wade’s wines have a worthy mission: to make good wine affordable and inclusive. Wade Cellars’ website states that it “strives to make th ..read more

What’s the difference between Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio? The truth: Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are the same varietal. However, the names tend to represent stylistic differences, particularly if it is grown in specific regions. In this article, we’ll delve into both similarities and differences between the two styles. Similarities: Pinot Gris vs. Pinot Grigio Flavors: Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio span a wide spectrum of fruit aromatics. These can range from tart (green apple, green pear, and citrus) to ripe (stone fruit, juicy yellow pear, and tropical fruit). There can also be underlying ar ..read more

One of my favorite Thai dishes is Khao Soi (ข้าวซอย). In one bowl, you hit on practically every flavor and texture — chewy egg noodles, savory braised chicken, crispy fried noodles, sour lime juice and pickled vegetables, and a coconut milk broth that is sweet, savory, and richly-spiced all at once. From my own experience, Khao Soi seems to be growing in popularity in the U.S., and can often be found in newer Thai restaurants. Read on for my authentic, delicious Khao Soi recipe with customizable spice levels. Tips for Making Khao Soi Use a mortar and pestle. This is a curry paste I started in ..read more

Duck L’Orange sounds like an intimidating dish, but it’s actually shockingly simple to make. There are only a few main steps, and none are complicated. Aside from the duck, the recipe uses many ingredients that you likely have in your pantry and refrigerator. Read on for our full recipe and Duck L’Orange wine pairing. The basic five steps to duck l’orange are: 1. Prepare the duck. 2. Season the duck and stuff the cavity. 2. Roast. 3. Make the orange sauce to go with it. 5. Slice and serve! Duck L’Orange Wine Pairing One of the most epic pairings for Pinot Noir is duck. The bright red berry fl ..read more

If you love chicken pot pie flavors, but not how messy the crust gets  after slicing and serving, chicken pot pie casserole is for you! This biscuit-studded version holds up beautifully when served. Each round biscuit fits neatly into bowls or ramekins. It is great for groups, and in my opinion, also easier to make. Win win! Tips for Making Chicken Pot Pie Casserole For extra golden biscuits, brush the biscuit tops with egg before baking. Without the egg wash, the biscuits will come out looking a bit dry on top. To save time, you can buy pre-made biscuit dough. I made mine from scratch ..read more

Bold, juicy, and flavorful: Chimichurri steak is one of my favorite ways to prepare skirt steak. It’s fast and foolproof to make, and the herbal chimichurri sauce gives it an extra savory kick. Here is an easy recipe and ideas for wine pairing with chimichurri steak. Wine Pairing with Chimichurri Steak Since skirt is a relatively lean, muscular cut of steak, it can be a little chewier than fattier cuts. Skirt is usually a flat cut, about 1” thick, and as such, often takes on a smoky flavor since there is more charred surface area versus the rest of the meat. Malbec offers juicy berry flavors t ..read more

If Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio came together and had a baby, it might be Verdejo. Verdejo has all of the fresh citrus and stone fruit flavors of a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, but without the “cat pee” aromas and significantly less grassiness. Instead of being in-your-face, its aromatics are more delicate, closer to an Italian Pinot Grigio from Alto Adige. Verdejo Taste Profile Verdejo is a light-bodied white wine with bright acidity, fresh minerality, and a clean, dry finish. Its fresh aromatics include citrus (lemon, grapefruit), stone fruit (peach, apricot), tropical (pineapple, melon ..read more

As cool weather hits, I start to crave warm, hearty dishes that wrap around me like a comforting hug. Beef birria tacos are the perfect combination of tender, savory meat and satisfyingly crunchy tortilla. Read on for an incredibly easy recipe and wine pairing with beef birria tacos. The Dish Beef birria is basically beef stew, but with Mexican flavors. Two cuts of meat star in this dish: beef chuck and beef short rib. Beef chuck adds smoky, meaty flavors, while beef short rib’s high fat content adds richness to the stew. The meat simmers in a broth of onion, guajillo peppers, and spice. While ..read more

If you love Thai green curry chicken (แกงเขียวหวานไก่), but don’t have the time to make fresh curry paste from scratch, there is a way. Here’s an easy hack to make delicious, easy Thai green curry chicken in minutes, and how to take it to the next level with a wine pairing. The Dish: Thai Green Curry Chicken Growing up, Thai green curry chicken was my dad’s favorite dish. As such, I’ve tasted it in many iterations – from the streets of Thailand, at Thai restaurants in America, and home made. Usually, Thai green curry is made with chicken, but you can also have it with other meats like pork or ..read more