Our Fall Essentials
It’s Day 2 of Back to School Week, and while we’re positive schedules will get into a reasonable chaotic rhythm shortly, we are currently contending with the general upheaval of a hard stop to summer and acceleration into fall.
When our agendas really hit the fan, it’s imperative to stay organized and on top of things. What takes a little bit of extra effort on the front end pays off in dividends on the back end, as it means we can we kiss goodbye the frustration, exasperation, annoyance and general irritation of a morning/evening/entire day going to pot because we weren’t prepared.
And, dear winos and party planners, organization includes keeping some entertaining essentials on hand to keep you flawless and in control.
Below is our list for staying on our party game. Everything is widely available, inexpensive and, as you’ll see, it allows us enough flexibility for last-minute cocktail parties, as well as quick dinners like Pasta Carbonara, Pasta Bolognese or Mushroom Risotto.
If you have any must-haves, leave them in the comments below – we’d love to hear what items make your life just that.much.easier.
- Sparkling wine – Cave Spring Blanc de Blanc Brut, Niagara $29.95
- White wine – we like having a fuller and lighter bodied wine on hand, like Riesling and Chardonnay. For example, Featherstone “Black Sheep” Riesling, Niagara $16.95 & Ghost Pines Chardonnay, California $19.95
- Red wine – Same idea for red as for white. Fuller and lighter offers lots of food pairing flexibility. Try Frescobaldi “Nipozzano” Chianti Ruffina Riserva, Italy $21.90 and Malivoire Gamay, Niagara $17.95
- Coffee
- Sparkling Water
- Bitters
- Whiskey
- Sweet Vermouth
- Citrus – Juice for vinaigrettes, and peels for zesting into food and twists for cocktails
- Olives
- Eggs
- Cheese – St. Andre, Beemster, Blue Benedictine, Parmesan
- Charcuterie – Landjager, chorizo, pancetta
- Crackers/flat bread
- Nuts
- Dark chocolate
- Pasta
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Good quality chicken stock
- Dried mushrooms
- Aborio rice
- Dried herbs – thyme, basil, oregano and chili pepper flakes
- Good quality olive oil
- Tomato paste
- Tomato puree
- Garlic
- Onion
- Jarred roasted peppers