Wine for the Weekend

Having troubles deciding what type of wine to serve with your Thanksgiving meal? Tired of the old white wine with white meat and red wine with red meat rule? Look no further! I have a couple ideas that you may find refreshing:



Pinot Noir

This smooth red will go very well with your bird. It has little tannin and will not overwhelm the taste of your food.



Riesling

A crisp, dry riesling will refresh your palate by cutting through the fatty flavours of a thanksgiving meal. It offers a balance of acidity and sugar that can stand up to stronger flavours.

You're not just serving turkey - think of all the side dishes, or even other meats. Offering both whites and reds to your guests gives them a choice.

Happy Thanksgiving - Enjoy!!

Caprese di Forno

This is one of my favourite cold weather dishes. As soon as it's cool enough to use the oven regularly (the high here today in Calgary is only 11!) I promptly assemble this baked version of the traditional insalata caprese. The traditional salad is comprised of mozzarella (ideally mozzarella di bufala campana or fresh buffalo milk mozza), plum tomatoes and basil drizzled with high quality extra virgin olive oil and salt and pepper. It's an excellent dish to serve on a hot day - very refreshing. Now, since it's not so warm, bake it!

Caprese di Forno

For 4

• 3 medium sized red or yellow potatoes (you choose), thinly sliced and peeled if you like.
• 3 medium sized tomatoes, plum/roma or beefsteak, thinly sliced
• 2 medium sized or one large onion, white or yellow, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Asiago or Parmigiano Reggiano
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh herbs - use: basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary
• 1/4 cup water
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 350◦.

In a round dish (I used a big pie plate) spread the sliced onion evenly over the bottom. Salt and pepper. Next arrange a slice of potato then tomato and so on, starting at the edge to the pan, so that they are overlapping (see picture). Continue until all potato and tomato slices are used up. You may do more than one layer depending on the size of your pan and how much you want to make - just remember to salt and pepper each layer.

Pour water evenly over top of dish. Next, evenly sprinkly on the herbs and the cheese. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle on a little more salt and pepper.

Bake for about 1 hour or until potato is tender and the cheese is golden. If the cheese starts to brown too early just cover the dish with a piece of tinfoil.

Serve and enjoy!!

What's In Season?

It's Harvest season! I just love this time of year - so much great fresh produce about. And don't forget that it's also grape harvest season for wine making. So get a bottle or 6 and celebrate!


You will notice that some of the items listed below indicate that the season is ending for them. These produce items are still available but you have to hurry so you can enjoy them at their peak of flavour!


Veggies

• Artichokes (spring and fall)
• Beans, green and yellow (season ending for these)
• Beets (July to mid-October)
• Broccoli (July to late October)
• Brussels sprouts (September to November)
• Cabbage (July to November)
• Carrots (season ending)
• Corn (season ending)
• Eggplant (season ending)
• Garlic (August to October)
• Leeks (August to November)
• Lettuce, iceberg (season ending)
• Lettuce, romaine (season ending)
• Mushrooms, button (year-round)
• Red onions (August to October)
• Spanish and large sweet onions (August to October)
• Parsnips (September to November)
• Potatoes (late August to late October)
• Rutabaga (October to December)
• Spinach (June to October)
• Squash, butternut and other varieties (September to November)
• Tomatoes (season is ending)
• Zucchini (season is ending)

Fruit

• Bananas (year-round)
• Cranberries (September to late December)
• Grapefruit (year-round, peak in winter)
• Grapes (August though early October)
• Kiwifruit (year-round, peak in fall in winter)
• Lemons (year-round, peak in winter)
• Limes (year-round, peak in fall)
• Oranges (year-round, peak in winter)
• Pears (August to late November)
• Pineapple (year-round, peak in winter)
• Plums (season is ending)
• Watermelon (season is ending)
  
  

And below is a picture of one of our cats, Dizzy (after Gillespie). It's just such a great pic!