Archives for 2010

New Jersey Food & Wine Festival at Crystal Springs Resort

New Jersey Food & Wine Festival at Crystal Springs Resort

Crystal Springs Wine

Crystal Springs Wine

Gorgeous Crystal Springs Resort is hosting the New jersey Food and Wine Festival this coming weekend and I wanted to share some information about the event in case you’ve yet to purchase you tickets.  Beyond the info below highlighting the amazing events taking place at the resort, here are details about a really cool raffle for 10 prizes valued at more than $30,000 including luxury box seats to a New Jersey Devils game for 16-20 ppl, trip to Dana Estates Winery in California, Wine Dinners, and very rare collections of wine (1 case is valued at $14,000!!) The Tickets are $35 and 100% of the proceeds will be benefiting Share Our Strength.   Anyone can buy a ticket at the Crystal Springs Clubhouse at Grand Cascades Lodge regardless of if they are attending the event and they don’t need to be present to win.

New Jersey Food & Wine Festival at Crystal Springs Resort

April 30 – May 2, 2010

Hardyston, NJ – The second annual New Jersey Food & Wine Festival at Crystal Springs Resort April 30 – May 2, 2010 is a celebration of the world’s best wines and top local chefs from New Jersey and New York.  Held at New Jersey’s only year-round resort, Crystal Springs, the weekend’s events are designed to allow connoisseurs to meet and mingle with chefs, winemakers, sommeliers and fellow wine aficionados.  The events will include a grand tasting, guest chef wine dinner in Restaurant Latour, exclusive wine cellar dinners with vertical wine pairings, seminars with winemakers and chefs, top chef golf tournament, and charity raffle for ten prizes valued at $30,000+.  A portion of festival proceeds will be donated to Share Our Strength, the leading national nonprofit organization working to end childhood hunger in the United States.

The festival begins on Friday April 30 with the Grand Dinner and Wine Auction, featuring a five course dinner served by five top chefs from New Jersey and New York (7:30pm, $125).  Courses will be created by Craig Hopson (Le Cirque), James Laird (Serenade), David Felton (Ninety Acres), Michael Weisshaupt (Restaurant Latour) and Nancy Olson (Gramercy Tavern).  In the wine cellar, an intimate dinner will be held featuring six oenotheque and library vintages of Dom Perignon champagne paired with a six-course dinner by Chef Paul Liebrandt of New York City’s acclaimed Corton.  Wines including rare vintages such as 1975 and a preview of as-yet-not-released Oenotheque Rose 1990, the first mature vintage rose released by Dom Perignon – not available in the US until May. Also poured: Dom Pérignon Oenothèque 1993, Rose 1998, 2000 and the sold-out stellar 1996 vintage (7:30pm, $350, limited to 26 guests).

On Saturday May 1, the Celebrity Chef and Winemaker Golf Tournament will take place on Crystal Springs’ award-winning Wild Turkey Golf Course.  Featuring celebrity chefs and winemakers, the tournament will be played over 18 holes from 8:30am to 1:30pm.  Breakfast will be served at 8am and then players tee off at 8:30am.  Participants will also enjoy a different local craft beer on every hole..  Awards ceremony and lunch will follow in the Rotunda ($200, inclusive of all of the above, as well as VIP admission to the Grand Tasting event same day at 6pm).

Also on Saturday, additional events such as wine tasting seminars and a chef demo will take place.  Wines of Australia (11am, $40) will be hosted by Matthew Lane of Penfolds and Lail Vineyards founder Robin Lail will lead a guided tasting of her wines (3pm, $35).  Other events include a Chocolate and Wine Pairing Seminar (2pm, $35) with Brad Addis of MUST Chocolate pairing with Newton VineyardsFonseca Port Tasting (4:30pm, $40), as well as the truly unique Top Bordeaux vs. Cult California Wines Sommelier Taste Off (3pm, $135, limited to 20 guests) featuring a sommelier-led blind tasting of French and California wines, some of which have scored 100 points from Wine Spectator and many of which are rare and otherwise impossible to taste.  More than $60,000 worth of wines from the Resort’s cellar will be tasted during this event. Participating sommeliers include Belinda Chang of The Modern, Josh Nadel of Locanda Verde, Brooke Sabel of Ninety Acres and Christopher Cree M.W. of 56 Degree Wine.

The festival’s largest event, The Grand Tasting ($125) on Saturday May 1 from 7pm to 10pm (6pm early VIP preview), features more than thirty wineries and top chefs from New Jersey and New York.  The tasting showcases all the wineries and champagne houses participating in the festival, including Dom Perignon, Cakebread, Chateau Cheval Blanc, Hess, Chateau Montelena, Livio Felluga, Krug, Showket Vineyards, Chateau d’Yquem, Antinori, Chateau de Sancerre, Sassicaia and Veuve Clicquot, among others.  Participating restaurants include Lorena’s, Copeland, Pluckemin Inn, Zylo, Boulevard Five 72, A Toute Heure, The Orange Squirrel, Ho-Ho-Kus Inn & Tavern, Tocqueville and Restaurant Latour.  The thirty-two piece David Aaron Orchestra will play live during the tasting and renowned author and culinary historian Arthur Schwartz will be signing copies of his new book. The winners will of the high-end charity raffle will be drawn at this event, although winners do not need to be present to win.

The same evening Saturday May 1, New York City’s Maialino Chef Nick Anderer will pair a five-course menu with rare library vintages from Sassicaia going back to 1980s. Sassicaia winemaker Sebastiano Rossa will co-host this extraordinary dinner (6pm Grand Tasting Preview, 7pm dinner, $400, limited to 26 guests).

On Sunday May 2, guests can enjoy a Champagne Brunch at the four-star Restaurant Latour (11am-2pm, $50), with top champagne houses such asDom Perignon and Moet & Chandon pouring four different kinds of bubbly.  In the afternoon, wine seminars will be held featuring the wines of Hess andChateau Montelena ($35 each, $60 for both).

More information, a full schedule of events, tickets and packages are available on the website at www.njfoodandwinefestival.com.  Resort reservations can be made by calling 973-827-5996 ext 3.

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About Crystal Springs Resort

Crystal Springs Resort, located in Vernon and Hardyston, New Jersey, is an upscale four-season leisure and residential resort, including the newly opened Grand Cascades Lodge and sister property Minerals Hotel. Crystal Springs Resort combines luxury accommodations, natural mountain beauty, and a wide array amenities including: seven renowned golf courses; four-star Restaurant Latour; Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning wine cellar (more than 78,000 bottles to date); two full-service spas ranked in the top 30 spas in America; the state-of-the-art Minerals Sports Club; multiple indoor and outdoor pools, including the distinctive Biosphere Pool Complex with an underground aquarium, tropical foliage and free form nature pools; and a plethora of sophisticated venues for meetings, weddings and catered events. More information: www.crystalgolfresort.com.

About Share Our Strength

Share Our Strength® is the leading national organization working to end childhood hunger in America. We weave together a net of community groups, activists and food programs to catch every at-risk child and make sure no kid in America grows up hungry. Visit www.strength.org and learn more about our goal of ending childhood hunger in America by 2015.

Off to Napa and Sonoma We Go

The time is finally here. My guy and I are off to Napa Valley and Sonoma tomorrow for a five-day wine-filled whirlwind.

Our two nights in Napa Valley will include nine tastings and some fabulous meals, including dinners at Bistro Jeanty and at La Toque.

Our two nights in Sonoma have us going to nine tastings and a much-anticipated tasting dinner at Cyrus in gorgeous Healdsburg.

I’ll be posting to Twitter and Facebook along the way, so get engaged with me on those platforms if you aren’t already and be on the lookout for an extensive recap blog post when I return.

Cheers,

Veronique Deblois – Founder, Food & Wine Chickie Insider

Momofuku Noodle Bar Porky Visit

Momofuku Noodle Bar Porky Visit

Even though I’ve worked in Manhattan and visit often during downtime, I’d not had the opportunity to visit David Chang’s Momofuku Noodle Bar.

Momofuku Steamed Pork Belly Buns

Momofuku Steamed Pork Belly Buns

Momofuku Ramen with Pork

Momofuku Ramen with Pork

For those of you in New York City or who visit our fair city, the place is a MUST! Lunch in the trendy hot spot was full of delicious porkyness. I enjoyed the uber popular pork belly steamed buns ($9) as a starter. Are they overrated?  No! They are perfectly moist, juicy, fatty (in the most perfect way) and flavorful. As my entree, I greedily slurped the pork shoulder and pork belly Momofuku Ramen noodles ($16) with perfectly runny poached egg!

How would I describe Momofuku Noodle Bar in one word?  Heaven!

171 1st Avenue
New York, NY 10003
(212) 777-7773

Ghirardelli Dark Fudgy Brownies

Ghirardelli Dark Fudgy Brownies

Dark Fudgy Brownies

Dark Fudgy Brownies

These are THE brownies for chocolate lovers. Almost too rich and chocolaty, but not quite by my standards. I often use these brownies to make brownie hot fudge sundaes. They are fan favorites every time.

Ingredients:
• 3/4 cups flour
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup butter
• 2 tbs. water
• 6 ounces Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips
• 6 ounces Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 325 F. Grease a 9-inch square pan.
2. In a small bowl, combine the bittersweet and the semi-sweet chocolate chips, set aside.
3. In a small bowl, mix together flour and baking soda, set aside.
4. In a small saucepan, combine sugar, butter and water. Bring to a boil over medium heat; remove immediately from heat.
5. Add 1 cup of the mixed chocolate chips and the vanilla to the hot sugar mixture and stir until melted and smooth.
6. Transfer the hot sugar mixture to a medium bowl. Cool completely.
7. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, to the chocolate mixture, stirring well after each one. Gradually stir in flour mixture until smooth. Incorporate remaining chocolate chips and the nuts, if using, into the batter. Pour batter into the greased pan.
8. Bake 30-35 minutes. Cool completely and cut into squares.

Makes 9 large brownie squares.

NOTE: Get a tall glass of milk ready!

2007 Summers Le Nude Chardonnay

2007 Summers Le Nude Chardonnay

'07 Summers Le Nude

'07 Summers Le Nude

This Alexander Valley unoaked Chardonnay is made with grapes from the Arroyo Secco region of Monterey County. This palest yellow wine features the tiniest bubbles in the glass. The 2007 Summers Le Nude Chardonnay shows a big, tropical fruit body and a super crisp finish with just the right amount of acidity. Very enjoyable wine.

Robert Parker 88 Points

Around $16 a bottle.

2007 Alta Vista Atemporal Blend

2007 Alta Vista Atemporal

2007 Alta Vista Atemporal

I selected this wine for a ‘blends’ tasting last week since it’s 43% Malbec, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Syrah, and 10% Petit Verdot.

The 2007 Alta Vista Atemporal is just about the darkest purple wine you’ll find and it’s gorgeous to look at in the glass.  The nose is light upon uncorking but decanting for 30 minutes enhanced the bouquet and brought out some notes of spice and black cherry.  This Mendoza, Argentina wine was aged for 12 months in French oak.  The taste is floral from the Malbec, smoky from the Syrah and with some light tannins from the Cabernet.  The finish is long and enjoyable.  Good buy at the price point.

90 Points by Wine Spectator

Around $15.

2007 Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet

2007 Penfolds Koonunga Hill

2007 Penfolds Koonunga Hill

I selected this wine for a ‘blends’ tasting last week since it’s 75% Shiraz and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine has an appealing purple-ruby hue in the glass. The nose is of in-your-face, vibrant berries with a fair amount of oak from the eight months this wine spent in seasoned oak. One sip of the 2007 Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet and you’ll be hit with coffee, dark spiced fruit and a lovely chocolate finish. This medium-bodied wine is well-balanced and lightly tannic.

Around $10.

WineBlends Social Media Tasting April 1, 2010

WineBlends Social Media Tasting April 1, 2010

Tonight, 4/1/10, is #WineBlends, a social media wine tasting on Twitter that I’m participating in.

All you need to join in is wine and Twitter.  No matter where you’re located, you can participate virtually.

This tasting is open to all wine drinkers, wine shops, restaurants and wineries.  Just grab a bottle of wine featuring a blend of grapes (ie.. Chardonnay/Merlot, Chardonnay/Viognier, etc…)

2007 Penfolds Koonunga Hill

2007 Penfolds Koonunga Hill

2007 Alta Vista Atemporal

2007 Alta Vista Atemporal

The two wines I’ve selected for this tasting are:

  • Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2007
  • 2007 Alta Vista Atemporal

There’s still time to join me by registering here and using hashtag: #wineblends: http://bit.ly/a4n22i

The Objective of #WineBlends Online Tasting:

+ Promote wine blends by connecting w/ wine drinkers on Twitter

+ Share interesting content about your respective wine growing region

+ Be positive and promote one another.

+ If possible have wines on hand from different wine growing regions.

Hope you join me and the hundreds of wine lovers who are participating!

Taste of the Nation Princeton

Taste of the Nation Princeton

PRINCETON’S HOTTEST CHEFS COOK TO FIGHT CHILDHOOD HUNGER IN PRINCETON AND ACROSS AMERICA

Princeton’s hottest chefs, restaurants, and mixologists will gather for Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation®, the city’s premier culinary benefit. Taste of the Nation Princeton will raise critical funds needed to support Share Our Strength’s® efforts to end childhood hunger in Central Jersey and across the nation.  This year’s event will be held on Monday, April 26, 2010 at The Westin Hotel at The Forrestal Village in Princeton from 6pm to 9pm.

100% OF TICKET SALES SUPPORTS SHARE OUR STRENGTH’S EFFORTS TO END CHILDHOOD HUNGER.

Date:

Monday, April 26, 2010
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
General Admission: $85 advance / $95 at the door

Buy Tickets Now: http://bit.ly/a9TPZD

Maple Syrup Dumplings

Maple Syrup Dumplings

Maple Dumplings

Maple Dumplings

My Grandma’s sister, Eva Rose, was a fabulous dumpling maker and here is her simple recipe that I’ve used with maple syrup to celebrate Spring.

Dumpling ingredients:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tsp melted butter, cooled
  • ¼ cup whole milk

Maple syrup poaching liquid ingredients:

  • 2 cups maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup water

Dumpling directions:

  1. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt.
  2. Add egg, butter and milk to the flour mixture and mix to incorporate. Do not overmix. Dumpling batter will be lumpy.
  3. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Maple syrup dumpling directions:

  1. In a medium saucepan, bring the maple syrup and water to a boil over high heat. Turn heat down to low.
  2. Drop dumpling batter by the tablespoonful into the hot liquid. Cover pan with a lid and simmer on low heat for 10 minutes.
  3. Serve hot with vanilla ice cream.

Makes 4 servings.

Note: These dumplings are delicious with berries instead of the maple syrup poaching liquid.