DATE-NIGHT-WINES-LINEUP
The weather's getting chilly, the holidays are coming and who doesn't want someone special to snuggle up with when the weather man issues the first "Snuggle Alert" of the season?I'm here to help set the mood for l'amourwith my latest installment of Wines of the Week featuring four fabulous "Date Night Wines." So whether you've got a (1) Casual First Date, (2) Hot Date with your new Match.com crush, (3) SpecialOccasion Date or (4) 'Date Night' with your husband or wife of many years on the calendar, I've got something for everyone!1.) Galerie Naissance Sauvignon Blanc, Napa, California, 2015 ($30): This elegant white wine from winemaker Laura Díaz Muñoz is a STEAL and is so incredibly versatile it can pair with pretty much any date OR situation. So whether you've got a picnic at the beach or movie night at home planned you're GOOD to GO! And this isn't your everyday Sauvignon Blanc either, Muñoz ferments one third of the grapes in stainless steel for crispness, another third in French oak for aromatics and the remaining third in concrete egg for minerality resulting in a thoroughly enjoyable, complex wine. The name "Naissance" also means "New Beginning" in French and who knows...this first date could be the beginning of something special!2.) Cuvaison Spire Pinot Noir, Carneros, California, 2013 ($50): There is no grape sexier than Pinot Noir. It's temperamental, expensive, high maintenance and often called "the heartbreak grape" by the winemakers themselves but you know what? It's TOTALLY worth it! Pinot Noir is highly aromatic with seductive aromas & flavors of black cherries, chocolate, earth and spice with an undeniably supple, sexy and sensuous mouthfeel...think liquid velvet. There's simply NO better wine for a Hot Date and I love this special splurge from Cuvaison's sustainably farmed Estate Vineyard!3.) Taittinger Prestige Brut Rosé Champagne, Reims, France, NV ($70): Whether it's a birthday, anniversary or even an engagement, Champagne is the perfect choice for the Special Occasion Date. I adore this delightful rosé from Taittinger which gets its gorgeous pink hue from the addition of still Pinot Noir wine which imparts delicious notes of strawberry and raspberry to the finished wine. It's fuller body also makes it perfect for Fall. And since true Champagne can only come from the Champagne region of France (for Champagne 101, click here), don't show up with a bottle of a bargain bubbly - an inexpensive bottle like Prosecco might just to get you ghosted!4.) Chateau Le Trois Croix, Fronsac, Bordeaux, 2011 ($35):'Date Night' or simply taking a night to focus on each other without the intrusion of kids, work, pets or phones is very necessary in this day and age. But rather than blowing a lot of money on an expensive bottle of wine, why not just enjoy something with some special significance to both of you? Picking a wine you enjoyed on your first date or discovered during a trip or special meal can be a way of upping the intimacy without breaking the bank. This bottle has special significance to my hubby and me (please watch video below for ALL the deets!) and is a total STEAL at $35 a bottle.For ALL the details on these special "Date Night Wines," please watch the Facebook LIVE video above and to view past episodes of "Wines of the Week" on Facebook LIVE, please click here. And if YOU have any favorite "Date Night Wines" I'd LOVE to hear about the in the Comments section below!Cheers,
The weather’s getting chilly, the holidays are coming and who doesn’t want someone special to snuggle up with when the weather man issues the first “Snuggle Alert” of the season?
I’m here to help set the mood for l’amour with my latest installment of Wines of the Week featuring four fabulous “Date Night Wines.” So whether you’ve got a (1) Casual First Date, (2) Hot Date with your new Match.com crush, (3) Special Occasion Date or (4) ‘Date Night’ with your husband or wife of many years on the calendar, I’ve got something for everyone!
1.) Galerie Naissance Sauvignon Blanc, Napa, California, 2015 ($30): This elegant white wine from winemaker Laura Díaz Muñoz is a STEAL and is so incredibly versatile it can pair with pretty much any date OR situation. So whether you’ve got a picnic at the beach or movie night at home planned you’re GOOD to GO! And this isn’t your everyday Sauvignon Blanc either, Muñoz ferments one third of the grapes in stainless steel for crispness, another third in French oak for aromatics and the remaining third in concrete egg for minerality resulting in a thoroughly enjoyable, complex wine. The name “Naissance” also means “New Beginning” in French and who knows…this first date could be the beginning of something special!
2.) Cuvaison Spire Pinot Noir, Carneros, California, 2013 ($50): There is no grape sexier than Pinot Noir. It’s temperamental, expensive, high maintenance and often called “the heartbreak grape” by the winemakers themselves but you know what? It’s TOTALLY worth it! Pinot Noir is highly aromatic with seductive aromas & flavors of black cherries, chocolate, earth and spice with an undeniably supple, sexy and sensuous mouthfeel…think liquid velvet. There’s simply NO better wine for a Hot Date and I love this special splurge from Cuvaison’s sustainably farmed Estate Vineyard!
3.) Taittinger Prestige Brut Rosé Champagne, Reims, France, NV ($70): Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary or even an engagement, Champagne is the perfect choice for the Special Occasion Date. I adore this delightful rosé from Taittinger which gets its gorgeous pink hue from the addition of still Pinot Noir wine which imparts delicious notes of strawberry and raspberry to the finished wine. It’s fuller body also makes it perfect for Fall. And since true Champagne can only come from the Champagne region of France (for Champagne 101, click here), don’t show up with a bottle of a bargain bubbly – an inexpensive bottle like Prosecco might just to get you ghosted!
4.) Chateau Le Trois Croix, Fronsac, Bordeaux, 2011 ($35): ‘Date Night’ or simply taking a night to focus on each other without the intrusion of kids, work, pets or phones is very necessary in this day and age. But rather than blowing a lot of money on an expensive bottle of wine, why not just enjoy something with some special significance to both of you? Picking a wine you enjoyed on your first date or discovered during a trip or special meal can be a way of upping the intimacy without breaking the bank. This bottle has special significance to my hubby and me (please watch video below for ALL the deets!) and is a total STEAL at $35 a bottle.
For ALL the details on these special “Date Night Wines,” please watch the Facebook LIVE video above and to view past episodes of “Wines of the Week” on Facebook LIVE, please click here. And if YOU have any favorite “Date Night Wines” I’d LOVE to hear about the in the Comments section below!
Cheers,
The post Wines of the Week: “Date Night Wines” on Facebook LIVE appeared first on The Glamorous Gourmet.
“If I had to narrow my choice of meats down to one for the rest of my life, I am quite certain that meat would be pork.” ~ James Beard
I couldn't agree more with the fabulous James Beard and I especially love cooking pork in the Fall. This "other white meat" is the perfect transition between Summer and Winter and its versatility makes it so much fun to pair with wine too!
In keeping with that sentiment, this installment of "Fast & Fabulous" features Provençal Pork Chops, a recipe that combines the classic flavors of Provence with succulent, pan-seared pork chops. As with all of my Fast & Fabulous recipes, this dish can be prepared in well under an hour and also includes a wine pairing to further enhance your enjoyment.
Being a total carnivore, I usually like to use "bone-in" chops but for this recipe, I think a boneless pork chop works best. The mouth-watering sauce keeps the chops succulent and juicy and they also make a prettier presentation. The type of pork chop YOU choose to use in this or any other recipe should basically come down to personal preference though but there are quite a few to pick from:
Pork loin chops are cut from the center of the loin, the strip of meat that runs from the pig’s hip to shoulder, and consist of a small portion of the tenderloin separated from the loin by a T-shaped bone.
Pork rib chops don't contain any of the tenderloin and are taken from the area closest to the rib so the bone is off to one side.
Boneless pork chops are cut from the area above the loin chops and the thickness of all of these types of chops ranges from about half an inch to 2 inches.
Regardless of which type you choose, two important factors will affect how you cook your chops: (1) how thick the chops are, and (2) if they are "bone-in" or "boneless." The thicker the chop, the longer it will take to cook, and bone-in chops will also take longer to cook than boneless ones. So to avoid over or under cooking, please be sure to adjust your cooking time accordingly.
This recipe also calls for Herbes de Provence, a delightfully fragrant and flavorful mixture of dried herbs indigenous to the eponymous province in southeast France. The mixture typically includes rosemary, thyme, oregano, marjoram, savory and lavender and is often sold in traditional Provençal clay jars. Herbes de Provence makes an excellent seasoning for chicken, fish or pork and works deliciously well with the flavors in this dish.
A quarter cup of dry red wine really adds nice depth of flavor to the sauce along with the flavorful caramelized onions. And don't worry about opening another bottle or looking for one of those dreaded "cooking wines," just use the wine you plan on drinking with your meal to make this recipe. Since the one recommended here is so affordable you don't have to feel guilty for adding it to the pan.
I like to serve these succulent Provençal Pork Chops over a bed of pearled cous cous and baby spinach to catch all the delicious, savory sauce. This recipe also pairs perfectly with a bold, juicy red wine from the South of France like the Chateau de Saint Cosme Côtes du Rhône ($15). This medium-bodied wine from the Rhône Valley is made from 100% Syrah and has plenty of personality at a VERY affordable price.
I hope you enjoy this delightful recipe for Provençal Pork Chops as much as we do! And if you have a favorite "transition dish" you like to enjoy during the Fall, between the Summer and Winter months, I'd love to hear about it. Please let me know in the Comments section below.
Print Recipe
"FAST + FABULOUS: PROVENCAL PORK CHOPS "
Author: Stephanie Miskew | The Glamorous Gourmet
Makes: 4 servings
Pair this delightful dish with a bold red wine from France's Rhone Valley or Provence!
Ingredients
4 Tbsp. good olive oil
4 1-inch thick, boneless, center cut pork chops
1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
2 teaspoons Herbes de Provence
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes or to taste
1/4 cup dry red wine
1 small plum tomato, sliced
1 Tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley
Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over med-hi heat. Pat the chops dry and season both sides with Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Once the oil in the skillet is hot, add the chops to the pan and cook for 3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Transfer the chops to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
Add the sliced onion to the same pan and sauté over medium heat until softened, approximately 5-7 minutes. Add canned tomatoes with their juices, red wine, Herbes de Provence and red pepper flakes to the pan and stir well to combine. Cover the pan and simmer gently until the flavors have melded and the juice has thickened slightly about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Heat broiler. Place browned pork chops on a baking sheet or broiler pan and top each chop with a slice of the plum tomato. Sprinkle the chops with additional salt, pepper and Herbes de Provence and broil until the tomatoes are slightly charred and the chops become golden brown and crispy on top, approximately 5-7 minutes.
Return the broiled, tomato-topped pork chops and any accumulated juices to the pan, nestling the chops into the tomato mixture. Simmer until the chops are heated through, about 5-10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper and garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
This week's tragedy in Las Vegas has left me reeling. While terribly cruel and savage on its own, the fact that it happened on the heels of a string of catastrophic natural disasters (Hurricanes Irma and Maria as well as earthquakes in Mexico) makes me want to curl up in a big, cozy blanket with my dogs and never. leave. the. house.
Unfortunately, if I were to do that, I'd be letting fear win which is NOT an option. Plus, I'd have to venture out sooner or later to stock up on food and wine anyway. So I thought I'd share five of my favorite Comfort Food Recipes that are perfect for everything from soothing a broken heart to restoring your faith in humanity.
As always, wine pairings ARE included.
1.) Smoky Stuffed Cabbage Soup: This favorite, inspired by my husband's Ukrainian heritage, includes delicious Savoy cabbage, ground beef and pork, fresh dill, tomatoes and garlic in a savory, smoky-paprika infused broth.
Wine Pairing: A medium-bodied Italian red wine like Barbera d'Asti or Dolcetto from Piedmont
2.) Moroccan Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemons: I always found this delicious North African dish daunting because I thought I had to buy special equipment to make it. But guess what? I was WRONG! Featuring mouthwatering flavors of chicken thighs, ginger, saffron, turmeric, cilantro and green olives, you are guaranteed to enjoy.
Wine Pairing: Pair with a Spanish white wine like a Godello or Rioja Blanco
3.) Arroz con Pollo (Spanish Chicken & Rice): This delicious, Spanish-inspired dish is a classic one pot meal. So if time is an issue, opt for this comfort food recipe which features meaty chicken pieces, piquillo peppers, saffron and dry white wine. The dish's beautiful colors make a dazzling presentation as well.
Wine Pairing: Pair with a Spanish white wine like an Albariño or Viura.
4.) Quick Coq au Vin: This dish is a Glamorous Gourmet favorite and French comfort food at its best! A riff on the famed classic French recipe from Burgundy, this reimagined "quick" version can be on the table and ready to eat in under an hour AND packs oodles of delicious flavor.
Wine Pairing: Enjoy this dish with a hearty red Burgundy or Cru Beaujolais.
5.) Lamb Ragu with Tagliatelle Pasta: If it's pasta you're craving - look NO further! This divine recipe features ground lamb, garlic, shallots, red wine and purchased marinara sauce so you're not stuck over the stove ALL day. Topped with fresh ricotta and mint leaves, you'll feel instantly transported to Tuscany.
Wine Pairing: A Tuscan full-bodied red wine like Montepulciano d'Abruzzo or Chianti Classico Riserva
This week’s tragedy in Las Vegas has left me reeling. While terribly cruel and savage on its own, the fact that it happened on the heels of a string of catastrophic natural disasters (Hurricanes Irma and Maria as well as earthquakes in Mexico) makes me want to curl up in a big, cozy blanket with my dogs and never. leave. the. house.
Unfortunately, if I were to do that, I’d be letting fear win which is NOT an option. Plus, I’d have to venture out sooner or later to stock up on food and wine anyway. So I thought I’d share five of my favorite Comfort Food Recipes that are perfect for everything from soothing a broken heart to restoring your faith in humanity.
As always, wine pairings ARE included.
1.) Smoky Stuffed Cabbage Soup: This favorite, inspired by my husband’s Ukrainian heritage, includes delicious Savoy cabbage, ground beef and pork, fresh dill, tomatoes and garlic in a savory, smoky-paprika infused broth.
Wine Pairing: A medium-bodied Italian red wine like Barbera d’Asti or Dolcetto from Piedmont
2.) Moroccan Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemons: I always found this delicious North African dish daunting because I thought I had to buy special equipment to make it. But guess what? I was WRONG! Featuring mouthwatering flavors of chicken thighs, ginger, saffron, turmeric, cilantro and green olives, you are guaranteed to enjoy.
Wine Pairing: Pair with a Spanish white wine like a Godello or Rioja Blanco
3.) Arroz con Pollo (Spanish Chicken & Rice): This delicious, Spanish-inspired dish is a classic one pot meal. So if time is an issue, opt for this comfort food recipe which features meaty chicken pieces, piquillo peppers, saffron and dry white wine. The dish’s beautiful colors make a dazzling presentation as well.
Wine Pairing: Pair with a Spanish white wine like an Albariño or Viura.
4.) Quick Coq au Vin: This dish is a Glamorous Gourmet favorite and French comfort food at its best! A riff on the famed classic French recipe from Burgundy, this reimagined “quick” version can be on the table and ready to eat in under an hour AND packs oodles of delicious flavor.
Wine Pairing: Enjoy this dish with a hearty red Burgundy or Cru Beaujolais.
5.) Lamb Ragu with Tagliatelle Pasta: If it’s pasta you’re craving – look NO further! This divine recipe features ground lamb, garlic, shallots, red wine and purchased marinara sauce so you’re not stuck over the stove ALL day. Topped with fresh ricotta and mint leaves, you’ll feel instantly transported to Tuscany.
Wine Pairing: A Tuscan full-bodied red wine like Montepulciano d’Abruzzo or Chianti Classico Riserva
The post 5 Essential Comfort Food Recipes & Wines to Pair With appeared first on The Glamorous Gourmet.
And all at once, Summer collapsed into Fall.” ~ Oscar Wilde
As much as I love Fall, it doesn't feel like it's official until I've made one of my favorite desserts of ALL time, Ina Garten's mouth wateringly delicious Pear Clafouti.
Somehow the heavenly aroma of ripe Bartlett pears, sugar, vanilla, pear brandy and lemon zest baking away in the oven makes it truly official for me, despite what the calendar might say. So if you're looking to ring in the season with something sweet this month, this delightful recipe is the perfect choice and it also couldn't be easier to make.
And if you've never "clafoutied" before (YES, it can be used as a verb), a clafouti is essentially a baked dessert that originated in the Limousin region of Southwest France. It features sliced fruit (traditionally cherries but pears are in season longer), arranged in a buttered dish which are then covered with a custard-like batter and baked until golden brown. The clafouti is then dusted with confectioners' sugar and served warm or at room temperature. Honestly, I'll take it any way I can get it, it's THAT delicious!
And while Ina's recipe already has pear brandy baked into it, this Pear Clafouti also happens to pair deliciously well with one of my new favorite dessert wines, the Barboursville Vineyards Passito from Virginia ($32/375mL).
Yes - V I R G I N I A!
This wine is a blend of Moscato Ottonel and Vidal grapes that were air dried in order to concentrate their flavor and sugars. The dried grapes were then pressed and the resulting juice underwent a lengthy fermentation with additional time on the lees to accentuate the wine's mouthfeel. The result is a viscous, luscious wine with notes of spiced pear, candied citrus and vanilla which still retains a bright acidity and lightness to balance its sweetness. If you can’t find this glorious dessert wine a Sauternes from Bordeaux or an Italian Moscato d’Asti will be equally as fabulous!
If you find yourself hankering for something other than pumpkin spice to satisfy your sweet tooth and put you in the Fall spirit, you can't go wrong with this recipe. Just be sure you also have some of your favorite vanilla ice cream on hand to round out the experience (Haagen-Dazs is the BOMB!).
I really hope you enjoy this recipe for Pear Clafouti and do YOU have a favorite Fall dessert OR dessert wine you look forward to all year? If so, I'd love to know so please let me know in the Comments section below.
"FALL DELICIOUSNESS: INA GARTEN’S PEAR CLAFOUTI"
Author: Ina Garten | Barefoot in Paris
Pair this delicious recipe with a luscious, white dessert wine like the Barboursville Vineyards Passito from Virginia, a Sauternes from Bordeaux or an Italian Moscato d’Asti!
Ingredients
1 Tablespoon unsalted butter, room temperature
1/3 cup plus 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
3 extra-large eggs, room temperature
6 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest (1 lemon)
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
2 Tablespoons pear brandy such as Poire William
2-3 firm but ripe Bartlett pears
Confectioners' sugar
Instructions
) Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 10 x 1 1/2-inch round baking dish and sprinkle the bottom and sides with 1 Tablespoon of the granulated sugar.
) Beat the egs and the 1/3-cup of granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixerfited with a paddle attachement on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. On low speed, mix in the flour, cream, vanilla extract, lemon zest, Kosher salt and pear brandy. Set aside for 10 minutes.
) Meanwhile, peel, half, core and slice the pears. Arrange the slices in a single layer, slightly fanned out in the baking dish. Pour the batter over the pears and bake until the top is golden brown and the custard is firm, 35-40 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature, sprinkled with confectioners' sugar.
As much as I love Fall, it doesn’t feel like it’s official until I’ve made one of my favorite desserts of ALL time, Ina Garten’s mouth wateringly delicious Pear Clafouti.
Somehow the heavenly aroma of ripe Bartlett pears, sugar, vanilla, pear brandy and lemon zest baking away in the oven makes it truly official for me, despite what the calendar might say. So if you’re looking to ring in the season with something sweet this month, this delightful recipe is the perfect choice and it also couldn’t be easier to make.
While the recipe calls for pear brandy like Poire William, I adore this Pear Liqueur from J Vineyards!
And if you’ve never “clafoutied” before (YES, it can be used as a verb), a clafouti is essentially a French dessert which originated in the Limousin region of Southwest France. It features sliced fruit (traditionally cherries but pears are in season longer), arranged in a buttered dish which are then covered with a custard-like batter and baked until golden brown. The clafouti is then dusted with confectioners’ sugar and served warm or at room temperature. Honestly, I’ll take it any way I can get it, it’s THAT delicious!
And while Ina’s recipe already has pear brandy baked into it, this Pear Clafouti also happens to pair deliciously well with one of my new favorite dessert wines, the Barboursville Vineyards Passito from Virginia ($32/375mL). Yes – V I R G I N I A!
This wine is a blend of Moscato Ottonel and Vidal grapes which were air dried in order to concentrate their flavor and sugars. The dried grapes were then pressed and the resulting juice underwent a lengthy fermentation with additional time on the lees to accentuate the wine’s mouthfeel. The result is a viscous, luscious wine with notes of spiced pear, candied citrus and vanilla which still retains a bright acidity and lightness to balance its sweetness.
If you find yourself hankering for something other than pumpkin spice to satisfy your sweet tooth and put you in the Fall spirit, you can’t go wrong with this recipe. Just be sure you also have some of your favorite vanilla ice cream on hand to round out the experience (Haagen-Dazs is the BOMB!).
I really hope you enjoy this recipe for Pear Clafouti and do YOU have a favorite Fall dessert OR dessert wine you look forward to all year? If so, I’d love to know so please let me know in the Comments section below.
Bon appétit,
The post Fall Deliciousness: Ina Garten’s Pear Clafouti appeared first on The Glamorous Gourmet.
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