Recently in Type of Cuisine Category

It's no wonder that everyone's New Year resolution is to lose weight considering that one gorges themselves for a month straight starting with Thanksgiving through Christmas!

Of course, it's quite hard to resist all of the wonderful foods this time of year especially all of the sweets and baked goods.  Dancing in my head are pies, cakes, tarts, cookies and many other warm, feel good treats. One is not even safe at work. So without further ado, start the baking, grab the elastic waistband pants and let the feasting begin!

Pecan Pumpkin Butter Pie with Butterscotch Cream

Frozen Pumpkin Mousse w/ Walnut Toffee Crunch
"With no pastry crust to wrangle, these luscious parfaits of pumpkin mousse and cream are easier to make than pumpkin pie."

Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle
"I am a huge fan of trifles, and this is so easy and so delicious. It has the right ingredients for the holidays to bring in all the warm fuzzies of past years." - Linda, Food Network

Pumpkin Cake w/ Caramel-Cream Cheese Frosting
"In this fun variation on traditional pumpkin pie, pumpkin cake spiced with ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves gets frosted with a slightly tangy, super-caramelly frosting. It's delicious served cold or at room temperature."

Olive Oil & Sauternes Cake w/ Roasted Pears
"Because Neil Perry has a passion for wine, he uses Sauternes in every component of this dessert, from the cake to the sauce. He also adds olive oil to the batter, which creates a delightfully moist crumb. Pair w/ Riesling."

Caramel Pecan Pie

Of course, your family expects a traditional holiday meal. But, you yearn for the fun and challenge of cooking up something a little different and adventurous. Why not do both? Prepare the traditional meal of time-honored favorites your family loves, but this time, give tradition a tasty timely tweak. Here are some recipes to help you discover that traditional doesn't have to mean predictable. We've taken holiday menu classics and recharged them with a few fresh new ingredients. Try these delectable subtle flavors that add to but don't overpower the familiar ones and take your holiday dinner from being a good meal to a great one.

Cranberry relish gets a new taste makeover - and powerful antioxidant boost - with the addition of a splash of Petite Sirah and a half cup of fresh blueberries mingled with the cranberries. The delicate sweetness of the blueberries helps tone down the cranberries' tartness in a beautiful glistening tapestry of rich jewel colors.

Submitted by Ferari-Carano Vineyards & Winery

Nothing says fall and winter more than a warm, cozy dish that marries the sweetness of harvest fruit with the traditional entrée's of the season. Ferrari-Carano Winery has just the recipe for you - Grilled Duck Breasts With Black Currant Pomegranate Sauce.  It's also the perfect dish for company during the holidays.

The Ferrari-Carano Zinfandel pairs well with the duck and "boasts aromas of boysenberry and blueberry pie with hints of vanilla and baking spices. Concentrated fruit continues on the palate with juicy, sweet wild berries that linger well into a finish that is highlighted by smooth, silky tannins."

Stuffing is personal and subjective.  Everyone has their absolute favorites and some guests are just downright insistent that THEIR recipe is used for the big Thanksgiving Dinner  Sometimes the stuffing turns out great and we're grateful.  Other times, they are plain AWFUL and so we tend to skip that whole area on our plate for fear it contaminates the rest of our food!   So we ask you, what's been your experience with "the good, bad and ugly" of stuffing?  We've found a few stories and recipes to get you started...

Kasha:  "My favorite is stove top, I swear!  As embarrassing as that is, I can't help it.  I would eat it by itself!  The worst....LIVER or GIZZARDS  in my stuffing. That culinary practice should be BANNED!  I did have a relative insist on having her stuffing by the way.  It was okay....I missed my stove top."

Candi:   "Good Stuffing comes from my Grandma!  She makes hers from scratch including the cornbread. The bad and ugly came to me one holiday dinner at my brother's house. I asked what it was and my sister-in-law said STOVE TOP!  That is the WORST stuffing ever!!! UGHHHH. That is NOT how stuffing is supposed to taste.

To most, turkey and Thanksgiving is as obvious as peanut butter and jelly.  What isn't obvious anymore is how we cook that turkey.  In addition to the traditional basted, bagged and roasted turkey methods we now have a myriad of new, exciting and untraditional ways of cooking that delectable bird. Step into the culinary world of turkey grilling (yes, on the bbq!), smoking, deep frying and rotisserie. Set your fears aside and discover the "untraditional turkey" this year.  You may be surprised at the response you and your bird get this year, kissing your traditional method goodbye forever.
 
Don't believe me?  Then let me tell you a story ....

Last Thanksgiving, my husband decided to smoke the turkey instead of the traditional "bagged" turkey. While my husband is great on the grill and smoked turkey sounded wonderful, I did not like the idea of being adventurous on Thanksgiving. Truth be told, I was a little worried that it wouldn't quite turn out as expected. What's more, we were expecting quite a few people for dinner!

To be safe, I cooked my traditional "bagged" turkey and it came out as expected - juicy and delicious.  However, my turkey sat virtually ignored and my husband's turkey was completely devoured. He clearly "smoked" the competition-namely me. I conceded defeat.  The smoked turkey was good, absolutely memorable, and our family can never go back.  Our traditional turkey has forevermore flown the coup and has been replaced by our new tradition-the "untraditional turkey". 

To help you find your own new Thanksgiving un-tradition, we've provided a few our favorite recipes and methods below.  Happy Thanksgiving! 

Trick or Treat? Well, treats of course! Whether you have kids or your a kid at heart, we have some fun recipes for you! So, set aside that store bought candy and get ready to taste some really wicked treats! Just click below to get your spook-tacular Halloween underway!

Chocolate Candy Corn Truffles
"Dark chocolate and bitter orange offset the sweetness of candy corn in these fun but fancy truffles."

Double-Chocolate Caramel Apples
"Indulge in the ultimate chocoholic experience by dipping the caramel apples in both semisweet and bittersweet chocolate."

Pumpkin Patch Cakes
"Petite pumpkin-shaped cakes. Dust with confectioners' sugar, finish them with colorful frostings, or pipe on smiling or scary jack-o'-lantern faces."

Caramel-Dipped Apples
"Delicious caramel apples...decorate with toffee bits, mini M&Ms, candy sprinkles, etc."

What's your favorite treat to make for Halloween?

Submitted by Viansa Winery & Vineyards

Viansa's 2007 Chardonnay offers flavors of Apple, honeydew melon and toasty oak with a crisp clean finish. This wine was 50% barrel fermented and 50% stainless steel tank fermented. A deliciously fresh wine that pairs nicely with a cheese and fruit platter, grilled fish or light pasta dishes.  Drink now through 2010. Visit Viansa.com/lifestyle for recipes like "Pepper and Prosciutto Frittata".

submitted by VirginiaWine.org

by Melissa Close, Executive Chef of Palladio Restaurant

Executive Chef Melissa Close has directed Palladio's kitchen since the fall of 2000, continually working to bring authentic Italian Cuisine to Central Virginia. Raised in Alabama, Melissa has been in the restaurant business since she was 16 years old and is a distinguished graduate from the New England Culinary Institute, Alumna of the Year in 2005. She has focused on Italian cuisine since working for award-winning chef Frank Stitt at Bottega Restaurant & Cafe located in Birmingham, Alabama in the early 90's. Her quest to refine her fluency in Italian cuisine led her to San Francisco's Rose Pistola Restaurant.

After taking a hiatus to work for one of her early culinary mentors and fellow Charlottesville chef, Craig Hartman, at The Cliff House at Pikes Peak in Manitou Springs, Colorado, she was drawn back to Italian cuisine when asked to take the Executive Chef's position at Palladio Restaurant. She has brought both national and international recognition for Palladio Restaurant through her constant striving to create menus with the freshest ingredients found locally and internationally. During the restaurant's annual closing in January, Melissa and her staff travel across the Atlantic to stage in some of Italy's finest establishments to expand their knowledge of Italian cuisine. Melissa and her staff's commitment for excellence has won her induction in the Chaine des Rotisseurs, and three invitations to create dinners at the world-renowned James Beard House in New York City, a great honor bestowed upon select chefs in the country.

By Deirdre Bourdet

Most ingredients go in and out of style, depending on the latest health craze or foodie fad. This doesn't of course affect their deliciousness, or deter the converted from continuing to use the items in our own cooking once they have fallen out of fashion with the rest of America.

So I'm sure I wasn't the only one whose heart soared when Julie & Julia hit the silver screen this year, trumpeting the timeless and unparalleled glory of butter to audiences near and far. Sweet vindication! I almost cheered at the scene where Julie sets a pound of butter in front of Julia's portrait in the Smithsonian.

This breakfast recipe is one of our most popular!  It is as easy to prepare as it is delicious.  We serve it with homemade guacamole, pico de gallo and homemade baked tortilla chips. Enjoy!

Mexican Souffle

Ingredients

• 7 oz can of Ortega green chilies (whole or chopped)
• 1 ½ cup Jack cheese, grated
• 1 ½ cup Cheddar cheese, grated
• 12 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp garlic powder (or 1 small clove of fresh garlic)
• 1 tsp cilantro, fresh or dried
• 1 tsp oregano, fresh or dried or ground
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• ½ tsp ground pepper

Chef Jennifer B. Keller (from the Keller Family)

The aromas of cherry, raspberry, tangerine and minerals are in harmony in this lovely wine and once more show us the nature of the Keller Estate terroir. The lively acidity on the palate reminds us that this wine is meant to express the most delicate side of Pinot Noir, while making for a great wine to be paired with summer fare. To continue on this voyage to the south of France we share with you a family recipe for pissaladière, a flavorful onion flatbread that work beautifully as an appetizer to pair with our Rosé!

By Deirdre Bourdet

Summer romances are as old as time, and like clockwork, I find myself falling in love every year around this time. I speak of course of fresh salmon.

Nothing says summer more enticingly than a huge piece of barbecued wild salmon, charred and smoky from the grill, its succulent pearlescent flesh crying out to be devoured. Unless you consider sweet and toothsome and absolutely impossible-to-say-no-to grilled corn on the cob... ; or the intoxicating fragrance of farm-fresh heirloom tomatoes seducing the unwary into $30 salads... or hunks of cold watermelon so juicy that you need a napkin just to think about putting a piece in your mouth.

Submitted by Louis M. Martini Winery

Since 1933, the wines of Louis M. Martini have been crafted in the belief that wine is best enjoyed with food and among friends and family. The Martini family has been gathering and creating recipes for generations, recipes made with their rich, distinctive wines in mind.
Here is one such recipe.

Ingredients:

• 8 loin lamb chops

Marinade:

• ¼ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup Louis Martini cabernet sauvignon
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon. whole grain Dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoon. Herbs de Provence
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon. paprika
• ½ teaspoon Kosher or sea salt

Recipe provided by Syrah Bistro chef/owner Josh Silvers from the Down Home : Downtown cookbook, with Jeff Mall from Zin Restaurant & Wine Bar and published by Rodney Strong Vineyards.

Wine Pairing: Rodney Strong Reserve Russian River Valley Chardonnay

Summer's not over for a couple more months.  Take in as much of it as you can sipping a glass of Rodney Strong's Reserve Russian River Valley Chardonnay.  It's at once refreshingly crisp and luscious and will compliment these scrumptious crab cakes.

By Deirdre Bourdet

Shopping for cheese can test the endurance of even the most food-obsessed.  The typical modern cheese counter has so many delicious options from so many interesting places, with flavors and textures and shapes all over the map.  And yet, when it comes down to identifying the cheese that is always in my fridge  at home, the cheese I can eat straight out of the packaging and also serve gussied up with fresh herbs and truffle honey when company unexpectedly drops by, the choice is surprisingly easy.  Fresh chèvre is my go-to.

 

By Deirdre Bourdet

Hot summer nights call for sexy music and spicy company... enter nduja, everybody's favorite spreadable salame. Assertive, tender, musky, and exotic, it's everything you're looking for, and you can spread it on a cracker too.

Nduja, pronounced "en-DOO-yah"(not "NOOD-jah," as I was hoping) is a traditional cured pork salumi product that originates from Calabria, the "toe" region of Italy. The name derives from the French andouille, which is another type of spiced pork sausage bearing only a faint resemblance to nduja.

A domestic version of this Calabrian classic is now making Americans swoon, thanks to Chris Cosentino (of Incanto restaurant fame) and his Oakland-based artisanal charcuterie business, Boccalone. Cosentino's nduja features a unique, almost rillettes-like texture, hints of sour orange and smoke, plus plenty of heat from a variety of chilies that also lend the meat a fiery red hue. The salted meat and spices are fermented, lightly smoked, and dehydrated only enough to firm up the exterior casing, leaving the inside enticingly soft.

By Deirdre Bourdet

Salty-sweet desserts are catching on like they're going out of style and I couldn't be happier. Once limited to French fleur de sel caramels, this delightful taste sensation has now exploded into salted ice creams, truffle fillings, and chocolate desserts near you.

I adore Chocolatier Blue in Berkeley because Chris Blue puts tons of Camargue sea salt into every one of his creations. From pistachio to sweet corn to deep dark chocolate truffles, the flavors pop and send your salivary glands into overdrive. Needless to say, his peanut brittle is also beyond compare--ethereally crispy, buttery, salty, nutty, and completely addicting.

Submitted by Chef Jim Filaroski of J. Alexander's

Wine Pairing: Merryvale Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Summer's here and the time is right... for a barbecue!  Invite your friends over, uncork a bottle of Merryvale Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, and get the coals hot.  This great grilled rib-eye dish is sure to be a crowd pleaser and pairs impeccably with Merryvale's Cab.

Submitted by Gallo Winery

The Gallo family believes that one of the reasons they have stayed strong as a family business for over 75 years is their love of sitting down together to share good food, wine and conversation. Many meals have been enjoyed, some from old Italian family recipes and some more contemporary Californian in style.  Here is one they hope you enjoy...

Ingredients:

For the dressing:

• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Thai hot chili paste, or to taste
• 1/4 cup Thai fish sauce
• 1/3 cup warm water
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons granulated sugar

This food item is the absolute best; cheesy, tasty, and makes your mouth water. The tomatoes are awesome with the sour dough bread and the cheese. Everyone orders and loves this item at Silo's Wine Bar and Jazz Club.

Recipe: Killer Bread

Wine Pairing: Pinot Grigio (favorite is by Luna Vineyards)

Chef Name: Linda Whitted

Ingredients:
butter, mayo, Parmesan cheese, garlic, mozzarella cheese, sour dough bread

Directions:
I cant tell you anything more or give details . . . its a SECRET!

Readers: Looks pretty good from the picture and easy to make.  Probably perfect as a snack or along with dinner. Would love to get some readers thoughts on how to make this since we aren't given any directions...

Silo's Wine Bar and Jazz Club
"Pairing Great Wines with Great Music"
530 Main Street
Napa, CA 94558
(707) 251.5833
www.silosjazzclub.com

Summer is here and that can only mean one thing (okay, maybe a couple) . . .

First - Throw as much as you can on the grill because who wants to slave all day cooking and cleaning in the hot kitchen?! 

Second: Your kids will tire of hot dogs and hamburgers every night for lunch and dinner so why not try out some new things on the grill. The banana and nutella panini sounds delicious for a snack or dessert!

Third: There is more to life than just grilling meat!  Vegetables, fruits, bread and a slew of other things can be grilled too!

That being said - check out some of the recipes below. Let us know how they turn out and don't forget to pair them with wine!  White Wines for Summer or Best Wines for BBQ. Happy Grilling!

• Apple-Glazed Barbecued Baby Back Ribs
• Kansas City-Style Barbecued Chicken
• Peach-Mustard Pork Chops
• Moroccan Grilled Salmon
• Grilled Quick-Brined Jumbo Shrimp
• Grilled Corn w/ Seasoned Butters
• Grilled Zucchini/Summer Squash Salad w/ Citrus Splash Dressing
  
• Grilled Potato and Onion Salad w/ Blue Cheese and Bacon
• Grill Baked Brownies w/ Bing Cherry Ice Cream
• Grilled Banana and Nutella Panini
  

A Sommelier Sheds Light on the Best Wines for BBQ
by Courtney Cochran

Firing, roasting, and grilling are decidedly du rigueur during the summer months, but finding wines that work well with this tricky fare can be a challenge. Just as shining a spotlight on an actor onstage brings her features into focus for an audience, these cooking methods serve to concentrate the flavors of whatever's being cooked, necessitating a wine with both strength and personality to stand up to the food.

Read on for the low-down on some of the more common characteristics of flame-cooked fare and how to track down the perfect wines to pair with these traits.

Submitted by Chef Kelly Wangard of Paso Robles Inn Steakhouse

A savory interpretation of a classically sweet pastry this version of Baklava combines the rich flavor of Blue Cheese with walnuts for an amazing, out of this world treat.

Ingredients:

• 1 box phyllo dough
• 3 pounds Hook's Paradise blue cheese, Gorgonzola, or blue cheese
• 1 pound butter
• 5 cups walnuts, toasted
• 1 cup sugar

Submitted by B.R. Cohn chef Sherri Hewitt

A simple, slightly crunchy cake recipe. With flavors of walnuts and orange this is a great Summertime or anytime desert. Enjoy!

Yield: Makes 8 to 10 servings

Ingredients

• Nonstick olive oil spray
• 1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 4 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
• 1 tablespoon finely grated orange peel
• 1/2 cup B.R. Cohn Mandarin Orange Olive Oil
• Powdered sugar

Are you the grill master of the cul de sac? Do your burgers evoke sighs of satisfaction and gushing praise from even the most jaded of picnic attendees? Do you dream of tender patties sizzling on the grill? Answer yes to any of these questions, and you just might have a chance at $50,000 in one of the nation's biggest and best cook-offs, The Build a Better Burger contest.

Oh sure, just about anyone who's lit a charcoal grill thinks they've got the secret to deliciously delightful burgers: onion soup mix, hickory chips, homemade relish, or perfectly grilled buns. Amateurs all, compared to the folks who've re-invented burgers from the ground up at the Sutter Home Winery competition that takes place each year in Napa, CA.

Winners in past years have had recipes ranging from simple portabella mushroom burgers, and a Greek-inspired burger with lamb meat, roasted eggplant and feta cheese, to Hawaiian tuna burgers with onion and lime salsa. Definitely not your everyday burgers.

The competition is already open (April 1 - July 29, 2009) so you better get a move on if you plan on submitting your top secret perfect burger concoction. CLICK HERE to enter. Ten finalists  will be selected to cook their creations at the Sutter Home winery next year, in addition to being featured on the Food Network. The pressure builds in the timed cook-off, where contestants are challenged to create their recipes in front of judges, cameras, press and other finalists for the $50,000 grand prize, or the $10,000 Best Alternative Burger category.

If you like to eat burgers rather than cook them, take the Burger Personality test and see what type you are, get the best burger recipe to match, along with a wine pairing suggestion.

Submitted by the Hadsten House Inn and Spa

At the Hadsten House our goal is offer comfort food with friendly country club style service where regulars are treated like family. Our dishes are all intended to wow guests with the best burger in the Santa Barbara Wine Country, outstanding short ribs or this outstanding pasta dish each intended to make you want to become a regular guest.

Recipe: Spinach Pasta Sheets w/ Sauteed Shrimp & Roasted Tomato Cream Sauce

Chef's Name: Aaron Dixon

Wine Pairing: Artiste Winery "Cafe Noir" 2008

Submitted by Gallo Winery

The Gallo family believes that one of the reasons they have stayed strong as a family business for over 75 years is their love of sitting down together to share good food, wine and conversation.  Many meals have been enjoyed, some from old Italian family recipes and some more contemporary Californian in style. This recipe was created by one of the first employees at the Winery and has been a favorite of the Gallo family for years.

Ingredients:

• Spaghetti, 1 lb.
• Tomato Paste, 4 cans (6oz. ea.)
• Plump Tomatoes, 2 cans (14.5oz. ea.)
• Ground Round Steak, 2 lbs.
• Ground Pork, ½ lb.
• 2 Eggs
• Gallo Family Vineyards Frei Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 1 cup
• Garlic Cloves, Sliced, 4 each
• Parsley, Chopped, 4 Tbs.
• Cheese, Parmesan
• Basil
• Water, 1 can (14.5 oz)
• Salt, 1 ½ tsp
• Garlic Salt, 1 ½ tsp
• Black Pepper, ½ tsp

Submitted by Chef Christopher Kostow of
 The Restaurant at Meadowood

Squab:

• 1 whole squab
• 3 ½ tablespoons Darjeeling tea
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cups salt
• 4 cloves garlic
• 4 bay leaves
• 1 liter duck fat

Submitted by The Meritage Resort and Spa

The new Friday tradition at The Meritage Resort is Fish 'n Chips.  Chef Laurent is using seasonal cold water fish and Napa's own Napa Smith Brewery Beer to create the perfect batter.  Every Friday morning, Laurent brings the freshest fish available from Kanaola Seafood at Oxbow Market, depending on the season, to make the perfect Fish 'n Chips.

Submitted by Timber Cove Inn ~ Sonoma

Wine Country Chef Jon Mortimer is the mastermind behind Alexander's, the Sonoma Coast culinary soiree that overlooks panoramic seascapes at the attractive Timber Cove Inn. Inspired by local ingredients and sensory Sonoma bliss, this radiant dish offers exotic flavor via local pork and the unique collaboration of cinnamon, coriander and cayenne pepper.

Sonoma County is famous for their year-round abundance of produce. Each season Ferrari-Carano's culinary gardens offer Rhonda Carano's inspiration for new and delicious recipes as well as tried and true recipes from her Italian ancestry. With farmers' markets spreading across the country and people's desire for fresh fruit and vegetables, it's becoming easier for today's cook to create fresh and diverse menus that are not only delicious, but also nutritious.

This ever-changing bounty of ingredients makes entertaining fun and pleasing for every palate when paired with the perfect wine. Below are two such recipes...

Grilled Lamb Chops with Wine-Mint Marinade
Wine Pairing: Ferrari-Carano Cabernet Sauvignon

Pasta Butterflies with Asparagus and Snowpeas
Wine Pairing: Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay

Ferrari-Carano also offers several other recipes online. Or use their Wine and Food Pairing Guide to assist you in selecting the ideal wine for all your entertaining needs.

Provided by Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery

16-18 first course servings

Ingredients

• 6 large eggs
• 12 oz. tomato paste
• 1 Tbsp salt
• 2 lbs all-purpose flour
• Cornmeal, as needed
• Parmesan Cream Sauce (recipe follows)

Directions:
Combine eggs, tomato paste and salt in food processor and blend. Mix in eggs and blend till very well combined. Add flour slowly, and continue to mix until dough is formed into a ball. Take dough out and knead a little, then let rest.

Roll dough to thinnest possible setting on pasta machine. Lay strips of dough on a surface lightly dusted with cornmeal. Let rest, uncovered for 10 mins. Cut 1" x 2" rectangles, with a serrated hand wheel. Pinch in the center of each rectangle to form the "butterfly" shape, making sure the pinched center adheres.

Parmesan Cream Sauce:

• 1 lb asparagus
• 2 oz unsalted butter
• 1/3 lb. snow peas, trimmed
• 1-1/4 qt heavy cream
• 2/3 cup parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Trim and peel asparagus, cut on bias into 1" pieces. Blanch asparagus and drain and dry. Melt butter in sauté pan and add snowpeas and asparagus, sauté, tossing often until vegetables are tender. Add cream and cheese. Bring to boil and reduce until cream is slightly thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss with pasta immediately.

Wine Pairing: Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay, Alexander Valley

Recipe provided by Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery

Marinade:

• 2 med. garlic cloves
• 1 med. shallot
• 1 Tbsp finely chopped mint
• 1 Tbsp chopped rosemary
• 3 Tbsp dry red wine
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp mint jelly (or honey)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Freshly-ground black pepper
• 8 lamb chops, or rack of lamb

Finely chop garlic, shallot, mint and rosemary in food processor. Add mustard, red wine, olive oil and pepper, until blended. Rub on meat. Store in plastic Ziploc baggie.

Prepare barbecue and grill according to your likeness. Serve immediately.

Garnish with grilled peaches with gorgonzola crumbled on top.

Wine Pairing Suggestion:  Ferrari-Carano Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley

Nothing is better on a cold, winter evening then a hearty soups or stew. Share with us your favorite and see below for other recipes. Grab a baguette or garlic bread and happy soup eating!

Butternut Squash w/ Blue Cheese Timbale
St Francis Winery & Vineyards, Sonoma Wine Country

Lentil Soup with  Herbed Yogurt
"This is a hearty soup that is just delicious. Feel free to sprinkle a little more Mystic Moroccan Herb Rub as a garnish along with the yogurt if you so desire." - Made in Napa Valley

French Onion Soup
"Braised onions, bread, and melted cheese are the main components of this timeless dish, which epitomizes the robust cuisine of Parisian brasseries. To make it, you'll need six sturdy ceramic bowls that may be safely placed under the broiler. This recipe is based on one in Bistro Cooking by Patricia Wells (Workman, 1989)." - Saveur Magazine

Beef, Beer, and Barley Stew
"I added white potatoes and left out the last step of beets and horseradish. I also added roux at the end to thicken the broth up a bit. The result was a hearty, tasty and soul-satisfying stew that was perfect for a rainy winter night. " - MyRecipes.com

White Bean Soup w/ Bacon and Herbs
"A great recipe...Thick and hearty with fresh flavors from the herbs. I used the quick soak method (bring beans to a boil then let sit for an hour, drain and rinse) and it came out perfect. I did not add all of the fat back in (just a drizzle), but scraped the pan and deglazed thoroughly for flavor" - Food & Wine

Colorado Lamb Rack with Blueberry Compote,
Pumpkin Risotto and Mustard Glace

Chef: James Waller
Executive Chef, Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa
Prepared for Pairings at the Plaza during the 9th Annual Great Wine Escape in Monterey, CA

If you've ever been to Thomas Keller's Bouchon Bakery in Napa Valley Wine Country, then most likely you have tried their signature chocolate treat called "Bouchon".  It is chocolaty, brownie, cake-like goodness that no person should be without! If you have yet to go, definitely make this as a must visit, see, and taste for yourself stop next time you are in town*.  But what will you do until then???

Apparently, Bouchon Bakery has partnered  exclusively with Williams-Sonoma who are now selling the Chocolate Bouchon Mix directly to consumers.  "The mix combines Guittard cocoa powder, Nielsen-Massey pure vanilla and a generous helping of Callebaut chocolate chips".

It's only $18.00 and yields 18 bouchons.  Of course, you also have to buy the "bouchon mold pan".  Sigh...just looking at the picture is making me salivate all over again. I may have to order my mix tonight or since I live local, maybe just pop over to the bakery itself.

If there are any readers out there that have already tried the mix and have tasted the original, let us know if it tastes the same!

*Note: Bouchon Bakery is also located in New York and Las Vegas.

Voges Haut-Chocolate
Ordinarily, you might think of chocolate for the holidays as a stocking stuffer or just a candy dish treat. Don't get stuck in boring traditions. Chocolate should be on your list for a friend, workmate, sibling, aunt, uncle, cousin...you get the point.

Voges Haut-Chocolat offers decadently, rich chocolates, truffles, caramels, toffee, and even brownies, ice cream and cake for the sophisticated "I love chocolate" palate. But now that you've scampered across the website, in this menu and the the other, salivating at all this chocolaty goodness, what to get is the now burning question.

By Courtney Cochran

IKEA got it right:  Give design conscious customers appealing, easy-to-assemble furniture at reasonable prices, and - presto! - they score designer-caliber furnishings, a feeling of accomplishment and even cross the finish line with enough dough left in the bank to splurge on the matching ottoman.

Everyone wins.

From April through June is the best time to get ripe, delicious strawberries from California. Though most of us are still peeling off winter parkas and drying out from the rains, it's the height of the season for strawberries. This tasty recipe pairs the classic shortcake with fresh berries and whipped cream for a slice of heaven.

 

 

                By Vincent Nattress, Culinary Consultant to Napa Free Range Beef

FOOD+WINE PAIRING
Although Cabernet Sauvignon is often heralded as the perfect foil for steaks, a wine such as Merlot, with softer and fruitier notes and lower acid, is a better match for beef prepared with saltier, sharper and more savory marinades.

INGREDIENTS

Serves 2-4

• Two 10-12 ounce New York steaks
• 1 clove garlic, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper

Chef's Recipe Notes:
This simple chicken dish has subtle touches of porcini and aged Parmigiano Reggiano, both of which add a light earthiness and nuttiness to the dish. The Parmigiano and the wine also add balanced saltiness and acidity to round out the dish.

Marco Fiorina
Restaurant Chef/Owner
Posticino

INGREDIENTS
Serves 2-4

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1/4 pound fresh porcini mushrooms, cleaned and  sliced (reconstituted, dried porcinis can be  substituted, as well as other deeply flavorful mushrooms)
• 1/4 pound Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, shaved   thinly with a vegetable peeler
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 4 fresh thyme sprigs
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 pound spinach

 

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Recipe by Chef Andrei Litvinenko
Kendall-Jackson Winery

Heirloom Black Bell eggplants are sliced thin, brushed with garlic olive oil and grilled. We then layer our roulade with roasted sweet Italian heirloom peppers, sun dried tomato pesto, sweet basil leaves and Matos Family St. George cheese. The combination of the concentrated flavors and smokiness of the vegetables with the aged cheese pairs well with the rich tannins and complexity of the Highland Estates Grizz Ridge Merlot, as well as our Stature Merlot.

Filberts, also known as hazelnuts are what make these brownies so uniquely Oregonian. They're perfect for an after school treat or with fresh raspberries for a decadent evening dessert.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Dark Chocolate Buttons
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 stick of butter
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup chopped filberts (hazelnuts)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup white sugar

In a heavy saucepan or microwave oven, melt chocolate with shortening. Remove from heat. With wire whip, blend in sugars. Beat eggs lightly with vanilla and salt and stir into chocolate mixture. Mix flour with baking powder. Add, all at once, beating until smooth.

Spread into greased 9-inch square pan. Sprinkle filberts over top and pat down with a spatula. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes. Cool before cutting into bars. Makes 36 1 1/2" square bars.

Wine Pairing:

2003 Late Harvest Viognier, $25

Ingredients - Candied Walnuts

• 1 cup Walnut halves
  
• 1 cup Water
  
• 1 cup Sugar
• 1/2 + tsp. Togarashi - Japanese chile mix
  
• Salt 

Ingredients - Pears

• 3 ea. Bartlett pears, cut into 1/8ths, Cores removed
• Sugar to taste
• Salt to taste
• 1 Tbsp. Canola oil
  
• 1 lb. Point Reyes Blue Cheese
• 3 Tbsp. Honey

Colorado Lamb Rack with Blueberry Compote,
Pumpkin Risotto and Mustard Glace

 

Chef: James Waller
Executive Chef, Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa
Prepared for Pairings at the Plaza during the 9th Annual Great Wine Escape

Lamb

Grain Fed Colorado Lamb Rack 2 ea.
Remove fat cap cover with a sharp knife.

Method:
Season Lamb with salt and pepper and grill both sides. Place on mirepoix (diced celery, carrot, onion) with Bay Leaves and Thyme. Place in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes. Set aside before cutting. Lamb should be medium rare and should be fairly firm, yet give a little when squeezed. 

with Pinot Noir, Raisins and Carrot Purée

INGREDIENTS
Serves 4

LAMB SHOULDER 2 tablespoons olive oil 2- to 3-pound lamb shoulder roast, boned, tied and seasoned with salt and pepper 1 1/2 cups Pinot Noir 8 to 10 cloves garlic, chopped 4 to 5 sprigs rosemary 2 onions, thinly sliced 2 carrots, peeled and chopped 1 cup raisins 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 2 1/2 cups chicken stock   CARROT PURÉE 1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces 2 tablespoons unsalted butter teaspoon curry powder 1 cup vegetable stock or chicken stock 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper 2 teaspoons grated orange zest 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice     Preheat oven to 350º

FOOD+WINE PAIRING More Pinot Noir is always a good thing. Pinots have that earthy, black cherry flavor, which complements the fruit in the dish. The slight undercurrent of cinnamon in the wine works well with the spicy notes of the carrot purée. --Chef CORY SCHREIBER. Chef's Recipe Notes: This preparation works well with a rolled and tied shoulder of lamb or lamb shanks. The carrot purée adds flavor and color and can be made while the lamb is braising. Cory Schreiber - Executive Chef and Founder - Wildwood Restaurant & Bar.                       Cory Schreiber                       Executive Chef              Wildwood Restaurant & Bar

 

Chef's Recipe Notes:
This was our spin on duck a l'orange. Duck confit takes a real commitment to make. If you are looking for something simpler, you could use two seared duck breasts instead, sliced on top of each salad.
DUSKIE ESTES AND JOHN STEWART - Chefs and co-owners - Zazu

FOOD+WINE PAIRING
Salads can be a tough food to pair with. The aromatics in Viognier work with the bitter and pepper found in salad greens' ginger and five-spice powder. The exotic citrus blossom and honeysuckle notes align with the kumquat dressing. The rich, viscous nature that a Viognier can have works with the duck confit.
-- Chef JOHN STEWART

INGREDIENTS
Serves 6 to 8

DUCK

• 1 shallot, sliced in rings
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
• 3/4 cup olive oil
• Kosher salt and fresh ground black  pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup kumquats, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup Viognier
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 cup sherry vinegar
• 1 pound watercress, frisée and other  young lettuces, washed
• 2 legs duck confit, picked
  
  

John Stewart and Duskie Estes
Chefs and co-owners
Zazu

You will find Morel Mushroom and Goat Cheese Toasts on page 23 of "Mustards Cookbook," the acclaimed winner of the James Beard Award for the Best Americana Cookbook. Chef Cindy Pawlcyn is well known though out the United States, but can be mostly found at her signature restaurant, Mustards Grill, in Yountville and at Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen in St. Helena (CA).

Pinot Noir is one of the most difficult wine grapes to grow requiring constant attention and long growing season. When it is made correctly it can be quite sublime. It pairs well with pork and matches well with fennel and rosemary. The following recipe uses both of these spices and the natural earthiness of Pinot Noir make a great combination.

If you want to enhance the recipe a bit, after you make the butterflied pork roast, marinate it with olive oil, Pinot Noir, black pepper up to four hours, then proceed with the recipe.

Chef Eric C. Maczko
Winery Chef, Pine Ridge Winery

Prepared during a Creative Culinary Combinations Class held at the winery on Monday, January 30, 2006. The cooking seminars are $40 per person.

Braising is a great way to help chase away any lingering winter blahs. What is better than the great smell of a long, slow cooked meal - that was easy to prepare and serve? This uncomplicated technique transforms tougher cuts of meats into juicy, tender morsels with a sauce that melds the flavors of the meat and vegetables intricately.

• 1 bottle red wine (Veramar Rooster Red)
• 2 cups apple cider
• 1/2-cup sugar
• 4 sticks cinnamon
• 5 whole cloves
• 1 orange
   

Be adventurous and prepare a dessert outside of the usual pumpkin and sweet potato pie fare typically eaten at this time of year. Domaine Chandon recommends the Cranberry Cornmeal Torte along with any of their sparkling wines. Sparkling wine has an amazing ability to enhance a broad range of foods by refreshing and enlivening the palate. Follow this tasty recipe paired with sparkling wine and see how delicious this marriage can be.

Mediterranean cuisine is a specialty of Portland chef Ronnie MacQuarrie, who created this dish to highlight the toasty, earthy taste of hazelnuts-one of Oregon's largest exports. You can find this recipe and many others featuring the foods and wines of Oregon at www.traveloregon.com/bounty

with Ginger, Cilantro & Lime Butter

Nickie Zeller of Pearl Restaurant in Napa, CA created this recipe for an event at the sparkling wine facility of Codornui. The winery is now named Artesa and produces still wines from the Carneros Region of Napa and Sonoma Counties, California.

Easy to prepare and best served with your favorite bubbly!

Pinot Noir is one of the most difficult wine grapes to grow requiring constant attention and long growing season. When it is made correctly it can be quite sublime. It pairs well with pork and matches well with fennel and rosemary. The following recipe uses both of these spices and the natural earthiness of Pinot Noir make a great combination.

Napa Valley Wine Train
Executive Chef : Kelly Macdonald

 

INGREDIENTS

• 12 Grays Harbor Oysters in a half shell (Oyster origin optional)
• 3 Cups Champagne
• 2 Cups Heavy Whipping Cream
• 12 Ounces of fresh Spinach (stemmed, cleaned & dried)
• 1 Cup Shallots (chopped)
• 4 Tablespoons Dijon Mustard
• 2 Tablespoons Whole Grain Mustard
• ¼ Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
• ¼ Cup Bread Crumbs
• 2 Tablespoons Butter
• ¼ Teaspoon Dried Thyme
• Salt & Pepper to taste
• Sea Salt (optional)

Syrah Restaurant
Chef :Josh Silvers

INGREDIENTS

• ½ cup Carrots diced
• ½ cup fennel diced
• ½ cup onion diced
• ½ cup celery diced
• ½ cup mushrooms diced
• ½ tea. Garlic minced
• 2 cups chopped shucked Hog Island Sweetwater oysters
• 1 oz pernod
• ½ cup white wine
• 3 tbl. Butter (unsalted)
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups cream
• 1tsp.taragonne chopped
• 1 tsp. Italian parsley chopped
• S & P to taste
• Tabasco

Method:
Melt butter & sauté first five ingredients and sweat, then add garlic cook 2 min. add pastas & flambé, add wine, oysters + the juice, cook 2 min. add cream & water, bring to a simmer, add tarragon cook 10 to 15 min, season with S&P, and Tabasco to taste,
Pour in to a warm bowel, top with parsley and serve

Grilled Plums, Pickled Fennel, Pecan Crusted Chèvre

Mixx Restaurant & Bar
Executive Chef : Dan Berman
Sous Chef : Bridget Pollock
Line Cook : Patrick Hickey

Herb Crème Fraîche, Fennel-Red Onion Slaw,
Four-Minute Quail Egg and Caviar

A feast for all the senses, the Wente Vineyards Restaurant's open architecture allows the kitchen's rich, savory aromas to greet you at the door. Vineyards and gardens surround the restaurant, reinforcing the Wente philosophy of using the best possible seasonal ingredients. The restaurant and the winery are wonderful showcases for a re-emerging and vigorous Livermore Valley wine region.

This recipe serves 12, so its perfect for big brunches or family get-togethers

• 1 large loaf day-old French bread, broken into small pieces
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• ¾ pound domestic Swiss cheese, shredded
• 1 ½ cups diced baked ham
• 16 eggs
• 3 ¼ cups milk
• ½ cup dry white wine
• 1 tablespoon German mustard
• 1/8 tsp. ground red pepper
• 1 ½ cups sour cream
• 4 large whole spring onions, minced
• ¼ tsp. freshly ground pepper
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

You can do this with just about any veggies that you happen to have and any type of cheese that melts. Try Fontina or Gruyère, you and your family will be begging for more.

Ingredients

• 4 medium (about 3 inches in diameter) portabella mushrooms, dark gills scooped out
• 1 red bell pepper, quartered lengthwise
• 1 yellow bell pepper, quartered lengthwise
  
• 4 slices medium to large zucchini, cut into rounds
• 4 slices medium eggplant, cut into rounds
• 4 slices fresh mozzarella
• Olive oil
  
• Salt (preferably kosher or sea salt) and freshly ground pepper
  
• 1 cup Roasted Tomato with Balsamic Savory Condiment
• 4 rosemary branches 4-5 inches in length, bottom two-thirds of leaves removed

This appetizer is a conversation starter for sure and will probably be the talk of the party. You can use any firm fish and for fun, use both black and white sesame seeds.

Ingredients

• 3⁄4 cup Made In Napa Valley Shanghai Tangerine Sesame Marinade
• 1 pound swordfish steak, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 20 cubes)
• 20 snow peas
  
• 1⁄4 cup sesame seeds, toasted
• 20 cherry tomatoes
  
• Toothpicks (look for interesting ones at Asian markets)

There is a sense of style embodied by the angular martini glass that evokes images of chic girls with sassy thoughts, cigar-soaked 50's nostalgia, and  intimate evenings of slightly boozy conversation. Martini's are high-octane, a bit pricey, and exemplify an evening of sophisticated fun.If you are looking for a twist on the old favorite, below are recipes from three of Monterey's nifty hang-outs. Enjoy them at the source, or try your hand at home.

 

Chef Tom Hudgensen
Moosse Cafe

We are lucky to have a company that grows delectable fresh shiitake mushrooms in our area--the Little River Mushroom Company. They deliver a big basket to us each week. We usually grill them with other vegetables to be served over creamy polenta with a shallot cream sauce and a scattering of fresh herbs for a meatless entrée. The following Savory Mushroom Tart makes a great appetizer or light entrée--and tastes wonderful with Syrah.

Courtesy Lawson's Station and Shotgun Restaurant

For the Potatoes

Cut assorted fingerling potatoes in half lengthwise. Toss in a bowl with a light amount of olive oil, fresh chopped herbs, (such as basil, rosemary, thyme, Italian parsley) and kosher salt and fresh ground pepper. Roast in oven skin side down @ 400 degrees until just tender to the touch. (About 20 minutes.)

Submitted by Chef Eric C. Maczko, Pine Ridge Winery

NAPA VALLEY, CA - Throw some new spice into your Thanksgiving menu. It may be time to trade in the usual bird for a savory roasted ribeye. Pine Ridge Winery plates up this Sage-Encrusted Rib Roast with Root Vegetable Ragout. Highlighting all the traditional flavors of fall, this roast will add a rich nuance to your holiday spread and be the perfect pairing for your cab-loving friends.

Ingredients

• 6-8 pound bone-in ribeye
• 1 bundle sage
• 2 ounces 2003 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
• 1 quart beef stock
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, separated
• 1 teaspoon flour
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 carrots, medium dice
• 2 parsnips, medium dice
• 2 turnips, medium dice
• 1 rutabaga, medium dice
• 1 head garlic, cloves peeled but whole
  

FROM THE KITCHEN

Pan Roasted Duck Breast with Blackberry, Brandy & Green Peppercorn Sauce over Sweet Corn Grits

BY JEFF MALL| ZIN RESTAURANT

ZIN Restaurant & Wine Bar owned by childhood friends Jeff Mall and Scott Silva of Healdsburg, focus on updating and enhancing American regional dishes. Zin's seasonal menus are set to be paired with local wines that feature the unique varietal characteristics of this world-renowned viticultural area. 

INGREDIENTS

"Love Rub" 2 T Paprika ½ T Coriander 1 T Chili Powder 1/4 t Cayenne 1 t Chinese 5 Spice ½ t Cumin 1/4 t Cinnamon 1/4 t Nutmeg 2 T Kosher Salt 8 T Brown Sugar 1 t White Pepper ½ t Black Pepper 2 t Oregano 1 T Thyme

Cardamom Rub ½ T Cardamom & Pepper ½ t Salt (or to taste) ½ t White or Black Pepper

 

Courtesy Evan Treadwell, Chef / Lido Restaurant

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup diced leeks, white part only
• 20 fresh oysters in the shell
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1/2 cup fish fumet
• 1/2 cup bottled clam juice
• 1/2 cup oyster Liquor, reserved from oysters
• 1 tablespoon Cognac
• 2 small shallots, peeled and minced
• 1 cup zucchini brunoise
• 1 sprig thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter

Thai BBQ "Atkins Ranch" Lamb Chops

Submitted by Executive Chef Peter Pahk

 NAPA VALLEY, CA - Silverado Resort is the place for great dining in Napa Valley whether you are looking for fine dining or casual fare. One of their restaurants, The Royal Oak, features the superb culinary talent of Executive Chef Peter Pahk. Below is a recipe for one of the many entrees served up by this award-winning chef.

Submitted by Executive Chef Peter Pahk 

NAPA VALLEY, CA - Silverado Resort's Royal Oak Grill serves delicious wine country cuisine in the heart of Napa Valley prepared by acclaimed Chef Peter Pahk. Serve this dish at your next wine country party.

 

This casual Italian eatery in Napa features authentic flavors from Italy that pair wonderfully with the light, crisp flavors of sparkling Brut.

 

Submitted By François de Mélogue
Brewery Gulch Inn

Mendocino's Brewery Gulch Inn Executive Chef François de Mélogue takes advantage of Anderson Valley's bounty of Granny Smith apples for his special Tarte Tatin served warm with caramel ice cream. Join Chef de Mélogue for the Apple Harvest Dinner on September 23, 2006 when he displays the talents which make the Inn's breakfasts and lavish wine hour hors d'oeuvres so memorable. He also offers extraordinary in-room dinners by advance reservation. Visit www.brewerygulchinn.com for more information.

.

Le Crème de Tomatoes en Croute
(Cream of Tomato Soup in Puff Pastry)

Recipe developed for Amador Foothill Winery by
Matt Pinsonneult, Chef, Sierra Nevada Tap Room and Restaurant Chico, CA

Heady Zinfandels, like those of the Sierra Foothills, pair beautifully with late-winter meats and mushrooms. This recipe takes fresh spring lamb and marries it with a luscious Zinfandel sauce complemented by the earthiness of sage and morel mushrooms.

Piccolinos Cafe

Joe Salerno, Chef/Owner

Indulge in a slice of Italy when you taste old world Italian cuisine at Piccolinos Café located in downtown Napa. You will always find something unique at Piccolinos, where the highly creative chefs use the best local produce and fresh seafood to create delicious appetizers and entrees. Get cooking in the kitchen with this lamb appetizer recipe sure to delight everyone at your next dinner party!

Submitted by Glen Ellen Inn

A delicious story, read the new novel by Michele Scott "Murder by the Glass" that is full of wine country romance, mystery and RECIPES! This wine lover's mystery takes place in Napa and Sonoma Wine Country and includes several recipes and wine pairings from premier restaurants, wineries, and accomodations in these wine regions. Below is just one of the many wine pairing recipes you will find in Murder by the Glass.

Grilled Hanger Steak with Potato Roesti, Charentais Carrots, and Cabernet Reduction

This recipe comes from our Executive Chef, Kelly McCown, to pair with the newly released 2002 Rubicon.  Like skirt steak, it is full of flavor but requires careful preparation to remain tender.   A Cabernet reduction provides a simple and elegant backdrop that will pair beautifully with the 2002 Rubicon.

 

  

   By Jim White, Casa Vieja

Exuberant chef and local radio/TV celebrity Jim White presides over Casa
Vieja in charming Corrales, New Mexico. Chef White creates what he calls
"progressive regional" cuisine, inspired by generations of New Mexico cooks
and personal family recipes. Casa Vieja is a 300-year old example of
Spanish Colonial architecture and a dramatic backdrop for White's
ever-changing regional dishes. Built near the time of the founding of
Albuquerque, the old house allegedly hosts a ghost or two.

 

Submitted by St. Francis Winery Chef, Todd Muir

Salt, Pepper and Dijon! Add zip and zest to spring with this Lamb delight. Chioggia beets and turnips turn into a heavenly wonder when paired with thyme and honey. Enjoy Chef Todd Muir's specialties when you visit St. Francis Winery.

Submitted by Goosecross Cellars

Sunday dinners just became a lot easier. Tempt your family and friend's food and wine palate with Roast Pork with Blackberry Demi-Glace and Goosecross Cellars Merlot. Pressed for time? Sign up for Goosecross Cellars and Napa Valley Grille's Epicurean Explorations featuring three course lunches with wine pairings on Sunday afternoons throughout the summer.

Try this simple warm salad from Fort Bragg's Mendo Bistro at home. The warm dressing just wilts the leaves, and makes for a savory, decadent start to any WineCountry meal. Pair with a Gewurtztraminer, like the local Navarro 2004 Gewürztraminer, Estate Bottled.

Submitted By Pine Ridge Winery 

INGREDIENTS

• 1 leg of lamb, shank and excess fat removed
• 4 heads of garlic, cloves removed and peeled but left whole
• 2 tablespoons shallots, minced
• 2 tablespoons thyme, chopped
• 1-2 cups olive oil
• 2 bay leaves
• 8 ounces flageolet beans soaked in water overnight
• 1 carrot, split lengthwise
• 1 white onion, cut in half
• 6 ounces grapeseed oil
• 8 ounces (1 stick) whole butter
• 8 ounces chicken stock
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Roast Half Guinea Hen, Green Garlic Spaetzle & Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

Recipe by Chef Darren Robey
Harmony Restaurant

The light and delicate flavors of this dish are a perfect combination to usher in spring. The mild but flavorful hen is plated atop robust garlic spaetzle, verdant broccoli rabe and tangy sun-dried tomato pesto. The combination of bold and sweet flavors pairs beautifully with the fruit and slight spiciness of this Italian varietal wine, which is similar to Zinfandel.

Submitted by Topelo Winery

LOCALS website has great recipes and food pairing tips. This month, they are featuring Topel Winery from Mendocino Wine Country who submitted the recipe Braised Beef Short Ribs with Gremolata that pairs nicely with their 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon.