Wine For The Beginner - Red Wine Selection Tips For Beginners

Zinfandel, Shiraz, Merlot, oh my. Understanding the complexities and variety of red wine can be daunting, especially when it comes to choosing the correct wine for a dinner. Here are some wine selection tips for five of the most popular red wines for the beginner.

Cabernet Sauvignon

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Considered the "King of Red Wine Grapes", Cabernet Sauvignon originated in the Bordeaux region of France and established itself in the California wine markets to become one of the world's most popular red wines. Cabernet Sauvignon is usually matured for 5-10 years to create a mellow-flavored wine. It is often blended with other grapes, most notably Merlot, to create a soft wine with lively fruit tones. Cabernets are medium to full-bodied wines high in tannins which carry rich berry, tobacco and sometimes even green pepper flavors. Cabernet pairs well with lamb, red meats, hearty red pasta dishes, strong cheese and dark chocolate.

Pinot Noir

The Pinot Noir grape is very difficult to grow demanding climates with consistently warm days and cool nights. Nonetheless, it is grown in regions including Oregon, California, New Zealand, Australia, Germany and Italy. Due it's strict growing requirements, Pinot Noir is produced in lesser quantities than many other popular red wines and tends to be a little pricier. It is a lighter colored and flavored red wine with sweet undertones of berries, tomatoes, cherries, plums and earthy or woody flavors depending upon where it is grown. Pinot Noir is one of the most versatile red wines and pairs nicely with poultry, fish, lamb, pork, ham, spicy seasonings and cream sauces.

Zinfandel

Zinfandel has been a mainstay of the Californian wine market since the mid-1800s. Originally from Italy, this robust grape has found a good home in the Americas. The Zinfandel grape produces two varietals: the red Zinfandel, and the White Zinfandel (also called White Zin) which has become a popular wine for the beginner. The basic Zinfandel is a rich, dark red wine with flavors of sweet berries, plums and black pepper and undertones of oak. White Zinfandel is made by removing the grape skins shortly after the grapes are crushed. The result is a rose to pink colored wine with a lighter flavor. Red Zinfandel pairs nicely with red or white meat, hearty fish, burgers and spicy dishes. White Zinfandel is suited to a large rage of foods including Cajun and Asian flavors, BBQ chicken and heavy seafood dishes.

Merlot

Merlot originates from the Bordeaux region of France and is a soft and lush, medium-bodied wine. Its juicy fruit flavors and low tannin content makes Merlot a popular wine for the beginner. Merlot has a wide range of tones including plums, cherries, blueberries, blackberries and black pepper. Merlot is often blended with other wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc to soften their flavors and gain more structure and definition. Merlot is a versatile red which pairs well with pork, red meats, pastas and salads.

Shiraz

Known as Syrah in France, Shiraz is a bold, spicy wine which has become very popular in Australia where it gained its alternative name. It is a medium to full-bodied wine with firm tannins that give it a fuller body than most younger reds. Shiraz has an impressive range of flavors including black cherry, blackberry, plum, bell pepper, black pepper, licorice and even dark chocolate and smoked meat. Shiraz stands up well to hearty foods including grilled meats and vegetables, wild game, seasoned red meats, beef stew and meaty pizzas.

Wine For The Beginner - Red Wine Selection Tips For Beginners

You can learn about white wine for the beginner and get more wine selection tips for finding quality wines for or less at http://wineforthebeginner.blogspot.com

Deep Fryer Cooking - A Beginner's Guide to Perfect Food

Deep-frying is something that a lot of people have never tried and instead have left to the fast food outlets and restaurants. Deep-frying is actually quite easy though, when you know how it is done, and a deep fryer is the cleanest, safest way of deep-frying your food.

How a Deep Fryer Works

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It is important to read the deep fryer instructions carefully because different fryers work in different ways. You will also need to have the correct oil to cook with because oils need different cooking times and the results vary depending, which oil you use.

Pour the oil into the deep fryer, keeping it well below the indicated max fill line. If there is no max fill line, check the instructions. You will need enough oil so your food is immersed but do not fill it right up because your food will displace some of the oil.

There will be a temperature control on the machine, either a button or a knob. Some fryers let you know when the oil has reached the right temperature but if your machine does not have this feature, you will need to use a thermostat or drop a cube of crustless white bread into the fryer. If it turns golden brown after one minute, the oil is at the right temperature for deep-frying.

If the oil is too hot, the food will be cooked on the outside and still partially raw inside. If the oil is not hot enough, the food will soak it up and come out soggy.

Put the food into the fryer, using a slotted spoons or tongs if there is no basket in the fryer. Do not put too much food in at once because this cooking method is fast and cooking in batches is quick and easy.

If you are frying frozen food, try to brush off as many ice crystals as you can because they can cause spattering when they come into contact with the hot oil. Close the deep fryer lid if there is one, while the food cooks. Keep an eye on the clock to time your cooking and then remove the cooked food with the basket, slotted spoon, or tongs. Drain it on paper towels to absorb excess grease.

Delicious Deep Fried Chicken Recipes

Chicken is one of the most popular foods for deep-frying because this cooking method gives such great results. Homemade deep fried chicken is just as good as anything you might get from a Kentucky Fried Chicken fast food restaurant and it is so much more cost effective and convenient to make your own.

In addition, you are not limited to the KFC side dish options at home. You can make whatever you like to go with your fried chicken, such as baked beans and mashed garlic potatoes or a chili dipping sauce or anything else you fancy.

Using a deep fat fryer means you can make a KFC fried chicken recipe whenever you want to, in the comfort of your own home. Deep-frying is easy and fast and the results are great.

Deep Fryer Cooking - A Beginner's Guide to Perfect Food

If you want to learn how to make the very best fried chicken recipes using a deep fat fryer, check out our tips, tricks, and delicious fried chicken batter recipes at SouthernFriedChickenRecipe.com and be inspired. We have many recipes from traditional fried chicken to Caribbean chicken and much more. If you are looking for some great recipes or tips on cooking fried chicken of your own, the site will be very helpful. Whether you want a quick and easy fried chicken, an extra crispy one, or an old fashioned fried chicken, you're sure to find it there. Fried chicken recipes like our southern fried chicken with a wonderful crispy batter.

If you are in the mood for fried chicken with an international flavor why not try one of our international fried chicken recipes. These include such tasty recipes as our Fried Caribbean Chicken Recipe and other fried chicken taste from around the world. Nothing but fried chicken and southern fried chicken of all kinds. Also find informative articles related to chicken and other interesting information like cooking tips and more.