The latest issue of Food & Wine is out now, unveiling a delightful compilation of fall recipes that capture the season’s essence. Offering a mix of convenience and comfort, these dishes feature rich flavors and quick preparation times. This month also marks the annual restaurant issue, showcasing favorites from Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs, who have contributed their go-to recipes that can be made in a snap.

Here’s a roundup of ten must-try recipes that are perfect for cozy nights this fall:

1. One-Pot Chicken Arroz Caldo: A soothing Filipino chicken and rice porridge, this dish features creamy arborio rice infused with ginger and chicken fat. Get the recipe.

2. Chicken Thighs with Tomato-Pepper Sauce: This simple one-pan meal boasts crispy chicken thighs complemented by a creamy tomato and bell pepper sauce, highlighted with sherry vinegar. Get the recipe.

3. Bucatini with Shiitake Cream Sauce: Featuring an umami-packed mushroom sauce made with bucatini pasta, this dish also incorporates crumbled Italian sausage and sautéed mushrooms for a hearty meal. Get the recipe.

4. Double-Chocolate Brownie Cakes: A captivating dessert that combines the best of brownies and moist chocolate cake, perfect for entertaining or enjoying during the week. Get the recipe.

5. Cheese Tarts with Bacon and Fingerling Potatoes: This irresistible dish features a golden puff pastry crust topped with rich French cheese, crispy bacon, and caramelized onions. Get the recipe.

6. Roasted Squash with Spicy Nori Butter: Acorn squash is roasted to perfection and tossed with a spicy melted nori butter for a unique side dish bursting with flavor. Get the recipe.

7. Steak with Miso-Pistachio Romesco: Enjoy a perfectly cooked medium-rare steak served with a smoky, miso-infused romesco sauce that includes creamy pistachios. Get the recipe.

8. Flounder with Lemony Butter Beans: This elegant dish features delicate flounder poached in a zesty white wine sauce, served alongside butter beans. Get the recipe.

9. Choripán (Argentinian Chorizo Sandwich): A street food favorite, this sandwich includes juicy chorizo links, paprika, and toppings of chimichurri sauce. Get the recipe.

10. Coconut Banana Pudding: A delightful fusion of American banana pudding and Vietnamese chè chuối, this dessert features layers of coconut and pandan for added flavor and color. Get the recipe.

For more inspiration, you can read the original article on Food & Wine.

So many aspects of Sicily evoke a sense of enchantment. Picture winetasting dinners under the stars in a Catania courtyard, the bustling narrow streets of Siracusa by the waterfront, and the stunning limestone architecture in the hilly streets of Noto. Amidst these picturesque settings lies the undeniable quality of Sicilian wines, particularly its exceptional red varieties.

This week highlights some notable red wines from Sicily, including the celebrated Nero D’Avola grape and other prominent red varietals.

Sicilian Wine Statistics

• 242,000 acres of vineyards
• 7,200 wine growers
• 530 wine bottlers
• 30% of organic Italian wine is produced in Sicily

Historical Background

Wine production in Sicily has thrived for over 4,000 years, tracing its roots to the Greeks. Ideal conditions for winemaking abound due to its hot summers, mild rainy winters, diverse soils, and a rich variety of grape species—over 70 types flourish on the island.

Regions of Winemaking

Sicily’s four distinct climatic zones contribute to the richness of its wines:

• Coastal Climate: Milder and beneficial for grape growth.
• Mt. Etna Area: Features humidity and warmth in the east, transitioning to cooler northern slopes.
• Mountainous Areas: Colder regions compared to the island’s other areas.
• Inland Area: Hotter and more humid conditions prevail here.

Notable Sicilian Red Wine Grapes

Sicily showcases more than 70 red grape varieties, with three key players producing some of the island’s finest wines:

• Nero D’Avola: Indigenous to Sicily and recognized for its fruit-forward character. Gaining popularity since the 1600s and 1800s, it set the stage for Sicily’s wine renown.
• Frappato: Often blended with Nero D’Avola, this native grape lends a fresh, floral finish.
• Nerello Mascalese: Grown predominantly on Mount Etna’s volcanic slopes, it produces elegant wines reflecting the unique earthy qualities of the region.

Recommended Tasting Notes

The following wines offer an exciting glimpse into Sicily’s red wine offerings, all sampled by the author:

• 2022 Kaggera Nero D’Avola: A lush, dense wine with floral aromas, hints of dark chocolate and leather.
• 2022 Colosi Nero D’Avola: Delicate and fragrant, with lasting cherry and raspberry notes.
• 2021 Fondo Antico ‘Nene’ Nero D’Avola: An outstanding wine with notes of black licorice and raspberry, revealing elegant flavors over time.
• 2020 Eruzione 1614 Planeta (Highly Recommended): A lively red from Nerello Mascalese, it boasts bright, intense flavors reminiscent of Beaujolais.
• 2021 Donnafugata Sul Vulcano Etna Rosso DOC: A light, bright red with vivid fruit notes of cherry and raspberry.

Local Wine Events

For those interested in further exploring exceptional wines, a wine tasting class focusing on New Zealand wines is being held at Provisions in Longmeadow on September 23 from 6 to 8 PM. Tickets are available for $25.

Whether you’re indulging in an everyday wine or looking to splurge, Sicilian red wines offer a delightful experience, showcasing the island’s rich viniculture and flavorful grape varieties. Cheers!

Renowned celebrity chefs Todd English and Michael Mina are set to headline the 2025 Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic. Both chefs will host their signature tasting experiences and participate in meet-and-greets during the event, which will take place on November 14 and 15, 2025.

About the Chefs

Todd English and Michael Mina are celebrated figures in the culinary world, each having won James Beard Awards. They are also known for their restaurants at the Walt Disney World Dolphin: Todd English’s bluezoo and Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina. Guests can expect a strong culinary presence and innovative cuisine from both chefs during the festival.

Signature Tasting Experiences

Guests attending the festival can participate in special tasting events:

• On November 14, Chef English will present “A Culinary Journey Through Asia,” featuring a unique five-course menu with dishes like Bluefin Tuna trio and Koji-cured short rib, paired with wines and sake.

• On November 15, Chef Mina will lead “A Global Inspired Tour With Flair,” a five-course dinner that includes bacon-wrapped scallop and slow-roasted prime rib, accompanied by specially selected wines and a dessert cocktail.

These experiences are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. each day, priced at $185 per person, plus taxes and fees. Tickets are available here.

Event Details

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic celebrates its 16th year with unlimited tastings of over 45 different dishes and more than 170 beverage selections each evening. The event runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., encouraging guests to attend both days for the full experience.

One-day tickets are available for $210.68, and a bundle for both nights is offered at a discounted rate of $403.30. Tickets can be purchased via FoodAndWineClassic.com and guests can call 1-888-828-8850 for exclusive room rates with proof of ticket purchase.

Will you be attending the Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic this year?

Costco has issued a warning regarding its Kirkland Signature Prosecco Valdobbiadene (item #1879870) after discovering a defect that poses a risk of the bottle shattering even when unopened. This safety notice applies to bottles sold between April 25 and August 26.

Customers are advised not to open any unopened bottles they may possess. Instead, they should safely dispose of them by wrapping the bottle in paper towels, sealing it in a plastic bag, and placing it in the trash to prevent injury from shattered glass. Costco has requested that customers do not return the bottles to the store.

For those who purchased this sparkling wine, Costco will send letters informing them of the issue and providing details on how to obtain a full refund when they return the letter to their nearest store.

If you have any concerns or need more information, you can reach out to Ethica Wines, the manufacturer, at customercare@ethicawines.com or by phone at 786-810-7132.

The first encounter with mixing wine and soda often evokes vivid memories, like those from childhood, where a family matriarch might mix Chianti with cream soda. Though I initially disapproved of the taste, it opened the door to discussing the varying preferences that people, including celebrities, have for their beverages. Lady Gaga has recently faced some mixed reactions on social media for the way she enjoys her red wine, mixing it with Diet Coke and maraschino cherries.

This revelation came to light when USA Today shared a video of people trying and enjoying this unusual blend. The comments, however, were harsh, with critics mocking the drink. One user remarked, “They just make that s*** up to get y’all to drink nasty s***," while another cruelly dubbed it "Lady gag gag." Yet, TikTok users appear to have a more forgiving stance, with one describing the combination as "mayhem in a glass" but still palatable, even rating it a respectable seven out of ten.

It’s important to note that Lady Gaga isn’t setting a new trend with her preference. The combination of red wine and cola has historical roots in Spanish culture and is known as Kalimotxo, which dates back to the 1920s. The drink gained popularity in the 1970s as a way to mask the taste of spoiled wine during festivals, cleverly named after a festival organizer.

Beyond the Kalimotxo, there are other refreshing wine and soda concoctions, like tinto de verano, which blends red wine with lemon-lime soda for a summertime treat. These drinks are not only designed to be enjoyable in warm weather but also come in with lower alcohol content, making them perfect for casual gatherings. This lighter mix might be particularly appealing to health-conscious individuals like Lady Gaga.

For those wanting to explore unique drink recipes, there’s more culinary inspiration to discover.