Picadillo is a traditional dish in many Latin American countries and the Philippines (where it is known as giniling). It is made with ground meat (usually beef), tomatoes, and other ingredients that vary by region. It is often served with rice or used as a filling in dishes such as tacos, savory pastries, empanadas, or served with chips and guacamole. It is one of the favorite recipes from my book “Culinary Birds” which is a James Beard award winner. A glass of the complex The Cutrer Chardonnay is a surprising and delicious match to this recipe.

Here’s my version of that wonderful soup from Provence in France. There are all kinds of variations on this but usually it includes both dried and fresh beans, tiny pasta, root vegetables, and other fresh vegetables available. The secret ingredient is a piece of Parmesan cheese rind to simmer along with the broth. It adds great flavor. Remove it at serving time and reuse it till it’s gone. Store the rind wrapped in the fridge. If you don’t have any rind the soup will still be delicious.

This makes a lovely presentation and works equally well with other shellfish such as lobster, Dungeness crab or even scallops.  Be sure to use sustainable American shrimp for this recipe. The Caesar dressing here is a bit unconventional (uses tofu) but no one will know!  This is a lovely meal in a dish that goes well with Russian River Ranches Chardonnay.

Wine is a truly thoughtful gift. Everyone is happy to receive a bottle!Especially when there is a special meaning to the wine given. You may wish to give a bottle from a winery you visited, a local favorite, or a highly acclaimed selection. As wine is a very personal gift, the recipient must be considered when you are choosing the wine. Sonoma-Cutrer’s Wine Gift Guide will help with your selection based on the recipient’s wine experience.

NOVICE
Just beginning to discover the world of wine and their palate. Introduce the Novice to Russian River Ranches Chardonnay, which is a signature example of how diverse soils and perfect growing conditions can create an exceptional Chardonnay. True to the Russian River Ranches style, the wine is focused with a bright acidity and balanced by a long palate structure. The novice will find this wine to be refreshing with crisp flavors of lemon, green apple, barrel spice and lime that dissolve to a light, creamy mid-palate before ending a long finish.

FOODIE

Enjoys evolving their palate with new flavors and pairings. Treat the Foodie in your life to Russian River Valley Pinot Noir – food’s favorite wine. This is a classic Russian River Pinot Noir that expresses aromas and flavors of dark fruit. The first impression starts in the nose with intense blackberry fruit aromas, cola and cassis jam followed by a touch of vanilla and tobacco accented with hints of baking spice and red licorice. The foodie will rejoice in this wine that is richly textured and balanced with a beautiful brightness pairing beautifully with their favorite dishes

WINE GEEK

Passionate student of all things wine, loves to share. Delight your Wine Geek with the gift of Les Pierres Chardonnay – a true reflection of its terroir. The Les Pierres Vineyard sits atop the gravelly clay loam of an ancient riverbed, thick with cobbled stones that infuse the grapes – and the wine – with a varied mineral essence. Sunny citrus flavors of grapefruit and lime are complemented with roasted nuts, spice, and mineral notes. The wine has a tightly focused mouthfeel with Sonoma-Cutrer’s signature bright citrus-laced acidity delivering a long, juicy lingering barrel spice finish.

CONNOISSEUR

Your go-to, knows everything master of wine. The Connoisseur may be difficult to impress, but the gift of the sophisticated Founders Reserve Pinot Noir will do just that! This exquisite wine is crafted each year from the six best barrels of Pinot Noir, which are chosen by our winemakers. The connoisseur will notice earthy accents and fragrant tobacco contrast the enticing aromas of blackberries, black cherry and dark chocolate. This full-bodied and richly textured wine is powerful yet approachable with flavors on the palate of allspice and bramble fruit, which you can taste throughout the lengthy finish of the wine.

This delightful dessert recipe is easy and incredibly delicious.  We are serving this with strawberries and blueberries,  but use any combination of fruits that you prefer.

This is a delicious dish that can be done with any fresh, meaty and sustainable fish. It uses a curry mixture called laksa, which has come to mean a spicy coconut milk based dish with or without noodles. It has its roots in Malaysia. In place of the spinach, you could use other Asian greens like steamed baby bok choy.