By Christie Pollard At a recent wine and cheese pairing event I tasted an Aged Dutch Gouda from Lancaster, Ontario with several wines and the best match was with Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles, California. The nutty, caramel flavours in the cheese wonderfully compliment the juicy, ripe fruit flavours in the wine. This easy quesadilla appetizer recipe was inspired by the match. Aged Gouda and Caramelized Onion Quesadillas with Bacon and Roasted Red Pepper Recipe Serves 8 Ingredients: 3 tbsp butter 1 tbsp olive oil 2 large Spanish onion, peeled and thinly sliced 1 tbsp brown sugar ½ […]
Food & Wine Pairing
Recipe: Beef Tenderloin, Root Vegetable Ragout, Porcini Red Wine Sauce Recipe
Beef Tenderloin with Root Vegetable Ragout and Porcini Red Wine Sauce An elegant and easy classic pairing. Rich, roasted beef tenderloin with sweet earthy root vegetable and mushroom ragout make this dish a terrific match with Chateau Pipeau Saint Emilion Grand Cru. This new addition to Vintages Essentials is an impressive Bordeaux, mainly Merlot, and is full of expressive red fruit with a long, structured finish. Serves 6 For the Ragout: 1 cup boiling water 1 cup dried porcini mushrooms 1 tbsp olive oil 2 tsp butter ½ cup chopped shallots 2 cloves garlic, chopped 2 cups chopped parsnips (peeled […]
Wine and Food Pairing Evening with the Visa Infinite Dining Series
It was an evening of spectacular wine and food at Sidedoor Restaurant recently with the Visa Infinite Dining Series. Chef Jonathan Korecki, a contender on the Food Network’s Top Chef Canada, welcomed fellow competitors Carl Heinrich (Richmond Station, Toronto) and Trevor Bird (Fable Kitchens, Vancover) for a wonderful pairing of French wines and tasty dishes noted below. Wine expert Nick Hamilton provided lively and informative commentary on the wines and why they paired well with each dish. Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne, Champagne, France: A robust and tasty champagne that floods the senses with freshly baked bread and hazelnuts. Pair with: […]
Lemongrass Acorn Squash Soup Recipe Paired with Nova 7
By Pamela Hatton My Mom microwaves pie pumpkins in pieces to speed up cooking time. Failing her instructions, I accidentally discovered all squash cook like a charm whole – as long as you poke holes deep into the flesh allowing steam to escape. A lesson quickly learned… Serves 8 first course Ingredients: 1 acorn squash 1medium onion, finely chopped 1 shallot, finely chopped 2 tablespoons butter 2-3 garlic cloves, finely diced 1 stalk lemongrass, smashed then finely chopped ½-1 tsp green curry paste 3-4 cups reduced-sodium chicken stock (1 tetra pack) or homemade ½ -3/4Cup whipping cream Salt and pepper […]
Mediterranean Burger Recipe Paired with Gilles Louvet O Pinot Noir
Mediterranean Burgers Ingredients 4 fresh buns 4 beef burgers 1 tomato 1 onion Fresh salad leaves 2 pickles Fresh goat cheese –preferably a Languedoc Pélardon Fresh cilantro Tobasco Sauce Mayonnaise Ground cumin Ground cinnamon Ground ginger Garlic Salt and Pepper Preparation Slice the onion finely and fry at a medium heat with a splash of olive oil. Meanwhile, cut the tomato into thick slices, rinse the salad, cut the pickles into slices lengthways and slice the goat cheese. In a small bowl mix ½ cup of mayonnaise, 1 tbsp tobasco sauce, a pinch of cumin, cinnamon and ginger, 1 tsp […]
Canadian Brie Fondue Recipe and Sancerre
Canadian Brie Fondue Add a little warmth to the cooler months Let’s be honest. The time between the harvest and the holiday season can feel like an eternity. The weather grows colder by the minute and the sky seems to be perpetually grey, yet there’s no snow on the ground to lift our spirits. So how can you make the time pass a little faster? Why, with a tummy-pleasing appetizer, of course. A personal favourite of mine, and one that I know will put a smile on your face, is Canadian Brie Fondue. Now, you don’t need to be a […]
Empanadas with Smoky Tomato Chutney Recipe Paired with Tilia Malbec
These Argentinean pastries are packed full of flavour. The fragrant beef filling features olives, raisins and cumin. Traditionally eaten as street food, empanadas are a perfect snack with a glass of Tilia Malbec. To save on time, use purchased puff pastry that has been pre-rolled. Join us and sample Tilia wines at the Toronto Gourmet food & Wine Expo Nov 16-18th. Empanadas with Smoky Tomato Chutney Recipe Makes 36 Ingredients: For the empanadas: 2 tsp olive oil ½ cup onion, finely diced 1 clove garlic, minced ½ cup green pepper, finely diced ½ lb. lean ground beef 1 tsp fresh […]
Duck Pizza Recipe with Smoked Mozzarella, Roasted Butternut Squash and Sauteed Mushrooms Paired with Las Rocas Garnacha
A swanky pizza with smoky, sweet and savoury flavours. Choose a wine with the same bold flavours such as Las Rocas Garnacha 2009. The wine is full of ripe black cherry and raspberry notes supported by supple tannins and some very food friendly acidity. This incredible bargain should not be missed, until November 10th receive 20 Bonus Air Miles with each bottle purchased. Duck Pizza with Smoked Mozzarella, Roasted Butternut Squash and Sautéed Mushrooms Makes four 6-inch or one 12-inch pizza Pizza dough, purchased or homemade (recipe below) Ingredients: 1 whole head garlic 5 tbsp olive oil, divided 1½ cup […]
Autumn Shepherd’s Pie Recipe Paired with Chardonnay or Pinot Noir
Hosting made easy? There’s a recipe for that. There’s nothing better than inviting a few friends over for a nice dinner. Unless, of course, you end up spending so much time preparing it that you’re completely drained by the time they show up at your house. With that in mind, I give you this week’s recipe suggestion: Autumn Hash. A new twist on an old classic, this shepherd’s pie 2.0 will not only wow your guests, it’ll actually leave you time to enjoy their company. The recipe calls for all sorts of yummy ingredients, including Canadian Havarti. And if that […]
Pairing Meat + Wine: Fowles Wines Australia Video
We continue our video chat below with Matt Fowles about pairing wine with game and wild meats, and how he has created wines with flavours and texture to suit these dishes. You can watch our first video conversation here. You may also enjoy these video chats: Game and Wine Pairings Viognier and Yalumba Wines Australia Canadian Cheese and Wine Tasting See all wine video chats here. Is there someone else with a fascinating wine story whom you think I should interview? Please e-mail me: [email protected].
