Umami Life is the Savory Art of Life
Elevate Your Healthy Wine & Dine at Home
No worries if you’re new to wine or cooking, you now have access to the tools you need for a wine and dine experience that will create fond memories that you can repeat again and again.
Featured Article
Selecting the Best Wine for Your Budget
How do you select the best wine for your budget? This question drives people to hunt for reviews and scores from experts, download apps for crowdsourced ratings, or seek recommendations from wine professionals.
Here’s the inside scoop: you don’t need a wine score or a sommelier to guide you in selecting best bottle of wine for your budget. No matter if you’re in the retail aisles or perusing the restaurant wine list, you can find a great bottle at any price range. If you know the three magic words: “Location, Location, Location”, you’ll be celebrating like Rocky Balboa every time. The Golden Rule of real estate applies to selecting the best bottle of wine for your budget and can make you feel as though you’re Indiana Jones unearthing a treasure.
Fresh from the Kitchen
Black Bean Hummus with Chipotle
Silky texture and satisfyingly rich taste If you love the taste of a 7 Layer Dip, then Black Bean Hummus with Chipotle is a big, healthy home-run hit for you. An everyday snacking option as well as a great party appetizer, this black bean hummus is a protein-packed...
Triple B Balsamic Reduction
That's not chocolate sauce in this photo, it's the deep, dark Triple B Balsamic Reduction! This reduction can be infused with basil or have black garlic incorporated. Both versions make a gourmet topping for decadent dark chocolate desserts, rich vanilla bean ice...
Seafood Avocado Toast for Two
Creamy avocado, fresh seafood and toasted crusty bread combine perfectly In Seafood Avocado Toast for warm weather munching. You'll create an elevated snacking experience when you pair these delicious bites with a light wine. We like to offer a selection of toppings...
Seafood Quiche with Croissant Crust
Delicious and quick to assemble, this gourmet quiche is perfect for any brunch, lunch or dinner. Servings:8Prep time:20 minutesCook time:40-45 minutes Ingredients 1 Leek, whites and soft greens, sliced across the grain3 tablespoons Butter or Extra Virgin Olive Oil (or...
Vietnamese Beef Pho
Travel the world at your dining table! Vietnamese Beef Pho is an aromatic bone broth with a selection of meats and fresh veggies. Like many other street foods, pho was born of capitalism marinated with cultural identity. The benefits of collagen-rich bone broth,...
Southwest Chili con Carne
Don’t get left out in the cold When temperatures in Texas start to dip below 50 degrees F, most of the state’s native and longtime residents think about a warm bowl of chili. The grocery store shelves empty quickly of the mixes and jarred bases, but our Southwest...
Chipotle Goat Cheese Spread
A game-winning MVP every time we serve it Creamy rich and savory, this Chipotle Goat Cheese Spread with an irresistible smoky glow is delicioso when served cold and muy delicioso served up warm. A great appetizer for any game-watching party as it will pair with a...
Watercress Salad with Jicama & Mango
Eye-catching colors with bright citrus notes and tropical fruit Watercress Salad with Jicama & Mango pairs beautifully with chicken or seafood. It's a fresh blend of Southwestern flavors for dining light and healthy. Prep time:20 minutesCook time:10 - 20...
Blended Beef & Mushroom Tacos
Our Blended Beef & Mushroom Tacos offer true Tex-Mex flavor without the guilt With over 90 years of combined living in San Antonio, we know a few things about authentic Southwest flavors. We also know that a healthy lifestyle means making a few changes....
Chicken & Portabella Mushroom Tacos
You'll be dining in with a meal that tastes better than dining out! Our rich and savory Chicken & Portabella Mushroom Tacos have traditional Tex-Mex flavors with a healthy attitude. Prep time:25 minutesCook time:20 minutesServings:4 Ingredients For the filling 2...
How to Make the Best Brownies from a Box
Can brownies from a box mix be wine & dine dinner party worthy? Yes! You can bake the best batch of gourmet quality brownies from a box without adding any extra time to the preparation when you follow these tips. We found an organic brownie mix that elicits rave...
Goat Cheese Mousse Romanoff
Ripe, juicy fresh summer fruit topped with Goat Cheese Mousse Romanoff is a dessert that's stunningly simple, yet elegant. Visit your local farmer's market to find the freshest goat cheese such as the one we use from Goatilicious of New Braunfels, TX. The flavor of...
Goat Cheese Spread with Herb-Infused Olive Oil
Fresh, funky tasting goat cheese brings a unique flavor to a fruit and cheese board Soft chèvre-style cheese combined with Herb-Infused Olive Oil and a bit of the castaway herbs (leftover pulpy mash from making the infused oil) creates a cheese spread that even those...
Moroccan Meatloaf Bites
Warm, exotic Middle Eastern spices inspired these savory Moroccan Meatloaf Bites. The symphony of flavors will make a big hit as small bite appetizers at your wine & dine event. Prep time:30 minutesCook time:12 - 15 minutesServings:about 18 - 20 Ingredients 1...
Tomato & Watermelon Gazpacho
Hot summer days call out for cooling relief from the heat Garden fresh flavors of vine ripe heirloom tomatoes and sweet watermelon come together with fresh mint and basil in Tomato & Watermelon Gazpacho. The smoky and balsamic-like notes of Texas Black Gold Garlic...
Brisket & Kimchi Fried Rice
Smokin' hot with tropical sweetness This Brisket & Kimchi Fried Rice covers the flavor bases. San Antonio's military population has created a cultural crossroads that makes the city a melting pot of flavors and the inspiration for this smoky Texas brisket, paired...
Top Shelf Ceviche & Gazpacho
Keto-friendly appetizer Top Shelf Ceviche & Gazpacho takes advantage of the bright fresh flavors and heat in Madge’s Foods Spicy Fermented Bloody Mary Mix. You won’t need to roast and peel peppers because Madge’s has already done the work for you! This savory...
Crispy Fish Tacos
The textural combination of Crispy Fish Tacos, spicy sauce and fresh mango pico de gallo will elevate your fish fry to a world traveller experience. Serve with creamy Coastal Coleslaw. Ingredients Toppings Mango Pico de Gallo Avocados, sliced Spicy Crema 1 cup Mexican...
Lentil Soup with Sausage & ‘Nduja
Bring a taste of the Italian region of Calabria to your kitchen with 'Nduja, a spicy chili and sausage paste. Besides it's satisfying savoriness, Lentil Soup with Sausage & 'Nduja is filling and low glycemic. Prep time:25-30Cook time:45-50 minutesServings:8...
Tater Tot Waffle Snacks
Perfect combination of crispy crunch and savory, cheesy twang Everyone likes to watch the magician perform. With gourmet Tater Tot Waffle Snacks, anyone can be the star of the show. These hot appetizers hit the jackpot of deliciousness with enticing smells will...
Cocoa Coconut Torte
A not-so-guilty pleasure The result of our search for a chocolate cake that we can embrace is Cocoa Coconut Torte. We started with a recipe for a flourless, no-sugar-added cake that we found on the Sun-Maid Growers of California website, but we upped the “yum!” factor...
Moroccan Roasted Eggplant & Peppers
Rich and savory Moroccan Roasted Eggplant & Peppers adds an international accent to charcuterie and cheese boards. Prep time:15 minutesCook time:30 minutes + restingServings:6 - 8 Ingredients Marinade ¾ cup Extra-Virgin Olive Oil4 tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar5...
Tomato Soup with Goat Cheese
Light enough for summer temps, but satisfying on a wintry day A warm bowl of rustic Tomato Soup with Goat Cheese is satisfying no matter what the weather. Chèvre replaces the traditional heavy cream making this soup approachable for those who are lactose intolerant....
Pineapple Raisin Stir Fried Rice
An outdoor propane burner with wok ring and a large wok achieves restaurant-quality results The natural sweetness of fruit plays off the smoky, salty flavors in Pineapple Raisin Stir Fried Rice. We found the inspiration for this recipe on the Sun-Maid Growers of...
Salmon with Creamy Tuscan Sauce
Quick and easy Salmon with Creamy Tuscan Sauce delivers flavor that tastes like you’re channeling the king of chefs August Escoffier’s cooking prowess. Ingredients 4 Salmon filets -- pat dry, season with salt & pepper2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil3...
Mango & Coconut Rice Pudding
Calling all coconut cream pie lovers! Mango & Coconut Rice Pudding tastes like the classic pie, but it's a cross of mango sticky rice from Asian cultures and arroz con dulce from Latin American. This makes a great finish to any meal with barbecue, spicy Southwest...
BBQ Brisket Tacos
Home cooked brisket or by the pound from your favorite smoke shack Barbecued brisket is a staple of the culinary scene in San Antonio, but rarely do you see it served as a taco. BBQ Brisket Tacos are an alternative use for leftover brisket as opposed to chopped...
Jamaican Jungle Banana Bread
A delicious treat for breakfast, brunch or dessert Jamaican Jungle Banana Bread first appeared as a recipe in the 1970s on boxes of 3 Minute Brand Oats. The company is no longer in business, but the recipe is still winning converts. We've made some changes to reduce...
Fog Break Hot Cocoa
Feeling in a funk or like you need a mental energy boost? This Fog Break Hot Cocoa will give you the mental stamina to tackle a physics exam. Combining MCT-rich coconut milk powder with antioxidant rich cacao powder in a protein base is a triple play on wellness....
Goat Cheese Cheesecake
Cheesecake is a good dessert option for a low-carb eating plan In our house, Goat Cheese Cheesecake is the first item to be requested for any special celebration dining. Dessert is a splurge, but cheesecake is a low glycemic option that keeps you on course. Serve with...
