Pairing wines and spicy foods

This is a terrific piece on pairing wine with spicy dishes written by my good friend Monica Bhide …   There is certainly a noticeable trend in the past few years toward the growth of different ethnic cuisines in the U.S., and wine consumption is also trending up. Combine these and it begs a few questions, such as: What to drink with vindaloo (other than chilled beer)? What to pair with kung pao? How does one pair wine with cilantro? To find the answers to these questions, I turned to Natalie MacLean, editor of a free, award-winning wine newsletter at […]

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Veal Roast with Sage and Apple Stuffing

A savoury spiral of succulent veal and bread stuffing makes a deeply flavourful winter meal and an elegant dinner table centerpiece.   Ingredients 2 tbsp butter 30 ml 3 stalks celery, chopped 3 1 onion, chopped 1 1 tbsp dried sage 15 ml 1/2 tsp celery seeds 2 ml 1/4 tsp each salt and pepper 1 ml 2 apples, diced (unpeeled) 2 8 cups cubed day-old bread 2 L 3/4 cup dried cranberries 175 ml 5 lb boneless veal breast, trimmed 2.5 kg 1-1/2 cups approx. chicken stock 375 ml   Preparation In large skillet, melt butter over medium heat; […]

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Holiday wine and cheese party: festive meets simple

During the holidays, some of us feel the need to indulge our loved ones with lavish meals, while others opt for easy but tasty hors d’oeuvres. Here’s an alternative that offers the best of both worlds: a festive wine and cheese party. By matching fine cheeses with bright, sparkling wines you will create a very special event full of holiday magic. Start the celebrations with a bottle of Domaine Rolet Crémant du Jura, a smooth sparkling wine from France, and a colourful Rumball Coonawarra Sparkling Shiraz from Australia. Their aromas of gingerbread (Crémant), blackcurrant and vanilla (Coonawarra) are perfect for […]

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Treat your greens to a downpour

  We all remember our parents telling us how important it was to eat our vegetables as a child. And if you were staring down at a plate of limp carrots, peas and broccoli, following this command wasn’t always easy. Luckily with this delicate and delicious vinaigrette, getting your fill of leafy greens is much more of a pleasure than a chore.  Now there is a palpable difference between a store bought dressing and a homemade one. And by adding Jackson Triggs White Meritage to the recipe, the tastes are immediately taken up a notch. This silver medalist at the […]

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Savoury Recipe for Beef and Red Wine Stew

This wonderful recipe comes from Amanda, host and co-producer of The Hot Plate Recipe Author Link: www.thehotplate.net Recipe Author Website: The Hot Plate Recipe: Just the way we like it; rich, meaty and with a healthy dose of wine to round out the flavor. If you don’t have an oven safe pot just slow cook on the stovetop at a very gentle simmer. Stew is an easy dish to prepare if you’re pressed for time or need to feed a crowd because the active time is minimal. ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 lb stewing beef 1 bag pearl onions, […]

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Make your Crème Brûlée extra Icy

This delicious dessert is so loved by all that the English, the Spanish and the French all stake claim for its origin. The Spanish have taken credit for this sensuous custard as “crema catalana” since the eighteenth century, while the English claim it originated in seventeenth-century Britain, where it was known as “burnt cream”. It apparently wasn’t until the end of the nineteenth century that common usage of the French translation came into vogue, putting it on the map from Paris to Le Cirque in New York City. Its wide recognition today seems to have given the French credit for […]

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Make holiday meals special with fine cheese

With all the entertaining that goes on during the holidays, you can never have too many recipes. It’s also the perfect time to break out the wow factor and impress your guests. Cheese, especially fine cheese, is an ideal way to add a little something special and make the occasion one to remember. Canadian fine cheese offers a world of recipe ideas, whether you’re looking to build upon a classic or you want to try something completely different. For many, the holidays just aren’t complete without a turkey dinner. That’s why I love this fresh twist on the most festive […]

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Put those Oysters on Ice

The perfect oyster is like a little taste of heaven. These silky, succulent treasures of the water can easily turn a meal into a marked occasion. Oysters aren’t just fun to eat, they are also an excellent source of protein and are high in essential minerals and vitamins and low in calories and cholesterol. And just when you thought that a plate of perfectly shucked oysters couldn’t get any more delicious, compliment them by serving Jackson Triggs Méthode Classique Brut along side the meal. This medium bodied wine is made with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes grown in the Niagara […]

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An Apple a Day …

    Now this saying may not necessarily include apple fritters, but why not cheat a little and get a serving of fruit in a fun way? There’s something about these soft, warm, melt in your mouth doughnuts that bring you right back to your childhood.  I mean, who could deny these petite fried nuggets stuffed with flavourful apple chunks? And with a hint of ice wine in the batter, the only trouble you’ll be having after trying these fritters is stopping after one.       JACKSON-TRIGGS OPEN VIDAL ICEWINE 2007 $29.95 Join the Jackson Triggs facebook page for […]

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A gift from the water gods

When prepared properly, scallops can be a heavenly, melt in your mouth seafood. And it makes for a deliciously light meal welcomed any time of year. It is also an ideal fish to pair with a rich and buttery Chardonnay, as the generous amount of acidity cuts through the richness of the dish and refreshes your palate for the next bite.Try using the Jackson Triggs Gold winning wine at the Ontario Wine Awards & Selection Mondailes for the perfect compliment in a buttery Beurre Blanc sauce.   JACKSON-TRIGGS PROPRIETORS’ GRAND RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2008 $20.95 Join the Jackson Triggs facebook page […]

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