 I am SO over summer! I am tired of the endless hot days! It may be my determination to look forward to Fall, but I have already gotten out my pumpkins and fall decorations. I may “feel” hot, but the knowledge that cooler days are coming bring me great joy. We even got to start jazzing up the garden by planting mums in actual pumpkins. It certainly has dressed up our porch along with our fantastic @bentonparkprints flag. I just must be patient before going all in with hot apple cider, spiked with calvados, and fires in the backyard. SIGH!  Weekend Wine Pick: A Taste of California’s Central Coast
2023 Mumbo Jumbo Pinot Noir 3 Finger Wine Company – Central Coast, California Alcohol: 14.7% We’ve long believed that great wine doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. So, when we discover a standout Pinot Noir under $20, we know we’ve hit our sweet spot. Enter Mumbo Jumbo—a name that evokes mystery, magic, and maybe even a little mischief. It’s our Weekend Wine Pick, and it’s casting a spell we’re happy to fall under. Pinot Noir is famously temperamental, but when it’s done right, it’s nothing short of transcendent. This bottle delivers. With its brilliant ruby hue and lively notes of raspberry, cherry, and strawberry, Mumbo Jumbo opens with a burst of brightness. Then come the deeper layers—Asian spices, cracked pepper, and a whisper of toasted coconut and vanilla on the finish. It’s bold, balanced, and lingers just long enough to make you reach for another sip. At just under $20, Mumbo Jumbo Pinot Noir is a steal. We snagged ours from @winemerchantsltd—and trust us, you’ll want to do the same. This wine doesn’t just talk the talk. It walks the walk, dances a little, and leaves you smiling.  I know I won’t do @officialkathleenmadigan justice when she talked about finding lost money from “herself,” but I think I get her enthusiasm. Kathleen talked about the joy of finding $20.00 in a pair of shorts she has not worn in six months and calling it one of life’s small pleasures. In my case, I found a jar of apple butter I made last Fall in the back of my pantry. I shouted out to Big Guy of my discovery, and I saw a streak of “lightening” as he headed to the toaster to warm up two English muffins. We are on the cusp of real Fall, and this was a most unexpected joy that I’ll place in my memory as one of life’s small pleasures!   I pledged to empty out my freezer of previous soups of my @carondeletkitchen past, but I was faced with a positive dilemma. Big Guy is still harvesting vegetables from @carondeletgardnen, so I had to make pepper soup as I spied the trudge of goodies. I saw yellow peppers and carrots and knew that adding the past harvest of onions and garlic that I was on to a terrific soup. I started by rough chopping the vegetables and roasting them with olive oil. When they were finished, I pureed the ingredients, with an added can of San Marzano tomatoes, with my food processer to combine the ingredients. It was minutes later I added chicken broth and spices to finish off a quick and easy soup. I decided to serve my soup with a side of buttered noodles, but I could certainly see adding a grilled cheese sandwich or salad. The possibilities are endless!  From fish sticks to foie gras, Karen Katz’s Getting Sauced is a memoir that simmers with wit, warmth, and behind-the-scenes spice. As executive producer of Emeril Live during its heyday, Katz had a front-row seat to the backstage chaos, drama, and delicious intrigue—served up with all the intensity of a butterflied leg of lamb. Her behind-the-scenes tales offer readers a coveted VIP pass into the wild world of food TV, where every dish has a story and every story simmers with spice. But Katz’s path wasn’t a straight shot from culinary school to studio kitchens. Raised in Long Island by a mother who swore by Lipton Soup Mix and orange juice as the ultimate basting combo, her early meals leaned more toward Mrs. Paul’s Fish Sticks than foie gras. From Sunday Moo Goo Gai Pan takeout to spit-roasted wild boar in the Swiss Alps, Katz’s glutton-to-glamour arc is as entertaining as it is mouthwatering. Along the way, she crosses paths with a culinary Who’s Who—Emeril Lagasse, Julia Child, Bobby Flay, Susan Feniger, Jacques Pépin, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Buddy Valastro, Martha Stewart, and more. Each one, in their own way, taught her not just how to cook, but how to infuse every dish with love, enthusiasm, and a dash of showbiz magic. “I’ve had the pleasure-and sometimes trauma-of witnessing some of the country’s top chefs in action from a front-row seat. It has made for some vivid storytelling at parties (and perversely made me a popular guest),” from Getting Sauced by Karen S. Katz. Getting Sauced: How I Learned Everything I Know About Food from Working in TV
Karen S. Katz Morgan James Publishing, 2024 $11.10 Paperback  Weekend Wine Pick: A Taste of Portugal’s Rich Terrain 2022 Bons Vento Vinho Regional Lisboa Medium Dry Red Wine Alcohol: 13% I’ve found that $20–25 is the tipping point—where affordable wines end and those perceived as “pricey” begin. The good news? European wines still deliver excellent value and flavor right in that sweet spot. One caveat: with the recent 15% tariff on European imports, prices may climb once stores cycle through pre-tariff inventory. If you’re a fan of Portuguese wines, now’s a good time to stock up. Portugal, with its dramatic coastline and rolling mountains, is a dream destination—une destination, as the French say—where food and wine are deeply rooted in culture and history. With over 250 indigenous grape varieties, the diversity is staggering and delightful. This weekend’s pick was a red blend from the Lisbon region. Blending is a Portuguese art form, and this bottle showcased it beautifully. Bursting with black fruit and ripe red berries, the wine was intensely aromatic and refreshingly vibrant. On the palate, it offered a full-bodied experience with notes of wood and a well-balanced acidity. The finish was bold—firm tannins mingling with hints of pepper and liqueur, leaving a lasting impression. It felt like sipping autumn itself. As I sat in the garden, the air carried that early fall crispness. This wine mirrored the moment—ripe, grounded, and just a little wild around the edges. A perfect companion for cooler weather and slow sunsets. This one was a real bargain from our friends @winemerchantltd   Do you ever dream about making soups in the Fall, then realize you still have a freezer full of soup you made throughout the year? I realize this is a silly problem, but I am determined to empty the freezer before I make more soup! I pulled out a container of beef noodle soup and added a can of beef broth with extra noodles to the crock pot. I have found that noodles do tend to break down when frozen, so I always keep extra noodles in the pantry. I decided to try my hand at focaccia, but not at the professional level as Chef Amanda @keycakesandco. I “cheated” with my box set from @kingarthurbaking as I wanted to be confident in my baking. They are so good at step-by-step baking that I could even pretend I am an excellent baker! Time to pick a lovely bottle of wine Big Guy as dinner is served! |
AuthorJust a super cool old couple who love to cook and eat and drink in their Carondelet Kitchen in South Saint Louis, Missouri! Archives
January 2026
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