Murski Homestead Bed & Breakfast, Brenham, Texas » wine

Holiday & Crystal Wine Glass Trail

Pamela Murski — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 18:28:06 +0000

Wine & Holiday Tours

The fun and delicious Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail hosts their holiday trail this year in December, first and second weekend! Don’t miss getting to enjoy each winery, find out the history behind the properties and experience some first class Texas wine and holiday food. Included in the ticket is a holiday food and wine pairing at each winery with a Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail Crystal Wine Glass gift at the 4th winery you visit! Be sure to stay at the ranch which is conveniently located on the Trail!

Cheese Ball Recipe with Local Windy Winery Wine

Pamela Murski — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 09:28:16 +0000

Whip up this delicious easy cheese ball using Chardonnay from Windy Winery, a local winery located just a short drive from the B&B! This is a recipe from the vintners! We use their wines in many of our classes and foodie events. Their winery is a “must stop” place when staying at the ranch with us. This lovely cheese ball would be great for the holidays, parties, for gift giving or just for a late afternoon relaxing with a glass of Windy Hill wine on the porch! Let me know how you like it and how you use it!

Gorgonzola / Chardonnay Wine Cheese Ball

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 ounces crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
1/4 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons Windy Winery Chardonnay wine
2 tablespoons paprika
1/2 cup chopped pecans

In a medium bowl, blend cream cheese, Gorgonzola cheese, sharp Cheddar cheese and Chardonnay. Form the mixture into a ball shape. On a piece of wax paper, spread the paprika and pecans. Roll the cheese ball in paprika and pecans to coat. Wrap coated cheese ball in wax paper. Chill in the refrigerator 6 hours, or overnight, before serving.

2011 Cooking Class Schedule Now Available!

Pamela Murski — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 13:33:54 +0000

It’s that time of year again! The 2011 Ranch Cooking Class Schedule is now available. This is the perfect time to plan a fantastic Texas Ranch Culinary Vacation to one of our Cooking classes or Foodie Events. Even if you have attended a cooking class before don’t let that detour you.

Foodie Weekends, are for those who like to cook, for Foodies and for Spectators who love food in all forms! Guests determine the depth of their involvement, with options ranging from a visit to an area farmer’s market, local winery, garden harvest, cooking with me or just enjoying the great food! Whether you are a Foodie, avid cook, spectator or wannabe cook, these events are all about creating memorable experiences in a relaxing atmosphere involving food, spontaneous cooking and creating ways to take the everyday recipe to the next level.

Every class and event is chock full of new recipes that you can duplicate at home! This is a great gift idea for that home cook you know. Itinerary and dates…

1 Room for 2 Nights, Murski Homestead – Two (Double Occupancy)
Full Breakfast both mornings
Farmer’s Market Tour
Downtown Driving Tour
Hands-On Cooking Class
Local Wine Tasting and Dinner

2011 DATES: March 4-6, March 11-13, April 29-May1, May 6-8, May 13-15, Sept. 2-4, Sept. 9-11, Oct. 14-16, Oct. 21-23, Oct. 28-30, Nov. 11-13, Nov. 18-20, Dec. 2-4

Reserve your spot now for food and fun at the ranch or buy a gift certificate to introduce friends and family to the Murski Homestead B&B Experience!

Chili Recipe & Cook Off Windy Winery

Pamela Murski — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 18:00:06 +0000

After the long hot summer, the folks at Windy Winery are hungry for some good chili so…… on Saturday October 30th they are hosting a Chili Cook-Off (their second annual I believe)…..Open to anyone who want to join in the fun, dust off that extra special chili recipe, come out to cook and see who can make the best chili at Windy Winery!

And for all those folks who just want to eat the best chili at Windy Winery come on out and join in the fun!! (Last year, we at the B&B took our guests to the cook off and had a fabulous time! We will do so again this year, so if you are looking for a great place to stay and some fun to be had…book your room now with us!)

Our favorite recipe originated with our oldest son, who is a wonderful “cook by the seat of your pants” home chef!

Will’ s Chili Recipe

5 pounds fresh ground sirloin

4 cloves fresh garlic, peeled and finely chopped

1/4 – 1/3 cup chili powder

1 Tablespoon cumin

2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

3 large onion, peeled and diced

2 large cans (15 oz. ) diced tomatoes

2 (8 oz.) cans tomato paste

2 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce

1/4 cup sliced pickled jalapenos

Brown sirloin on medium heat in large heavy duty pot. Add garlic and onions and saute’ til translucent. Add chili powder, salt and cumin and cook 1 minute. Add remaining ingredients. Stir in remaining ingredients, add water to cover sufficiently and cover pot with lid. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and simmer several hours or until desired tenderness and thickness. Serve with steamed rice, Monterrey jack shredded cheese, salad, cornbread and ice cold beer or red spicy wine! Voila… Dinner is ready!

Bench note: This chili is good on most anything….eggs for breakfast, cheese enchiladas, baked potato, frito pie, etc…

Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail

Pamela Murski — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 11:53:46 +0000

Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail

October is all about Texas Wine!!! As avid supporters of just about anything local, especially when it has to do with food and drink, the B&B is fortunate to be located in the midst of the Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail! The October Wine Trail celebrates Texas Wine Month with the addition of THREE new wineries along the Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail. Your ticket (just $25 for a single ticket or $45 for “Ticket for Two”) includes two select wine tastings, paired with a unique sausage dish at each of the 10 member wineries. Be sure to book one of our foodie classes where we always celebrate and incorporate local wines and food in our menus!

Red Wine vs. White Wine…what the experts say

Pamela Murski — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 23:59:05 +0000

We here at the ranch, found this bit of trivia from our local Windy Winery expert to be very interesting…..

The antioxidants found in wine can vary widely depending on the year and region in which the wine was produced. However, two other beneficial components of wine remain relatively consistent: potassium, which helps maintain fluid balance in the body, and alcohol, which may help raise “good” HDL cholesterol, reduce risk of blood clots, and lower blood pressure. The key to obtaining any of wine’s benefits is enjoying your favorite in moderation.

Red Wine (5 ounces)
120 calories 180 milligrams potassium 15 grams alcohol
White Wine (5 ounces)
118 calories 101 milligrams potassium
14.6 grams alcohol

CHEERS TO YOUR HEALTH!!!

Saddlehorn Winery

Pamela Murski — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 21:40:34 +0000

I enjoyed visiting and tasting the newest winery on the scene in Washington County: Saddlehorn! The owners of Saddlehorn are interesting, informative and have built a top notch sophisticated winery production/tasting barn with lots of granite, glass, stainless barrels and Texas furniture. This winery is located not too far from the ranch and is situated on beautiful country property between Brenham and Burton. I can home with 2 bottles for our sipping pleasure: “Barn Red” and “Happy Trails White”! You must make this a stop on your next wine tour of the Bluebonnet Wine Trail and add a stay at the ranch while here!

Bed and Breakfast Recipe for Lemon Mousse & Berry Trifle

Pamela Murski — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 08:14:17 +0000

Lemon Mousse Fresh Berry Trifle

I love the look of layered foods and dishes…..almost everything in life benefits from layering and textures. This trifle is scrumptious and light all at the same time. If you like Lemon Curd, you will devour this lemon mousse. Couple with the sweet tart flavor of fresh berries such as strawberry, blueberry and raspberry and pound cake, it is a dessert worthy of starring at your finest dinner….with our without company. (My granddaughter claimed it was better than birthday cake—both servings!) It is a recipe that will some day find its’ way onto a Foodie Weekend menu. Recipe:

Lemon Mousse Fresh Berry Trifle

Lemon Mousse Fresh Berry Trifle

1/2 cup plus 2 Tb. sugar

4 large egg yolks

1/4 cup dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc

2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest

1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice

salt

6 tablespoons butter, room temperature, cut into small pieces

6 cups assorted fresh berries (if using strawberries, slice them)

1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

1 loaf homemade or store bought pound cake, sliced 1/2 inch thick

Garnish: lemon zest matchsticks

Whisk together 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, the egg yolks, wine, lemon juice and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Simmer, stirring, until thick, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in grated lemon zest and gradually whisk in butter pieces until smooth. Press plastic wrap directly onto surface of curd. Refrigerate until set, about 1 hour or up to 2 days.

Cover mixed berries with remaining 1/4 cup sugar or more to taste if berries are really tart. Let macerate for at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours.

Whisk cream until soft peaks form. Whisk curd to loosen. Working in 3 additions, fold whipped cream into curd. Layer a third of the cake in the bottom of a 12 cup bowl. Cover with a third of the lemon mousse. Sprinkle with a third of the mixed berries and macerated juice. Repeat twice with remaining cake, mousse and fruit. Refrigerate trifle at least 2 hours or up to 1 day. Garnish with lemon zest before serving.

Brenham TX B&B and Wine Trail

Pamela Murski — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 19:49:18 +0000

Incredible wines and tastings with unbelievable scenery are found in Washington County and the surrounding area! At Murski Homestead we feature local fare and local wine which are used in our cooking classes, Vintner dinners and special Foodie Weekends. One of the most recent additions to the scene it the Bluebonnet Wine Trail, wine fun that is not to be missed! The wineries along the trail will offer a pairing of two cheeses from local artisans with two wines. As an added bonus, receive a packet of Texas wildflower seeds at each winery you visit (while supplies last).

Winery Celebration Near Brenham TX Bed & Breakfast

Pamela Murski — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 16:36:40 +0000

Pleasant Hill Winery Anniversary Celebration: April 10 & 11, 2010 noon – 5:00

Come out and enjoy the spectacular wildflowers and take pictures in our fields. You may bring a picnic to pair with Pleasant Hill’s award-winning wines. Relax and share a bottle with some “pleasant” company. Enjoy a tour, tasting, and a piece of anniversary cake. Make your stay complete with a room at the ranch!