認真的女人最美

April Wine Friday: $15 Challenge with Home made Pizza

四月份的酒題是帶一瓶你認為最棒的酒, 但要在十五塊美金以下, 紅白不居, 國家產地不限, 然後裝紙袋做Blind Tasting, 大家票選. 這個主題通常很受歡迎, 因為一來價錢是大家都負擔的起; 二來對於懂酒的人是一個機會表現; 三來對於不懂酒的人是一個學習的機會, 下回參加朋友派對就知道哪些酒受歡迎又不會大傷荷包, 大家皆大歡喜. 結果前二名最受歡迎的十五塊酒皆由當天唯二的法國朋友領銜, 果真不須此名, 可惜當天沒有義大利人, 不然我看前三名都給義法二國全包了.

Here is the wine lineup (from left to right) and results:

2005 Viano Vineyards Zinfandel - 1 vote
2006 Jim Barry Lodge Hill Shiraz - 2 votes
2004 Castelmavre Corbieres - no votes
2006 CanBlau Red Blend - 7 votes
2004 Rodney Strong Merlot - 7 votes
2005 Roudon Smith Claret - 3 votes
2005 Tintara Granache - no votes
2006 Da Vinci Chianti - 4 votes
2007 Dona Paula Malbec - 1 vote
2005 Edna Valley Merlot - 2 votes
2006 Rare Earth Cabernet Sauvignon - 3 votes
2003 Santa De Maria Cabernet Sauvignon - 3 votes
2008 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc - 2 votes
2007 Ancien Pinot Noir - 8 votes
2006 Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay - 4 votes
2007 Mirassou Pinot Noir - no votes
2006 Mirassou Cabernet Sauvignon - 4 votes
2005 Dancing Bull Chardonnay - 1 vote

 

答案揭曉的時候到了, 大家都很認真的研究第一名和第二名的酒.

為了搭配這次酒題, 食物方面我們選擇Home made Pizza, 一來好搭配無法事先預知的酒類, 二來方便省事又受歡迎, 三來食材準備簡單, 花費也較少. 為此, 平常幫我們準備食物的Chef Candy還特地幫我們找來專做披薩的Chef Gil, 從披薩麵團到各樣配料都是他前一天就準備好, 當天他只要按客人喜好放Topping, 然後放進烤箱六分鐘就有熱騰騰的Gourmet Pizza可以享用囉.

又圓又鬆軟的披薩麵團, 輕輕按一下的感覺很Airy, 經過廚師巧手就變成好吃的披薩.

 
當天的Topping, 冰箱裡還有蝦仁.

派對前, Chef Gil要先試烤箱溫度, 加上那天他準備了二種不同的麵團, 所以先各做了一個披薩給我和馬克和Chef Candy試吃.

 

最後因為披薩麵團有剩, 我就讓想帶批薩回家的朋友下單, 讓Chef Gil按照他們的口味喜好做披薩. 這一次有吃又有得拿回家, 大家都開心的很, 難怪有很多人跟我們說, 像這種Fun派對應該多辦幾次.

March Wine Friday: Ribs and Zinfandel

左起:

2005 OZV -- Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel
2006 Bogle -- Old Vine Zinfandel
2007 Angels Creek -- Lodi Zinfandel
2002 Laurent's Palo Alto Reserve
2006 Pescorosso Primitivo
2007 Barefoot -- Lodi Zinfandel
2006 Query -- Napa Zinfandel
2006 Kenwood -- Sonoma Zinfandel
2006 Storybook -- Mayacamas Range Zinfandel
2005 Boeger -- El Dorado Zinfandel

Ribs是老公的最愛食物之一, 而三月份的品酒會, 主題就是肋排與Zin. 而我們找到的二個網路肋排食譜都很讚, 不過前一天就要先將肋排醃好醬汁過夜, 當天則用低溫(275F)在烤箱裡慢烤六七個小時 (因為只有一個烤箱, 但有二個肋排食譜是用不同溫度, 所以將就用低溫的那個做), 感覺上比較耗時一點, 但不難做. 可惜照片無法呈現那種入口即化, 鮮美多汁的肉, 輕易的和骨頭分離的情況.

1. Soy Sauce–Marinated Ribs (Hawaii Style)

 

2. Tequila and Lime Baby Back Ribs with a Guava and Ginger Glaze

 

3. Pasta with Artichokes, Pancetta, Mushrooms, and Peas  Download Pasta Recipe 這道菜很好吃, 當作主菜也很夠份量, 唯一的缺點, 是新鮮的Artichokes處理費工耗時. 記得要買大顆一點的Artichokes, 不然忙到最後, 能吃的部份不多, 不夠經濟實惠.

 

4. Asparagus with Citrus and Oregano 這道菜的做法再簡單不過了, 基本上就是將蘆筍洗淨, 切除尾端不要的部份, 然後倒進做好的醬汁, 一起放進微波爐熱幾分鐘, 好了後再將切好的橘子片放上去, 就是好吃的一道菜 (記得挑細一點的蘆筍, 口感好些).

 

5. Rhubarb Plum Tart With Orange Glaze 因為現在不是Rhubarb的季節, 所以廚師Candy改用Plum, 一樣好吃.

February Wine Friday: Anywhere But Here -- Non-California U.S. Wines

二月的品酒會也很熱鬧喔, 而且酒題是加州以外的美國酒. 很驚訝很多人都是有備而來, 因為他們都帶來一瓶加州以外的美國酒來分享, 最遠可到紐約和新英格蘭, 非常佩服.

由左起:

2004 Columbia Crest Merlot – Washington
2005 Red Diamond merlot – Washington
2006 Hedge Red Mountain – Washington
2006 Gruet Chardonnay – New Mexico
2007 A to Z Pinot – Oregon
2004 Harvest Red – Pennsylvania
2005 Chateau Ste Michelle Cabrent Sauvignon – Washington
1996 Silver Lake Cabernet Merlot – Washington
2006 Washington Hill Cabrenet Sauvignon – Washington
2005 Chateau Ste Michelle Melot – Washington
2006 Papillon Pinot Noir – Oregon
2004 Sakonnet Red – New England
2006 Hermann J. Wiemer – New York
2007 Chateau Ste Michelle Riesling – Washington
2007 King Estate Pinot Gris – Oregon
2006 Sokol Blosser White - Oregon

以往我找食譜, 雖然希望種類多, 但還會顧及烹飪方式, 因為我家只有一個大烤箱, 所以就得注意需要用到烤箱的食譜是否是相同的溫度, 不然就不要都找需要烤箱的食譜, 不然時間上會有衝突. 而這個月的菜單是老公找的, 都很好吃, 不過比較費工, 而且五道菜裡有三道需要烤箱, 二道需要火爐現做, 所以當天有點手忙腳亂, 因為菜一上桌馬上就沒了, 所以主廚Candy是馬不停蹄的做, 實在是做的速度趕不上大家吃的速度, 不過真的都很好吃喔.

當天的食譜多半從網路上找的, 只有一道是從食譜書中找來. 我把食譜或連結, 連同相片一起貼上, 略做文字敘述, 便不再另文介紹了.

1. Triple-Fennel Salad with Pink Grapefruit and Black Olives. 粉紅色的葡萄柚是從我家樹上採下, 多汁鮮美不在話下, 不過Fennel削成如薄紙的口感很清新, 我覺得很適合炎熱夏天食用. 我一向喜歡加入新鮮水果的沙拉, 這道菜也很得我心.

2. Pulled Pork and Goat Cheese Quesadillas (which require for Braised Pork Shanks Butt). 這道菜小朋友稱作墨西哥披薩, 也蠻有趣的. 食譜原本是用Pork Shanks, 但是因為廚師跟我說Pork Shanks不一定買的到, 要我用Pork Butt代替, 不但比較便宜又好吃.  這道要現做現吃比較好吃, 但是每次做需要在火爐上二面各煎個幾分鐘, 所以有點趕不及做的感覺.

3. Shrimp Saganaki. 我很愛吃蝦, 所以我很喜歡這道菜, 其實蠻容易做的, 改天想吃蝦, 我可能又會翻這道食譜出來做.

4. Porcini Mushroom Tart (我把食譜掃描成jpg檔 View this photo ). 那個Dried Porchini Mushrooms用熱水泡過的香菇水不要倒掉, 另外可以用那個來煮義大利飯Risotto.

5. Whole Roasted Chicken Infused with Tangerines and Rosemary with a Tangerine Glaze. 那個全雞烤好後切片沒那麼好看, 所以我就沒拍照了, 不過二隻雞切片後都吃光光, 我都還來不及嚐一口就沒了, 想必味道不錯囉.

January Wine Friday: Petite Sirah

由於十二月份是去年唯一一個月沒有品酒會, 所以今年一月的品酒會, 大家都很踴躍出席, 整個廚房塞的滿滿, 非常熱鬧, 不但有很多常客, 也多了好幾張新面孔, 大家玩得愉快, 我們開心. 唯一不幸的是, 上週開始我就略感不適, 輕微的喉嚨痛, 想說多喝水多休息就自然會好, 怎知派對隔天我就重病不起, 咳嗽, 喉嚨痛, 打噴嚏, 流鼻水, 頭痛, 全部一起來, 整個週末全毀, 還得趕作業, 交相片, 可真的不是生病的好時機啊.

左起:
2005 EOS
2007 Stanza
2005 Hidden Cellars
2001 Stags' Leap
2006 David Bruce
2004 Ballentine
2006 Rosenblum Cellars
2005 Rock Rabbit
2005 Elyse
2004 Consilience

當天的食譜多半從食譜書中找來, 只有一道是從網路上找的. 我把食譜或連結, 連同相片一起貼上, 略做文字敘述, 便不再另文介紹了.

1. Sticky Wings, from Food Network. 我是去華人超市買純雞翅中間那段 (一般雞翅都有前面那段小雞腿, 以及最後那小段沒什麼肉的部份), 因為我只愛吃中間那段, 只有二根細骨頭, 肉又嫩.  當晚我們用了四磅的雞翅, 約三十幾根, 全部吃光光.

2. Wild Mushroom Risotto Bites (Download Riceball), From Bite Size book.  這個炸義大利飯球不難, 但是比較費工. 米飯做好後倒在烤盤上鋪平待涼, 然後切成均等份, 握成圓球狀, 先沾蛋白, 再沾日式炸粉, 放一邊備用 (做到這個步驟後, 也可將飯球凍起來, 未來想吃再拿出來炸), 全部弄好後再炸, 很好吃.

3. Caramelised Pear and Rocket Salad (Download PearSalad ), From donna hay. 這個沙拉 "據說" 很好吃, 因為很多人來跟我說好吃, 但是我一口都沒吃到就沒了, 可見真的很好吃囉!

4. Beef Pie (Download Beef ), From donna hay. 我的主廚Candy覺得原本的食譜太過簡單, 所以她另外又加了mixture of spinach with sauteed onion and ricotta/cream cheese, 其做法如下:

- Defrost 10 oz. frozen chopped spinach.  Squeeze out all the water.

- Saute diced yellow onion (1/4 of whole onion) in oil until soft with medium heat.  Transfer to a bowl.  Add spinach and season with salt and pepper.

- Heat up 3 cups of milk.

- Melt 3 tablespoon of butter with low heat.  Add 3 tablespoon of A.P. flour to the melted butter.  Keep stirring to make a roux.  Slowly add the hot milk into the roux and use a ballon whisk to mix.  Cook till the white sauce is thicken.  Taste with salt and pepper.

- Put all the spinach and sauteed onion into the white sauce when it's still hot.  Stir in about 4 oz. of ricotta/cream cheese and mix well.

- Let it cools off then add toasted pin nuts (optional) before assemble the beef pie.
這道菜要用專業電刀切才能保持完整 不然酥皮可能會散了

5. Pork Chili Verde (Download Pork ), From Perfect Pairing. 你可以在華人超市買到Pork butt, 便宜又好吃. 這道菜有點墨西哥菜的味道, 可能和用的食材有關. 不論單吃或是配飯, 味道很夠.

October Wine Friday: The Scariest and Funniest Wine LABEL

十月份的品酒會因應時令, 所以這個月的酒題是: 最可怕或最幽默的酒標. 其實當我們定下這主題時並不知道有多困難, 事後來當我們自己再找的時候才體會到, 因為一般的酒標不是中規中矩的英文字標上酒名產地和年份, 就是美美的風景圖, 很少酒莊會換上不同的酒標應景, 好加在我們找到二瓶還算可怕的酒標, 加上來客帶來的酒, 當天共有六瓶不同的可怕酒標, 目的完成. 你覺得哪一個酒標最可怕呢? (點圖可看放大景)

2006 Zombie Zin
2006 Gnarly Head Zin
2006 Fish Eye Cabernet Sauvignon
2006 Jester Shiraz
2005 Cirque de Vin -- Cabernet Blend
2006 Coppola Director’s Cut Pinot Noir

當天的菜色以顏色和當令食材應景, 一共有六道菜, 全是從網路上找來的食譜, 也是第一次試做, 但是當晚都廣受歡迎, 接下來幾天將分篇介紹:
1. Mint, Apple, Pomegranate, Persimmons Salad
2. Ravioli di Zucca (Squash Ravioli) Topped with Browned Butter & Sage
3. Gnocchi with Pumpkin Sauce
4. Miniature Gougeres (Cheese Puffs)
5. Grilled Mango and Steak with Lime Dressing and Basil, Mint and Cilantro
6. Cornmeal Blini Bites

Syrah 2001 Beckmen

In a word - fantastic!  Beckmen is a Santa Barbara winery that focuses on Rhone-style wine.  The Rhone valley is an area in France that grows Syrah, Grenache, Mouverde, and others.  I briefly tried this wine at a party in our house when we had 50 people and went through 10 bottles of wine one night.  Since I didn’t get to have more than a small glass, and I knew I loved it, I had to buy another one to enjoy on my own.  I also have collected many more Beckmen wines over the last few months, including some of their rare Purisima Mountain Syrah so keep watching for future tasting.

Beckmen believes in making big and expressive wines, just what I look for.  This is their Estate Syrah, which means it is a combination of all the different vineyard lots they have on their property.  It is their basic Syrah.  This wine opens as a dark pour and the nose promises strong fruit and spice.  In the mouth there is strong black fruit and blueberries followed by soft heat in the finish.  Not a killer wine but absolutely enjoyable!

If you want to bring any Beckmen and open it with me, you are always welcome!

-Mark

Segromigno 2003 UNTI Winery

What a fun wine!  I visited UNTI over last year’s Christmas holiday while Sabrina was out of the country.  This is a small winery on the Sonoma side in the Dry Creek Valley.  They specialize in only growing Italian grapes and following very traditional rules for making Italian style wines.  I have a couple others to try so keep watching for future tasting.

Segromigno is not a typical Italian wine, it is just a blend of common grapes.  UNTI has blended 82% Sangiovese (this is the grape for making Chianti), 9% Barbera (another blending grape that is rarely bottled on its own), and 9% Dolcetto (a grape usually made into a sweet dessert wine).  It pours ruby red and somewhat light which is what I expected.  This is a food wine, not really made for sipping and talking.  It has only a hint of fruit at first sip, but it is quickly followed by bright acidity that makes it hard to take without food.  This wine will be perfect for pasta and tomato sauces.

You should be able to find UNTI wines in some stores if you look hard.  This Segromingo is only $15 at the winery but offers a lot of enjoyment with a great homemade Italian meal!

-Mark

Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 William Hill

Absolute Cabernet from the opening pour - dark and silky with a rich color that stains the glass.  William Hill is a big Napa producer so I didn’t expect too much of a “personal” touch from this wine.  It is regularly $30 but I found a special for ½ price so I decided to buy a couple bottles and give it a try.  Plus the fact that 2001 was a great year for Napa wines so the value was just right. 

The nose is full of black fruit and sweet berries.  This is a delightful and easily drinkable wine.  It does not have much complexity, that is to say, don’t look for hints of coffee, licorice, herbs or spices.  It is just straight forward but as we enjoyed more of the meal together the wine just kept impressing and became very well paired with the food of our evening.  The tannins are enjoyable but I don’t think this wine should sit for very long.  Drink now and enjoy with a tri-tip steak in a wine reduction sauce.

-Mark

Syrah: 2001 Perry Creek

2001 Perry Creek Syrah, El Dorado CA (Estate Bottled) -- El Dorado is part of a new up and coming area along I50 going out toward Lake Tahoe and I have been looking to try some ‘big reds’ from this area.  This area should be able to produce some interesting Syrah and Zinfandels. 

I was a little surprised to see how this Syrah is extremely dry with lots of oak on the opening.  There really isn’t much fruit because the tannins are just too strong at this time so it leaves your mouth feeling like wood.  The finish is long and hot due to 14.4% alcohol. 

2001 should be a good year so this may need to age a little while to calm down but it is an interesting wine for only $10.  Perry Creek has not received any interesting wine reviews so don’t expect too much. 

I would say this is not for amateurs because it is over-oaked and somewhat bold but I will look for other Syrah’s and Zinfandels from this area.

-Mark