Party Pairing Monday: Valentine's Fudge Pie

This pie may not be as pretty as boxed chocolates, it may not be as luxurious as cake, nor as sexy as melted chocolate with strawberries. But, this fudge pie is rich and delicious. Plus, it’s quick and easy to make, which leaves you time for, um, other romantic things. It can easily be made in the morning to be eaten in the evening after a dinner date, or can be enjoyed still warm from the oven.

From the Novice Nosher

I actually got this recipe from my boyfriend, who got it from his mom. So it has a special place in both my boyfriend’s and my hearts. It reminds me of the different kinds of love that exist: between girlfriend and boyfriend, mother and son, heck even mother and son’s girlfriend.

I don’t like to tweak much without the BF Mom’s approval, but I do like to add a little bit extra to give it my own touch. When I don’t have time to make a pie crust from scratch, I like to use a pre-made crust that can be found in the baking aisle. But I love to make a graham cracker crust that goes great with the chocolate in the filling. And to put on top of that fudge filling, I like homemade whipped cream, with a touch of vanilla. But Cool Whip can serve as an easy, time-saving and equally delicious creamy topping. I’ve included the recipes for the graham cracker crust and for the whipped cream, just in case you want to go that extra mile for your valentine.

Fudge Pie

Ingredients

• 1 stick of salted butter (melted)
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 1 unbaked pie crust (or 1 pre-baked graham cracker crust)

Directions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Mix all of the ingredients except for the pie shell in a medium-sized bowl. Pour the mixture into the pie crust. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.

Graham Cracker Pie Crust
Ingredients

• I box of graham crackers (at least 24 crackers)
• 6 tblsp. butter
• 1/4 cup sugar
• Optional: cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice

Directions
Melt the butter. Crush the graham crackers in a bag with a rolling pin until it's in fine pieces. Measure 1 1/2 cups of the crumbs and pour into a medium-sized bowl. Add the sugar and the melted butter. Mix the ingredients together to blend, then transfer to a pie pan and press into it firmly. To pre-bake, bake it in the oven for 8-10 minutes at 350F.

Whipped Cream

Ingredients

• Heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

DirectionsWhip the cream in a stand mixer until almost stiff. Add the sugar and vanilla and beat until the cream holds peaks.

WinoBee's Pairing

It's Valentine's Day so anything goes, especially anything thats sensual (as I'm sure you saw from our featured pairings in Redbook last week - winky, winky!) So why not tickle your tastebuds with some SEX. Yes, SEX!!

M. Lawrence SEX is a brut rose made in Michigan (can you believe that?) and I just discovered it last night while serving at @TishWine's "Sexy Wines" tasting at VinoVino, but it was quite the hit. Made from 100% locally grown Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, you'll get a beautiful salmon color on the eye, sensual raspberry and strawberries notes on the tongue and a crisp finish.

Team it up with this Fudge Pie and you're guaranteeing the ultimate foodgasm!

Cost: $15/bottle

Valentines: Aphrodisiac Food & Wine Pairings

Whether you're in love, looking for love, or trying to get some love, Valentine's Day is the perfect excuse to make magic happen! And there's no better way to do it than with sexually suggestive food and beverages that make you throw your inhibitions to the wind.

I'm serious! Studies show that alcohol levels can raise the testosterone levels in women, which coincidentally entices those who lack sexual interest and desire. Interest piqued? Then go ahead… light the candles, pop in a little Marvin Gaye and ensure where your night is headed with these de-lush-ious aphrodisiac food and wine pairings from your Lil' WinoBee, which were featured by Redbook this past week!

DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE

Wine is the perfect mood setter, and for the "romanticals" out there looking to get the night started with some sustenance, whip up some Sizzling Steak Kabobs and pair with a higher tannic red wine like Zaca Mesa Syrah ($20, BevMo.com). This red offers unique character that blends dark plum notes with deep espresso undertones, and its sure to land you more than one silky finish for the night!

WINE ME, DINE ME
Esporao Private Riserva White ($29.99, WineLibrary.com) offers honeysuckle attributes that pair well with any kind of shellfish, especially the richer ones like oysters, and we all know oysters are the most notorious aphrodisiac food. The zinc found in oysters controls progesterone levels which are said to have a positive effect on the lipido. Bow-chicka-bow-wow!

KEEP IT SWEET
Wine and chocolate are a match all their own, but they may help you make your own love match. A compound in chocolate, called methylxanine, triggers the release of dopamine in the body often leaving you with a feeling of lovestruck. Try making your sweetie these Chocolate Lava Cakes and serve alongside a sparkling rosé, like Martini & Rossi ($13, Shopper's Wines) which combines an aromatic bouquet and palate of light florals and apricot.

DON'T THINK, JUST DRINK
Port Wine is said to be an aphrodisiac all its own, so in the case you have no time (or motivation) to whip up something romantic, simply grab a bottle of white port and some fresh strawberries and cream as studies say pairing the two may promote lovemaking.

Valentines: Get Your Cham-Cham On!

Hi wine lovers! Guest blogger Tara Daudani from BetterTV here with a fun twist on a romantic Valentine's Day cocktail.

At a party for Driscoll's berries last week, I enjoyed a delicious Chambord & Champagne cocktail. My co-worker Anne, who attended the event with me, cutely referred to the drink as a "Cham-Cham" though I've seen it called a Kir Imperial also. This twist on a classic glass of bubbly is one of the easiest cocktails to make. Just pour 1/4 oz. of Chambord Liqueur (or more if you want a more intense black raspberry flavor) then fill the glass with champagne and garnish with a raspberry or blackberry. Voila! A beautiful drink to toast with the one you love. Last night the cocktail was served with Korbel Brut ($9.99/bottle), but in my humble opinion, a Blanc de Blanc would be really good too.

To go along with our Cham-Chams, party-goers also decorated heart shaped cupcakes with those delicious berries. And let me tell you, the blackberrries were some of the best I've ever had! At the end of the event, host Cathy Riva gave all of us some homework: This Valentine's Day, pay it forward. She encouraged us to do a random act of kindness for a stranger this year. Whether it's helping someone in need, or paying for the person behind you in Starbucks. I can raise a glass to that!

Valentine's: A Romantical Rose - Sparkling Herdade Do Esporao

Ah, the week before Valentine's Day! Always a pressing time to figure out how your going to woo your wondrous. Our suggestion? Switch it up this year. There are only so many commercial chocolates and cards a girl or guy can get, so we're encouraging you to take it one step further... wining and dining!

All week we'll have the best tips for making your special day, well, special. Everything from wine suggestions to sexy pairings and mouth-watering recipes sure to land you some points... and then some! Bow-chicka-bow-wow!

And what better way to kick things off than by going romantical... romantical rose that is. Two words, Sparkling Rose by Herdade Do Esporao! I recently discovered this vineyard and have to say it stole my heart (no Valentine's pun intended). From the light effervescent bubbles to the beautiful light strawberry hue, thise wine surely resonates with all things L-O-V-E, and offers mild raspberry notes with a slight citrus undertone. On the finish, I almost had a "margarita-esque" taste which was delightfully surprising!

Cost: $19.99

Where to Buy: Lush Wine & Spirits

Pairing: Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate!

Party Pairing Monday: Veggie Chili

Hey WinoBees! Guest blogger Lisa Mathias from The Novice Nosher here with a post-SuperBowl meal to make you melt!

To be totally honest, I enjoy the food eaten during the Super Bowl as much as the game itself (and the commercials!) but a lot of those delicious dishes we all tend to indulge on during a big game-- like nachos and pizza--can leave us feeling a little bloat and bulge after.

So if you enjoyed those greasy, guilty pleasures yesterday, take today to keep yourself satisfied while recovering. We'll consider this your "post-game" detox dinner. It's chili - with a vegetarian twist.

Don't let the word "veggie" turn you off - this chili packed with black beans that provide plenty of meat-like texture and will leave you feeling full from just a small bowl full. Plus, it has plenty of tart diced tomatoes and lots of the spice that makes regular chili irresistible. This version also has a bit of orange to add some nice acidity and freshness to balance its spicy kick.

Vegetarian Black Bean Chili with Orange and Cumin

(slightly adapted from Bon Apetit's test kitchen)

Ingredients

• 2 large oranges
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups chopped onions
• 4 garlic cloves, pressed or minced
• 4 teaspoons chili powder
• 4 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3 15.5-ounce cans seasoned black beans, drained
• 2 14.5-ounce cans diced tomatoes in juice
• Hot pepper sauce

Toppings:

• Sour cream or plain yogurt
• Chopped fresh cilantro
• Cheese
• Etc.

DirectionsGrate the peels of both oranges, you should get about 1 1/2 tablespoons. Juice the oranges. Heat the oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onions and sauté 5 minutes. Mix in garlic and spices and mix to combine. Add beans, tomatoes, and about a 1/4 cup of orange juice. Decrease temperature to medium heat and stir often for 15-20 minutes, until fully blended and heated through. Stir in the orange peel. Add another 1/4 to 1/2 cup orange juice, according to taste (the orange flavor is actually strong, so if you want more spiciness or tomato-like flavor, use less). Then season to taste with hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Serve with cilantro, sour cream, or whatever toppings you enjoy!

Party Pairing from Your WinoBee

Pairing a wine with chili can actually be a pretty difficult feet considering all the robust flavors present, and the amount of spice the cook adds into the mix. For a mild chili, our top suggestion would be to go for a Pinot Noir or Syrah. We love '08 Stadlmann Pinot Noir for its ability to balance with the acidity of this chili. Plus, its certified organic in Austria, which flows with the style of this meal.

However, some like it hot! In which case, try teaming up your chili with a Riesling. This spice in chili can work against red wine by amplifying the tannins to a point of disappointed.

Super Bowl Sunday: Sack the brewskies, pass the vino

Beer and football go together like, well, beer and football. But sometimes making a sporting event as big as the Super Bowl more exciting could mean trading in a few traditional items on your party menu. Wanna be #1? Sack the brewskies and pass the vino.. get ready for WinoBowl Sunday!

• Bubbles, not Bobbles! Sparkling wine, like Martini Prosecco ($16) offers gentle frizzante bubbles which deliver a spark on the tongue and light, delicate flavors that pair well with starters. They even come in mini bottles which are party portable. To add some flare, use helmets as ice buckets and keep your minis chilled!

• Fumble-Free & Food-Friendly! Albariño from Spain is quickly proving itself an affordable white wine to watch in 2011. Martin Codax 2009 Rias Baixas Albariño ($12) is expressive with peach and apricot notes. It also gives intense green apple and lemon zest flavors that pair nicely with party starters like Chunky Guacamole with Chili-Lime Chips, a football staple not worth foregoing.

• Gridiron Gruner! If you like sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio, you'll love Gruner Veltliner. This Austrian wine is crisp and drywith green apple and lemon flavors, and an appealing acidity that cuts through salt and fat. Try 2009 Forstreiter Grooner ($10) alongside some game-night nachos!

• Serve the Team!Grab a boxed wine like Duca del Frassino ($20) if your planning for a large group of people. Its a fun, fresh Italian blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Corvina and contains the equivalent of four bottles of wine. Because of its dark fruit andaromatic attributes, this wine is great with grilled meats like hamburger sliders. It also makes a great sangria base!

Wanna Be a WinoBee?

A few weeks back (I know, I'm slow on the uploading) I had the opportunity to chat with Robert Grgurev, Associate Brand Manager with Green & Black's chocolate, who is also currently studying oenology. What a perfect job to have - wine and chocolate, I'm SOLD!

Not only did Robert tell me that learning about wine is really about "tasting as much as you can" (I love having this as my justification) but that you should be able to build a foundation for wine in about a year. Just how do you do it? Check out more of Robert's tips below!