Sunday, January 12, 2020

Papagni Winery, Winner for best Cabernet Sauvignon at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

Congratulations to Papagni Winery on their award(s) at the 2020 competition.It is always a privilege to develop food and wine pairings for Papagni Winery. 2016 Papagni Cabernet Sauvignon, Gold2017 Papagni Chardonnay, Bronze2016 Papagni Grenache Rose, Bronze2018 Papagni Malvasia Bianca, Silver

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Roar Into the 20's, Publish your book with Serendipity Press today!



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Stir Fry & Kikkoman Sizzling Steak paired with Papagni Vineyards' Fujin, by Cookbook Author Gina Meyers


Ring in the Chinese New Year right with Chicken Stir Fry and Papagni’s Fujin Wine. 2020 marks the year of the rat. The Rat is the first of all zodiac animals/signs. According to one myth, the Jade Emperor said the order would be decided by the order in which they arrived to his party. The Rat tricked the Ox into giving him a ride. Then, just as they arrived at the finish line, Rat jumped down and landed ahead of Ox, becoming first.
Gather round the kitchen for a delicious meal and experience. Bring friends and family together. Bring your friends and family to one of Papagni Wineries upcoming events. https://www.facebook.com/PapagniWines/
Purchase one of Gina Meyers’ unique themed cookbooks. http://www.ginameyers.com/books2.html

 



Chicken Stir Fry
Ingredients
1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into 1-inch cubes
salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp olive oil divided
2 cups of  broccoli florets
1/2 cup of cauliflower, optional
1/2 cup of zucchini, sliced, optional
1/4 cup of diced red onions
1/2 yellow bell pepper cut into 1 inch pieces
1/2 red bell pepper cut into 1 inch pieces
1/2 cup baby carrots sliced
2 teaspoons of fresh minced ginger
1 can of water chestnuts, drained
1 can of bamboo shoots, drained
2 garlic cloves minced or crushed, may use garlic salt or crushed garlic from the jar if you don’t have fresh garlic
Ponzu Lime Sauce, to taste
Stir Fry Sauce, to taste

1 Tablespoon of  corn starch
2 Tablespoons of  cold water
1/4 cup  chicken broth, may substitute for low sodium.
3 tablespoons of soy sauce, may substitute for low sodium. 
Optional:  toasted sesame seeds
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes


Directions:


In a medium size bowl, whisk together corn starch and water. Add remaining ingredients (chicken broth, soy sauce, Ponzu sauce, stir fry sauce, garlic, and toasted sesame oil, red pepper flakes) and whisk to combine. Set aside.
Add one tablespoon of olive oil to a large skillet or wok and heat over medium high heat.
Add chicken (in batches if necessary) and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until cooked through. Remove from skillet.
Reduce heat to medium and add remaining tablespoon of oil to the skillet.
Add broccoli, bell pepper, red onion, cauliflower, zucchini, bamboo shoots, waterchestnuts and carrots and cook, stirring occasionally, just until crisp tender. Add ginger and cook for an additional minute.
Add chicken back into the skillet and stir to combine.
Whisk stir fry sauce and pour over chicken and vegetables and stir gently to combine.
Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, and let boil for one minute.
Serve with rice and/or chow mein if desired.

Kikkoman Sizzling Steak paired with Papagni Fujin
Ingredients
Yield: Serves 2
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 7 minutes
Total Time: 12 minutes
1 teaspoon Kikkoman® Sesame Oil
8 ounces ribeye steak, thinly sliced
⅓ cup Kikkoman® Sukiyaki Sauce
1 tablespoon green onion, chopped
1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
2 cups cooked jasmine rice, for serving

Instructions
  1. Heat a medium cast-iron pan over high heat and grease with sesame oil. Heat pan for 2-3 minutes, until very hot.
  2. Blot steak dry with paper towel. Add steak to pan and sear for 5-6 minutes or until beef is lightly browned, tossing occasionally with tongs.
  3. Reduce heat to low. Stir in sukiyaki sauce and green onion. Continue to cook 2 minutes longer.
  4. Serve steak hot over rice and garnish with sesame seeds.

“FuJin is a delightful medium-dry California white table wine. This blend starts off with a really pretty honeysuckle nose that opens up to heady aromas and flavors of ripe honeydew melons, Bartlett pears and sweet mandarin citrus. The lush and round palate showcases a true harmony of crisp mineral acidity and sweet fruitiness. Perfect for spring and summer evenings, our Fu Jin goes great with fresh fish, Asian cuisine and fruit salads.” ~ Demetrio Papagni

750 ML
ALC 11% BY VOL 



Thursday, November 7, 2019

Tony Hoffman, from hopeless and lost, to hopeful and inspiring


By, Gina Meyers


I have been blessed over the past couple of weeks to listen to some amazing visionaries. I've listen to Ms. Tyra Banks, Mr. Richard MontaƱez  (of Hot Cheetos Fame), and Mr. Tony Hoffman.




Dream Direction, Vision

Be Careful what you think
Because your thoughts become your words
Be careful what you say because your words become your actions
Be careful what you do because your actions become your habits
Because your habits become your character and your character becomes your DESTINY.


FREEWHEEL Project, Action, Sports, Mentoring



Our Story

The Freewheel Project was founded in 2012 by Tony Hoffman, former BMX racing professional and renowned public speaker on substance abuse. Tony wanted to start a program that brought access to hundreds of kids in his community through action sports. Since that time, the Freewheel Project has focused on it’s mission to: “Develop healthy life choices in youth through action sports.”
The popular culture of action sports is growing, however, it still remains unnoticed throughout school districts, nationwide. Action sports complexes can plague youth with negative and dangerous behaviors that often influence even the best youth into making bad choices. The Freewheel Project serves as a positive covering for youth who participate in action sports, through our various programs as we mentor and encourage kids to avoid negative behaviors and lead by example.

Pre-order Brain Lock, by, Elizabeth Stephens









Author Elizabeth Stephens on Central Valley Talk TV

Monday, October 28, 2019

Valuable Takeaways from Visonary Richard Montanez, Creator of HOT Cheetos, by, Gina Meyers





Over the past month or so, I have been able to listen to two amazing entrepreneurs, visionaries, Ms. Tyra Banks, Americas Top Model Creator and Mr. Richard Montanez, creator of Hot Cheetos.


Valuable Takeaways from a Visionary

You've Got to be HUNGRY, Choose the line

You choose the line, if you are hungry, it's your choice, even if you are put in another line. Mr. Montanez recalls a story from the 1960's when he was placed in the "Latinos Only" line for reading. The "Whites Only" line for the 2nd grade children, the teachers were two pretty blondes with blue eyes and they had cookies. Richard was literally hungry and he figured whichever line he got into, he'd probably be beaten by one or the other teacher. His little pals who were Mexican, asked him (Richard) why he was waiting in the "Whites Only" line for reading? He said, "Because they have cookies." When he made it to the front of the line, the teachers stock piled each of his pockets with freshly baked cookies. Richard talked about how to this day, when he looks at a blonde haired woman in front of his wife, she whacks him. So, you choose the line, short of the DMV line, you have a choice! For entrepreneurs, the takeaway is, "you have to be hungry and stay hungry."


Stop! You don't need anyone's permission. Don't wait for someone's approval

I am sure you've heard there is no elevator to success, you have to take the stairs. Well, you also need to be your own cheerleader and remember:

You don't need anyone's permission to be successful and to try. If you are looking for permission, you've got it in Mr. Richard Montanez, don't forget, he has given you permission.


Be Who You Are, Everyone Else is Taken

In order to achieve greatness, you have to look ridiculous. You have to get over yourself.


Taking the it's who you know not what you know to a whole new level

In fact, it is not who you know, it's who knows you that matters.

You need support people in your life and they need to have these two qualities
1) Inspire You
2) Encourage You

Get busy researching, visit your local library
Both Tyra Banks and Richard Montanez have had at least one supportive person in their life. For Tyra, her mom was her biggest support and for Richard, his wife has been his biggest support.
Both of the support people encouraged their visionaries to visit the library and to research what they didn't know.

While both disagree on "looking the part", both agree on "speaking the part". You must be able to articulate what your vision is so others who can make your dreams happen can see it too!


Get over it!
How many times have you had a great idea and someone else has stolen it. Richard says, "don't be mad if someone else has your same idea, be happy for them that they did it."

In life, there will be setbacks, but keep on trying, when you are a visionary, you know you must keep on persevering.

http://www.ginameyers.com





From Janitor to Creator of Hot Cheetos