Category Archives: Food
Simply Divine Lemon-Thyme Bruschetta
Perfect Pairing with Chateau Montelena’s 2010 Napa Valley Chardonnay!
What could be simpler than these fresh bruschetta? The creamy texture, delicate thyme, perfume of citrus and sweet honey are a match made in heaven for our Chateau Montelena 2010 Chardonnay!
Ingredients
- 1 traditional French baguette; thinly sliced
- 8 ounces whole milk fresh ricotta cheese
- Zest of 1 large lemon
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 8-10 springs fresh thyme
- Additional lemon zest, for garnish
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
De-stem the fresh thyme leaves and bruise with the back of a soup spoon.
Mix together ricotta, half of the fresh thyme leaves and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
Brush baguette slices with olive oil on one side, reserve remaining olive oil. Toast baguette slices in the oven for 5-7 minutes until slightly browned and warm.
Spread toasts liberally with seasoned ricotta. Drizzle with remaining olive oil; repeat drizzle with honey, and sprinkle with reserved thyme leaves. Arrange on serving platter; zest lightly with addition lemon if desired, for garnish. Serve warm.
Lemon Chicken Curry
So Delicious with Chateau Montelena Riesling!
Our Potter Valley Riesling compliments the spicy and delicate flavors of this warming curry. Try substituting butternut squash for the carrots to make this a truly fall dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts, oven roasted on the bone and shredded
- 1/4 cup flour
- 3 T. butter
- 4 Tbsp lemon curry powder (or medium madras style)
- 2 teaspoons fleur de sel
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground peppercorns
- 14 oz. lite coconut milk
- 1 Qt home made chicken stock
- 1 ½ c. jasmine rice 2 Tbsp fresh ginger, minced
- 2 Tbsp garlic, minced
- 2 serrano chili peppers, seeded, de-veined, minced
- 2-3 medium carrots, julienne cut
- zest of 1/2 lemon
- 3/4 cup fresh or frozen peas
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander seeds
- 8 green onions, medium dice
- 1/3 cup each finely chopped mint and cilantro
- Juice of one small lime
- 1 med. Heirloom tomato large dice, for garnish
Directions
Roast chickens ahead and debone when cool: shred breast meat into bite sized pieces. Heat butter and flour in a large saucepan on medium- high heat; cook roux until blonde. Add curry powder and combine quickly. Heat coconut milk and whisk immediately into roux; reduce heat to medium. As white sauce thickens, gradually add chicken stock and simmer 5 minutes. In a separate small saucepan, prepare basmati rice and cook per instructions. Add the carrots ginger, garlic, and chili pepper to curry sauce and simmer until carrots are al dente, about 3-4 minutes. Add the chicken, lemon zest, green onions and peas; reduce heat to medium low and stir occasionally until heated through.*
***Just before serving, add the coriander seeds, cilantro and mint. Adjust seasonings and stir in lime juice. Serve with basmati rice scooped into center; garnish with tomato and more cilantro as desired. Serves 6 as a main course.
Do-ahead tip: Prepare curry ahead to *, and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Reheat and continue with **.
Cocoa Nib Caponata
A Perfect Pairing with Our Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon!
This caponata is an interesting appetizer or side dish when you plan to uncork our smooth, intense Napa Valley Cabernet. The pine nuts, tomatoes and balsamic come into harmony with the dense, nutty and slightly bitter cocoa nibs to perfectly compliment the cabernet/merlot marriage, always a lovely wine to open with dinner. Cocoa nibs are available in most gourmet grocery markets packaged in small pieces. The flavor is slightly nutty with chocolate notes and a hint of bitterness. We think it is a brilliant bridge to deep concentrated red wine aromas and flavors. Our recipe was inspired by Zazu Restaurant in Santa Rosa, California.
Ingredients
- 3 medium, firm eggplant, unpeeled, 1 inch dice
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 1 ½ lbs. garden tomatoes, peeled and diced ( substitute 1 28 oz. can peeled tomatoes, drained)
- 1 1/2 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped small
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
- 3 stalks celery, diced
- 1/4 cup raisins, soaked for 1 hours in ¼ cup cabernet wine
- 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
- 1/4 cup capers
- 1 tablespoon cocoa nibs
- ½ c. finely chopped Italian parsley
- olive oil, for sautéing
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Directions
Slice the eggplant, season with salt and pepper, and place in a single layer between paper towels, weighted with a large skillet, to press excess moisture: about 30 minutes.
In a large sauté pan on medium high heat, sauté the eggplant in single layer batches in 4-5 tablespoons of olive oil until golden and soft, about 7 minutes. Set aside.
In the same pan, sauté the garlic until fragrant, about a minute. Add the tomatoes and chocolate and stir until chocolate is melted. In a mixing bowl, combine eggplant, garlic, tomatoes, balsamic, celery, raisins, pine nuts, capers, cocoa nibs, and parsley. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Chill the caponata for one hour before serving or spoon into a glass jar and keep for later, up to 3 days.
Delicious with crusty French bread, as a side, or spooned onto toasted baguette slices…all with a glass of Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Cabernet.
Stuffed Roulade of Pork Loin with Cabernet Reduction
It’s fall…and time to cook for Cabernet!
Nothing says fall better than warm and earthy roast pork loin. This delicious dish is actually easy to prepare, especially if you have the butcher butterfly the pork loin for you. (The instructions are included here as well.) Enjoy this delicious fall dish with Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried cherries
- 3/4 cup red wine, preferably Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Cabernet
- 2/3 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon rubbed sage
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2-1/2 cups French bread cubes (day old is preferred)
- 3 slices thick cut bacon, cooked and diced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 boneless whole pork loin roast (about 3 pounds)
Cabernet Reduction:
- Reserved wine from cherries
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 2 sprigs thyme or rosemary
- 3 Tablespoons butter
Directions
In a small saucepan, bring cherries and red wine to a simmer. Remove from the heat; set aside (do not drain).
In a large skillet, sauté the onion, celery, parsley, apples, and sage in butter until tender. Remove from the heat. Strain the cherries, reserving the wine for sauce. Stir in the bread cubes, broth, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, cinnamon, pistachios and drained cherries. Let stand until liquid is absorbed. Season with salt to taste.
Pre-heat oven to 400°. Lay the roast fat side up on a clean cutting board. Trim the fat cap and discard.
TO BUTTERFLY THE ROAST:
Slice into the roast crosswise, parallel to the counter, about 1 inch from the bottom, slicing to within ¾ inch of opposite side.
Open roast so it lies flat; repeat slice crosswise, parallel to counter, about 1 inch in thickness; open this flap.
Cover with plastic wrap; flatten to 3/4-in. thickness. Remove plastic; spread stuffing over meat to within 1 in. of edges.
Close roast; tie several times with kitchen string or use silicone bands. Place fat side up on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Sprinkle with remaining pepper and salt.
Bake roast, uncovered, at 400° for 10 minute; reduce oven temperature to 350° and continue to bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a thermometer reads 145°. Let meat stand for 10 minutes before slicing.
FOR THE CABERNET REDUCTION:
Meanwhile, place roasting pan on over medium heat; add reserved wine to roasting pan and stir to loosen browned bits. Pour into a small saucepan. Add chicken stock; bring to a simmer over medium-high heat; cook until reduced by half. Whisk in butter and remove from heat. To serve, slice roast, place two slices on plate and drizzle with reduction, or serve sauce separately.
Yield: 8-10 servings.
Fresh & Easy Ceviche
Our 2011 Sauvignon Blanc has a great acidity that stands up to bright citrusy notes in any dish. Fresh lime, aromatic cilantro, and firmly textured fish compliment the bright palate and crisp finish of this delicious wine! Serve both well-chilled for a perfect beginning to a dinner repast, or let them shine together as the star of a light lunch!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound fresh firm white fish, such as sea bass fillet or tilapia fillet, cubed in 1/2 inch pieces
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 medium red onion, finely diced
- 1 stalk celery, finely diced
- 2 fresh medium vine ripened tomatoes, cubed, seeded and drained
- 2 avocados – peeled, pitted, and cubed
- salt and pepper to taste
- Lettuce leaves, for garnish
Directions
In a medium non-reactive bowl combine the lemon juice, lime juice, orange juice and olive oil. Add the fish and toss to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for about 3 hours. The flesh of the fish should be white and opaque.
Add the cilantro, onion, celery, tomato, and avocado. Season to taste with salt and pepper, To serve, spoon onto lettuce leaves and garnish.
Grab a bottle of our 2011 Sauvignon Blanc – available only through the winery – and enjoy alongside this dish. Cheers!
Recipe Challenge Grand Prize Winner: Vanilla Lobster Tails With Caviar And Micro-Greens Salad
Try this Grand Prize Winning Recipe, submitted by CellarMaster member Jack Douglas, that pairs beautifully with our Napa Valley Chardonnay.
“Simply, a most delicious and elegant first course that sets the stage for a wonderful evening…easy!”
You will need:
- A special oblong individual dish for each serving is dramatic and beautifully sets the salad
- A heavy bottomed, 12 inch saucepan
Ingredients:
- 4 small lobster tails (one lobster tail per person)
- 4 Tablespoons salted European or Irish butter
- 1 tablespoon pure Madagascar Bourbon/Tahitian Vanilla Extract ‘Crush’
- 1 small container of American Golden Caviar or Salmon Roe
- Cilantro leaves, for garnish
- 1 container of microgreens, availailable at most gourmet grocery stores
- Balsamic vinegar, to taste
- Extra Virgin olive oil, to taste
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Split each lobster tail lengthwise down the middle and leave the shell on each piece.
- Set the saucepan on medium heat; melt 3 tablespoons of the butter.
- Add the vanilla to melted butter and stir.
- Place the lobster tails, meat side down, in the melted butter and cook, spooning butter over the tails, until meat begins to turn opaque. Before completely cooked, remove from direct heat.
- Place lobster tails in a glass holding dish, meat side up. As soon as they can be handled, remove tails from the shell. (Shells can be discarded, or stored frozen for making stock, if desired.)
- Return the pan to medium heat and add the last tablespoon of butter, stirring to melt.
- Add the tails back to the butter and vanilla and allow tails to finish cooking, approximately 30 seconds. Serve immediately.
To Serve:
Lightly toss the micro greens with a splash or two of balsamic vinegar and approximately 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil, or to taste. Place ¼ cup on one end of the plate; place two pieces of lobster tail meat on the other end. Salt and pepper to taste. Place ½ teaspoon of caviar on top of each tail and garnish with cilantro leaves.
Enjoy (preferably alongside a glass of Chardonnay)!
Submitted by Chateau Montelena CellarMaster Jack Douglas
Recipe Challenge Winner: Dark Chocolate Upside Down Cake
Try this “Dessert” category winner, submitted by CellarMaster Patrick Blondin, with our Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
“A fabulous and simple, yummy dessert…use your favorite pie filling!”
Serves: 8
Prep Time: 40-45 minutes
You will need:
A glass or ceramic deep dish pie plate, or square baking pan, buttered on bottom and sides.
Flowers, or other decorative element, to dress up the top.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 1 tablespoon cold water
- 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- ¼ cup dark baker’s cocoa
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 cup shortening
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 15 oz. can blueberry pie filling (or other, to your liking)
- Whipping cream, if desired
- Heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Stir together the cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of water until dissolved.
- Gently stir in pie filling.
- Spread mixture evenly on bottom of buttered pan.
- Stir together flour, sugar, dark cocoa, baking soda and salt in a separate large bowl.
- Add shortening and mix together; then add one cup water, vinegar and vanilla.
- Beat with spoon until batter is smooth and well blended.
- Spoon batter over pie filling.
- Bake in center of oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
- Cool 10 minutes; carefully invert onto serving plate. Garnish as desired. Serve warm with whipped cream.
Enjoy!
Recipe Challenge Winner: Amy’s Crab Cakes With Lime Aioli And Fennel Grapefruit Salad
Try this “Appetizer” category winner, submitted by CellarMaster Amy Weinberg, with our Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc.
“Absolutely delicious cool summer appetizer…the salad is a refreshing compliment to the rich fresh crab!”
You will need:
Plastic wrap
a muffin pan
a large flat bottomed skillet
Prep Time: 60 minutes, including 30 minutes for crab cakes to refrigerate and set.
Ingredients
For the Crab Cakes:
- 8 oz. high quality crabmeat; preferably fresh
- 1 tablespoon Italian flat leaf parsley, chopped
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ½ cup Panko bread crumbs
- ¾ cup vegetable oil, for frying
In a non-reactive bowl, combine crab, parsley, salt and pepper to taste. Place the beaten egg and panko bread crumbs in two separate bowls. Use plastic wrap to line muffin tin. Using two large spoons, mold approximately 1/3 cup and dip into egg mixture, then panko crumps. Place each crabcake into the lined muffin tin and gently press flat. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes or more to set. While crab cakes are chilling, make the fennel salad and the aioli.
To cook crab cakes, heat one inch of vegetable oil in frying pan over medium high heat. Add crab cakes gently and sauté until golden brown; gently flip and repeat; set aside on paper towels.
For the Lime Aioli:
- 1 lime, zested and juiced
- 1 medium clove of garlic, roughly chopped
- 1 egg and 1 egg yolk
- ½ cup grapeseed oil
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
In a food processor add lime zest, lime juice, garlic, egg and egg yolk and turn on food processor to combine. Next, while food processor is running, very slowly add in the two oils. Finally, add in salt to taste. Transfer to container and place in refrigerator to help firm it even further.
For the fennel grapefruit salad:
- 1 fennel bulb
- 1 pink grapefruit
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
On mandolin, slice fennel paper thin. Chop a small amount of fronds and set aside for garnish. Supreme and segment grapefruit and cut sections into thirds. Toss fennel with olive oil and add salt and pepper to taste. Mix in grapefruit.
To plate: place a small mound of fennel grapefruit salad on one side of the plate. Then smear 1 tablespoon or lime aioli an inch or two away from the salad on the larger side of the plate. Place the crab cake leaning on the salad between the lime aioli smear. Garnish with fennel frond and serve with a Montelena Sauvignon Blanc.
Enjoy!
Submitted by Chateau Montelena CellarMaster Amy Weinberg
Recipe Challenge Winner: Rib Eye Rolls
This “Main Dish” category winner, submitted by CellarMaster Robert Hopkins, pairs perfectly with our Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.
“A delicious late summer evening entrée for the grill!”
You will need:
Butcher’s twine
A flat-bottomed grill pan for the outdoor grill (or line the grill grates with foil to catch melting cheese)
Plastic wrap, for pounding the steaks.
Ingredients
- 4 each 8 oz. (approx.) rib eye steaks, pounded to ½ inch thick
- 4 tablespoons prepared pesto (see below)
- 6-8 cremini mushrooms, sliced thin
- 8-10 fresh spinach leaves, cleaned, stems removed
- 4 slices provolone cheese
- 4 tablespoons blue cheese, crumbled
- Salt and pepper, to taste.
Instructions
- Trim excess fat from the steaks. Place each steak between two sheets of plastic wrap; pound out to even ½ inch thickness. Season with salt and pepper.
- Spread 1 tablespoon pesto on one surface of each steak.
- Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of blue cheese on top of pesto.
- Layer in a single layer: mushrooms, then spinach, then provolone cheese, tearing cheese to fit.
- Starting at the narrowest end of each steak, roll tightly; secure each roll with butcher’s twine. Further secure each roll by wrapping a length of twine around the long length of each roll.
- Prepare an outdoor grill for indirect heat, to approximately 325 degrees.
- Place the steak rolls in center of grill (not over direct heat source). Cook for 8-10 minute, turn once and cook for 6-8 minutes (medium rare).
- Rest rolls off heat, covered with foil, for 7-8 minutes. Slice each roll to desired thickness.
- Enjoy!
Delicious when paired with Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon!
-CellarMaster member Robert Hopkins and Cynthia Ancona
I’m Back!
After two weeks in Italy. It was a wonderful trip, but I’m happy to be home. The one thing about traveling overseas, as great a vacation as it may be, it certainly makes you appreciate home (easier said when you live in one of the most beautiful places in the world!). Anyways, as I continue to recover from jet lag, and get right back into the groove, you can expect a few posts on my Italy excursion along with pictures. In the mean time, maybe I’ll see some of you next week at a Chateau Montelena Wine Dinner that I’m hosting at Ruth’s Chris in Irvine…. Curious about other upcoming wine dinners? Be sure to check out our Events Page to find out when we’ll be hosting an event near you.
More to come….
G
