Crabby Thursday

Okay, so I wasn't in the greatest of midweek moods. It happens. But sometimes, even the crabbiest of moods can inspire equally crabby creations.

Take my crab and clam sautee, for instance. Briny, fruit of the sea simmered in olive oil, butter, garlic, shallots, and white wine, dusted with traces of cayenne pepper, cracked peppercorn, and a touch of artisan vanilla salt.
 
You know what? Seafood pasta, especially with crab, is superb with a crisp, clean Viognier. Well, I just so happened to stumble upon an excellent Australian version named...of all things...The Hermit Crab!!! If this wasn't culinary kismet at work, folks...I just don't know what is.

This wine has a citrusy and acidic flair to it, perfect with the lemon zest that topped my corn pasta (gluten free for those of you who choose an alternative to traditional pasta) creation, which I finished off with shredded, aromatic fresh mint and a dab of truffle oil.

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Beefing Up

I have an unabashed love for burgers, which I enjoy pairing with yummy reds from time to time. On a recent weekday evening, I ordered takeout and enjoyed a juicy patty with cheese and grilled onions (fries dipped in white truffle oil at home) from a popular local New York-style deli here in the desert.

In between bites of yummy beef, I sipped on a glass of Reserve de L'Aube, a hefty and smoky French Syrah-Merlot blend. The wine was young, but had enough earth funk to cut through the iron-rich beef.

For a sweet treat to complete this carniverous feast, I nibbled on a piece of Wild Ophelia brand Beef Jerky milk chocolate bar. The hint of campfire in the cocoa was just enough to bring out a bit of the wine's dark fruit and tobacco...a perfect ending to a decadent dining experience.

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Valentine's Day Sexy Sangria for Two

I recently had the pleasure of appearing on Valley Views, a show that spotlights local events, celebrity interviews, and the desert lifestyle. Valley Views is hosted by the ever gracious Pattie Daly Caruso, a popular TV personality here in the Coachella Valley.

Pattie asked that I prepare a special Valentine's Day punch for the show, and wanting to surprise her, I opted for sangria instead.

I made two sangrias for this occasion, a red and a white version (recipes below), and paired each of them with dark and white chocolate, respectively.

Valentine's Day Sexy Red Sangria for Two

1 bottle of dry red wine (I prefer a Spanish red like a Rioja)

2 oz brandy

2 oranges, sliced

1 lemon, sliced

1 lime, sliced

1 apple, sliced

1/4 cup simple syrup

1/2 cup orange juice

dash of Angostura bitters

Preparation:
Mix all the ingredients together and squeeze the citrus wedges into the wine. Allow to sit in fridge at least six hours, preferably overnight. Serve your sangria over ice.

Valentine's Day Sexy White Sangria for Two

1 Bottle of dry white wine (I prefer a Portuguese Vinho Verde or Spanish Albarino)

2/3 cup simple syrup

2 oranges, sliced or may substitute 1 cup of orange juice

1 lemon, sliced

1 lime, sliced

handful of fresh strawberries, sliced

handful of fresh pineapple chunks

2 oz brandy

dash of Angostura bitters

Preparation:
Mix all ingredients together and squeeze the citrus wedges into the wine. Toss in the strawberry and pineapple wedges (leaving out seeds if possible). Allow to sit in fridge at least six hours, preferably overnight. Serve your sangria over ice.

Watch the full video of my appearance (Valley Views - 2012-005. Segment starts at 13:07):
http://www.pattie.tv/
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A Chard, Some Chevre, and a Chanteuse Provide a Preview to a Classic French Meal

In cultivating a love of all things French, I wanted to share a recent Francaise overload...

My prelude to a dinner of coq au vin (my first attempt at the classic French-braised chicken in wine) consisted of a glass of Joseph Drouhin's excellent Laforet, a young Bourgogne (that's French for Burgundy) full of bright lemon and stone.

Laforet met its match with a creamy Humboldt Fog Chevre (French for goat cheese), multigrain crackers and fig paste. Added into the mix were the haunting and beautiful vocals of famed chanteuse Francoise Hardy, who's sort of a rock star in her native country, and for good reason.

Next up...the main course, accompanied by an elegant white Chateauneuf du Pape...would it be the best or a bust? Stay tuned for details...

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Yummy Cabernet and a Chocolate-covered Bacon Bionic Birthday

There aren't many pairings better than a good Cabernet and some haut dark chocolate, but my friends and I recently one upped ourselves by matching our wine with some chocolate-covered, delicious, salty bacon. Thrown in for good measure was a favorite 1970's action hero for good measure, all to celebrate my friend Shellie's birthday. 

Our trio decided to try the appropriately named 3 Girls Cabernet, a fruity, smoky, and smooth offering from Oak Ridge Winery in Lodi. For the uninitiated, Vosges gourmet products are sort of like the Cadillac of chocolate, and their Mo's Dark Bacon Bar paired perfectly with the dark cherry and earthy undertones in our wine. My girls went Lady Gaga over this irresistable combo.

In the Bionic Woman episode 'Kill Oscar,' Jaime Sommers battles female robots (the infamous fembots) who are in on a plot to control the world via a weather machine.

What better accompaniment to viewing this iconic TV series than yummy red wine and pork belly smothered in cacao?

For our friend Cheri's upcoming birthday, perhaps we will enjoy a Petit Syrah, a few episodes of Charlie's Angels, and some chocolate-covered potato chips...

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Newly Discovered Italian Varietal is a Flavorful Surprise

Question: What's full of chocolate covered cherries, sweet tobacco, and tight tannins? Answer: A delightful Mosby Sagrantino, one of my latest finds that I've filed under the category of "Grapes to Discover in 2012."

I've always wanted to taste Sagrantino, a lesser known Italian varietal that hails from the Umbria region, and  my first foray into this tasty example from a Santa Barbara County producer didn't disappoint. Upon first opening, the wine also has a slightly earthy quality with a hint of winter pine. I decided to enjoy this little treasure with a grilled New York strip steak and cauliflower gratin.

After it had decanted for a bit, the wine took on the flavors of spicy holiday fruit cake (not the kind that Aunt Martha ships to your house each year) and smoky, big red fruit. This grape is formidable, and even the notes on the back of the bottle describe it as having "aggressive fruit."

 It has generally been my experience that aggressive gets things done, and I'm already seeking out other examples of this wine to share with my more assertive friends...here's to a New Year full of exciting and unusual discoveries of all things vino...

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Got Uncommon Wine?

The Inland Empire now boasts a unique shop that offers something a bit different for discerning wine drinkers like me to like to 'geek out' on the stuff, so to speak.

You can find up to 50 different bottles from all over the world at Chris Kern's Forgotten Grapes, a niche tasting room and shop tucked away off of Spruce Street in Riverside.

Kern has dubbed himself America's Uncommon Wine Expert, and he carries the selections to back it up. Here, you can find everything from an interesting red from Lebanon...

 to a reasonably priced Sauternes.

 

Kern offers clever, pop culture-inspired comparisons to these lesser known varietals; sure to inspire chuckles from customers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8rEIAe5WY4&feature=youtu.be
There's also a social consciousness at work here, with a portion of the proceeds from some selections going to select charitable organizations.

During my visit, I tasted a lemony, warm, and spicy Rousanne, and enjoyed a killer Cru du Beaujolais full of plum and holiday spice.

Next time, I'll tell you about a delicious, rare treasure I took home with me...a selection I had been hard pressed to find...until now.

Kern ships all over the country too, so get your holiday orders in now.

If You go:
Chris Kern's Forgotten Grapes
1735 Spruce Street, Suite A,
Riverside, CA
(951) 782-8130
http://www.forgottengrapes.com/

Follow me on Twitter @vinochick75.