Homestyle Cafe (your home that is)

So, what's the best wine to pair with meatloaf?  How can you serve up some Ramen noodles and still pull off great taste and charming ambiance?  I'm glad you asked.  

Start with easy.  Trying elaborate, stay-at-home meals are wonderful but they can also be a quick path to frustration and lots of moola (who knew that 1 Asian pear, a few ounces of cranberries and a tiny smidge of goat's cheese could cost so stinking much, and we haven't even got to the gourmet artisan bread yet).

Salads can be dressed up with fruit, beans, and meats.

For starters here is a quick recipe.  

1 Head of romaine (or a pre-washed salad bag, also in the produce section)

1-2 Pears of any kind, cubed

1-3 slices of Prosciutto Ham, cut up however you like. 

1 can Cannellini beans, rinsed

Walnuts, candied or plain

Balsamic Dressing (olive oil, balsamic vinegar and a dollop of honey, salt and pepper)

Toss it all together and Viola!  This is more of an appetizer than a main course but it’s a great way to start off.  Adding more than one course to a meal (even if it's salad and SpaghettiOs followed by a cupcake) is also a way to make it feel like you are eating at a fancy shmancy restaurant.

As for the meatloaf and Ramen noodles... Lexia is a slightly spicy, sweet white wine made from Muscat grapes that is both sweet and refreshing and offers a wonderful pairing with meat (Lexia comes in red as well in some stores).

And now to the noodles.  For a simple way to make a fun meal with oh so yummy Ramen is to go with a theme.  Start off with a simple salad of spinach, mandarin oranges and crunchy lomein noodles. For a twist on the Ramen portion, after cooking them drain off the water and sprinkle on the flavor packet and stir.  Serve them with chopsticks and a cocktail of sake, cranberry juice and seltzer water or 7-up (drop the sake if you want).  A light fruit sorbet finishes the meal. Add a few candles and you’ve got a great tasting dinner that doesn’t shout “Hey everybody, we’re having Ramen for dinner!”

Now you're ready to throw your first recession dinner party!  

Bon appetit!