Drink More Red Wine!

A new Canadian study has found that just one glass of red wine, not only helps you relax at the end of a stressful day, but can also assist in warding off illness.

Researchers at the University of Guelph have discovered that the polyphenols found in red wine, and red grapes significantly slowed the growth of cancer tumors in mice. In the study mice were injected with breast-cancer cells and fed polyphenols from grapes or red wine. After 33 days, it was discovered that the growth of tumors in mice that were given grapes was almost totally arrested, and had significantly slowed in the mice fed with polyphenols extracted from red wine.

Polyphenols are a group of chemicals known for their antioxidant effects, and commonly found in grapes, berries and other fruits and vegetables (blueberries and cherries are a good source).

The findings showed that polyphenols from grapes had a greater effect than those from wine, probably because they were more concentrated. So, if you are looking to have the greatest effect, you are probably best ending your meal with cheese, crackers, red grapes and a glass of Merlot!

Lime and Chili Chicken

This is a really simple recipe that I found in a recent Donna Hay magazine which is quick to make, and healthy as well.

In the magazine's recipe they use Chinese broccoli, but any type of green vegetable works such as broccoli, kale, chard, spinach or collard greens. I also added baby carrots for some color and additional sweet flavor, and sprinkled five spice powder over the vegetables as they cooked.

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 1/2 cup vegetable or light olive oil
• 2/3 cup store bought chili jam or sauce *
• 1/3 cup lime juice
• 4 cloves crushed garlic*
• 4 chicken fillets, thin cut
• 2 cups steamed jasmine rice
  
• green vegetables
• five spice powder to taste
  

* the sauce I used was a Chinese Chili Garlic Sauce (Lee Kum Kee) which is readily available in many supermarkets, and I, therefore, omitted the garlic in the marinade

Method

1. Place the oil, chili sauce, lime juice and garlic (if not included in the sauce) in a non-metallic bowl and stir to combine.
2. Place the chicken in a bowl with half of the marinade, and toss to coat.
3. Set aside for 5 minutes.
4. Heat a grill pan or barbecue over high heat.
   
5. Heat water for the steamed rice, and follow instructions on package for cooking (it usually takes about 15 - 20 minutes).
   
6. Cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side or until cooked through and spoon over the remaining marinade.
7. While the chicken is cooking, steam the vegetables for 3-5 minutes, depending on the type of vegetables used. Thick leafy vegetables will need longer cooking time. Sprinkle a dash of five spice powder on the vegetables as they steam to give them an additional Asian flavor.
8. Serve the chicken and vegetables over the steamed rice.
   

Italian Festival Equals Food!

Yesterday was the Columbus Day Italian Festival in San Diego's Italian Village. The celebration has been held on India Street for the past fourteen years, and has grown in size and popularity.

This area of San Diego has seen an amazing transformation during that time, and is now a modern, bustling area with trendy boutiques, and a sophisticated design center right in the heart of the most amazing Italian restaurants, cafes, wine bars and bistros.

The Columbus Day Festival is a great opportunity to taste some of the traditional foods that these first class restaurants have to offer, as many of the most well known such as Mimmo's, Filippi's, Zucchero's, and Mona Lisa - to name a few, set up street stalls and you can sample anything from pizza, pasta and the famous sausage sandwich to gelato and pastries.

As well as the food, which is the main attraction for most people, there is art, ceramics, music and dancing, and this year's festival was sprinkled with a few Democrat and Republican supporters trying to persuade you one way or the other.

If you missed it this year, don't worry it will be back next year. The only requirements when you visit this Festival are that you must be hungry and bring plenty of sunscreen!

Aria Sun

I was at my local bar / restaurant last weekend, The Spot in La Jolla, and was interested to hear the conversation between the bartender and one of the customers. The customer was, of course, lamenting the fall in the stock market, the state of the economy, the bailout and how bad life was in general, and the bartender replied that in these times his business improved dramatically, and I had read in the New York Times that many of the bars around Wall Street were, not surprisingly, busier than usual.

The article I had read indicated that most people were drinking beer, but when I researched the cocktail of choice for the well-heeled, moneyed New Yorkers, I found the ideal bar with the ideal drink in Boston, Massachusetts.

Aria, a sophisticated, sexy lounge club, has become the meeting place for wealthy New Yorkers and New England aristocracy. It is situated in the basement of the Wilbur Theater in the heart of Boston's theater district. I read about this club in the book, Signature Cocktails by Bill Tikos (thecoolhunter), and it was described as decadent, plush and glamorous, but other reviews I have read online have been less flattering. One thing they all agree on is that fashion is foremost and you have to have the "look" to get through the velvet rope.

To create your own Aria signature cocktail, the Aria Sun, you don't have to do anything too fancy (see below), and it would definitely pass the Sex in the City test!

Aria Sun
Ingredients

• 1 fl ounce vodka
• 1/2 fl ounce grenadine
• 2 fl ounces cranberry juice
• 1 lemon
  

Method

1. Pour the vodka, grenadine, and cranberry juice into a shaker.
2. Squeeze in fresh lemon juice to taste.
3. Shake well, and strain into a cocktail glass.
4. Garnish with a twist of lemon.

Free Shipping at Gourmet Fusion

With the holiday season just around the corner the Gourmet Fusion online store is introducing free shipping to any location in the US when you purchase three items.

This can be any three items - they don't have to be from the same range, and we are adding new items daily.

So if you are planning to brighten up your home this season, look at some of our mix and match items like this set of two Salt and Pepper towels, teamed with our brushed stainless steel William Bounds salt grinder.

Or if you've got birthdays coming up, shop now and buy holiday gifts as well.

Gourmet Fusion offers free gift wrapping from now through the end of the holiday season.

Add Fall to Your Kitchen

There are many ways to change the look of your kitchen to go with the season without breaking the bank. The start of Fall heralds Halloween, and then the holiday season is in full swing.

Simple additions can completely change the look of a kitchen, dining room or living room.

As many people now entertain in their kitchen / dining area, Gourmet Fusion's range of Fall Dish Towels, such as the Pumpkin Towels and Fruit Towels shown here, are both functional and decorative.

They come in a set of two, are fully machine washable, and made of 100% Egyptian cotton.



Other eye catching additions are our Acorn Plaid Oven Mitt, Pot Holder and Apron, all by Design Imports India which coordinate beautifully with our Placemats and Napkins.