Archives for 2012

11 April 2012 2009 Four Vines The Maverick Zinfandel

2009 Four Vines The Maverick Zinfandel

April 11, 2012 By

I love Zinfandels and try to serve foods that pair well with it as often as I can.  For Easter, I grilled rack of lamb and served the 2009 Four Vines Zinfandel Maverick with them for a great match.

This Zinfandel from Amador County is bold and beautiful.  In the glass, it’s dark and viscous.  On the nose, it’s powerful with ripe cherries and pumpkin pie spices.  In the mouth it’s jammy with tons of juicy blackberries followed by a long, sweet finish.  A meal in a glass, in the best possible way.

Wine Spectator – 90 points.

Pairings:  Grilled lamb, peppery porterhouse steak or aged cheese.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Zinfandel

Region: Paso Robles, California

Around $15.

 

Filed Under: Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews, Zinfandel Tagged With: , , , , ,
10 April 2012 2009 Domaine Delagrange Volnay Vielles Vignes

2009 Domaine Delagrange Volnay Vielles Vignes

April 10, 2012 By

I felt fortunate to sample this outstanding Pinot Noir at a local wine tasting last week.  Just everything I love about this varietal:  Beautiful purple in the glass, noseful of cherries and rich yet bright flavors of ripe cherries, raspberries and wild strawberries.

This fruit forward French Pinot Noir is silky, elegant and just super.

Pairings:  Roasted turkey, grilled chicken or duck and pork.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Burgundy, France

Around $45.

 

Filed Under: France, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
9 April 2012 2009 Domaine Frédéric Mochel Riesling Altenberg de Bergbieten Cuvee Henriette

2009 Domaine Frédéric Mochel Riesling Altenberg de Bergbieten Cuvee Henriette

April 9, 2012 By

I had the pleasure of sampling this outstanding Riesling from Alsace at a recent wine tasting.  The vines from which the grapes for this wine are gathered are over 50 years old and 100% hand-picked.

The nose is pungent with citrus and floral notes.  The bold flavors are of peach, pear and nectarine with a super combination of richness and freshness. The long finish offers hints of licorice and a little smokiness.

Just a very enjoyable wine that could benefit from some cellaring.

Pairings: Buttered lobster, bouillabaisse, blue cheese dishes, Thai food.

Style: White

Grape Type(s): Riesling

Region: Alsace, France

Around $40.

Filed Under: France, Riesling, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,
3 April 2012 National Chocolate Mousse Day – Celebrate with Tofu

National Chocolate Mousse Day – Celebrate with Tofu

April 3, 2012 By

National Chocolate Mousse Day is today and thought I’d share a delicious, yet healthy, way to celebrate.  While traditional mousse and pudding recipes often require large amounts of whipping cream and butter (delicious in many instances), using tofu provides a healthier alternative that’s still decadent in flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 1 package 14 oz. House Foods Soft Tofu
  • ¾ cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • ¼ cup of milk (can substitute coconut milk)
  • ½ Tbsp. vanilla
  • 1½ tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp. ground cardamom (optional)

Directions:

  1. Open the tofu package and strain water.  Remove the tofu from package and pulse in blender until smooth, about 1 minute.
  2. With the stove on low, melt the chocolate chips and milk in a pot, stirring until smooth, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Add the tofu to the chocolate mixture and stir until completely incorporated.  Stir in vanilla, cinnamon and cardamom, if using.
  4. Quickly remove from heat and spoon in 4-6 individual cups.  Cool completely then refrigerate until it becomes thick like a mousse, about 2 hours.

Serves 4-6.

Notes:  Add your own personal twist to this recipe by considering some of the suggestions below:

  • Top the pudding with toasted slivered almonds or other nuts, coconut shavings, or cocoa powder
  • Replace the 1 tsp. ground cardamom with ½ tsp. chili powder for a spicy Mexican Chocolate Mousse
  • Add a little agave nectar for an even sweeter pudding

 

Filed Under: American, Asian, Chocolate, Desserts Tagged With: , , ,
3 April 2012 Morris Tap & Grill – When You need 99 Beer Options

Morris Tap & Grill – When You need 99 Beer Options

April 3, 2012 By

Lobster Mac & Cheese

For my New Jersey friends and beer lovers, here’s my review of Morris Tap & Grill in Randolph, NJ as published by Jersey Bites.  How do you like these pictures!?

Duck Meatballs

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
28 March 2012 2010 Boutari Santorini Assyrtiko

2010 Boutari Santorini Assyrtiko

March 28, 2012 By

I enjoy Greek wines and picked up this little number, which is easy to find, to pair with sashimi and rolls I was having from the local sushi restaurant this weekend.

In the glass, this Greek wine is a medium honey yellow – really pretty.  On the nose, the 2010 Boutari Santorini Assyrtiko is lemony and peachy.  In the mouth, it is rich, luscious, with lots of juicy apple notes yet there is a nice level of acidity and crispness on the finish.

This versatile wine would pair well with many things, especially grilled seafood, chicken or pork.

Pairings:  Raw oysters, clams or mussels. Grilled octopus or white-flesh fish.

Style: White

Grape Type(s): Assyrtiko

Region: Santorini, Greece

Around $19

 

Filed Under: Assyrtiko, Greece, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
27 March 2012 Traditional French Onion Soup

Traditional French Onion Soup

March 27, 2012 By

Post updated 12/7/21.

There may not be a more comforting soup than the traditionalFrench onion soup. With hundreds of variations on the classic, everyone has his/her own favorite.

This version is one I have fine-tuned over the years and features both Gruyere cheese for a rich, nutty taste and Mozzarella for stringiness. Sometimes I use a toasted garlic bread slice in place of the standard sliced French bread for extra flavor and replace the Mozzarella with additional Gruyere.

Make this soup vegetarian by replacing the beef broth with vegetable broth.

Ingredients:

  • 2 Tbsp. butter
  • 3 large onions, sliced (I like Spanish onions for a touch of sweetness)
  • ½ tsp. granulated sugar
  • ½ tsp. each salt, pepper and dried thyme
  • 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
  • 32-ounces beef broth
  • 2 Tbsp. white wine
  • 2 Tbsp. brandy, Cognac or dry sherry
  • 1 ½ tsp. Dijon mustard
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 4 French bread slices, toasted (could also use toasted garlic bread for extra yumminess)
  • 8-ounces Gruyere cheese, grated
  • 4-ounces Mozzarella cheese, grated
Sliced Spanish Onions
Cheesy Garlic Toast
Topped with Gruyere
French Onion Soup

Directions:

  1. Melt butter in heavy large pan over medium-low heat. Add onions, sugar, salt, pepper and thyme. Cover and let cook until onions are very soft, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes.
  2. Increase heat to medium-high, uncover the pan and sauté the onions until browned, stirring often, about 10 minutes.
  3. Add flour, stir to combine well and cook for 2 minutes.
  4. Add the broth, wine, brandy, and mustard to the onion mixture and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, add the bay leaves, cover and simmer 10 minutes.
  5. Preheat broiler to high. In a medium bowl, combine both cheeses.
  6. Place four oven-safe bowls on a baking sheet and ladle soup into them. Float toasted bread on top of the soup and sprinkle each toast with 1/4 of the cheeses. Broil until browned, about 5 minutes.

4 servings.

Filed Under: Cheese, French, Soups, Vegetables, Vegetarian Tagged With: ,
26 March 2012 Adara – New Jewel in Montclair’s Upscale Restaurant Crown

Adara – New Jewel in Montclair’s Upscale Restaurant Crown

March 26, 2012 By

White Truffle Envelope

10/21/12 Update: After a visit on 10/20/12, I can no longer recommend Adara. The food is still delicious, but the new staff’s poor job and the 4-hour wait for three courses is not worth the food.

Adara, located in a secluded area off busy Bloomfield Avenue, offers perhaps the best culinary experience to be had in New Jersey.  The restaurant dubs its food as “Modernist” in style, and paired with top notch service and an elegant, understated space, it is simply fabulous.

Acqua di Gio

Wylie Dufresne, Grant Achatz and Ferran Adrià have popularized molecular gastronomy and have made it an exciting part of American culinary culture.  At Adara, Art Institute of New York City graduate and ACF certified Master Chef, Tre Ghoshal runs with the concept, flawlessly.

The menu at Adara offers a la carte options and three-course ($65), five-course ($85) and seven-course ($110) prix fixe tour menus.  Feeling adventurous?  There is also the grand tour, featuring 12 inventive courses ($175).

On a recent visit, General Manager, Philip Dowling and his attentive staff, eagerly guided our party through the 5-course menu that featured such dishes as the New England Clam Chowder – a bowl of complex flavors served with quail egg, masago, maple pancetta and tasty foam that Adara calls “deep sea wind”, the Campania – chef Ghoshal’s version of Caprese salad with vine ripe tomatoes, a mozzarella ‘balloon’, an extra virgin olive oil sorbet and basil, the White Truffle Envelope – a Hudson Valley foie gras-filled raviolo served with kumquat mostarda, cappuccino and pistachio, and the Acqua di Gio – dry sea scallop with baby squid, bacon, English pea and popcorn.

Adara is a BYO and is a perfect occasion for guests to dust off those great bottles and create their own wine pairings.

Adara is a must-try establishment with its creative, flavorful and breathtaking food.  It is participating in Montclair Restaurant Week with a $31, 3-course menu from March 19th through April 1st.

77 Walnut Street
Montclair, NJ 07042

973.783.0462
www.restaurantadara.com

Cheers,

Veronique

 

 

Filed Under: Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
23 March 2012 Maple White Sangria

Maple White Sangria

March 23, 2012 By

In my spring quest for maple recipes, I was thrilled to get a cocktail recipe from my sister featuring the sweet sap as an ingredient.  What a great way to kick off the chilled cocktail season!

Ingredients:

  • 1 bottle of dry white wine
  • ½ cup pure maple syrup
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • ½ honeydew melon either cubed or balled with a melon baller
  • 24 green seedless grapes
  • 2 kiwis, peeled and sliced
  • 1 cup Vodka
  • 2 cups soda water

Directions:

  1. In a large pitcher, combine all the ingredients.  Allow fruit to permeate the liquids for at least an hour.  Served in ice-filled glasses.

Yields 6 cocktails.

 

Filed Under: Cocktails, Fruits, Maple Syrup, White Wine Tagged With: , , ,
22 March 2012 Maple Sucre a la Crème

Maple Sucre a la Crème

March 22, 2012 By

This recipe is from my mom, Diane.  It adds a unique twist of maple syrup to a Québec favorite:  sucre à la crème, what I’ll translate to brown sugar squares.  This is a decadent treat that your loved ones are certain to enjoy.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups maple syrup
  • 3 tsp. butter
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts, optional

Directions:

  1. Bring the syrup and butter to a simmer over medium heat in a heavy-bottom saucepan.  Allow to simmer for 5 minutes.
  2. Carefully add the cream to the hot mixture (wearing an oven mitt to avoid possible splattering burns when adding the cream to the hot liquid is recommended).  Cook until the mixture reaches 245 degrees on a candy thermometer.
  3. Remove from the heat and add the nuts (if using).  Allow to cool for 5 minutes.
  4. Using a stand or hand mixer, beat mixture for 10 minutes.
  5. Pour the beaten mixture in a buttered 8×8 pan and allow to cool completely before covering with foil and refrigerating.  Cut into 2” squares.

Makes 16 squares.

 

Filed Under: Canadian, Desserts, Maple Syrup Tagged With: , , , , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »