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Another Great Bottle Of Wine _ Life Is Good

10-11-08

This afternoon I made a wonderful (if I say so myself) veal Bolognese which I served over penne rigati. To accompany, I pulled one of my wife's favorie wines from the cellar:

1996 Ceretto Barolo Zonchera - I opened the bottle about half an hour before service and I noticed a wonderful cherry/berry nose with a touch of secondary aromas of tobacco and nuts. At first taste the wine, obviously too cold at cellar temperature showed sweet fruit flavors a slight baroli "raisined" quality and a touch of "inkiness".

I left the glass to sit while finishing the cooking. My Bolognese may be different that what most of you are used to . I do not use ground meat, preferring that it be cubed instead. The veal was seasoned, dredged in flower and browned in a pan in two small bathces then set aside. I then sauted some onions, carrots and celery and added some fresh garlic at the last. The veal went back to the pan, accompanied by a healthy shot of white wine. Reducing the wine, I added some chopped tomatoes - I use whole peeled plum tomatoes but, I seperate the tomatoes from their juice and fine diced them. After a short cook, the juice from the tomatoes and a pint of my home made chicken stock went in. I let the ragu cook for about three hours in the over at 325 before adding some tomato paste (one healthy tablesppon for the 3.5 pounds of veal I used). Cook another 45 minutes to an hour, breaking the meat up (easily) with a wooden spoon while stirring. Just before service I added a cup of grated Parmagianno Regiano cheese and a half a cup of heavy cream. Served over the Penne with the Barolo, made for a spectacular meal.

Fortunately, there's still some Barolo left. The wine has tempered a bit and both the aromas and taste have blossomed. The "inkiness" has disappeared, replaced now with a soft fruitiness, mellow orange rind and dried herbs.

On a 100 point scale, I give the wine a 92. The Bolognese a 95 and the combination a 97 ;)

Andy Raffle sells Bucks County Real Estate. Check out my website for Yardley homes and information, search for properties, read my informative Real Estate Articles and read my Bucks County Real Estate Blog

Andy Raffle

www.askAndyRaffle.com

Coldwell Banker Hearthside, Realtors

70 West Afton Avenue

Yardley PA 19067

215.493.9080x130

9 Comments

Door Knocking - Is it A Part Of Your Prospecting Plan?

10-10-08

Andy Raffle, Yardley, PA Real Estate

Recently, I talked about the possibility of adding another hour a day of phone prospecting to my schedule. I've decided against that plan and will, instead, add an hour of door knocking. One of my managers calls it returning the real estate business of 80 years ago and, perhaps that's right but, it seems like a logical next step on the prospecting progression.

Here's how I see it; most of my prospecting calls are made in the hopes of getting a face to face with a potential client. Door knocking eliminates the middle step of making the appointment. I've already got face time and an opportunity to present my marketing materials; even if it is a casual conversation as opposed to a full blown listing appointment.

Right now, I am preparing the proper marketing package for door knocks. I plan to start working a neighborhood next week.

I wodner how many of you are doing nay door knocking now or have done so in ht epast and if you could share some stories of successes, trials and/or anecdotes.

Thanks,

Andy