A little red wine can be good for you. It can help to keep your heart healthy as many of its properties and compounds have excellent cardiovascular effects. Its antioxidants can slow down the progression of heart disease caused by the buildup of fat, plaque and cholesterol on the artery walls. It can protect heart cells from tissue damage often caused by a stroke. It can also prevent oxidative stress and help to regulate blood pressure.
Red wine doesn’t just look after your heart. It also helps to lower cholesterol, manage diabetes, obesity and weight problems and there’s even some evidence that a little red wine now and then can help to prevent and delay the progress of Alzheimer’s disease.
But, red wine can also be hard to keep. You pop a cork and enjoy a glass in the evening, trying to stick to your limits. Only to find that wine left open on the side doesn’t taste as good in a few days’ time, as cooling wine should always be kept at the correct temperature. You can use a cork or wine vacuum to protect the flavor. But, perhaps a better way to use your leftover red wine is in cooking.
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When you cook with red wine, some of the alcohol content is burnt off, making it perfectly safe for the whole family to eat. But, enough remains that the wine still carries health benefits. It’s also still filled with beneficial properties which will not be damaged during the cooking process. And, of course, it’s a fantastic and versatile ingredient which adds a deep and rich flavor to many dishes. Here’s a look at four of the best.
Sangria Chicken
Sangria chicken is a gorgeous dish filled with Mediterranean flavors. Perfect for a summers evening. Simply marinade 4 chicken breasts in all of your favorite fruity sangria flavors and pour over the leftover red wine. Then, slow cook with 1 tsp thyme a pinch of black pepper, 4 cloves of garlic and 4 bay leaves for a fruity dish filled with tender chicken. Serve with potatoes for a filling family meal.
Beef Chili
Beef chili is a popular family favorite, and most of us have got our own recipe. Adding red wine couldn’t be easier. Simmer the beef and veg in your leftover red wine for a few minutes before adding your usual stock and spices. Then, add a cinnamon stick for an extra spark of flavor and leave to simmer for a few hours.
Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup
Soup is incredibly easy to make and works well with most combinations of ingredients. Slice 5 red peppers, drizzle in olive oil and roast for 30 minutes. Add to a large pan with a tin of chopped tomatoes and 1 liter of veg stock. Simmer for 1 hour before blending to a smooth texture. Stir in a splash of red wine just before serving for a little extra tang.
Beef Brisket in Red Wine
Slow cooked beef brisket simply melts in your mouth. It’s fantastic. Pour some red wine into your slow cooker or roasting tin with the meat for a new twist.
Ingredients:
Directions:
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