July 31, 2013

Napa Valley Wine Blending, and A Pinterest Idea That Actually Works

 This past weekend we went to a surprise party in the Napa Valley. It was a private wine blending party actually (here). After you blended the wines in a combination that you liked, you got to bottle it and take it home.


 The birthday boy was very surprised! He saw me first, and was wondering why I was there, and it took him a few minutes to realize the room was filled with his friends. He thought he was going to be there with his wife and parents. Love when surprises go off without a hitch.

Now for the Pinterest  idea. You know how you see something on Pinterest, and you think it is such a great idea that you must try it?  I wondered about this trick with making hashbrowns with your waffle iron. It just seemed so simple that I thought I would give it a try. I used a russet potato, although next time I'm going to try a sweet potato. I shredded them in my food processor, then squeezed the excess water out of them in a tea towel. I seasoned them and tossed them with some olive oil.
 In they went, in the highest setting that my iron has, which is a number 7. My waffle iron is an All Clad.
 Ta da! This was a little less than fifteen min. I suggest that you start the timer at 15 mi. and keep checking. I also ignored the alarm that rings when the machine thinks it is done. I used it instead as a chance to check on the progress.
 This is the other side of it.
I topped it with swiss chard and two lovely organic eggs! Nice light dinner. I see endless flavor options. Try it, it works!  The lighting in the kitchen was terrible at the time, so these aren't beautiful food styled photos, hahaha so please forgive these weirdly lit photos!

7 comments:

  1. My younger sis up in Napa makes some fine wine, sadly no visit for me this year due to work, new baby etc but W.C. and Napa are top of my to do list next year.

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  2. Napa Valley sure was beautiful this past weekend too! love it there so much in the summer, and early fall. The light is gorgeous both times of the year.
    When is the baby due?

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    1. Baby (a girl) is due beginning of dec and we will be out early next summer for her christening in ST.Helena.Our W.C. house sold in feb and for the first time in 50 years none of my family lives in the town but who knows what the future holds on that front.

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  3. Looks like a fun party!

    You never know what you can do
    withna waffle iron. Yummy!

    : o )

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    1. Yes, the party was very fun! The waffle thing is a no brainer, but one of those things you just don't think about until you see someone else using it in an unconventional way!

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  4. Napa Valley looks absolutely beautiful - definitely on our list to visit someday! The hash browns look delicious! I would never have thought of this, but what a great idea! I love your waffle iron!

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    1. Napa Valley is so beautiful in the summer it often times just blows me away with how stunningly beautiful it is! It very much reminds me of Provence with its lighting and smells in the air. Lavender, grapes, earth. I'm very lucky to live only 45 min. away from it!

      Try the hashbrowns, you will not be disappointed. If you make multiple ones, just keep them warm in the oven :) Let me know if you try them!

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