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Wine Blog from The International Wine of the Month Club

A wine blog written by the experts from The International Wine of the Month Club

Orange Cream Mimosa

June 8, 2015 by Kristina Manning

A unique twist to a classic brunch favorite, this is drink is perfect for Father’s Day or with brunch on a hot summer day! If you don’t have time to make your sorbet, store bought orange sherbet works well too!

Orange Cream MimosaIngredients

  • 2 1/2 cups freshly squeezed orange juice (5 to 6 oranges)
  • 1 orange, zested
  • 1 cup half-and-half
  • 1 cup superfine sugar
  • 1 bottle sparkling wine or Champagne*
  • Strawberries, for garnish
  • *Non-alcoholic sparkling wine, sparkling cider, or ginger ale can be substituted

Directions

  1. Put orange juice, zest, half-and-half, and sugar into a blender and process until the sugar has dissolved, about 30 seconds. Pour this mixture into a shallow pan and freeze until hard, 4 hours or overnight.
  2. Remove the frozen orange mixture from the freezer and let it sit to soften slightly, about 10 minutes. With a scoop or tablespoon, scrape out a small scoop and put it into a Champagne glass. Slowly fill the glass with Champagne and serve garnished with strawberries.

Recipe and photo from: www.FoodNetwork.com

Posted in: Recipes and Pairings

Shrimp Tostada Bites

May 4, 2015 by Kristina Manning

This fast and easy recipes is great for your next Cinco de Mayo party or any party for that matter! Make them full size for a delicious weeknight meal that comes together in a snap!

Shrimp Tostada BitesIngredients:

  • 20 mini round tortillas (cut from large flour tortillas – 1.5-3″)
  • 1 can refried beans
  • 1 can petite diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup shredded white cheese (I used a queso blanco)
  • 1 bunch cilantro
  • 1 bunch green onions
  • 20 small shrimp (tail-off, de-veined)
  • 3 tablespoons fajita seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions:

  1. Use a small round cutter to create mini rounds from larger flour tortillas. Bake at 350 degrees for 3-5 minutes or until toasted.
  2. When cooled enough to handle, spread on refried beans and top with diced tomatoes.
  3. Sprinkle with cheese.
  4. Dice cilantro and green onions and add on top.
  5. In a grill pan, saute the shrimp in 1 tablespoon olive oil with fajita seasoning and black pepper until thoroughly cooked.
  6. Top each tostada bite with a sauteed shrimp.
  7. Keep warm on a baking sheet in a warm oven.

Recipe and photo from: www.pizzazzerie.com

Posted in: Recipes and Pairings

Grilled Shrimp and Noodle Salad

April 27, 2015 by Kristina Manning

Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this fast and zesty Thai-inspired dish features grilled shrimp and Spring vegetables.

Serves 4

Grilled Shrimp and Noodle SaladIngredients:

14 ounces flat rice noodles
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
1/3 cup fish sauce
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 to 2 teaspoons Asian chili sauce (such as Sriracha)
1 pound medium-large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 medium bunch asparagus, trimmed
5 ounces shiitake mushrooms, trimmed
1 medium carrot, shredded
1/2 cup fresh cilantro

Directions:

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the noodles and cook as the label directs; drain and rinse with cold water.

Meanwhile, whisk the lime juice, fish sauce, brown sugar, garlic, chili sauce and 1/3 cup water in a medium bowl. Transfer 1/4 cup of the marinade to another bowl and toss with the shrimp. Toss another 1/4 cup marinade with the asparagus and mushrooms in a third bowl. Let the shrimp and vegetables marinate 10 minutes at room temperature. Toss the noodles with the remaining marinade.

Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high. Grill the shrimp, asparagus and mushrooms until the shrimp is just cooked through and the asparagus is slightly tender, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Halve the mushrooms and cut the asparagus into pieces.

Divide the noodles among bowls and top with the shrimp, asparagus, mushrooms, carrot and cilantro.

Recipe and photo from: www.foodnetwork.com

Posted in: Recipes and Pairings

Barbecued Salmon with Green Mango Salad

April 13, 2015 by Kristina Manning

This recipe for Barbecued Salmon with Green Mango Salad uses green mangoes which gives this already bright salad a little crunch.

Barbecued Salmon with Green Mango SaladIngredients:

1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup vegetable oil, plus more for brushing
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 large unripe mango (1 1/4 pounds), peeled and very thinly sliced
1/2 seedless cucumber, thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons chopped mint
2 tablespoons roasted sesame seeds
Four 7-ounce salmon fillets with skin

Directions:

In a large bowl, whisk the lime zest and lime juice with the rice vinegar, brown sugar and soy sauce. Whisk in the 1/4 cup of vegetable oil and season with salt and pepper. Add the sliced green mango, cucumber, cilantro, mint and 1 tablespoon of the roasted sesame seeds.

Light a grill or preheat a grill pan. Brush the salmon fillets with vegetable oil and season them with salt and pepper. Grill the salmon skin side down over moderate heat, turning once, until the skin is very crisp and the fish is slightly opaque in the center, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer the salmon fillets to plates, sprinkle them with the remaining 1 tablespoon of roasted sesame seeds and serve with the mango salad.

Recipe and photo from: www.foodandwine.com

Posted in: Recipes and Pairings

Bagel and Cream Cheese Strata

April 3, 2015 by Kristina Manning

Bagel and Cream Cheese StrataA unique twist on the classic bagels and cream cheese, this very heart strata can be made the night before for an easy brunch in the morning. For a eggier texture, use regular bread over bagels. 

Serves 8

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon butter
1 red onion, thinly sliced
5 cups cubed stale bagels
8 ounces thinly sliced lox or crumbled smoked salmon
2 tablespoons capers (optional)
2 tablespoons chopped dill (optional)
8 ounces cream cheese, cut into half-inch cubes (as much as it’s possible to cut cream cheese into cubes)
8 large eggs
2 cups half and half
1 teaspoon each salt and ground pepper

Directions:

In a large sauté pan, heat the butter over medium-high heat until it is foaming. Add the red onion and cook until softened and starting to brown, about 5 to 7 minutes.

Butter a large baking pan (9 x 13 or so) and layer the cubed bagels, the salmon or lox, the sautéed onions, the cream cheese pieces, and the capers and dill (if using) in the pan. In a large bowl whisk together the eggs with the half and half and the teaspoons of salt and pepper. Pour the egg mixture over the bagels, etc, in the baking pan. Cover and let this sit for at least 45 minutes (you can also let it sit in the fridge overnight).

When ready to bake, heat your oven to 350° F. Bake the strata until the eggs are set, about 45 minutes to an hour. Allow to cool for about 10 to 15 minutes before cutting into it. Eat warm or at room temperature.

Recipe and photo from: www.Food52.com

Posted in: Recipes and Pairings

Deluxe Corned Beef Hash

March 16, 2015 by Kristina Manning

Corned Beef HashThis Corned Beef Hash recipe is the perfect breakfast for the day after St. Patrick’s Day with all your leftover corned beef (if there is any!).

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
5 large Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch cubes
1 large carrot, coarsely shredded
2 pounds cooked corned beef, cubed
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
salt to taste (optional)

Directions:

Melt butter with the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and cook the onion just until it begins to brown, about 8 minutes; stir in the potatoes and carrot, and cook until tender, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the cubed corned beef, parsley, thyme, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture cook until hash is crisp and browned, stirring often, 10 to 15 more minutes.

Recipe and photo from: www.AllRecipes.com

 

Posted in: Recipes and Pairings

French Onion Soup

February 23, 2015 by Kristina Manning

This version of the classic is gorgeously cheesy, not gunky. Slow cooking gives the broth depth of flavor and a silky texture. Due to the silky texture and acidity, try pairing it with a dry white wine, like Château de Fontenille Entre-Deux-Mers 2013 from this month’s Premier Series.

French Onion SoupIngredients:

  • 2 lb medium onions, halved lengthwise, then thinly sliced lengthwise
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 Turkish bay leaves or 1 California
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter
  • 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup dry white wine
  • 4 cups reduced-sodium beef broth (32 fl oz)
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 6 (1/2-inch-thick) diagonal slices of baguette
  • 1 (1/2-lb) piece Gruyère, Comte, or Emmental
  • 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
    *Special equipment: 6 (8- to 10-oz) flameproof soup crocks or ramekins; a cheese plane*

Directions:

Cook onions, thyme, bay leaves, and salt in butter in a 4- to 5-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, uncovered, stirring frequently, until onions are very soft and deep golden brown, about 45 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in wine and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Stir in broth, water, and pepper and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 30 minutes.

While soup simmers, put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F.

Arrange bread in 1 layer on a large baking sheet and toast, turning over once, until completely dry, about 15 minutes.

Remove croûtes from oven and preheat broiler. Put crocks in a shallow baking pan.

Discard bay leaves and thyme from soup and divide soup among crocks, then float a croûte in each. Slice enough Gruyère (about 6 ounces total) with cheese plane to cover tops of crocks, allowing ends of cheese to hang over rims of crocks, then sprinkle with Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Broil 4 to 5 inches from heat until cheese is melted and bubbly, 1 to 2 minutes.

Recipe and photo from: www.Epicurious.com

Posted in: Featured Selections, Recipes and Pairings

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