Hello to all my wonderful friends & foodie family!
Oh, am I ready to clink glasses tonight & ring in the New Year!!! For those of you who have followed me through the roller coaster ride that was my life in 2008, I can truly say I'm glad to be turning the page on such a high note. And I owe it all to you...and my ever-supportive husband & family. I got my "star employee" a big bottle of the most expensive bourbon at the Renton liquor store for putting up with all my backseat driving & for giving up sleeping in on Saturday's so I can be at the farmer's market. Thanks, Ken :)
I am actually glad that we got snowed in for a few days because I had a very lovely time catching up on sleep, spending time with my hubby & cat, then we took a road trip to Portland where we bought out all the gibassiers at the Pearl Bakery & dined at Sel Gris, & commenced a week of celebrating by making one hundred tamales with friends over margaritas. What a way to cap off the year!
So, I wish you a splendid New Year & look forward to all our eating & drinking adventures in 2009. Salud & abrazos!
Besitos,
Catherine Reynolds
Presidenta, Queso y Vino, 206-518-1166, quesoyvino@gmail.com
PS- More tasty stories, travel tips, photos, & recipes from this food-obsessed gal are available on my blog Madeleine at www.madeleine.typepad.com
_______________
GREEN OLIVE, WALNUT & POMEGRANATE SALAD from Turquoise: A Chef's Travels in Turkey by Greg & Lucy Malouf
Santa was good to me this year!!! I can't wait to start sharing some of the recipes from my new cookbooks, & this is the first of many. Once I laid my eyes on this at the bookstore, it went to the top of my list. Stunning pictures, exotic recipes, & all the flavors I crave this time of year. Protein-rich & heart healthy, this salad is just the way to ring in 2009 & celebrate the season of fresh pomegranates!
(A handy tip from chef Jose Andres on shelling pomegranate seeds--cut the pomegranate in half across the middle, not through the stem, wrap each half in cheesecloth & then whack with a wooden spoon or rolling pin. The seeds should easily pop out.)
Serves 4
3/4 cup walnuts
1/2 cup pitted green olives, washed & coarsely chopped
1/4 cup unsalted, shelled pistachios, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
2 small shallots, peeled & finely diced
1 red serrano chile, seeded & finely diced
1 Tbs shredded flat-leaf parsley leaves
1 Tbs olive oil
1 Tbs walnut oil
splash of pomegranate molasses
juice of 1/2 lemon
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Scatter the walnuts onto a jelly-roll pan & roast for 5-10 minutes until a deep golden brown. Pour the nuts into a tea towel & rub well to remove as much skin as possible. Chop the walnuts coarsely & toss in a sieve to remove any remaining skin & dust.
Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl & toss gently. Leave to stand for 5 minutes or so before serving, to allow the flavors to meld.
THIS WEEK'S QUESO Y VINO WINE PICKS
Queso y Vino, your mobile wine shop complete with a traveling expert Iberian sommelier (that's me!) is at your service. Hope you jump on the board to sample these tasty cellar selections & affordable wines... Personally selected "Omakase" cases built around your palate, desires, & budget are my specialty. Check out the growing selection of wines available that are listed on my blog, & special requests are always welcome. Just ask & I'll be your vino bloodhound, sniffing out your favorite bottles!
I offer a 10% discount on whole or mixed cases, free delivery for orders over $150, smaller orders will be conveniently & gladly delivered to you for the nominal fee of $10. Ask me if you'd like to arrange a free pick up at the Saturday University Farmer's Market or Sunday at the Ballard Farmer's Market or the West Seattle Farmer's Market.
Quinta da Aveleda Charamba 2005, Douro $7.99
Aveleda is more than famous for Casal Garcia, their quintessential Vinho Verde complete with blue bottle & lacy label, but now they are here to charm us with this wallet-friendly Douro. "Charamba" is named after a traditional Portuguese folk dance, which Aveleda says expresses the soul of this wine--"tradition that pleases the senses". Well this pleased me, all right. A blend of traditional port varietals--Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz--this has a very un-Douro price tag. This pops with dark wild blackberry fruits & good earth. There's a cedary essence & an intersection of chewy leather meets juice, just like it should from this region. Hook this up with some Boeuf Bourguignon, & I do believe Julia Child would approve.
Bodegas Borsao Monte Oton 2007, Campo de Borja $7.99
New vintage! Okay, I'll admit it, I'm a sucker for a handsome label & I don't think I'm the only one. But this gets the "Benneton award" for cool packaging & the wine is great, so this is a no brainer. Grenache (or Garnacha as it's called) is the bargain grape in Spain & Bodegas Borsao produces some of the best. Again, this is a cooperative effort, & the land in Aragon is cheap so you don't have to pay for the expensive real estate, just the fruit. Monte Oton is Borsao's newest creation & it's a winner with juicy bouncy cherries & concentrated pomegranate, fresh out of the grinder white pepper & a light and lively attitude. Try it out & I bet you'll come back for a case of your new favorite house wine.
Colombelle Blanc 2007, Vin de Pays de Gascone $9.99
New vintage! Have you tried this completely addictive white? My husband & I spent our honeymoon in Gascony, where I slurped down a fair amount of this on our terrace overlooking the green hills and cow-dotted pastures below our tiny hilltop town. I was even more delighted to see that the wine was available here, & for nearly the same slurpable price. A blend of Colombard & Ugni Blanc, Colombelle is made by a local cooperative which helps keep the price low and is a delightful example of the bargains from this part of southwest France. Crisp, clean & friendly, Colombelle delights with tangelo zest, peaches, & a touch of lavender honey. One of my all-time beloved "cheapie" whites.
Carlos Basso Dos Fincas Cabernet/Malbec 2007, Mendoza $9.99
Originally from Genoa, Italy (okay, I already love these guys) the Basso family are the original owners of Santa Ana, one of the largest wineries in Argentina *but* they had their hearts set on being one of the 'little guys'. So they sold Santa Ana to a Chilean company & fully restored an abandoned winery in San Carlos to begin again with hands-on involvement. I give big props to their small production efforts, especially since I'm now that I'm running a passionate, local-grown family operation :)
The prices from South America continue to astound me--a wine this rich at $9.99? Dark, lustrous & heady, upon opening this emits a little of desirable campesino "farm-funk" that I look for in a traditional Cab, but I can definitely dig into sultry black cherries & ashy tannins, especially when I'm thinking of slow-braised meats with port-reduction sauces while the last mounds of snow remain on my lawn.
Marques de Campo Nuble Crianza 2005, Rioja $12.99
New, New, New, not just to us, but to the US! Folks who travel to Spain often inquire about great Rioja's that they sipped on at dinner in some taberna, only to never see them again... I'll *bet* this was one of them. After cracking a sample open, I was shocked to read that this bodega has been in operation for over 100 years--jeez, Spain must have been keeping this all of their production for themselves! 2005 was granted the prestige of "excellence" by the Rioja D.O.C., & this Crianza ranks high on the bargain list from this classic region.
100% Tempranillo, (did I mention 100 yr-old cellars?), from folks that use traditional methods, but have invested heavily in modernized equipment--this is where the old & new intersect seamlessly! Layers of baked fruit come clean on the nose, with vanilla sidekicks, black pepper & earth, and I'm loving the creme brulee aspects. My co-taster thought it had "NW jammy" quotes & roasted spices, and I later noted candied vanilla bean. There's definitely a New World influence in this Rioja--but Campo Nuble manages to find the perfect bridge betwixt the old & new. Enjoy!
Copyright 2008, Queso y Vino
Oh, am I ready to clink glasses tonight & ring in the New Year!!! For those of you who have followed me through the roller coaster ride that was my life in 2008, I can truly say I'm glad to be turning the page on such a high note. And I owe it all to you...and my ever-supportive husband & family. I got my "star employee" a big bottle of the most expensive bourbon at the Renton liquor store for putting up with all my backseat driving & for giving up sleeping in on Saturday's so I can be at the farmer's market. Thanks, Ken :)
I am actually glad that we got snowed in for a few days because I had a very lovely time catching up on sleep, spending time with my hubby & cat, then we took a road trip to Portland where we bought out all the gibassiers at the Pearl Bakery & dined at Sel Gris, & commenced a week of celebrating by making one hundred tamales with friends over margaritas. What a way to cap off the year!
So, I wish you a splendid New Year & look forward to all our eating & drinking adventures in 2009. Salud & abrazos!
Besitos,
Catherine Reynolds
Presidenta, Queso y Vino, 206-518-1166, quesoyvino@gmail.com
PS- More tasty stories, travel tips, photos, & recipes from this food-obsessed gal are available on my blog Madeleine at www.madeleine.typepad.com
_______________
GREEN OLIVE, WALNUT & POMEGRANATE SALAD from Turquoise: A Chef's Travels in Turkey by Greg & Lucy Malouf
Santa was good to me this year!!! I can't wait to start sharing some of the recipes from my new cookbooks, & this is the first of many. Once I laid my eyes on this at the bookstore, it went to the top of my list. Stunning pictures, exotic recipes, & all the flavors I crave this time of year. Protein-rich & heart healthy, this salad is just the way to ring in 2009 & celebrate the season of fresh pomegranates!
(A handy tip from chef Jose Andres on shelling pomegranate seeds--cut the pomegranate in half across the middle, not through the stem, wrap each half in cheesecloth & then whack with a wooden spoon or rolling pin. The seeds should easily pop out.)
Serves 4
3/4 cup walnuts
1/2 cup pitted green olives, washed & coarsely chopped
1/4 cup unsalted, shelled pistachios, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
2 small shallots, peeled & finely diced
1 red serrano chile, seeded & finely diced
1 Tbs shredded flat-leaf parsley leaves
1 Tbs olive oil
1 Tbs walnut oil
splash of pomegranate molasses
juice of 1/2 lemon
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Scatter the walnuts onto a jelly-roll pan & roast for 5-10 minutes until a deep golden brown. Pour the nuts into a tea towel & rub well to remove as much skin as possible. Chop the walnuts coarsely & toss in a sieve to remove any remaining skin & dust.
Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl & toss gently. Leave to stand for 5 minutes or so before serving, to allow the flavors to meld.
_____________
THIS WEEK'S QUESO Y VINO WINE PICKS
Queso y Vino, your mobile wine shop complete with a traveling expert Iberian sommelier (that's me!) is at your service. Hope you jump on the board to sample these tasty cellar selections & affordable wines... Personally selected "Omakase" cases built around your palate, desires, & budget are my specialty. Check out the growing selection of wines available that are listed on my blog, & special requests are always welcome. Just ask & I'll be your vino bloodhound, sniffing out your favorite bottles!
I offer a 10% discount on whole or mixed cases, free delivery for orders over $150, smaller orders will be conveniently & gladly delivered to you for the nominal fee of $10. Ask me if you'd like to arrange a free pick up at the Saturday University Farmer's Market or Sunday at the Ballard Farmer's Market or the West Seattle Farmer's Market.
Quinta da Aveleda Charamba 2005, Douro $7.99
Aveleda is more than famous for Casal Garcia, their quintessential Vinho Verde complete with blue bottle & lacy label, but now they are here to charm us with this wallet-friendly Douro. "Charamba" is named after a traditional Portuguese folk dance, which Aveleda says expresses the soul of this wine--"tradition that pleases the senses". Well this pleased me, all right. A blend of traditional port varietals--Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz--this has a very un-Douro price tag. This pops with dark wild blackberry fruits & good earth. There's a cedary essence & an intersection of chewy leather meets juice, just like it should from this region. Hook this up with some Boeuf Bourguignon, & I do believe Julia Child would approve.
Bodegas Borsao Monte Oton 2007, Campo de Borja $7.99
New vintage! Okay, I'll admit it, I'm a sucker for a handsome label & I don't think I'm the only one. But this gets the "Benneton award" for cool packaging & the wine is great, so this is a no brainer. Grenache (or Garnacha as it's called) is the bargain grape in Spain & Bodegas Borsao produces some of the best. Again, this is a cooperative effort, & the land in Aragon is cheap so you don't have to pay for the expensive real estate, just the fruit. Monte Oton is Borsao's newest creation & it's a winner with juicy bouncy cherries & concentrated pomegranate, fresh out of the grinder white pepper & a light and lively attitude. Try it out & I bet you'll come back for a case of your new favorite house wine.
Colombelle Blanc 2007, Vin de Pays de Gascone $9.99
New vintage! Have you tried this completely addictive white? My husband & I spent our honeymoon in Gascony, where I slurped down a fair amount of this on our terrace overlooking the green hills and cow-dotted pastures below our tiny hilltop town. I was even more delighted to see that the wine was available here, & for nearly the same slurpable price. A blend of Colombard & Ugni Blanc, Colombelle is made by a local cooperative which helps keep the price low and is a delightful example of the bargains from this part of southwest France. Crisp, clean & friendly, Colombelle delights with tangelo zest, peaches, & a touch of lavender honey. One of my all-time beloved "cheapie" whites.
Carlos Basso Dos Fincas Cabernet/Malbec 2007, Mendoza $9.99
Originally from Genoa, Italy (okay, I already love these guys) the Basso family are the original owners of Santa Ana, one of the largest wineries in Argentina *but* they had their hearts set on being one of the 'little guys'. So they sold Santa Ana to a Chilean company & fully restored an abandoned winery in San Carlos to begin again with hands-on involvement. I give big props to their small production efforts, especially since I'm now that I'm running a passionate, local-grown family operation :)
The prices from South America continue to astound me--a wine this rich at $9.99? Dark, lustrous & heady, upon opening this emits a little of desirable campesino "farm-funk" that I look for in a traditional Cab, but I can definitely dig into sultry black cherries & ashy tannins, especially when I'm thinking of slow-braised meats with port-reduction sauces while the last mounds of snow remain on my lawn.
Marques de Campo Nuble Crianza 2005, Rioja $12.99
New, New, New, not just to us, but to the US! Folks who travel to Spain often inquire about great Rioja's that they sipped on at dinner in some taberna, only to never see them again... I'll *bet* this was one of them. After cracking a sample open, I was shocked to read that this bodega has been in operation for over 100 years--jeez, Spain must have been keeping this all of their production for themselves! 2005 was granted the prestige of "excellence" by the Rioja D.O.C., & this Crianza ranks high on the bargain list from this classic region.
100% Tempranillo, (did I mention 100 yr-old cellars?), from folks that use traditional methods, but have invested heavily in modernized equipment--this is where the old & new intersect seamlessly! Layers of baked fruit come clean on the nose, with vanilla sidekicks, black pepper & earth, and I'm loving the creme brulee aspects. My co-taster thought it had "NW jammy" quotes & roasted spices, and I later noted candied vanilla bean. There's definitely a New World influence in this Rioja--but Campo Nuble manages to find the perfect bridge betwixt the old & new. Enjoy!
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