Monday, January 30, 2012

01/31Naples Winter Wine Festival, "FRESH & EASY KOSHER COOKING"

01/ 31 What's Cookin' Today

BOB & JOAN CLIFFORD ARE 2012 CHAIRS FOR "THE NAPLES WINTER WINE FESTIVAL"

Naples Winter Wine Festival, a top wine and food charity event, has secured an extravagant lineup of cruise and yacht trips to be offered at its 12th annual auction on Jan. 28, in Naples, Fla. Festival patrons will have the chance to bid on exclusive excursions through Central America, Croatia, Northern Europe and Burgundy, by sailboat, yacht or cruise. All of the auction's proceeds benefit Naples Children & Education Foundation's mission of supporting charitable programs that improve the physical, emotional and educational lives of underprivileged and at-risk children in Collier County. "Every year people are drawn to Naples Winter Wine Festival for the opportunity to support an important cause, enjoy world-class wine and food, and bid on unique lots and experiences," said Joan Clifford, NCEF trustee and co-chair of the festival with her husband, Bob. "The yacht and cruise lots tend to generate enthusiastic bidding, with couples getting together ahead of the festival to plan their bidding strategies. And best of all, the money raised will have a direct impact on the quality of life for children in need."

GUEST #3 8:30 AM - Rebecca/Peter Work - OWNERS Ampelos Cellars and Vineyard

Distributes Kurt Russell wine. The Ampelos phlosophy "We believe in taking care of and respecting the environment and our vineyard needs to be in balance, therefore we are one of the first vineyards to be certified sustainability in practice, organic and bio dynamic, a milestone we are particularly proud of. One of the best things about being winemakers is our opportunity to meet and share our love for wine with others." We are driven by a deep love and passion for the art of viticulture. We are truly a small boutique winery producing about 3500 cases a year. Our focus is viognier, rosé of syrah, pinot noir, syrah and grenache. Ampelos is a Greek word meaning “vine Ampelos has been a family endeavor from the start. Initially “corporate folks”, we loved getting away to the Sta. Rita Hills on the weekends and dreamt of one day planting our own vineyard and making wines. A cancelled meeting in New York on the morning of September 11, 2001 helped us to realize that someday was today! We purchased 82 acres in 1999 not knowing that one day it would be part of the Sta. Rita Hills appellation. Our son, Don, came out to help get the vineyard underway and soon our dreams became reality. The first 15 acres were planted in 2001 and in 2005 we expanded with another 10 acres so today we have a total of 25 acres planted.

LEAH SCHAPIRA - "FRESH & EASY KOSHER COOKING" Fresh-Easy-Kosher

A recipe doesn't have to be complicated to be delicious, nor exclusive to certain kitchens. Such is the mantra of Leah Schapira, co-founder of the popular culinary website, www.CookKosher.com, and author of the new book, Fresh & Easy Kosher Cooking: Ordinary Ingredients, Extraordinary Meals (Artscroll; November 2011). Inspiring everyone from traditional kosher cooks to everyday working women and moms, Leah shows how to use simple, fresh ingredients to create time-sensitive, tasty meals for all to enjoy. A busy wife and mother, Leah extends her recipes to a wide audience of people who don’t have much time to cook. She includes useful tips, minimal ingredients, and easy-to-follow steps. The book is organized into delicious chapters with sections containing time-saving tips such as menus, freezer-friendly meals and an index of food pairings for weeknight recipes. Her seasonal menus encourage home cooks to take advantage of market-fresh, simple ingredients for even easier recipe planning. “Food preparation shouldn’t be a point of tension,” Leah says. “This cookbook is all about easy, uncomplicated recipes for every day or for any occasion. I like to use ingredients from my pantry, adding new twists and improving on techniques.” Leah’s collection of culinary favorites transcends all food-lovers’ kitchens, non-Jewish and non-kosher alike. While certainly easing the challenges of strict kosher cooking, Leah’s recipes also provide options for even the pickiest of eaters. “You certainly don’t have to keep kosher to benefit from Fresh & Easy Kosher Cooking,” she says. “But if you do happen to be a kosher cook, you’ll find a great deal of help — even relief — from all of the resources I provide in the book.” Recipes are divided into chapters covering Soups, Salads, Dips & Sauces, Sides, Brunch & Lunch, Main Dishes, Traditional, and, of course, Desserts. There is something for everyone in Fresh & Easy Kosher Cooking.


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