Another great red wine comes from the Zinfandel grape. This grape has made a name for itself in the New World. Zinfandel wine is known for its dark color and higher alcohol content. It is best served at room temperature, where you can enjoy the blackberry, raspberry, spice and oak flavors. This wine pairs very well with a variety of meats, such as, lamb, beef, and poultry.
***Recipe for Thought*** Beef Manicotti with Zinfandel
1 pound ground beef 1 15-ounce container whole milk ricotta
4 tsp olive oil 3 cups of shredded Mozzerella cheese
1 tsp onion powder 1 cup grated Parmesan
1 tsp garlic powder 2 tbsp chopped parsley leaves
14 manicotti shells 1 tbsp crushed garlic
salt & pepper to taste 3 cups of Prego Roasted Garlic & Parmesan Sauce
In a large skillet, heat 1 tsp of olive oil and brown ground beef. Season with onion powder and garlic powder. Set meat aside to cool. Boil manicotti shells in water with 2 tsp of oil and salt. Set shells aside on a greased baking sheet to cool. In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 cups of mozerella cheese, 1/2 cup of parmesan and parsley. Then stir in cooled seasoned beef.
In a 13 by 9 glass baking dish, brush the remaining olive oil in the bottom of the dish. Spoon 1 cup of sauce in the bottom of prepared dish. Fill manicotti shells with meat and cheese mixture and arrange stuffed pasta in a single layer in prepared dish. Spoon the remaining sauce over shells and sprinkle the remaining mozzerella and parmesan cheese over stuffed shells. Bake manicotti uncovered until heated through for 35 minutes. Serve with crust bread or salad and make your night special.
For this Spring and early Summer, gather some ideas for some great food and wine pairings.
1. Craving salads and such?
During the Spring and early Summer, fruits and vegetables begin to come-into season. There is nothing like a crisp salad with a young dry Riesling. Due to it's moderate levels of alcohol, Riesling makes a great Spring wine. If your more into salads topped with fresh fruits and berries, choose a young and chilled Pinot Noir.
2. Seafood Celebration!
With seafood, you don't want a wine that will overwhelm your pallet. Un-oaked Chardonnays pair well with fresh oysters and sushi. If your preparing to have other shellfish such as crab, shrimp or lobster, consider a Albarino wine. This wine, known as "Spain's seafood white", is great for seafood by the beach.
3. Early Summer BBQ!
There are many different wines that will pair with grilled foods. If your making grilled or BBQ chicken, a light Cabernet Franc or light Loire will match well. Also consider a Prosecco or sparkling wine for sipping with appetizers or for great chilled Bellini's.
Nothing completes a great brunch with friends or family like a refreshing drink to pair it with. Sangria is a wine punch which originated in Spain. The best thing about Sangria is, their very easy to make. It can also be a popular drink among guest at a party that are not really wine drinkers. There is no specific wine that must be used when making a Sangria. Red or white wine will make any Sangria recipe taste great.
***Recipe for thought*** Crisp Flounder & Spinach Omelet with White Wine Sangria
4 flounder filets 4 large eggs
1 bag Louisianna Fish Meal 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
3 tbsps Quick Grits 1/2 cup fresh chopped spinach
1 cup water salt & pepper to taste
2 cups olive oil PAM cooking spray
1 bottle of white wine (Riesling) 1/2 cup sliced seedless grapes
1 cup white grape juice 1/2 cup sliced pineapple
1/2 cup white sugar 1 1/2 cup ginger ale
Heat olive oil in a large skillet on medium heat and lightly bread flounder filets with Louisianna fish meal. Fry fish in heated oil, turning occasionally. Set cooked fish aside to cool. In a medium size bowl, beat eggs, salt and pepper. Spray your pan well with cooking spray and cook eggs in omelet form, adding cheddar cheese and chopped spinach to egg. Bring cup of water to a boil and add quick grits. Cook grits for 1 minute and stir well until grits thicken.
In a large drinking pitcher, combine Riesling, white grape juice, ginger ale, and white sugar, Stir in sliced grapes and pineapple. Chill drink over ice or refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving. This meal would be great for a Spring Saturday brunch. It could also be added to a list of ideas for Mother's Day.
