Ingredients Method Ingredients250g shallot, sliced Shallot Related to the onion (as opposed to being a younger version of it), shallots grow in clusters at… 4 tbsp olive oil Olive oil Probably the most widely-used oil in cooking, olive oil is pressed from fresh olives. 1 garlic clove, lightly crushedsprig rosemary Rosemary Rosemary's intense, fragrant aroma has traditionally been paired with lamb, chicken and game… 5 tbsp balsamic vinegar Balsamic vinegar True Balsamic vinegar is an artisan product from Modena, in Emilia Romagna, Italy, and is made… 400ml red wine400ml beef stock or brown chicken stock, preferably homemadeknob of butter Butter Butter is made when lactic-acid producing bacteria are added to cream and churned to make an… MethodSauté the shallots in a medium saucepan with the oil over a high heat for about 3 mins until lightly browned, stirring often. Season with ground black pepper and add the garlic and rosemary. Continue cooking for a further 3 mins, stirring often to prevent the shallots burning.

Pour in the vinegar and cook until evaporated away to a syrup, then pour in the wine and cook until reduced by two thirds.Pour in the stock and bring to the boil. Turn down the heat and simmer until reduced by two-thirds again, to around 250ml. Remove the garlic and rosemary. buy empty wine bottles onlineAdd a little salt to taste and finally 'monte' (whisk) in a knob of butter. best everyday red wine glassesAdd any juices from the steaks just before serving.best rated wine cooler brand About Talli van Sunder, DPT By Talli van Sunder on Apr 15, 2013 in Articles, Featured, Nutrition Port wine (also called Porto or Vinho do Porto in Portugal) is a delicious, sweet, fortified wine produced in the Douro Valley of Northern Portugal.

The combination of the multiple varietals of grapes that are blended and the conditions of the region they are grown in produces a distinctive taste that is hard for vineyards in other parts of the world to replicate. Port is created by adding brandy late in the fermentation process. The brandy is added in order to boost the alcohol content and halt the fermentation process, allowing the drink to maintain its sweetness. Port is usually served as a dessert wine at the end of the meal or as an Apéritif. It is commonly paired with cheese, nuts or chocolate. Port is enjoyed by people all over the world, including myself. I was introduced to Port by my husband (who is Portuguese). Ever since, my appreciation has continued to grow for the various rich, smooth, sweet tastes the different styles of this wine offer. But is it healthy? What are the health benefits of Port? Like other red wines, Port contains beneficial vitamins, minerals, nutrients and antioxidants (like flavonoids and a substance called resveratrol).

Recent research has shown that drinking red wine can protect against prostate cancer, Alzheimer’s disease (staving off mental decline) and heart disease.  The most current research has been focused on the polyphenol, resveratrol, which is present in the skin of the red grapes used in the making of red wine.  Resveratrol seems to be a key contributor to promoting hearth health, by reducing bad cholesterol, preventing clots and protecting against artery damage. Is Port healthier than other red wines? If you are looking for an optimal wine drink that is bursting with beneficial nutrients, then port wine may not be your best pick. Port has both higher alcohol and sugar content than most red wines, making it a less healthy choice. Even though Port may not be the optimal drink when it comes to health, it does contain some health benefits when consumed in moderation.  So, for those of us who enjoy a glass of Port every now and then to complete a special evening, you can continue to raise your glass to good health!

Because, after all, drinking port in moderation can be good for your health! References: Psychology Today and Mayo ClinicCapillary vascular malformations (telangiectatic naevi or nevi) are sometimes referred to as flat haemangiomas. However, these are not but are malformed dilated blood vessels in the skin. Lesions are non-cancerous and appear as blotches of red or purple skin discolouration on any part of the body. They are always present at birth, although they may become more obvious with time. They may vary in size from a small dot to occasionally involving a whole limb, and they grow in proportion to the child's general growth. Two common capillary vascular malformations are the salmon patch (naevus simplex) and port wine stain (naevus flammeus).These are very common and occur in about 40% of all newborns. They are usually small flat patches of pink or red skin with poorly defined borders. They are commonly found at the nape of the neck (stork bite, erythema nuchae), on the forehead between the eyebrows (angel's kiss) or on the eyelids.

They become more intense in colour and noticeable when the child is crying. Most lesions will spontaneously disappear within the first year of life. Stork bites tend to be more persistent and may remain unchanged into adult life in 50% of cases. These are much less common than salmon patches, occurring in about 0.3% of newborns. A port wine stain is usually a large flat patch of purple or dark red skin with well-defined borders. At birth the surface of the port-wine stain is flat, but in time it becomes bumpy and often more unsightly. The face is most commonly affected although they can occur anywhere on the body. Where present, they generally appear on one side of the body with a sharp mid-line cut-off.Some port wine stains may fade over time but most remain unchanged or may even deepen in colour. They do not shrink by themselves or disappear spontaneously. If the port-wine stain affects the face and neck, it may have a severe impact on the child's social, psychological and economic development.

Most capillary vascular naevi are not associated with other abnormalities. However, there are some rare syndromes that may present with this kind of birthmark:Sturge-Weber syndrome is also known as encephalotrigeminal angiomatosis. It is the association of capillary vascular malformation affecting the skin supplied by one branch of the trigeminal nerve of the face with defects in the underlying tissues. These may result in a shrunken brain, calcification inside the skull, seizures, meningeal angioma and eye abnormalities (glaucoma, optic atrophy). Sturge-Weber syndrome is due to somatic mutation in the gene GNAQ.Parkes-Weber syndrome refers to the association of a capillary vascular malformation with an arteriovenous malformation. The birthmark tends to be quite large. It is often faint pink, but may also be bright red in colour. The affected limb is warmer and longer than the other side, though of normal shape. It may be possible to feel a ‘thrill’ due to the high flow of blood through the arteriovenous malformation.

The doctor listening with a stethoscope may hear a swishing sound or ‘bruit’. Occasionally there is enlargement of the heart, which can lead to heart failure.Klippel-Trénaunay syndrome refers to the association of a capillary vascular malformation with a venous and a lymphatic malformation. The surface red birthmark tends to be small or patchy but prominent. The lymphatic malformation can contain large fluid-filled cysts (macrocystic) or clusters of smaller ones (microcystic). The affected limb is wider and bulkier than the other side, and sometimes longer. Sometimes the affected limb is smaller than the other one. The syndrome can be complicated by blood clots (thrombophlebitis), seepage of lymph, infections (cellulitis), ulceration and bleeding.Hyperkeratotic cutaneous capillary-venous malformation usually affects the tissues around the eye. It may be associated with vascular malformations in the brain, known as ‘cavernomas’. This disorder is inherited as autosomal dominant abnormality, affecting half the children of an affected person.

It is due to a mutation in a gene called KRIT1.Proteus is very rare and is thought to be due to an abnormal PTEN tumour-suppressor gene. It has very variable manifestations such as enlarged hands and feet or one side of the body, various birthmarks including vascular malformations, , epidermal , skull abnormalities and fatty tumours (lipomas) under the skin and internally.Reticulate vascular are closely related to port wine stains. The main difference is that reticulate naevi usually spontaneously improve by fading with time. circumscriptum is a raised warty dark red-purple lesion that is most commonly found on the lower leg or foot. It is often covered with rough scaly patches of skin. In many cases, they are present at birth but may also develop in childhood or adulthood. are harmless lesions that usually require no treatment. For cosmetic reasons or concerns of possible melanoma, surgical removal or laser therapy may be performed. Capillary vascular malformations are now known due to genetic abnormalities and are often familial.

Investigators have found a mutation in the GNAQ gene on chromosome 9q21 in the vast majority of patients with port-wine stains and Surge-Weber syndrome.Capillary vascular malformations are usually diagnosed clinically and no investigations are necessary for the majority of flat lesions. However, when there is uncertainty about the diagnosis or whether underlying tissues are affected, an ultrasound scan is often performed. Characteristically, a vascular malformation shows blood vessels set in normal background tissue.In more complicated cases it may be necessary to perform Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or angiography to help plan treatment.Salmon patches require no treatment, whilst treatment of port wine stains depends on the site, extent and nature of the lesion. In the past, cosmetic cover was the best advice for those affected, but now many can be successfully removed or their appearance improved by laser treatment. Specialist advice and referral for treatment is best before school entry, when possible.

The pulsed dye laser (PDL) appears to be the treatment of choice for most port wine stains. Approximately 40-45% improve by at least 75% after 5 to 25 treatments. Some lesions that do not respond to a PDL may improve when treated with other types of laser.Capillary vascular malformations may bleed after minor trauma and sometimes the bleeding can be difficult to stop. Fortunately this is most uncommon. If it happens to you or your child, apply firm pressure and seek medical assistanceComplex syndromes require careful assessment, often by a team of specialists that may include a paediatric dermatologist, paediatrician, radiologist, plastic surgeon and/or vascular surgeon. The following measures may rarely be necessary:Oral sirolimus (which inhibits angiogenesis) is undergoing investigation as a potential medical treatment for severe vascular malformations but may have significant adverse effects [1]. Effect of laser treatment on a vascular malformation More images of vascular malformations ...