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California Wine Country |
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California is a beautiful land! Its climate created by the cold of the ocean
mixed with the heat from the sizzling sun is greatly complemented by long beaches and spectacular mountains,
amazing sequoias and miles of orchards – anything from a desert to snowy slopes is here. The most sophisticated
and elegant though is its wine country. The best grapes, originally brought from Europe, are grown here. Many large
and smaller, boutique wineries are creating the finest wines of the modern world right here in the golden state.
Of course, fine wine goes well with fine dining and
there are many masters of fancy cooking in California’s wine country.
The other remarkable and worthy of mention peculiarity of California is Californian’s extreme consciousness
of healthy life styles and especially of healthy eating.
Healthy diet and cooking suggestions are very popular and are often developed here.
Eating meals prepared from fresh ingredients, that include a good balance between protein (meat) and vegetables,
is one common way of maintaining a healthy diet. What a novel concept!
Here is a great recipe inspired by California’s wine country:
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Californian healthy beef stew
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Ingredients:
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1 pound of stir fry beef (pat dry)
1 medium size white onion
½ of a medium lemon, one bunch of parsley
1/5 of cilantro bunch
one Chinese eggplant
two zucchinis
one sweet red bell pepper
150g of fresh squeezed carrot juice
turmeric, rosemary, salt, pepper, olive (or canola) oil
All vegetables and herbs are chopped. |
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Cooking:
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In a deep pan put olive oil and fry onions till golden brown.
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2. Add meat and stir fry together with onion until meat pieces have all sides fried.
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3. Add salt, pepper, lemon juice, eggplant, bell pepper, stir fry the mix.
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4. Add carrot juice, parsley, heat till the mix starts boiling, reduce the heat, cover the pan and let it simmer for 12-15 minutes (meat needs to become tender). |
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5. Add Zucchini, rosemary, turmeric, a bit of water or more carrot juice if the mixture is already too dry, add heat to start boiling again, let it simmer for another 3 minutes. |
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Remove from the heat, add cilantro, serve and enjoy.
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This dish will benefit if accompanied by heirloom tomatoes and by a bottle of
California pinot noir.
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