Red Snapper Veracruz Style
Recipes
This is one of the classic and simple dishes of Mexico from the important seacoast town of Vera Cruz. You can make it with any firm-fleshed white fish such as grouper, halibut, sea bass, tilapia, etc. This is fantastic paired with The Cutrer Chardonnay.
Pasta with Roasted Tomatoes, Capers and Olives
Recipes
Everyone needs a simple go-to pasta recipe and this is a favorite. Other seasonal vegetables could be added to this including sautéed diced zucchini, eggplant, or mushrooms. Use San Marzano canned tomatoes if you can find them. Russian River Valley Pinot Noir will make this a special meal!
Braised Short Ribs with Soft Polenta
Recipes
For this dish, just about anything can be added to flavor the rich braising liquid. Some ideas are dried porcini mushrooms (rehydrated and sautéed along with the onions), or even a little ancho or chipotle chile. The dish freezes beautifully and is even better when made ahead of time. A Vine Hill Pinot Noir would be a terrific pair for this meal.
Asparagus Ravioli in Brown Butter Sauce
Recipes
For this classic dish, you could also use fresh pasta for this in place of the wontons. It will take a little longer to cook, of course, but will be just as delicious. Serve with a Sonoma-Cutrer Sonoma Coast Chardonnay.
Duck Braised With Prunes
Recipes
This simple French inspired rustic braise is served with sautéed apples. Pick an apple that doesn’t turn mushy, but holds its shape when cooked; Cortland, Jonagold, Northern Spy, Winesap, and Golden Delicious all fit the bill nicely.
Sea Scallop Carpaccio
Recipes
This is an easy first course and depends on getting the best, freshest and largest scallops possible. Specify to your fishmonger that you want dry pack or diver scallops. Dry-packed scallops are scallops that are shucked, packed and shipped on ice.