Wine is a common accompaniment to many standard meals and is extensively utilized in cooking as well. Rich in anti-cancerous properties, it also has a concentration of various substances that improve heart health and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Red wine is also rich in antioxidant properties that help lower cholesterol levels. Even medical professionals recommended a small glass of red wine consumed in moderation to supplement a well-balanced diet and decent exercise routine.

Here are a few interesting and creative ways to incorporate leftover red wine in recipes for your daily cooking needs.

Poached eggs
Regular poached eggs sound common and are not very interesting.

Pasta sauce
Pasta is one of the most popular and commonly made dishes. However, it is considered as a complete meal only when it is accompanied by a lovely sauce. Fortunately, you can use red wine creatively in a balsamic infused tomato sauce. Whoever said that red wine looks good in a glass obviously didn’t try this unique combination of a citrusy, tomato sauce infused with an aged red wine reduction to bring out the taste of al dente pasta. You can also use the sauce with a ravioli dish or spaghetti and meatballs. Just ladle a generous spoonful of red wine tomato sauce over these dishes. Wine-based pasta sauces are one of the most popular savory recipes.

Baked beans in red wine
Where there is a barbeque, there must be a baked beans dish; Barbeque and baked beans are a classic Sunday lunch. But you can take this recipe to the next level with a great red wine reduction, and grill that rib eye steak or rack of ribs to perfection. Simply substitute canned or store-bought baked beans with fresh ingredients cooked in a rich, tomato-based red wine sauce. Tomatoes will help bring out a sweet citrus flavor. If you do not like the flavor of baked beans, this red wine infusion will convince you to think otherwise. Make this dish over the weekend and watch your family chomp it down with gusto!

Red wine chocolate cake
Red wine recipes need not be limited to savory dishes as it can be used to make sinfully sweet, taste bud tingling desserts as well. Red wine chocolate cake is one such example. You can make this recipe with whole wheat, and it is free of any refined sugar. Strawberry jam mixed in a red wine sauce can act as a substitute for the sugar. Additionally, it gives the traditional chocolate cake an interesting and tasty spin. The fruity taste of the jam goes well with the fermented grape flavor of the red wine, making it a popular dessert choice this winter.

Red wine chocolate truffle
For all the right reasons, fermented grapes work well with chocolate. Both the flavors cut through the acidity and the excessive sweetness of desserts. Truffles made with a red wine base will still have the same rich, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture that is accentuated by the flavor of red wine. You can use any good red wine as chocolate works well with most of the varieties.