This month’s recipe / food article (blogger) of the month is Alida Ryder for her mouth watering Chili Risotto with Calamari recipe.
Alida creates the most amazing recipes and the way she presents it on her blog is so appetising and looks extremely delicious.
Alida’s blog (simply-delicious.co.za ) is also nominated for a SA Blog award [...]

Pork chops is probably one of the most underrated dishes. It is easy to prepare and it is very versatile. This recipe is and nice and easy recipe for a spicy pork chops with some cabbage and raisins. Truly divine.
Recommended wine: I would serve the Arniston Bay Shiraz 2008. This is a full bodied [...]

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Sometimes you need some colour in life. The winter can be so gloomy and colourless and that is  why I decided it’s time for a colourful sosatie.�
This is a great recipe and it serves 4 comfortably.�
Recommended wine: The Arniston Bay Shiraz will definitely complement this meal�
Grilled Lamb Sosatie Recipe�
Ingredients �
2 medium green bell peppers, cut [...]

Robyn MacLarty’s amazing salad recipe got the nod for recipe of the month. She is the our first SA food blogger winner with this stunning dish and post.
This recipe looks so delicious and the way she presents it on her blog ( KOEK! ) makes your mouth water.
Recommended wine: This salad will be perfectly complemented [...]

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 We are giving away monthly wine prizes to South African food bloggers.
The best recipe or food blog post of the month will win wine prizes from Arniston Bay Wines.
How do you enter?
-          Post the URL  link of your recipe on our Facebook page
-          Use Twitter  – send URL links to @arnistonbay �
-          All entries on South African [...]

Flyers all over the world have their own way of adding a bit of excitement to an otherwise boring journey. Some people make their in-flight food choice such a big event that they debate their opinions (“Chicken or beef?”) for more than half an hour. Others try to make friends and talk to everyone around [...]

My busy lifestyle is taking its toll as quick-just-heat-up dinners and take-away lunches is becoming to norm. But luckily I stumbled upon this easy, healthy and quick salad which is the perfect meal to get the balanced lifestyle (diet) back on track, and allow me a few more minutes to relax and kick my feet [...]

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I love wine and salads but sometimes the pairing suggestions are misleading as the salad dressing plays a more important role than the salad.  It seems to me that the tail is wagging the dog when it comes to wine and salad pairing.�
I have come across numerous Salads and salad ingredients wine pairing suggestions but [...]

The World Cup is drawing to a close as Sunday’s final between Spain and Holland will mark the end of this amazing show. It is going to be a titanic battle between these two European super teams. To give the night a Spanish flavour try this interesting and delicious Spanish recipe.
Recipe: Spanish Chicken and Rice
Serves [...]

The ever popular Stellenbosch Wine Festival has taken a different format this year as festival goers will be visiting the farms. The wines from the company of winepeopleTM have arranged a lovely programme and activities for festival goers.
Bring the family and come and enjoy some of the best wines in one of the most beautiful [...]

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England is playing Slovenia in a do-or die World Cup tie and all the eyes and hopes will be on the game in Port Elizabeth. I hope England will come out victorious as a number of Brits are here to support their team and experience our lovely country.
England and the English have a vast history [...]

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On Wednesday Bafana Bafana takes on Uruguay in a crucial World Cup match and to get into the global (World Cup) spirit I found this amazing Uruguayan recipe.  �
Uruguay shares much of the Argentine tradition of meat and lots of it. Asados of lamb and beef are a staple, and a chivito is a popular steak [...]

This weekend the Mexicans will take on South Africa in the opening game of the Soccer World Cup. I think it will be great to make something Mexican this weekend.
This recipe is so easy and delicious and your guests may even do a Mexican wave after this lovely meal
Recommended wine: To make it a South [...]

Stand a chance to win double tickets to The Wine Show Jo’burg which will be held at The Coca Cola Dome from 4-6 June 2010.
If you want to win the tickets and you’re living area and able to attend, all you have to do is leave a comment on our Facebook page or upload a [...]

The pace of life can sometimes be so fast that you just don’t have the time to cook something decent and delicious. Here is a great recipe that is quick, easy and delicious.
Serves: 4
Total Time 20 min
Ingredients

250g small chicken cutlets (8 to 12)
salt and pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
250 ml grape or cherry tomatoes
200 ml dry white wine (such [...]

Steak is great but sometimes the preparation of the side dishes can sometimes be a “chop till you drop” exercise. If you don’t like chopping, try this “no-knife” recipe. This is an easy and delightful meal.
Serves 4
Total Time: 30m
Ingredients

450 g small potatoes (about 12)
salt and black pepper
50ml plus [...]

Boffins have reported the first scientific elucidation for one of the most widely known rules of thumb for blending wine with food: “Red wine with red meat, white wine with fish.”
Scientists in Japan have claimed that the unpleasant, fishy aftertaste noticeable when consuming red wine with fish results from naturally occurring iron in red wine.

Takayuki [...]

I stumbled across this recipe and it is a true winner – not only does it taste great, it’s also very easy to prepare. After you’ve the smallest amount of work, the dish practically takes care of itself so it’s ideal when you don’t have time to slave away in front of the stove yet [...]

It’s happened to you and it’s happened to me… why does there always seem to be a white shirt, carpet or couch involved? Yes, I’m talking about the dreaded red wine stain.
So what exactly is the best way to remove a red wine stain? When push comes to shove, everyone seems to have a different [...]

The traditional dinners that many people prepare for their Easter holiday meal consist of either roasted lamb or baked ham. The tradition of roast lamb actually dates back to biblical times, to a meal that was commonly referred to as the “sacrificial lamb,” while the baked ham is an American tradition that began more out [...]

No matter how versed you are in the world of wine there will always be labels and brands that you’ve never tried, but when faced with ordering from a list of wines that you’ve never heard of it is possible to make a more educated selection than simply reading what the menu says and then [...]

The first SA Food bloggers conference was a wonderful day and will definitely become an annual event.
South African Food bloggers came together at the Cook’s Playground in Cape Town and it was amazing to meet (in person) some of the legends of SA food Blogging.
It was incredible to have online food personalities like  [...]

You’ve just swallowed a delicious bite of a fiery vindaloo, or maybe a five-pepper Thai curry, Jamaican jerk chicken, or something spicy from Sichuan. Your cheeks are red, drops of sweat are breaking out on your brow, and your mouth tingles with a tasty fire.
Now, what to drink?
Actually, if you’re seeking to extinguish the fire, [...]

In the past, people relied mainly on traditional media to gain access to a vast array of topics. The worldwide blogosphere has revolutionised the way we communicate and has opened up channels for debate, news, entertainment and general socialising. Blogs offer a more personal communication and interaction with the blog (information portal) and its consumer.
Arniston [...]

Ordering wine at a restaurant can sometimes be an awkward situation. I have found that knowing the no-no’s you are better equipped to make the order ordeal less awkward.
American wine and food writer Bill Daily agrees and he believes that ordering wine in a restaurant always seems fraught with danger: Did I order the “right” [...]

Forget the candy and the flowers! If you really want to win over your sweetheart, give your Valentine a bottle of wine. Even Cupid knows that wine is the perfect sharing beverage.
According to a recent Online Survey in which both men and women participated equally, 59% said they would be happier to receive wine from [...]

Chicken salads are easy meal options, especially in summer. Here’s a simple recipe which is delicious when shared with friends and served with Arniston Bay Chenin Blanc Chardonnay.
Total Time:      25 minutes
Serves:             4
Ingredients

-250g  rice noodles or angel hair pasta
-1 tablespoon olive oil
-4 180g  [...]

While salads are perennially popular, in the scorching summer months they are the ideal choice for meals.
Not only is the cool crispness appreciated on a hot day but also the fact that the kitchen and the cook can stay cool as very little cooking is required for the salad.
This smoked salmon salad with rye recipe  [...]

Braai (or BBQ) is a big part of the South African summer and various social events and gatherings consists of a braai.
But what is the right sort of wine to offer at a braai? Let’s get one thing straight: there isn’t a right sort! The wine you choose for your braai should be one that [...]

Steak is such a versatile dish and it can be prepared in numerous and interesting ways. This is a nice and easy and very delicious recipe. Ideal for the holidays
Serves:                         4
Total Time:                 20 minutes

Ingredients

- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 700g sirloin steak
- salt and [...]

Drinking and Driving over the Festive Season? Then it’s time to ask Goodfellas to the party.
Cathy Marston writes  “Sadly, I realise that this is not the norm here in SA. The drink-driving stats in this country are horrendous with alcohol being blamed for 50% of the 18,000 deaths on our roads every year – yes, [...]

Pork is a very versatile and sometimes overlooked meat. It can be used in a wide array of dishes suitable for any season and taste. Here is a nice, easy and delicious recipe to treat your guests or family.
Serves:             4
Total Time:     25 minutes
Ingredients

- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pork [...]

Hot summer days calls for light and refreshing meals and summer salads are just the thing as it can be healthy, tasty and refreshing. This is a healthy yet easy and delicious recipe.
Serves:             6
Total Time:      30 minutes
Ingredients

- 500g frozen, fully cooked medium shrimp, thawed
- 1 medium [...]

Wine and food pairing has some semi-rigid guidelines and some aspects that is guided by individual preferences. It can be difficult to find a balance between the different pairing approaches but at the end of the day it must work for you.
The old rule of “White wine with white meat and red wine with red [...]

There is a common misconception that stews are difficult to prepare and extremely time consuming. Here is a quick and delicious recipe for a Lamb stew.
Serves:             4
Total Time:     30 min

Ingredients

- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 750g lamb steaks (top round or shoulder), bones removed and meat [...]

Pairing wine and food is in many cases an individual perception. But there are guidelines which suggest the most popular pairings and then there are commonly excepted pairings which are deemed to be universal mismatches.
To make sense of the best wine pairings, it helps to recognize the worst wine pairings. This gives and indication of [...]

Finding new ways to improve on old recipes / dish is always exciting. Meatballs are a standard dish and everyone has a good-to recipe for this good-old-faithful meal. Here is interesting spicy meatball dish which will not fail to delight your guests.
Recommended wine: Arniston Bay Shiraz 2008. This is a full bodied wine with intense [...]

Apart from the lovely drink, serving Champaign (sparkling wine) can be a mood and ambiance setter. Serve it ice cold and to open the bottle gracefully.
The next important step in sparkling wine etiquette is how to get sparkling wine into a glass. A lot trickier than it seems. Here are three clever tips to pouring [...]

Wine sales at restaurants and bars are declining as diners trade down to less expensive options or skip wine altogether to save a buck.
The economic woes have in some cases influenced diners to be less extravagant and less experimental. Diners can’t afford to be wrong and thus they are not likely to try new restaurants or try [...]

Pork chops is probably one of the most underrated dishes. It is easy to prepare and it is very versatile. This recipe is and nice and easy recipe for a spicy pork chops with some cabbage and raisins. Truly divine.
Recommended wine: I would serve the Arniston Bay Shiraz 2008. This is a full bodied wine [...]

Chicken recipes are sometimes to extravagant and complicated because chefs suggest that you must add a number of different herbs and spices. Here is a nice and easy recipe with just the right amount of extras.
With this meal I would suggest the well balanced Arniston Bay Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2009. This wine has grassy and [...]

If the dregs of a nearly empty bottle of wine have been kicking around your kitchen a little too long, chances are it will be better appreciated in a dish rather than a glass.
That’s because whether red or white, extra wine that’s past its prime still can have life as a great flavour enhancer.
“That leftover [...]

Old trusted chicken recipes are sometimes overlooked. This simple and easy to prepare chicken and sweet potato recipe is an excellent meal for friends or family. This easy dish will enable you to join guests in the pre-meal conversations as the preparations are not too time consuming.
I recommend a  wooded Chardonnay (such as the Arniston Bay [...]

It may officially be spring, but there’s no denying the nip that’s still lingering in the air. So, before we go full steam in summer, there’s still some time to sample some winter comfort food such as traditional oxtail with mash. Complement the meal with a bottle of good quality red wine.
I paired my meal [...]

The type of alcoholic drink you consume may have an impact on your desire for food, suggests an Australian study.
A recent study by Dr. Anna Kokavec, a research psychologist, found that the additional nutritional content of various alcoholic beverages influence the body’s reaction to alcohol.
Kokavec said that DHEAS and cortisol, commonly known as a stress [...]

America’s fastest growing varietal ; Chardonnay, considered a low maintenance grape, is grown in a multitude of climates and produces high yields. But what should we know about this renowned white wine?
Chardonnay is probably one of the most renowned white wines, followed by its cousins, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Gewürztraminer , Pinot Grigio, Semillon Viognier and [...]

A new product called the Wine Doggy Bag has been introduced in the US.

The doggy bag is thought to have started out because patrons literally wanted to take home their leftovers for the dog. A combination of increased portion size served by restaurants, the cost of dining out, and the dismal [...]

The No. 1 wine trend for 2009 is trading down. The theory is that, given the failing state of the economy, you, the consumer, are expected to still buy wine but spend less money per bottle, thus trading down your aspirations.
It all seems a bit condescending, coming as it does from retailers, restaurateurs and wineries [...]

It seems that when eating out it is not the food that makes the bill expensive. It is the wine. Is it wise for restaurants, in these tough economic times, to still have more than 100% markups on their wines?
When eating out the price of the wines are usually in the same (or higher) range [...]

You don’t need to be an über oenophile or a sommelier to determine if a wine list is good or not. Whether you’re a frugal diner who enjoys an occasional drink or someone who goes all out for the table, it’s smart to look at your wine options to maximise a dining experience.
Next time you [...]