Recently in Dessert Category

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.

 

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

Hurley's general manager, Jerry Lampe, created this delight with exquisite Callebaut milk chocolate, melted to a smooth drizzle, for a favorite customer. 1 ounce Ketel One Vodka 1 ounce dark crème de cacao Splash of Bailey's Irish Cream 2 teaspoons Callebaut milk chocolate, melted Shake all ingredients except chocolate over ice and strain. Drizzle in melted chocolate.   Hurley's Restaurant & Bar 6518 Washington Street Yountville, CA (707) 944.2345

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.

 

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.

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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.