Family Time

One of the things that I am most passionate about (things, not people of course) are: Delicious food and a well-balanced bottle of wine. Tonight, as I was sitting at the dinner table with my family, I felt so happy. I was happy because the food was delicious. It was not anything fancy.

The menu? Gnocchi with red sauce and Italian sausage, a side of Caprese salad made of fresh and crunchy heirloom orange and yellow tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, fresh sliced avocados, balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil.

The wine? A bottle of Raffinto red table wine (Ramazzotti Vineyards, 2006, Cloverdale, CA) that I picked up from the Grocery Outlet Store in Berkeley a couple of weeks ago for about $5. It's a blend of 60% Sangiovese, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 7% Syrah, and 5% Cabernet Franc. It's an inexpensive bottle of wine, but was easy to drink after airing out for a little bit.

But, I was also happy because everyone at the dinner table (including the kids) were laughing and enjoying a beautiful Thursday night with a view of the Bay and Golden Gate Bridges and the beautiful sunset in the background. I mentioned how much I love cooking and having people enjoy my food. My husband (Patrick) had a great idea: I could start a blog as a forum to share my passion with others.

So, here we are! The birth of the "Drinkable Feast" blog.

I know there are lots of blogs out there. So, at first, I was a bit hesitant. But, when I thought about it some more, I realize that this was a great idea. I have designed this blog with the following purpose in mind: to connect with people who are as passionate about food and wine as I am.

So, if you have an enjoyable food recipe and idea, please post it here and share. I am open to all types of food from all over the world. The only criterion: You truly enjoyed making and eating the dish.

If you recently had a great bottle of wine that you truly enjoy, pass along the name, winemaker, and vintage. And, if you bought it for a bargain, do share!

Finally, if you have a favorite restaurant in the San Francisco Bay Area or winery in Northern California, pass that along too.

Okay, I made it through my first post. Until next time, cheers!

ZinAdel