Sweetheart Dinner Menu
Recipes
Surprise your beloved with these recipes that are sure to spark romance any day of the week!
Celery Root and Apple Salad with Smoked Salmon
Serves 8
This recipe makes a beautiful starter course. Celery root is one of those under appreciated ingredients that deserves more love. Pick celery roots that are heavy for their size, which means there won’t be a hole in the center. Taste the celery root after cutting, and if it seems tough or too strongly flavored, then blanch it for a few seconds in salted boiling water followed by a dunk in ice water to retain its crunch. This is delicious with any Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay and something special to share.
1 medium celery root (1 to 1-1/2 pounds or so) 1 cup mayonnaise 1/4 cup buttermilk 2 tablespoons each whole grain and smooth Dijon mustard, or to taste 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, or to taste 2 teaspoons sherry or brown rice vinegar Salt and freshly ground pepper 1 large Fuji or other tart-sweet apple peeled and cut into julienne 1 pound very thinly sliced cold smoked salmon 3 – 4 ounces fresh salmon caviar (or sturgeon caviar) Chervil or dill sprigs
Peel, thinly slice and chop the celery root into a thin julienne. In a separate bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, buttermilk, mustards, lemon juice, vinegar and salt and pepper to taste until smooth. Stir in celery root and apple to evenly coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. This is best done at least an hour ahead and chilled for the flavors to develop.
Mound the celery root mixture on plates and artfully arrange the salmon on top. Top with caviar and chervil sprigs and serve immediately.
Bucatini Pasta
Serves 4
This dish exemplifies how just a few fine ingredients can create a superb dish. The key in this recipe is to use a quality pancetta or bacon. Bucatini is spaghetti-shaped, but a little thicker and hollow in the center. You could certainly use regular spaghetti of good quality, too. All kinds of variations are possible within this recipe; including the addition of finely chopped ripe tomatoes, thinly sliced and sautéed onions, tender spinach leaves. Pair with a glass of Sonoma-Cutrer Pinot Noir!
1 pound dried bucatini or thick spaghetti 6 ounces good quality thick sliced pancetta or bacon cut into matchsticks 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest 1 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese (4 ounces) Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Bring 3 quarts of lightly salted water to a boil in a large pot. Add the bucatini and cook till just tender but firm to the bite (al dente).
While the pasta is cooking add the olive oil to a large sauté pan large enough to hold the pasta later on. Over moderately high heat, sauté the pancetta till browned and nearly crisp. Drain off all but 2 tablespoons of the fat.
Quickly drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water, and add to the sauté pan. Using tongs, toss with the bacon. Add the parsley, zest and cheese and toss again adding the reserved pasta water. Cover and let rest for one minute on very low heat to allow pasta to absorb the flavors. Serve immediately in warm bowls with grindings of black pepper to taste.
Crab Newberg
Recipes
Dungeness is a rich, succulent delicacy to be savored when in season This is a great dish from the past, and uses a classic egg yolk thickened sauce. It’s traditionally served on toast points but can also be spooned into little puff or choux pastry shells or in crepes. The mineriality of Sonoma-Cutrer Les Pierres is a great match here.
Spice Up Your Thanksgiving Menu
Does the thought of turkey, cranberry sauce and stuffing—again—leave you feeling a bit uninspired? This year, jazz things up with some slightly different dishes that will impress your guests and reinvigorate your holiday table.
Of course what you pour is just as important as your menu, and Sonoma-Cutrer has the perfect wines for your feast. With the help of a few inspired recipe ideas and wine pairings that will elevate your offerings, it’s simple to create a truly memorable meal.
Set the tone with a made-for-fall soup that lets guests know this isn’t your standard Thanksgiving spread. Pumpkin Soup with seasonal wild mushrooms becomes a showstopper when served in individual pumpkin bowls. A warming Winter Squash Soup is a tasty alternative, both of which pair nicely with a glass of crisp, versatile Russian River Ranches Chardonnay.
Bold enough to bypass the turkey this year? If so, give your guests something to gawk at with individual Smoked Game Hens. Brined in cider for moist, flavorful results, these birds also pick up a rich smoky flavor when cooked over wood chips on the grill.
If you’d rather stick to the traditional Thanksgiving centerpiece, not to worry—the same brining technique will work quite well on turkey. Either makes a fantastic partner for Sonoma-Cutrer’s Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. Lush and silky, the fruit-forward pinot is light enough to let the poultry shine through.
For an intimate Thanksgiving meal, or impressive sidekick for your turkey, try serving a Slow-Roasted Duck. Surprisingly simple to prepare, the rich duck is an ideal pair for a glass of complex yet elegant Founders Reserve Pinot Noir.
Top off your meal with a dessert that will challenge pie for a permanent place on your holiday table. Pumpkin Cheesecake with a graham-cracker crust is a fitting finish, while a simple Apple Batter Cake is a slightly lighter option that celebrates the season equally well.
Uncork a bottle of succulent Late Harvest Chardonnay to serve alongside your dessert and raise a glass to family, friends and an exceptional meal.
Rosemary Shrimp With Mint Pesto
Recipes
Shrimp tossed in an easy Pesto flavored with mint and rosemary. Pair this dish with The Cutrer Chardonnay for a light meal.
Crab Cakes
Recipes
An easy and authentic version of this classic. The key to crab cakes is not to over mix and shred the crab. These crab cakes pair well with our Sonoma Coast Chardonnay.
Smokey Corn Chowder With Lobster
Recipes
This Smokey Corn Chowder is a heart-warming comfort food and pairs well with our Russian River Ranches Chardonnay.