Duck Confit Tartlets with Smith & Hook Proprietary Red Wine
Slow-cooked, tender duck meat with caramelized red onion, balsamic, and orange zest in a crispy tartlet paired with hand-crafted California red wine. It sounds like something you’d see on a gourmet dinner menu but this show stopping appetizer is not only doable, it’s easy! Best of all, you can prep all the ingredients ahead of time and assemble them in minutes when it’s time to serve. A few time-saving hacks and simple ingredients create a new holiday classic your friends and family will love.
Raeburn Chardonnay + Prosciutto-Wrapped Grilled Peaches with Burrata and Herbs
I’ve combined the decadent flavors of Raeburn’s Russian River Valley Chardonnay with a summer pairing that will blow your mind in the best way possible. This appetizer comes together in less than 15 minutes and you won’t believe how delicious these flavor combinations are on a summer night.
When I tasted the 2020 Chardonnay I knew I wanted to pair it with a creamy cheese like burrata. The beautiful balance of fruit and just a touch of vanilla toast over the rich texture of the wine is both complex and versatile. Pairing opportunities are limitless and I wanted to design a combination of both complementary and contrasting flavors. To achieve this, I brought together the prosciutto's saltiness, the juicy peaches' sweetness, the tang of the balsamic reduction, and the delicate herbal notes of fresh mint. A spray of freshly cracked pepper and coarse sea salt and a color pop from fresh edible flowers tied it all together. It’s rare for me to say it, but this is one of the best pairings I’ve ever put together. I hope you agree!
5 Amazing White Wines Under $20 to Pair with Ceviche
Today, I’m sharing 5 amazing white wines under $20 a bottle to pair with homemade ceviche. The recipe is super easy and healthy and the wines are all made using organic or sustainable growing practices! Add this to your summer meal prep program without breaking the bank.
Whole Branzino with Herbs and Veggies + Astrolabe Sauvignon Blanc
A simple, delicious pairing of fresh branzino, or European bass, with brightly colored veggies and a crisp, classic New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. This dish is dramatic and delicious and comes together in just a few minutes.
Whole Lemon Chicken with Herbs and New Zealand Pinot Noir
Just wait until you experience the crispy skin, juicy flesh, melt-in-your-mouth potatoes, and buttery lemon with fresh rosemary flavors. Combine it with a stellar New Zealand Pinot Noir and it’s game over. This one-dish preparation might just become a new staple in your house.
Mixology: Empress 1908 Gin Fizz
Any cocktail involving an egg white makes me smile... Combine it with one of my favorite spirits, Empress 1908 Gin, and you're in for a very special treat. Few brands are as mounthwateringly Instagrammable as this one! The cocktails you can create range in color from deep violet to lighter shades of magenta and pink as the spirit changes color with the addition of citrus.