charleville winery

This weekend we visited Charleville Winery in Ste. Genevieve, MO. St. Genevieve has quite a few wineries, but this is our favorite. It is a bit more out of the way than any of the others, but worth it. Besides yummy wines, they also brew their own beer and a root beer that is to die for. You can take the wine and beer home with you, but they don't have a way to bottle the root beer, so that you'll have to enjoy while you're there. You can taste the wines and beers for free, served to you with great enthusiasm by the winery's owners. So, pack up some casual picnic foods, grab some friends and go to Charleville to enjoy the beautiful views, tasty libations and friendly faces. Here are some photos....




This is Emma, a dog who lives at the winery. Yes, besides friendly people there are plenty of friendly cats and dogs who will stop by and say hi while you're there...

reason # 397 to make teeny burgers

Teeny burgers, which made an appearance on Iron Stef here, have become a regular dinner option at the Iron Stef homestead. They are easy and casual and fun. Also? Since you can eat more than one, you can play with toppings way more than you would with a big 'ol regular burger. With teeny burgers, the possibilites are endless! Last night I played a little game of "what's in the fridge?"


In the above photo I have 3 topping combos, from bottom to top: Muenster cheese and thinly-sliced green bell pepper soaked in hot sauce; stilton cheese with thai black pepper sauce and red onions; habenero cheese and tomatoes.


I had high hopes for this stilton one, but all the falvors were to strong, and when combined they took on, strangely, the taste of anchovies. I love anchovies, but...this just didn't work. Usually I love burgers with blue cheese...maybe the stilton was just too pungent. Oh well, all my other combos were yummy.

I especially enjoyed this "Italian" number...mozzerella, roma tomato and pepperoncini:

What do you like most on your burgers?