Nina's - Hollister, Ca

So, it was your typical Monday night and Nina decided to have a little gathering before our big game. After work I made the scenic drive on over to see what she had in store for me!

So beautiful!

Pietra Santa's 2003 rose-hued wine is made from 100% Dolcetto grapes. The Rosato features vibrant flavors of wild berries and ripe strawberries. This wine is crisp and bright with a refreshing finish. I would say the Rosato is an ideal for a summer picnic and lighter cuisine but is also delicious on its own. I loved it and will definitely be sipping on this in the near future!

An antipasto platter usually combines rich meats, olives, vegetables, and cheese to create delicious harmony. It's the perfect appetizer recipe for busy hosts. Antipasto in Italian literally means, "before the meal." Traditionally, an antipasto platter contains a variety of cured meats, cheeses, herbs, and fresh or marinated vegetables. Nina’s version had salami, parmigianino-reggiano, multi grain crackers and baby dills. The true beauty of this appetizer lies in its simplicity -- it is extremely easy to put together, but the flavor is out of this world!

Nina busted out her bbq’ing skills and threw a filet on the barbie. The perfect marinade did not overwhelm the flavor of the filet, just enhanced it. Very tender and flavorful! I could of sworn that for a second I was eating at a 5 star restaurant! ;) Did you know, a one-cup serving of broccoli boasts 200 percent of your recommended daily allowance of Vitamin C, a good dose of Vitamin A, riboflavin, calcium, and fiber--and contains just 40 calories. It has even been proven to help protect against cataracts, stroke, and many kinds of cancer. Yes! I love broccoli!

The weather was beautiful, lounging aside the pool in the backyard was heavenly. The antipasto platter is what really got my attention! All in all, I give Nina's evening meal two thumbs up. Good job Nina, I see entertaining in your future!

-MD