No-Guilt Wednesday is not about compromising on quality.  It’s all about drinking good wine that does not break the bank, eating good food and of course, it’s about sharing with the ones you love.  

Charles Smith Kung Fu Girl Riesling 2010 ($10).  I’m not a gimmicky wine-label kind of guy.  But after this wine, I may have to reconsider.  The faint aroma of lychee filled my glass.  Or is that the label speaking to me?  Perhaps.  But with a little bit of ripe apple-like roundness on the mid-palate balanced by soft star-fruit like acidity and a minerally edge on the finish, this is an easy wine to like.  A great party wine that folks will remember for the label and for what’s behind the label.  Yeah, it kicked my glass!  Rated **1/2

Yellow Beet and Green Apple Salad

Ingredients

• 3 Yellow Beets (peeled and cut into thin sticks– think potato sticks)
• 1 Granny Smith Apple (cored, peeled and cut into thin sticks)
• 2 to 3 Tbsp. of Pomegranate seeds
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 1/2 Tbsps. Honey
• 2 Tbsps of White Balsamic Vinegar
• 4 Tbsps. EVOO
• Salt & Pepper
• 1 Tbsp of chopped parsley

Steps:

1. Toss the Apple and Beets with the lime juice to prevent discoloration
2. In a bowl whisk together the honey and Balsamic vinegar.  Add a pinch of salt and a few grindings of black pepper.
3. Slowly whisk in the EVOO, until an emulsion forms. 
4. Toss the dressing with the beet/apple sticks pomegranate seeds and parsley
5. Serve immediately

© Sybarite Sauvage