Gahanna Town Money Saver | December FOM 2021

Pairing wines with your favorite foods can be intimidating. Professional and amateur sommeliers might know just the bottle to pair with that sizzling steak, but weekend warriors might not be so confident. The Food Network offers the following pairing tips to people looking for the right bottle to go with some popular foods.

Steak: Cabernet Sauvignon is a red wine that’s high in tannins. Novice wine drinkers might wonder why certain wines dye their mouth after drinking, and that’s because of tannins. Steak softens the impact of tannins because of its fat content, making this an ideal pairing.

Spaghetti and meatballs: Italian food and wine go hand-in-hand, and Chianti is a great wine to pair with spaghetti and meatballs. Chianti has a bold flavor, and the Food Network notes it has enough acidity to stand up to all the tomatoes and meat in spaghetti and meatballs.

Indian cuisine: Fans of Indian cuisine no doubt like spicy foods, but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t also enjoy some temporary relief from their fiery favorites. Rieslings, which tend to be low in alcohol content, are sweet white wines that can be just the thing to complement all that spiciness. The Food Network notes that high-alcohol wines might make spicy Indian food feel even spicier, so if Riesling isn’t your ideal wine, at least opt for another wine with a low ABV.

Salmon: Seafood fans who love salmon might like it even more if they pair it with Pinot Noir. While many types of fish are best paired with white wine and Pinot Noir is a red, this pairing actually works well because the salmon stands up to the wine’s bold flavor.

Lamb: Red meat and red wine go great together, but different types of red meat pair better with different types of wine. Lamb and Bordeaux go great together because lamb has a gamey flavor that requires a rich, bold wine. Bordeaux fits that bill, allowing the rich, fatty lamb meat to absorb its tannins.

HOLIDAY baking!

Salted Caramel Nuts

Makes 8 cups

1 cup each whole roasted salted cashews, whole large pecan halves, whole unsalted almonds, and whole walnut halves (4 cups total)

1½ cups sugar

2 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp fleur de sel

2 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine nuts & spread them on a sheet pan, roast for 7 minutes, until they become fragrant. Set aside to cool. Place sugar & ¼ cup of water in a medium (10”) sauté pan and mix with a fork until the sugar is moistened. Cook over medium-high heat until the sugar melts—from this point on, don’t stir the caramel, swirl the pan! Don’t worry—the mixture may look as though it’s crystallizing. Continue to cook 5-10 min., until mixture becomes clear golden brown, swirling the pan constantly at the end. (Careful—the caramel is very hot!) Off the heat, quickly add the vanilla (it will bubble up!) and swirl the pan to combine. Working quickly (the caramel will continue to cook in the pan), add the nuts and the kosher salt and toss with 2 large spoons until the nuts are coated.

Home Made Hot Cocoa

½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

½ cup white sugar

1 pinch salt

½ cup boiling water

3 ½ cups milk

¾ teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup half-and-half cream

In a saucepan, combine sugar, cocoa and salt. Add water; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Stir in milk; heat to serving temperature (do not boil). Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Whisk until frothy. If desired, garnish with marshmallows, cream or cinnamon sticks.

Cut Out Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 cups Sugar

• 2-1/2 cups butter

• 3 eggs

• 8 cups flour

• 1 tsp. baking soda

• 2 tbsp. baking powder

• 3 tbsp. milk

• 1 ½ tsp. vanilla

Preparation

Cream butter and sugar until creamy. Add eggs one at a time; beating after each addition. Sift dry ingredients and add to sugar mixture. Add milk and vanilla.

Work dough until smooth. Chill and roll to desired thickness.

FOUR-LEGGED FAMILY MEMBERS

Holiday shoppers who are busy making lists and checking them twice should make sure they don’t overlook the family pet. Christmas has gone to the cats and dogs, as a greater number of people include their companion animals when selecting gi s each year.

A study by OnePoll conducted by Rover.com, the nation’s largest network of dog sitters and walkers, found that 95 percent of pet owners have bought holiday gi s for their pets. Gi s can range from everyday needs, like food and treats, to more lavish extravagances like spa treatments.

Pet owners who plan to get their pets gi s this year may want to consider some of the emerging pet trends as they browse wares and services. e Balance, a business, career and industry information site, says pet industry trends point toward these segments seeing growth.

NATURAL PET PRODUCTS

Just as people are interested in protecting the health of the planet and their own personal health, so, too, are they extending this concern to companion animals. Natural pet products, which can include natural ea and tick remedies, holistic foods, organic items, and all-natural grooming products, can make great gi s.

SPECIALTY PET SERVICES

e American Pet Products Association says the demand for

high-end pet grooming and other services is substantial. In addition, personalized training, behavioral consulting, portrait photography, dog sitting, and upscale spa treatments like pet Reiki and massage are booming.

MOBILE PET GROOMING

Mobile pet grooming has become the norm in many areas. Mobile pet grooming can reduce the potential stress on animals, and tends to be very convenient for customers, particularly seniors and others who have mobility issues.

Beyond these growing trends, pet owners have a bevy of other ideas from which to choose. Here are just a few di erent suggestions:

• Tests to detect pets’ DNA and trace breed and ancestry,

• Interactive puzzles to keep pets engaged and banish boredom,

• Stylish storage baskets for pet toys,

• Hidden cat litter or dog crate items that camou age commonly used pet items,

• Heated pet bed for cozy nights and mornings, and

• Signature vests, coats and sweaters to look good and remain comfortable.

Pet gi s are popular this time of year, ensuring all members of the family have a treat to open.

FITNESS CENTER

Each January, individuals make New Year’s resolutions that focus on getting t. Soon a erwards, the phones at area gyms start ringing o the hook with men and women looking to become new members. In fact, according to IHRSA, e Global Health & Fitness Association, 12 percent of all new gym memberships begin in January.

Gyms are not one-size- ts-all organizations. Gyms that appeal to some might not appeal to others. e following are some features to consider when looking for a new gym.

• Cost: IHRSA says 46 percent of former gym members claimed the reason they quit was due to cost. Finding an a ordable center is a top priority for many people. e good news is many gyms market themselves as low-cost options with low monthly fees with minimal annual add-on costs.

• Specialized programs: Some tness centers focus on speci c workout regimens, such as cross t facilities. If a certain style of workout is compelling you to get in shape, research gyms that specialize in that program.

• Atmosphere: Two gyms may have the same equipment and group classes but may give o completely di erent vibes. Individuals should take tours to assess who is visiting the gym and what kind of atmosphere exists inside it. e goal is to nd a comfortable, encouraging environment with likeminded people that will keep you going back.

• Hours of operation: A center that has exible hours is important for people balancing careers, families and school schedules. Ask about the di erent hours; when trainers are

available; whether certain sections of the gym or amenities close at certain times; and when classes are o ered.

• Guest privileges: Working out with a friend or family member can provide the healthy level of competition needed to keep workouts going. Ask about family membership discounts as well.

• Equipment: Equipment is an important consideration as well. Visit each gym you’re considering to determine if equipment is modern, well-maintained and clean. Gyms that have several broken down treadmills or outdated strength training equipment may not be worth the membership fee. Determine which equipment is included in the cost of membership as well. Cardio machines, free weights, stretching areas, weight machines, and changing rooms are desirable among many gym members.

e right facility can make all the di erence and help people achieve their tness goals.

Rockbox tness o ers a variety of classes that will t into anyone’s schedule, including morning, a ernoon, evening and weekends. ey also o er Private Training to cater to any clients needs.