Category: Wine

Ingredients

2 pounds Bosc pears
1 cup dried cherries
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup hazelnuts

Directions

Peel, core, and cut pears into 1/2 inch cubes. There should be about 4 cups of fruit.

Combine pears, dried cherries, vinegar, sugar, ginger, pepper, and salt in a heavy large saucepan. Simmer over medium heat until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally, about 25 minutes. Remove from heat, and cool to room temperature. Cover, and refrigerate overnight. Can be prepared 4 days ahead.

Toast hazelnuts at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) on an ungreased baking sheet for 5 to 8 minutes. Husk the nuts, and chop coarsely. Stir into pear conserve. Serve at room temperature.

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds sweet Italian sausage
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 small onions, chopped
2 (16 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes
1 1/4 cups dry red wine
5 cups beef broth
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
2 zucchini, sliced
1 green bell pepper, chopped
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 (16 ounce) package spinach fettuccine pasta
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

In a large pot, cook sausage over medium heat until brown. Remove with a slotted spoon, and drain on paper towels. Drain fat from pan, reserving 3 tablespoons.

Cook garlic and onion in reserved fat for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, wine, broth, basil, and oregano. Transfer to a slow cooker, and stir in sausage, zucchini, bell pepper, and parsley.

Cover, and cook on Low for 4 to 6 hours.

Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente, about 7 minutes. Drain water, and add pasta to the slow cooker. Simmer for a few minutes, and season with salt and pepper before serving.

Ingredients

2/3 cup rice wine vinegar
1/3 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon honey

Directions

Whisk together the vinegar, orange juice, oil, cilantro, mustard, garlic, and honey in a bowl; store in refrigerator.

Ingredients

1/2 cup pearl barley
1/2 cup long-grain white rice
1 cup canned black beans, drained
1 cup canned kidney beans, drained
1 cup whole corn kernels, cooked
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
8 leaves lettuce
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup olive oil

Directions

In a large saucepan bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Stir in barley and reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 40 to 45 minutes or until tender. Let cool.

In a saucepan bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil add the rice. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered for about 20 minutes or until tender. Let cool.

In a large bowl, combine the cooled barley, rice, black beans, kidney beans, corn, onions, red bell pepper and cilantro. Mix well.

To make dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, garlic, chili powder, salt, red pepper flakes and black pepper. Whisk in oil and pour over salad and toss well. Transfer to a lettuce-lined bowl to serve.