Virgo is the zodiac’s most reliable sign and Cab is the world’s most trusted red wine.  As the zodiac’s most helpful and hardworking sign, Virgo makes the world a better place one detail at a time.  If you are looking to treat your Virgo for a change, try this great recipe to match their Cabernet Sauvignon.

Virgo is an earthy sign, which means that they may enjoy a meal out in nature, underneath the sunshine.  A heavier flavored pasta with some spicy pepperoni would go great with this Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley.  

Pepperoni Pasta Salad

Ingredients

• 2 cups uncooked tricolor spiral pasta
• 1 cup cubed cheddar cheese
• 1 cup coarsely chopped cucumber
• 1 small tomato, chopped
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 28 pepperoni slices
• 1/2 cup zesty Italian salad dressing

Directions

• Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, cheese, cucumber, tomato, onions and pepperoni. Add salad dressing and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Yield: 4-6 servings.

Photo by Natalia Robert. Food Styling by Betsy Haley.

 

Mmmmm, nothing like a juicy steak right off the grill, a fully loaded baked potato, and some crisp asparagus... in front of the fire, mind you.  This meal will get the Leo purring in no time.  The bold flavors in the wine are a perfect complement with the steak.  As a fire sign, a little extra heat may be required, so get romantic and cozy. 

Steak Marinade

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 garlic clove, minced

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon yellow mustard

1 tablespoon soy sauce

pepper

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together and place steaks into freezer bag with marinade, preferably overnight.

 

Roasted Asparagus

Ingredients:

1 lb asparagus

1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (or 1/4 teaspoon regular table salt)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.

2. Cut off the woody bottom part of the asparagus spears and discard.

3. With a vegetable peeler, peel off the skin on the bottom 2-3 inches of the spears (this keeps the asparagus from being all "stringy" and if you eat asparagus you know what I mean by that).

4. Place asparagus on foil-lined baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.

5. Sprinkle with salt.

6. With your hands, roll the asparagus around until they are evenly coated with oil and salt.

7. Roast for 10-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your stalks and how tender you like them.

8. They should be tender when pierced with the tip of a knife.

9. The tips of the spears will get very brown but watch them to prevent burning.

10. They are great plain, but sometimes I serve them with a light vinaigrette if we need something acidic to balance out our meal.

 

Best Baked Potato

Ingredients:

1 large russet potato

canola oil

kosher salt

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F and position racks in top and bottom thirds.

2. Wash potato (or potatoes) thoroughly with a stiff brush and cold running water.

3. Dry, then using a standard fork poke 8 to 12 deep holes all over the spud so that moisture can escape during cooking.

4. Place in a bowl and coat lightly with oil.

5. Sprinkle with kosher salt and place potato directly on rack in middle of oven.

6. Place a baking sheet (I put a piece of aluminum foil) on the lower rack to catch any drippings.

7. Bake 1 hour or until skin feels crisp but flesh beneath feels soft.

8. Serve by creating a dotted line from end to end with your fork, then crack the spud open by squeezing the ends towards one another.

9. It will pop right open.

10. But watch out, there will be some steam.

NOTE: If you're cooking more than 4 potatoes, you'll need to extend the cooking time by up to 15 minutes.

 

The Cancer Pinot Noir is ideal for a lighter lunch time meal and with meats such as salmon, chicken, or pork.  As the sign that is most associated with family, Cancers enjoy sharing lunch with their closest loved ones.  

Not only is Pinot Noir sensitive to the environment , it’s also the “Wine of Love” which works perfectly for the zodiac’s most sentimental sign. A Cancer will never forget your most precious memories. This family oriented sign is intuitive, sensitive, and thoughtful.

Check out this recipe for a delightful combination.

Grilled Salmon

Ingredients:

Orange Vinaigrette, recipe follows

20 asparagus spears

4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 pound baby salad greens

1 cup kalamata olives, sliced in half

2 oranges, peeled and segmented

1 small red onion, thinly sliced

 

Directions:

Preheat grill. Place a medium pot of water on the stove to boil. While the grill heats and the water comes to a boil, prepare the Orange Vinaigrette, and set aside until needed.

Trim the bottoms of the asparagus and cook for 30 seconds in the boiling water. Remove from the pot to a plate.

Place the salmon fillets on a large plate and coat with 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Put the salmon fillets on the hottest part of the grill, starting with the skinless side down. Grill for about 5 to 10 minutes on each side, or until desired doneness.

While the salmon is grilling, combine the salad greens, olives, oranges, onions, and half of the vinaigrette in a large bowl. Toss to combine. Divide the salad mixture evenly among 4 plates.

When the salmon is nearly done, coat the asparagus with the remaining olive oil, salt, and pepper. Put the asparagus on the grill. Grill lightly, moving the spears around the heat frequently with tongs, for about 3 minutes.

Remove the salmon and asparagus from the grill and distribute them evenly among the 4 plates on top of the greens mixture. Drizzle the remaining dressing over the salmon and serve.

 

Orange Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

2 oranges

1 tablespoon finely chopped shallots

1 teaspoon light brown sugar

1 tablespoon seasoned rice vinegar

1 cup canola oil

1/2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon white pepper

1/2 teaspoon orange oil (recommended: Boyajian Orange Oil*)

 

Directions:

Zest the oranges with a zester or the fine side of a box grater. Finely chop the zest with a knife, then squeeze the juice out of the oranges into a small stainless steel bowl. Add the zest, shallots, brown sugar, and rice vinegar to the orange juice and whisk together. Slowly, in a steady stream, add the canola oil and extra-virgin olive oil while constantly whisking, until combined. Add the salt, pepper, and orange oil; the orange oil is strong, so just a very small amount is needed. Set the dressing aside while preparing the rest of the salad.

*Boyajian Orange Oil is available at specialty food stores.

Yield: 1 1/2 cups

 

Photo by Natalia Robert. Food Styling by Betsy Haley.

A Gemini Chardonnay will taste absolutely divine with a cool, crisp, and refreshing shrimp cocktail.  

Shrimp Cocktail Sauce Recipe

1 cup catsup
1-2 tablespoon horseradish (to your taste)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 dash pepper
Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients and chill.
2. When ready to serve dip shrimp and enjoy.

Read more at: http://www.food.com/recipe/shrimp-cocktail-sauce-26420?oc=linkback

Photo by Natalia Robert. Food Styling by Betsy Haley.

 

Like a Taurus, this Cabernet Sauvignon is earthy, well structured, and decadent. It’s full bodied and rich with flavor, perfect for the sensual Taurus. Earthy Taurus experiences the world through all of their senses. A mushroom and caramelized onion tart outside at a picnic is sure to please.

Mushroom and Caramelized Onion Tart

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion (sliced)
1 tablespoon butter
1 pound mushrooms (cleaned and sliced)
1 clove garlic (chopped)
1/2 teaspoon thyme (chopped)
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup white wine (or broth)
1 sheet puff pastry (thawed as directed on package)
1/2 cup gorgonzola (crumbled)
1 tablespoon oil
1 handful parsley (chopped)

 

Directions:
1. Heat the oil in a pan.
2. Add the onion and cook until it starts to caramelize, about 20 minutes.
3. Add the butter and let it melt.
4. Add the mushrooms and saute until they start to caramelize, about 20 minutes.
5. Add the garlic and thyme and saute until fragrant, about a minute.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Add the wine, deglazed the pan and cook until it has evaporated.
8. Roll the puff pastry out to a 16x10 inch rectangle.
9. Score a line around the puff pastry 1 inch from the edge.
10. Spread the mushrooms and gorgonzola over the middle of the puff pastry.
11. Brush the outside inch of the pastry with the oil.
12. Bake in a preheated 400F oven until the a the pastry is golden brown, about 15-25 minutes.
13. Garnish with the chopped parsley.

Some people are just too timid for an Old Vine Zin. Not an Aries! They’re spicy and feisty just like this wine. As the first sign of the zodiac, Aries are natural born leaders who love a good challenge. They are dynamic, honest, and passionate. 

Spicy Chocolate Cake

For the Cake
2 sticks butter, unsalted
10 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
5 eggs
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 tsp salt
3/8 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp chipotle chile powder

For Frosting
16 oz cream cheese, room temperature
6 oz nutella
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted
1/3 cup milk, plus extra as needed

 

Bake the Cake:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour two 8 inch cake pans. Line the bottom of the pans with parchment. Set aside.

Place butter into a saucepan over medium heat. Melt the butter, stirring occasionally. Do not brown. Once the butter has completely melted, add the chocolate chips. Stir over medium heat until all chocolate has melted. Do not burn chocolate. Remove from heat.

While the butter and chocolate are melting, add the eggs, brown and granulated sugars to a large mixing bowl. Beat until the sugar has completely dissolved into the eggs and the mixture begins to thicken.

In a separate bowl, sift together the salt, flour, baking powder & chipotle chile powder. Add the sifted ingredients to the egg mixture. Fold the flour in until just incorporated. Slowly pour the melted chocolate-butter mixture into the batter, folding while pouring to incorporate.

Once the all the ingredients have been completely incorporated, pour half of the batter into each of the two greased, lined cake pans. Place the pans into the upper third of a preheated 325 degree oven. Bake at 325 for 25-30 minutes until the cake has just set and a toothpick stuck into the middle of the cake comes out with only a few moist crumbs. (If it comes out with any gooey batter, let the cake bake longer, as needed.) Remove the cakes from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Cool for at least 2 hours before building the cake. Once cooled, cakes may be covered and stored at room temperature for a day before finishing.

While the cake is cooling, Make the Frosting:

Add the cream cheese and nutella into a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric beat or cream with a rubber spatula until light and fluffy. Sift in the cocoa powder and powdered sugar. Add the milk then then gently beat to incorporate, trying not to splatter milk and powdered ingredients all over the kitchen! Beat until all ingredients are fully incorporated and the frosting is light and fluffy. Cover and set aside until ready to frost the cake.

Finish the Cake:
When ready to assemble the cake, slide a knife around the outside of the cakes to loosen. Place your choice of serving dish upside down over one of the cake pans. Flip the cake pan over (so the serving dish is underneath the cake, right side up) and gently turn out the cake from the pan. Carefully peel away the parchment paper.

Using strips of parchment paper, line the base of the cake, tucking strips of parchment just underneath the base all the way around.

Place 1/3 of the frosting on to the middle of the cake. Spread the frosting in an even layer over the cake. Carefully remove the second cake from the pan and gently place cake, parchment side up, onto the frosted layer. Peel the parchment paper off of the top layer.

Evenly frost the top and sides of the cake using the rest of the frosting. Once The cake is fully frosted remove the parchment strips lining the base of the cake. Serve and enjoy! The cake may be stored, covered, at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate.

Photo by Natalia Robert. Food Styling by Betsy Haley.

 

 

 Why do we love Aries?

What an Aries wants, an Aries gets, and if they want you, there is no better feeling.

 

Why do we love Taurus?

A dependable Taurus will be there night after night to keep you warm and happy.

Why do we love Gemini?

With a Gemini, there will always be a joyful surprise around the next corner. 

 

Why do we love Cancer?

A Cancer will never forget your most precious memories.

 

Why do we love Leo?

A royal Leo will spoil you in all the most exciting ways.

 

Why do we love Virgo?

A Virgo will be your lover, your best friend, and your biggest supporter.

 

Why do we love Libra?

Libra is a relationship Master.

 

Why do we love Scorpio?

Love with a Scorpio is deeper than all love before.

 

Why do we love Sagittarius?

An adventurous Sagittarius will take you on a never ending journey of love.

 

Why do we love Capricorn?

The longer you know a Capricorn, the more you love them. 

 

Why do we love Aquarius?

Love with an Aquarius will open your mind to unexpected possibilities.

 

Why do we love Pisces?

With a Pisces, two lovers really can become one.