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Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Wines for the Top 10 Tough-To-Buy-For People on Your Holiday List!

Planning on giving the gift of wine this Holiday Season? Then check out this helpful list from Natalie MacLean, wine expert and e-sommelier of the eponymous wine website www.nataliemaclean.com and author of the informative and extremely entertaining "Red, White and Drunk all Over: A Wine Soaked Journey from Grape to Glass," one of my favorite wine reads of all time! 

 Natalie’s Top Ten Gift Wines for Your ...
1. Hairdresser: For the person who combines humor and optimism every time she styles your mop. Go for a light, gulpable wine like a dry rosé. It’s versatile and fuss-free—a great quaff for your coif.
2. Psychiatrist: Of course, he’ll analyze whatever you give him so choose a wine that’s all about balance. Easy-drinking pinot noir is medium-bodied yet packed with flavor. Surprise him with a large-format bottle, like a magnum. Big thinking means big progress for you. This wine also works for psychologists, marriage counselors and bartenders.
3. The Boss: Pick too pricey a wine and your boss will think your last raise was too much; go cheap, and she’ll think you lack judgement. Focus on a label with a lot of white space since that makes the bottle look more expensive. A castle in the distance also works, but avoid fluffy animals.
4. Personal Trainer: Think a muscular, robust red would work? Hold that position. Instead, try riesling: this light white wine pairs well with a health-nut diet of salad and seafood, plus it’s low in alcohol. You can also give it to Pilates instructors, yoga masters and Tai Chi coaches.
5. Financial Planner: You and he both know it’s going to take decades before your portfolio recovers after the crash of 2008. With that long-term view, vintage port makes the perfect gift. This fortified wine from northern Portugal, with its long aging potential, will be around for both of you into your retirements.
6. Travel Agent: She’s been everywhere and seen everything, so go local with your choice of wine. Even better, if you live close to the winery, get the bottle signed by the winemaker.
7. Teacher: If you can’t find a suitably obscure wine with a Latin name, there’s always cream sherry. It’s the tipple of Oxford dons, not to mention the centerpiece of Edgar Allan Poe’s classic short story The Case of the Amontillado.
 8. Mail Deliverer: Go for a winery that’s consistent year after year in producing a wine that can be enjoyed in snow, rain, sleet or hail. Try an Australian shiraz or Argentine malbec.
9. Mechanic: Yes, there’s a wine called Red Truck, but try to be more imaginative. Why not give a wine made by Mario Andretti in California or Ferrari in Italy?
10. Online Date: So you’re on your second or third rendezvous with the person you met on eHarmony or Dating.com. If you’re not sure yet whether marriage is a possibility, try something middle-of-the-road, like merlot. Yes, it’s the soft jazz of wine, but until you know, play it safe.

And after all that shopping, don’t forget yourself: even Santa’s little helpers need more than milk and cookies. Try something with high-alcohol like Italian Amarone or Rhone syrah: these big reds easily drown out tone-deaf caroling and pair beautifully with tired feet.

Great advice, Natalie, thanks so much for sharing - Cheers!

Monday, November 29, 2010

A "Savor the Moment" Classic: Over Your Leftovers? Try the Roasted Sea Bass in Prosciutto

I originally posted this entry last year right after Thanksgiving. It is such a delicious recipe and was so well-received I just had to post it again. It is the perfect dish to enjoy once you are "over" your leftovers. I hope you enjoy it!

For anyone who’s hit their limit with Thanksgiving leftovers – they were definitely great while they lasted – this is a fantastic, Quick Cook recipe perfect for a tasty weeknight meal or even entertaining friends. It takes all of about 30 minutes to make including prep time – no joke! It was so good I just had to include the recipe:

Roasted Sea Bass in Prosciutto
¼ cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened
2 teaspoons dried rosemary leaves, crushed
½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
½ teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste
4 (6-ounce, ½ inch-thick) pieces Chilean sea bass fillet, cod or other firm white fish
4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
5 or 6 (or more) very thin slices prosciutto
Garnish: shaved fresh Parmesan cheese; 4 rosemary sprigs

Combine the butter, rosemary, thyme, lemon zest, salt and pepper in a small nonreactive bowl and mix well. Arrange the fish on a foil-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with the lemon juice and spread with the butter mixture. Arrange the prosciutto over the fish, covering the tops and sides.
Roast at 450 degrees on the middle oven rack for 15 minutes or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Remove to a serving platter and garnish with the shaved Parmesan cheese and rosemary sprigs.
Note: The herb butter can be prepared in advance and chilled until needed; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before using. The fish can be prepared in advance and stored, wrapped in plastic wrap, in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before roasting.
Serves four

I made the butter mixture right before assembling the fish - softening the butter in the microwave at 10 second increments to be sure it didn’t get melty. I spread each fish fillet with the mixture, then wrapped each one with two pieces of prosciutto. I served the dish with creamy, Parmesan rice and asparagus. The creamy texture of the fish is so nicely enhanced by the lemony, herb butter and saltiness of the prosciutto – truly a mouth-watering combination!

I served this delicious dish with a 2007 Masi Masianco, an Italian, white wine made from a blend of Pinot Grigio and Verduzzo grapes (75%/25%). This wine is a “Supervenetian,” which are wines made from a combination of grapes from the Veneto and Friuli regions of Italy that utilize the "appassimento" process which involves laying grapes out for partial drying after harvesting. This process adds more body, richness and complexity to the finished wine. In this case, the Verduzzo grapes were harvested and then ripened on racks for three weeks before beginning fermentation.

With its flavors of lemon cream, peaches and dried apricots the wine was a perfect pairing for the sea bass. Masi specializes in the production of Amarones and Reciotos, using the aforementioned historic technique of "appassimento" (drying of the grapes). Masi rediscovered and refined the technique of double fermentation using semi-dried grapes, and markets successful wines such as Campofiorin, its special selection Brolo di Campofiorin, Valpolicella dell'Anniversario Serego Alighieri and Passo Doble, produced in Argentina.

Hope you enjoy this delicious post-Thanksgiving pairing!

Bon Appétit,

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Need a Delicious, Make Ahead Thanksgiving Dessert? Try this Pumpkin Pie Trifle!

Aaaaahh, Pumpkin Pie Season is finally here!  No doubt this time of year there is ample opportunity to get your fill of it, perhaps even to the point where it becomes, dare I say, passé?!

If you find yourself in this enviable position or you're just in the mood to try something new, you should give this delicious alternative a try. I made this Pumpkin Pie Trifle a few years ago and my family never even noticed the pumpkin pie was missing - it is THAT good!

I am a big fan of trifles since you can make them the day before your big event and the flavors and texture only improve overnight in the fridge. They also travel remarkably well if you are bringing one to a lucky friend or relative's house.

A trifle is a dessert dish made from thick custard, fruit, sponge cake, fruit juice or gelatin, and whipped cream. Research indicates it evolved from a similar dessert known as a fool or foole, and originally the two names were used interchangeably. The ingredients are usually arranged in layers with fruit and sponge on the bottom, and custard and cream on top.

According to Wikipedia, the earliest known use of the name trifle was for a thick cream flavoured with sugar, ginger and rosewater, the recipe for which was published in England, 1596, in a book called "The good huswife's Jewell" by Thomas Dawson. It wasn't until sixty years later when milk was added and the custard was poured over alcohol soaked bread. While some people consider the inclusion of gelatin to be a recent variation, the earliest known recipe to include jelly dates from 1747, and the poet Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote of trifles containing jelly in 1861. Some trifles contain a small amount of alcohol such as port, or, most commonly, sweet sherry or madeira wine. Non-alcoholic versions may use sweet juices or soft drinks such as ginger ale instead, as the liquid is necessary to moisten the cake layers.

If you are in the market for a trifle bowl, the Miranda Trifle Bowl is available at Crate and Barrel and is a great basic to have, but there are plenty of options available depending on where you like to shop.

I hope you enjoy this recipe and if you are looking to kick it up a notch with a wine pairing, a Late Harvest Gewürztraminer or Ice Wine would work very nicely. Cheers and I hope you have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Bon Appétit,



Pumpkin Pie Trifle
• 2 (15-ounce) packages pumpkin bread mix
• 1 (4.6-ounce) box cook-and-serve vanilla pudding mix
• 2 (15-ounce) cans pure pumpkin
• 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. ground ginger
• ½ tsp. ground cloves
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 (12-ounce) container frozen whipped topping
• 1/2 cup gingersnaps
Directions:
Bake the pumpkin bread according to the package directions and cool completely. Meanwhile, prepare the pudding and set aside to cool. Stir the canned pumpkin, brown sugar, and spices into the pudding. Cube 1 batch of the pumpkin bread and arrange in the bottom of a trifle bowl. Depending on the size of your bowl, you may have some leftover. Pour 1/2 of the pudding mixture over the pumpkin bread, then add a layer of whipped topping. Repeat with the remaining pumpkin bread, pudding, and whipped topping. If preparing the day before, simply cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Once ready to serve, sprinkle the top with the crushed gingersnaps. Enjoy!

Monday, November 22, 2010

Wine Pairing Principles for Thanksgiving and Beyond!

Holidays like Thanksgiving can sometimes cause an acute case of WPP otherwise known as wine pairing paralysis. With the cacophony of flavors and textures involved in a meal whose primary goal is to stuff oneself until bursting, what wine could possibly (1) complement the meal (2) appeal to a variety of palates and (3) not break the bank? Don’t fret, my fellow wine lovers, here are a few tips to help make the process a little easier for Thanksgiving or any other holiday meal.

When presented with dishes such as roasted turkey, caramelized onion and cornbread stuffing, cranberry compote, sweet potato casserole and Brussels sprouts at the same meal, the best wines to select (and guests too I might add) are those that “play nicely with others.” Choose wines that are fruit-forward with a food-friendly acidity that will not only stimulate your taste buds but “do no harm” to your already flavor filled meal. Hold off on tannic Cabernet Sauvignons or heavily oaked Chardonnays and opt instead for lighter style Rieslings, unoaked Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Merlot.

The same principles apply when trying to satisfy a variety of palates at your holiday gathering. Avoiding wines with harsh tannins and heavy oak influence is usually a good game plan. Select a fruity, approachable Cru Beaujolais or crisp, bubbly Spanish Cava to appease your guests. While universally appealing, these wines will also complement the flavors in your meal beautifully.

Thirdly, we all know holidays like Thanksgiving can involve feeding a small army of family and friends; however, finding an appropriate wine to serve doesn’t have to break the bank. Choose wines from regions known for producing great values at reasonable prices including Spain’s La Rioja, Chile’s Central Valley and France’s Beaujolais AOC to name a few. Save your Classified Growth Bordeaux and California cult collectibles for another occasion! Stock up on your favorite value wines and have them on hand when guests drop by for some “holiday cheer.”


Use the above principles to eliminate your wine pairing paralysis and get you through any holiday meal in style. Here are a few recommendations to get you started – Cheers and have a fabulous Thanksgiving Holiday!


1. J Vineyards “Cuvée 20” Brut Sparkling Wine NV $20
2. Dr. Heidemanns-Bergweiler Riesling QbA Mosel 2009 $12
3. Castillo de Molina Chardonnay Reserva, Casablanca Valley 2009 $15
4. Bodegas Faustino VII Rioja 2007 $12
5. Louis Jadot Moulin-à-Vent Château des Jacques 2009 $18
6. Viña San Pedro 1865 Single Vineyard Syrah 2007 $25

Bon Appétit,
 

Saturday, November 20, 2010

The Savor the Moment 10th Anniversary Celebration: Definitely "A Night to Remember!"

Janel Williams, Alison Gatto, Linda Gunn & Frank Forlini
One week ago, we celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the Junior League of Boca Raton's Cookbook, "Savor the Moment." Yes, the same cookbook I've been cooking my way through for the past year! Thanks to our amazing Cookbook Committee led by Co-Chairs Alison Gatto and Janel Williams, it was a magical evening of food, wine and fun that truly celebrated our James Beard Award-winning Cookbook and the fabulous ladies who created it! 

The celebration was held at the beautiful Seagate Beach Club and featured delicious culinary creations from Chef Chris Schaefer inspired by recipes from the Cookbook. The fabulous hors d'oeuvres for our cocktail party included:

 Nueske Bacon Wrapped Dates stuffed with Point Reyes Blue Cheese & Marcona Almonds
Marinated Cherry Tomato, Spicy Mozzarella & Broken Balsamic Vinaigrette
Brie en croute with Raspberry Jam
Crab Tater Tots with Black Truffle and Old Bay Aioli
Chicken Marakesh, Peppadew, Red Pepper & Onion
Jerk Marinated Grouper, Banana Chutney & Crisp Plantain


An assortment of delicious cupcakes from All-Star Cupcakes and "Savor the Moment" inspired desserts created by Chef Jennifer Reed of The Sugar Monkey rounded out the evening beautifully. Desserts included:
Chocolate Turtle Tart
Bourbon Butter Glazed Cake
Key Lime White Chocolate Cheesecake
Pear Napoleon with Apple Cider Cream

In addition to plenty of fabulous food and wine, the evening also featured an amazing raffle chock full of specialty lots tailored for food and wine lovers. From Private Chef's services to Waterford crystal to a Chef's table dinner with wine pairings - tickets sold like hotcakes! Our raffle donors included 32 East, Art Sea Living, Bloomingdale's, Boca Bacchanal, Boca Bons, The Boca Raton Resort & Club, Brewzzi, Brooke Qualk, Caffe Luna Rosa, City Oyster, Cut 432, Café Boulud, Frederic Fekkai, John Paul Custom Cuisine, The Melting Pot, Neiman MarcusSigrid Olsen, Seasons 52, Southern Wine & Spirits, Stephanie Savors the Moment, The Sundy Houe, Taboo, Waterford Crystal and Where the Fairytale Begins. Their generous donations allowed us to raise a nice sum of money that will benefit our local community projects. 

Many thanks to our event Sponsors CDS International Holdings, the Seagate Beach Club, Worthing Place and Paul & Kathy Adkins for making the evening such a success! Big thanks too, to Brenda Lusher and her company Mizner Industries for creating the beautiful "Savor the Moment" 10th Anniversary commemorative tiles for the event. Also, our celebration could not have been possible without the AMAZING managers at the Seagate Beach Club, Cathy McNellen and Frank Forlini as well as an entire staff of truly wonderful people. They made the entire process, from planning to our incredible evening, a delightful experience!

The only unfortunate thing to report about the evening was that, after breaking a bone in my leg two weeks prior, I was on crutches - ugh! Thankfully, my husband was nice enough to paint my crutches pink to coordinate with my Lilly Pulitzer dress - thanks, Hon! All in all though, it was a fabulous evening with friends full of moments to savor! Be sure to check out the slideshow on the right side of this page for even more fun photos from the event.


As for my blog, I will continue to wrap up the recipes in the "Savor the Moment" until the end of the year - stay tuned for some exciting announcements about what's to come in 2011!

Bon Appétit,




Thursday, November 11, 2010

"Stephanie Savors the Moment" Featured in the Sun Sentinel!

I am excited to report, last Thursday's Food Section in the South Florida Sun Sentinel featured an article about my blog, Stephanie Savors the Moment! The piece chronicled the inspiration behind and journey of writing the blog and cooking my way through "Savor the Moment" over the past year, à la Julie & Julia, and the interesting opportunities that have come about as a result. From writing for Cork'd to The Art of Wine & Food Tasting Series at The Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale it has certainly been quite an adventure! I was also humbled and honored to be featured on the cover with one of my favorite Chefs and culinary idols, Nick Morfogen, no less.

It was a pleasure speaking with John Tanasychuk, Sun Sentinel Restaurant Critic and Food Aficionado, who conducted the interview at Chez Miskew last month. For the photo shoot, I prepared four favorite dishes from "Savor the Moment" including the Caviar Pie, Rosemary Roasted Rack of Lamb with Cabernet Sauce, Green Beans and Friends and Fallen Chocolate Souffle Cakes. You can't go wrong with these recipes for entertaining this holiday season! In addition to the recipes and a fabulous photo of my husband Steve (thanks, Hon!), the article also includes wine recommendations for the Thanksgiving holiday and the "Savor the Moment 2010" playlist which is also available as an iMix on iTunes for your listening pleasure.

The timing of the article also couldn't be better with our "Savor the Moment" 10th Anniversary Celebration taking place tomorrow, Friday, November 12th at the Seagate Beach Club. The Committee has been hard at work and we are all looking forward to "A Night to Remember!" Please check out the article and a huge thank you to everyone who has followed my blog over the past year. I am extremely grateful for your support and look forward to lots more food and wine fun in the future.

Bon Appétit,

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Savor Soup Season with "Savor the Moment's" Mushroom and Tomato Soup with Vermouth!

Don't you just love Fall? The glorious chill in the air, wearing your favorite cashmere sweater for the first time in months, not to mention the mouth-watering culinary implications. For me, soup becomes a top priority, and apparently I'm in some very good company! After taking a little Stephanie Savors the Moment Facebook poll, it appears there are plenty of you who also share a passion for soup, with preferences ranging from Carrot Soup with Star Anise to Julia Child's Santa Barbara Fish Soup, to "Plain Old" Chicken and Vegetable - definitely my kind of crowd!

After a few weeks of cooking through the "Bread & Breakfasts" Chapter in "Savor the Moment," I am happy to be moving onto "Soups, Salads & Sandwiches" and the timing couldn't be better! I am happy to share with you the recipe for Mushroom and Tomato Soup with Vermouth (pg. 116), a deliciously creamy soup that is sure to warm you up on a chilly, Fall day. In addition to other delicious ingredients, this recipe calls for bouquet garni. "Bouquet garni" is French for "garnished bouquet" and refers to a bundle of herbs either tied together with string or enclosed in a sachet that is used to flavor soup, stock, and various stews.  The bouquet is boiled with the other ingredients, then removed prior to serving. While the herbs included can vary, the one for this recipe call for fresh parsley, thyme, oregano, basil and bay leaf.

In addition to the bouquet garni, fabulous flavor is derived from leeks, garlic, watercress and vermouth, along with great earthiness and texture from the mushrooms. The alcohol in the vermouth is eliminated during the cooking process so don't worry about getting tipsy from eating it! Otherwise, the recipe itself is pretty straightforward; however, I would advise you to be sure and hold on to the top of the blender cover while processing the hot soup or, better yet, remove the center portion of the lid and cover it with a dish towel to keep it from ending up all over your kitchen. As with most soups, the finished product gets better and better the longer it sits, although this soup it so good it probably won't last too long.

I hope you enjoy this recipe and please check out the Stephanie Savors the Moment Facebook Page and give it a "like" to take part in some fun food and wine discussions!

Bon Appétit,




Mushroom and Tomato Soup with Vermouth (pg. 116)
3 ribs celery, chopped
white portion of 1 leek, chopped
1 garlic clove, chopped
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
8 ounce mushrooms, chopped
5 cups peeled, seeded, chopped tomatoes
3 cups chicken stock
1 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup vermouth
2 teaspoons tomato paste
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1 bouquet garni
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
4 ounces mushrooms, sliced
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup chopped watercress
Garnish: chopped fresh chives
Saute the celery, leek ad garlic in the heated oil in  a heavy large saucepan over medium-low heat for 7 minutes or until  tender. Increase the hear to high and add the chopped mushrooms. Saute for 5 minutes or until light brown.
Add the tomatoes, Chicken stock, cream, vermouth, tomato paste, sugar and bouquet garni. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat. Simmer, covered, for 30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Discard the bouquet garni. Process the soup in a blender until smooth. Pour into the saucepan.
Saute the sliced mushrooms in the butter in a small skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes or until tender. Stir into the soup. Stir in the watercress and adjust the seasonings. Cook until heated through. Ladle into soup bowls and garnish with chopped chives.
Note: The bouquet garni for this recipe is made of 2 parsley sprigs, 1 thyme sprig, 1 oregano sprig, 1 basil sprig, and 1 bay leaf tied in a cheesecloth bag.
Serves eight
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