Homemade Macaroni Salad

Posted on June 30, 2014 by Jamie

homemademacaronisalad

Confession time: I am a sucker for macaroni salad, and I’ve always wanted to create it at home for myself to enjoy.

Well, I finally sat down and decided how I wanted to make my salad and am so happy with the outcome.  I even made a double batch so guess what I’m eating all week?

Ingredients needed:

1 Box Elbow Macaroni

3 Hard Boiled Eggs

1 TBSP Apple Cider Vinegar

1 Cup Mayonnaise

1 TBSP Dijon Mustard

3 Stalks Celery, diced up

1/2 Red Onion Diced Up.

macaronisalad

Directions:

Cook Pasta According to Directions.  Cut up Celery, Onion and Eggs.  Mix together with finished pasta.

In a small bowl mix together mayonnaise, mustard and vinegar.  Stir together then stir into the pasta mix.  Stir, Stir, Stir.  Let cool down in the fridge for at least a half hour then enjoy. It really is that simple.  I’m that “no fuss” kind of girl.

 

 


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Exciting News!

Posted on June 29, 2014 by Jamie

For the past 2 1/2 years I have been working extremely hard on this blog, “Minnesota Girl in the World.”  You watched as I began exploring around Los Angeles, my first home outside of Minnesota, and soon flourished into finding my passions of travel, food, and wine and of course sharing those finds and experiences with all of you.

So, with that being said, I’m excited to announce that I’ve been selected as a 2014 Davinci Wine Storyteller Finalist:

winestoryteller

What does that mean, exactly?  For the past 3 years Davinci Wine has been giving 4 people an opportunity each year to experience Italy, and through their creativity share their experiences through storytelling.

There have been some amazing food bloggers, photographers, travel writers and wine enthiuiasts that have under gone this process.  So, with that being said, I am truly honored to be apart of the finalist selection for 2014.

Beginning last week and going through July 31st, a voting competition has begun, and the winner in each category (the person with the most votes!) will be the one going off to Italy for one full week this fall.

italianwine

Every year I feel my blog has found a new passion.  The first year it was really about discovering my passion for writing and new adventures.  The second year is truly where I discovered my passion for wine, and that story is just really beginning to unfold.

And what’s in store in the year ahead?  Lately, it’s been about travel and discovering new places (an endless task for this girl!)

With that being said, if I was awarded the Storyteller Experience, all of those passions would come together to give you my storyteller experience of Italy.

For me, my story will truly be sharing about the wines, the people, the places, and of course the food of this beautiful little town.  And of course, what I learn will also be shared with you so we’re truly in this together.

So, how can you help?

1) Share this Blog Post with anyone you can, or through your social channels

2) Head to http://facebook.com/davinciwine and vote! Click on the 2014 Storyteller Tab and vote for me, Jamie Gall, in the Travel Category.

3) Vote Daily =)

Here’s to hoping for the future, and of course, sending a big, loud, Cheers to you!

 


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Sonoma County Winery: Benziger Family Vineyards

Posted on June 26, 2014 by Jamie

It’s funny.  Living up in beautiful Sonoma County, I find myself very lucky.  With that being said, I never know when I’ll end up at a winery.  I don’t plan these things out very well, but thank heavens, for the beautiful wineries in Sonoma County where a walk in tasting is perfectly acceptable.

Earlier in the year, I worked a pretty short shift at my day job, and had a lot of extra time.  I wasn’t in the mood to head home, quite yet, so I decided to explore the roads around Glen Ellen, a bit.  That’s when I discovered Benziger Family Vineyards.  Yes, completely family owned winery.

Tours and Tasting Right as I walked up I saw the Tours & Tasting sign, and instantly wanted to take a tour.  Luckily for me, further up the walk, they had a full booth dedicated to booking tours.

I asked them if they had any available, and lo and behold, a tour was to start within 10 minutes.  I quickly signed up.  The prices for tours are:

Benziger Partners Estate Winery Tour:

Which includes behind the scenes of the estate and a seated wine tasting:

Tours 11:15am, 12:45pm &  2:15pm
$50.00 per guest (no minors, please)
$40.00 Wine Club Members

Biodynamic Vineyard Tram Tour:

Biodynamic Wine Tours are daily and leave on the half hour from 11:00am until 3:30pm with the exception of noon (weather permitting). $25.00 per guest, $10.00 under 21

For reservations: Reservations require 24 hours advanced notice. If your date or time is not available please contact us at 707.935.4527.

Electric TramOur electric vehicle soon arrived, and the 4 of us, driver included, boarded our tram.  The tram took us around the beautiful vineyard estate as the driver discussed Benziger Family Vineyards and truly explained the Bio-dynamic and Sustainable practices of the vineyard.

Benziger Family Vineyards, for well over 30 years, has been true leaders in making the best bio-dynamic wines out there.  And, because they’re bio-dynamic, it’s all in the soil found within the vineyard.

Benziger Winery Biodynamic wines are wines made using the principles of biodynamic agriculture. Biodynamic refers to both the agricultural methods and the handling and processing of the fruit post-harvest. (wikipedia.)

Everything is done within the property.  Nothing can be brought into the property.  It was really interesting to hear their practices in how they create their wine, harvest their wine, and the animals that help throughout the process.  (TRUST Me, you want to take this tour!)

We drove around the property and even had an outside tasting:

Wine Tasting I don’t know about you, but a wine tasting outdoors on a perfect summer day is really calling to me right now.  Especially after looking at these photos.

We soon found ourselves outside the Wine Cave and soon were led inside to a special seated tasting:

Wine Cave Tasting And then one final tasting took place within the Benziger Tasting room:

Benziger Wine After taking the tour, I really became a fan.

1) Because of their Bio-Dynamic Practices

2) The Tour, itself

3) The Wine

I was sold on Benziger.   So if you’re in Sonoma County, if you can make a stop in Glen Ellen, this is the place I recommend.


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