Category: Wine

Ingredients

1 (14 ounce) package firm tofu, drained
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon mirin (sweetened rice wine)
2 teaspoons sesame oil, or to taste
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
1 large tomato, seeded and chopped
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Directions

Place tofu between two plates, and weigh down with a heavy book. Allow tofu to drain for 1 hour, pouring out the expelled liquid every 20 minutes.

Whisk together the soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil, and rice vinegar in a small bowl. Heat the oil in a small pan over medium heat, stir in the garlic and ginger, and gently cook until lightly golden; stir into the soy sauce mixture.

Cut tofu into bite-sized pieces, and toss together with the tomato, onion, and cilantro. Pour in the dressing and toss to coat. Garnish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

Ingredients

4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
5 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
4 cloves garlic, peeled and halved
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
1 pound chicken thighs
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
3/4 cup dry white wine
12 cherry tomatoes
12 Nicoise olives

Directions

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in mushrooms, and cook until soft. Remove to a plate.

Wipe out skillet, and heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Place garlic, rosemary, and chicken thighs in hot oil. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, turning chicken, until chicken and garlic are well browned.

Return mushrooms to skillet, and sprinkle red pepper flakes over chicken. Pour in white wine, scraping the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon. Cook about 3 minutes.

Reduce heat to low; cover, and simmer gently for 1 hour.

Sprinkle tomatoes and olives over chicken, return cover, and cook about 5 minutes more.

Ingredients

1 (28 ounce) can whole tomatoes, chopped and liquid reserved
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1/2 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
6 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup finely chopped jalapeno peppers
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 cup red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon ground cumin

Directions

Combine the tomatoes, tomato paste, onion, green pepper, garlic, jalapenos, sugar, chili powder, vinegar, salt, and cumin in a large saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the salsa is thickened and is noticeably darker in color, at least two hours. Cool and store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or in the freezer for three months.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter
2 large leeks (white and pale green parts only), chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 large potato, peeled and cubed
2 cups cubed butternut squash
1 cup diced carrots
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4-inch thick
1 quart chicken stock
1/4 cup dry white wine (optional)
1/2 cup light cream
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons chopped chives

Directions

Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in leeks and onions, and cook until the onion softens and turns translucent, about 5 minutes. Add potato, squash, carrots, apple, and chicken stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the vegetables are soft, about 20 minutes.

Carefully puree the soup in batches in a blender, or use a stick blender to puree the soup right in the pot. Once the soup has been pureed, return it to the pot and stir in wine and cream. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper; simmer gently for 5 minutes. Ladle into bowls and garnish with chopped chives.