According to the calendar, summer officially starts in a week – on June 21. However, I believe that in sun-starved Canada summer starts the moment we see leaves on trees, and that’s why we’ve been enjoying it for more than a month. I suspect that many of you have fired up your barbecues long ago and by now you’ve probably cooked your fair share of burgers and steaks. So I thought you’d appreciate a fun, new idea for a simple and delicious recipe on the barbecue: Japanese-style Steak Sandwich with Canadian Havarti. This steak sandwich recipe features a mouth-watering, exotic […]
Wine Recipes
Grilled Steak Recipe Paired with Yalumba Shiraz or Errazuriz Cabernet Sauvignon
By Tracey Black Father’s Day coincides with the start of summer, so a grilled steak is the perfect way to celebrate Dad and enjoy a great bottle of wine with el fresco dining. You can take on the grilling yourself or let Dad take up his rightful place at the BBQ while you whip up this wonderfully easy and delicious dinner. Serve with grilled potatoes, your favourite baguette or forgo the carbs for an extra glass of wine. Be sure to make this recipe a jumping-off point to your summer as it’s easy to put together on the fly post-golf […]
Pork, Peach, Feta Recipe Paired with French Chardonnay
A Short and Tasty Recipe for a Long Summer Day I love the long days of June. I love having 16 sun-soaked hours to enjoy the splendour of Canadian summers and relish the prospect of lots of warmth and sunlight to come. It’s important to enjoy every minute of these days, from sunrise to sunset. Let me suggest a simple recipe for the barbecue that will put a perfect end to your day and start you off on a great summer night, preferably with some friends and a bottle of wine. The recipe I have in mind is Pork, Peach […]
Pasta Recipe Sagne e Fagioli All’Abbruzzese and Illuminati Riparosso
Zucca Trattoria tweets: “@TrialtoON that’s right! We are so impressed with Illuminati Riparosso ($12.55) we made a pasta especially for it.” Sagne e Fagioli All’Abbruzzese Recipe created by Andrew Milne-Allan, Owner/Chef (Serves 4) Ingredients 250 g all-purpose flour 150 ml warm water salt 250 g romano beans, fresh or frozen garlic, sage 2 good quality Italian pork sausages wild fennel seed, toasted and crushed extra virgin olive oil 28 oz can plum tomatoes, basil, onion pecorino cheese, grated small glass of red wine … Montepulciano d’Abbruzzo would suit the mood In a mixing bowl mix the salt and flour together […]
Whole Chicken in a Crock Pot Recipe Paired with Chateau des Charmes Aligote
The “I’ve got too much to do and not enough time to do it” Blues We’ve all had days like that! On a day when you can’t spend a lot of time in the kitchen, can’t be checking on things, can’t be doing multiple steps, a crock pot can be your best friend. Did you know you can cook a whole chicken in a crock pot? Here’s how I do it. Ingredients: 2 heads of garlic 1 purple onion 1 lemon 3 sprigs of thyme 1 tbsp summer savoury 1/2 tsp paprika 1-2 potatoes per person 1 chicken I like […]
Recipe: Tagliatelle Mushroom Ragù and Illuminati Riparosso
Tagliatelle with Mushroom Ragù A rich, hearty pasta dish featuring earthy mushrooms in a tomato red wine sauce. The recipe is fairly quick to prepare for an easy weekday meal. Enjoy the dish with a fruity, lush red like Illuminati Riparosso Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2009, a terrific bargain at $12.95. Serves 4 to 6 Ingredients 1 ½ cups mixed dried wild mushrooms (any mixture of porcini, shiitake and morels) 3 tbsp quality olive oil 1 onion, peeled and chopped finely 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced 2 cups shiitake mushrooms, stems removed and caps sliced 2 cups cremini mushrooms, stems removed […]
Spring Lamb Recipe with Don Maximiano Cabernet Sauvignon or Tyrrell’s Semillon
My good friend and chef extraordinaire Tracey Black developed this tender and juicy recipe for Spring Navarin of Lamb. Tracey will be re-opening her fine food store and Ottawa-based catering and gourmet take-away store in early April. Details below along with my wine pairings for this dish. Serves 4 Ingredients 2 pounds boneless lamb leg or shoulder Salt and pepper, to taste 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 large onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme 1 cup red wine 1 cup canned tomatoes with juice, seeded and crushed 3 cups […]
Recipe for Chorizo Cheese and Black Bean Dip Paired with La Posta Cocina Tinto, Argentina
Warm Chorizo Cheese and Black Bean Dip A crowd pleasing dip featuring oozing melted cheese and black beans with a touch of heat from jalapeno peppers and chorizo sausage. A perfect pairing to try would be La Posta Cocina Tinto 2010, a blend of Malbec, Syrah and Bonardo from Argentina. If you are unable to find chorizo, substitute hot Italian sausage or even turkey sausage and serve the dip with tortilla chips or pita triangles. Serves a crowd (8 to 10) 1 lb. bulk chorizo sausage 1 cup onion, diced finely 2 tbsp fresh jalapeno, seeded and minced (optional) 1 […]
Braised Lamb Shanks Recipe with Indian Spices and Basmati Rice Pilaf Paired with Tilia Malbec, Argentina
Braised Lamb Shanks with Indian Spices and Basmati Rice Pilaf A ripe, fruit forward red with soft tannins would be the perfect match to this Indian spiced braised lamb dish. Try Tilia Malbec 2010 from Argentina’s Mendoza region. The wine displays concentrated black raspberry flavours and a touch of sweet spice. Serves 6 2 tsp cumin seeds 2 tsp coriander seeds ½ tsp turmeric 2 tbsp vegetable oil 6 lamb shanks 2 cups chopped onion 1 tbsp fresh garlic, minced 1 tbsp fresh ginger, peeled and minced 2 cups beef stock 1 28oz. can crushed tomato, with juice 1 piece […]
Thai Spice Infused Risotto Recipe with Sauteed Scallops and Shrimp Paired with Tilia Torrontes, Argentina
Thai Spice Infused Risotto with Sauteed Scallops and Shrimp An Asian twist on the classic risotto recipe. Coconut milk, lemon grass and kaffir lime leaves infuse the broth and a touch of heat is is provided by Thai red curry paste. Choose a wine that is able to stand up to all these flavours. A perfect match would be Tilia Torrontes 2010, an aromatic, dry white from Argentina. Serves 4 1 400ml can coconut milk (not coconut cream) 4 cups chicken stock 4 kaffir lime leaves (1 tsp lime zest can be substituted) 1 stalk lemon grass roughly chopped 2 […]
