Pat’s Smoked Trout Appetizers Paired with Riesling By Pat Anderson Who doesn’t love a crispy little ball of goodness that you can pop in your mouth between sips of wine? This is a mash-up of three different recipes, so I could come up with something original to serve guests as an appetizer with a chilled dry Riesling wine. The origins are taramasalata, a smoked trout and cream cheese spread, and a lamb croquettes recipe. Somehow, in the hot summer, I find cream cheese a bit cloying, and although I love taramasalata, I know it’s an acquired taste, and it can […]
Wine Recipes
Chimichurri Flank Steak Fajitas with Peppers and Manchego Recipe Paired with Catena Malbec 2008, Argentina
Chimichurri Flank Steak Fajitas with Peppers and Manchego Paired with Catena Malbec 2008, Argentina Chimichurri sauce is an essential part of Argentinean cuisine found on every dinner table. There are many variations on the recipe but the key ingredients include fresh parsley, garlic and vinegar. Some cooks add more garlic, some more chilies and others blend in fresh cilantro. Either way, this versatile sauce is a delicious accompaniment to grilled fish, chicken, chorizo sausages and especially steak. When it comes to pairing this steak with wine, my first choice would be malbec. Look for a malbec with lots of ripe […]
Pistachio Crusted Rack of Lamb Recipe Paired with Grant Burge The Holy Trinity 2007, Australia
Pistachio Crusted Rack of Lamb Paired with Grant Burge The Holy Trinity 2007, Australia French cut rack of lamb, encrusted with a blend of pistachio, herbs and Dijon, is the perfect partner for Grant Burge The Holy Trinity 2007. A blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvedre, the wine offers lots of intense fruit with a touch of pepper and spice. Fine tannins and good acidity allow the wine to stand up to the richness of this dish giving a full lingering finish. Serve the lamb with a side of herb roasted new potatoes. Serves 4 ( 2 ribs per person) […]
Cheese Charms As The Grill Heats Up and Wines are Served
Nothing beats a barbecue after a day of fun in the sun. But hungry tummies aren’t always patient as the grill gets ready. A tasty Canadian cheese platter paired with some refreshing wine will help keep the wolves at bay. For the main course, I’m going to suggest one of my favourite Mediterranean-inspired meals, Grilled Pork Chops and Zesty Sauce Vierge with Feta. But first, let’s talk about our tasty cheese starter. Serve the cheese one at a time, and pair it with the right wine as you go. For starters go with a semi-soft Victor et Berthold from Québec’s […]
Soup’s on! Cool summer soup paired with a zesty riesling, pinot grigio or sake
By Pat Anderson Summertime, and sometimes it’s just too darned hot out to eat a hot meal. Soup and salad makes a great combination, especially if it’s a creamy cold soup that you’ve made in advance, and only needs to be poured from a pitcher in the fridge into bowls! Vichyssoise is an adaptable cold soup. The original recipe calls for using leeks, those long mild onions Welshmen wear on St. David’s Day, but I’ve modified vichyssoise to use whatever interesting fresh greens are at the market. Mid-May, that means wild ramps. End of June or early July, the farmers […]
Chris’s Green Onion and Pink Peppercorn Marinated Flank Steak
Sponsored Post “How’s this for hip? …a super hot Merlot-Cabernet combo that is locally grown and produced in the Niagara Region. Sporting fresh black fruit and hints of coca, it’s great for sipping alone or with cheese or grilled meat.” – Globetrotting – Food and Drink Spring 2011 Spring is here and what better way to celebrate spring than with TREND wines, designed to be fabulous by Steven and Chris! The TREND wine collection will embrace spring this year and be showcased at the Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa starting May 6th with a grand opening amongst the tulips at […]
Steven’s Garlic Shrimp Spaghetti
Steven’s Garlic Shrimp Spaghetti “We get rave reviews on our un-oaked Chardonnay-Pinot Grigio blend. It’s so versatile, as a refreshing aperitif, or paired with white fish, poultry or salad greens. We love asking guests what flavours they taste in it. Some say orchard fruits, others comment on its melon or citrus nuances.” – Steven and Chris Spring is here and what better way to celebrate spring than with TREND wines, designed to be fabulous by Steven and Chris! The TREND wine collection will embrace spring this year and be showcased at the Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa starting May 6th […]
Food & Wine 19
It wasn’t long ago that I decided to set out to learn more about wine. As I immersed myself in the subject, I begrudgingly discovered there was more to learn than I ever wanted. The simple fact is, I, like most people, wanted a few simple, easy-to-follow rules to pair wine with my food. Much to my surprise, I learned that a lifetime of eating experiences gives us all the basic tools we can use to understand food flavor combinations and wine compatibility. Instinctively we know that corn-on-the cob tastes best with butter. Or a splash of lemon on seafood […]
Terrific Turkey Wines that will Make Your Holiday Meal More Festive – The Province
When hosting a holiday meal, the wines you serve are just as important as the food when it comes to making a sparkling impression with guests. From beginning to end, pairing the best wines with appetizers, the main course and dessert will not only show your guests you care enough to make the effort but will also give them an unforgettable experience this holiday season. Start the night off with a toast of bubbly to celebrate the occasion and the New Year to come. “Champagne is a very festive wine,” says Jennifer McLagan, an Australian-trained chef and author of Fat: […]
Brighten up your winter with food, drinks and friends
The holidays are over and we must now deal with the realities of winter: short days, cold weather and for many of us, no vacation in sight. So let’s create our own holiday by hosting small, intimate gatherings of friends and family. Let’s share laughs and forget about the weather, but let’s keep it simple: use your favourite comfort dish, dress it up with a great appetizer and finish off the meal with a delicious cheese platter. Start off your first dinner party of the new year with a classic dish prepared with a fresh twist: French onion soup with […]
