Natalie MacLean didn’t start out with a love of wine. Meals with her husband, who enjoyed having a bottle of wine with dinner, are where MacLean first discovered wine. “I always say that I didn’t start drinking until I met my husband,” said MacLean. “And now that I am writing about wine for a living, I don’t have a reason to stop.” Editor of a free wine newsletter at www.nataliemaclean.com, MacLean took her love of wine and turned it into a career. Starting off by writing about wine on the Internet, she was picked up by a local food magazine […]
Beef & Wine
Beef & Wine
Does boeuf bourguignon have to be made with a wine from its namesake region, Burgundy? It’s traditional, yes, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s no accident that Fiona Beckett, the British food writer, recommends a red from France’s Languedoc or Rhone. She wants a more full-bodied wine in her recipe. Nor does the wine in the pot need to be the same as what’s poured in the glass. Wine can lend a great deal of flavor to cooking, but long cooking destroys a fine wine’s nuances and layers of complexity. “Burgundy isn’t the only wine that pairs with beef […]
Food & Wine 3
Wine always makes a tasteful gift, and you never have to wrap it. But how do you know whether your cubicle mate or running partner prefers a dry white or a luscious red? Add a tag to the bottle that lists his favorite complementary dishes, and you’ll be a hero. Unless your giftee is a habitual dieter or true ascetic, chances are you’ve dished about food. And your friend’s favorite cuisine may be all the insight you need to buy a great wine for him or her, says Natalie MacLean, sommelier and author of Red, White and Drunk All Over: […]
Food & Wine 4
Why did the chicken flee screaming across the road? It might’ve been escaping the dinner-party host trying to fry him and serve him with, yawn, a bottle of chardonnay. Matching vino and vittles for your next bash doesn’t have to be a “Wine for Dummies” affair relying on tried-and-tired combos (steak with Merlot, fish and Pinot Grigio). But combining tidbits that are supposedly wine-averse — Indian take-out, chips, breakfast — might mean you’ll uncork some interesting bottles. “In Europe, wine culture is quite developed, so it’s common and easy to simply pair white with fish or things like that,” says […]
Dry Aged AAA Beef Strip Loin with Warm Asparagus, Crispy Truffle Potato
Makes 4 servings 16 – 20 ounces Dry aged beef strip Loin steaks or roast 20 stalks Asparagus (peeled, blanched & cut, 1 inch pieces) 1.5 lbs Large Yellow or White Potatoes 1 Tbsp Gelatin Powder 2 Tbsp Instant Flour 1 Tbsp Fresh or Preserved Truffles (finely diced) 1.5 Tsp Truffle Oil 1 Tbsp Butter or Olive Oil 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese Beef: Purchase dry aged beef which most butchers carry. Please note: When trimming dry aged beef it is important to remove any exterior tissue that has been exposed to the air because that is the place which […]
Savoury Recipe for Beef and Red Wine Stew
This wonderful recipe comes from Amanda, host and co-producer of The Hot Plate Recipe Author Link: www.thehotplate.net Recipe Author Website: The Hot Plate Recipe: Just the way we like it; rich, meaty and with a healthy dose of wine to round out the flavor. If you don’t have an oven safe pot just slow cook on the stovetop at a very gentle simmer. Stew is an easy dish to prepare if you’re pressed for time or need to feed a crowd because the active time is minimal. ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 lb stewing beef 1 bag pearl onions, […]
There’s no shortcoming with Merlot Braised Short Ribs
If there’s one thing that everyone around the dinner table can agree on, it’s that nothing pairs better with red meat than red wine. But accompanying the meal isn’t all that the wine is good for. Braising or marinating the meat with your favourite red creates a symphony of flavours and elevates the dish to a whole new level of deliciousness. Whether you are hosting a dinner party or simply making a quiet meal for two, merlot-braised short ribs are sure to be a hit. When choosing the merlot, try the Jackson-Triggs 2007 Grand Reserve. Deep ruby coloured, this impressively […]
