There was a time in my life when I like so many others out there would drive down to one of my local "Italian" restaurants when I was in the mood for one of my favorite dishes, Chicken Marsala.  Now I've had this dish hundreds of times but I've only had it done well maybe a handful of times so you can imagine my frustration.  Well all this frustration became more than I could take and being the resourceful I guy I am I decided to break the cycle of disappointing Marsala experiences and create a version of my own, one that would live up to my lofty expectations.

Now there are a lot of things I love about this recipe.  Right up front its easy, pretty quick to prepare and actually quite cheap to make but it delivers a big plate full of hearty flavors that can only be matched by something like homemade beef stew.  I think if you make this dish this weekend you'll find that it becomes one of your favorites and may even get a slot on the weekly

Cold weather is upon us.  Everywhere you look it’s evident, from the trees turning color and dropping their leaves to the pumpkins on your neighbor’s doorstep.  Halloween decorations and temps in the low 50's – all signaling autumn is here.  What better time to drop by your favorite bar or sit by a fire and drink a glass of the season’s best hard cider? 

Traditionally associated with England, ciders and perries (pear cider) have been a staple for centuries.  Call for a glass of Cider in an English pub and you can find a range of choices, from a clean, sweet, amber-colored, sparkling drink, to a complex, dry, and cloudy, oak-laden brew.  Many will argue that few beers can match good cider for lightness and complexity.
 
In early America, cider was considered “the drink of the people” from