Recipes With Wine

Wine Bottle Christmas Trees

Posted on: December 20th, 2015 by Carla Johnson No Comments

Found these. Love them. Had to share them.

Carla Johnson author cooking with sin

wine bottle christmas tree Cooking with Sin

Source: http://badgersinbowties.tumblr.com/image/135413003919

wine bottle christmas tree 4

Source: http://www.pamplinmedia.com/ttt/89-news/205416-tigard-man-spreads-christmas-cheer-with-unique-tree

wine bottle christmas tree

Source: http://foododdity.com/15-beer-and-wine-inspired-diy-christmas-decorations/

wine bottle christmas tree Cooking With Sin

Source: http://hdpixa.com/wine+bottle+christmas+tree+frame?image=201108153

Carla Johnson author cooking with sin

Carla Johnson Cooking With Sin

Carla Johnson Cooking With Sin


 

Chef Tim Wasylko Says Good Bye to 24 Sussex

Posted on: November 7th, 2015 by Carla Johnson 1 Comment
Carla Johnson author Cooking With Sin

Photo credit of Chef Tim Wasylko

Chef Tim Wasylko, CWS contributor of “Stuck on Reduction” Grilled Watermelon Salad with Madeira Caramel, has been in the press lately.

For five years, Chef Tim prepared meals for the family and guests of our former Prime Minister Stephen Harper. With the change in government, Chef Tim is sadly facing a career change. He has not publicly shared what other opportunities may be in his future yet, but I certainly hope more than a few great offers come knocking on his door. In the meantime, you may be able to find him stirring up more beautiful creations at his family business The Winchelsea in Winchester, Ontario.

Carla Johnson author Cooking With Sin

When the news broke, Chef Tim shared some heart-felt inside stories about the life of the Harper family in an article in the Ottawa Sun. While my personal political views are more to the left, I don’t try to toot my opinions too loudly because wonderful things happen across the full wing-span of politics and I truly enjoy celebrating the accomplishments of people in all walks of life.

The former chef said he never felt like a servant or a butler.  
He recalled the first thing Laureen Harper saying to him as 
“I want you to cook for my family the way you cook for your family.” 
“And I often did,” he recalled.
~ Ottawa Sun, Friday, Nov. 6, 2015

Chef Tim, I wish you the best and I look forward to more wonderful culinary adventures in your future!

Carla Johnson Cooking With Sin

Carla Johnson Cooking With Sin


 

 

Wine and Cheese, What a Pair!

Posted on: November 1st, 2015 by Carla Johnson No Comments

On our kitchen counter, a beautiful wood inlay cheese board holds a place of honour. A gift from our best friends, we have pampered it, but it is starting to show wear and as much as it makes me a little sad, it also makes me a little proud that we are having so much fun with it. This great infographic is only going to wear it out more. I think I like that!

Perfect Wine and Cheese Pairings
Presented By Cabot Creamery

Carla Johnson Cooking With Sin

Carla Johnson Cooking With Sin


 

“Sangrita” Frozen Sangria

Posted on: July 8th, 2015 by Carla Johnson No Comments

“I found a photograph of you and me 
Drinking sangria somewhere by the sea.
There’s laughter in our eyes and dreams in our hearts.”

~ The Divine Comedy

Carla Johnson author Cooking With Sin

It’s summer and time for a new, refreshing twist on the classic drink sangria. Take your classic frozen margarita and marry it with a fruity sangria and voila… Sangrita!

In Spanish, the word “sangria” means to bleed. While many people enjoy white sangrias, I choose to stick with red wine for my sangrias simply because it fits so “appetizingly” with the name.

Right now I have cotton candy flavoured vodka in my liquor cabinet, so that’s what I started to soak the fruit in. Then, knowing how well wine and chocolate pair, I added “Glad I thought of that!” Crème de Cacao.

I made this for my friend Rhonda’s pool party. (Rhonda, the CWS contributor of Rhonda’s Been Screeched, Bread Pudding and Hard Caramel Sauce & A Little Leftover Red Wine Jelly) The party was a reunion of good friends from our University of Waterloo days. None of us had changed a bit. Yes, none of us had changed a bit. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. The day turned out to be cool & rainy, so the pool was abandoned and we hunkered down indoors to chat and eat and drink. It was a great day. 😀

This fruity sangria is smooth and cool with a nice hint of chocolate. A perfect refreshing drink for a hot – or even a cool and rainy – summer day.

Carla Johnson author Cooking With Sin

“Sangrita” Frozen Sangria

 

2 cups mixed berries

½ cup crème de cacao

½ cup cotton candy flavoured vodka

2 cups rainbow sorbet

1 handful ice cubes

½ bottle cheap & cheerful red wine

1. Let the mixed berries soak in the crème de cacao and vodka for several hours. Stir and when the berries are soft from absorbing the liquid put the whole mix in the freezer overnight. It will partially freeze into a slush.

2. In your blender, mix the sorbet, soaked berries, wine and ice cubes. Blend until smooth and serve.

Carla Johnson author Cooking With Sin

Carla Johnson author Cooking With Sin

Photo Credit: http://www.zazzle.com/of_course_i_get_vitamin_c_sangria_flask-256629057316362406

Update:

My good friend Faryl made up a batch. Here is a shot of hers. It looks so good! Thanks for sharing it Faryl. :)

Cooking With Sin Frozen Sangria

HAVE YOU TRIED MY OTHER SANGRIA RECIPES?

“I LOVE NY” Sangria &

“TAKIN’ THE PISS” Crisper Sangria

Carla Johnson Cooking With Sin

Carla Johnson Cooking With Sin


 

A Bubbly Welcome to 2015

Posted on: December 30th, 2014 by Carla Johnson No Comments
“What did Dom Perignon say to fellow monks after he invented champagne? … Come quickly, I am tasting the stars.”Cooking With Sin Happy New Year 2015 champagne bottle 
― John Green, The Fault in Our Stars

While I appreciate all different kinds of wine, I have a special spot in my heart for bubbles. That’s what I call it. Bubbles. Mm…yes. Sparkling wine, champagne, prosecco, cava, espumante, asti, cuvée, sekt… even frizzante. Yum.

And there is not a better way to welcome in the new year than popping the cork on a bottle of your favourite.

Cooking With Sin Carla Johnson author sparkling wine champagne sekt cava prosecco cuvee asti spumante

Looking for tips on buying bubbles here in Ontario? Check out the sparkling wine reviews on Natalie MacLean’s site. I’ve been known to put some reviews on the site on occasion. You might find it helpful.

Cooking With Sin Carla Johnson Happy New Year 2015 champagne glasses

Be at war with your voices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better person.
-Benjamin Franklin

Wishing You and Yours Blessings for 2015!

Carla Johnson Cooking With Sin

Carla Johnson Cooking With Sin