Chef's Blog

Adventures in Home Winemaking

Or, How Grapes From a World-Famous Vineyard Ended Up In My Garage When I tell people my husband and I are garage winemakers, the first thing they say is, “So you have a vineyard?” Well, no. We do live in Napa, but our backyard is tiny. There wasn’t even room […]

Desserts

Candy-Coated Fruits

Makes up to 80 pieces Candy-dipped fruits are the perfect combination of fresh fruit and hard candy. They have a crisp outer shell of sugar and the season’s best fruit within—the perfect way to impress your guests at the end of a meal. They should never be refrigerated and must […]

Allergen Friendly, Desserts, Family Fun

Concord Grape Granita

Makes 4-6 Servings Simple Syrup Ingredients 1/2 cup water 1/2 cups sugar Directions Combine the water and the sugar in a saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil. Remove the pan from heat and cool to room temperature. Granita Ingredients 1 cup simple syrup, at room temperature 2 […]

Salads

Crème Fraîche Chicken Salad

Makes 10 servings Ingredients 3 quarts chicken stock 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 cloves garlic, crushed 2 lb 8 oz boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons crème fraîche 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 1 cup roughly chopped pecans 1 cup red grapes, halved 2 tablespoons finely […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Get to Know Rosé

It may seem like rosé has become extra trendy in the last few years (rosé all day!), but come summertime along the coast of France (and, well, all over Europe!), rosé is simply a fact of life. And why shouldn’t it be? Rosé (rosato in Italy and rosado in Spanish-speaking […]

Beverages and Cocktails

Grappa with Berries

Makes 6 servings This recipe can be made with any fruit that is in season. The recipe makes six portions, but you can make as much or as little as you like. Keep replenishing the fruit as you use it so that you’ll have a supply on hand whenever you […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Introduction to South African Wines

South Africa is a land of contrasts, especially within the hundred miles from the east, south, and west coastlines that define this wine land. It is situated at a crossroads of climatic and cultural influences that have helped to define South African history and its wines. Climatically, both the Atlantic […]

Free Recipes, Salads

Red Salad

Makes 8 portions Chef’s notes: The salad may be served on a bed of spinach or chiffonade Tuscan kale. For crunch, add a sprinkling of lightly toasted chopped pistachios, hazelnuts, or almonds. If you can’t find opal basil, you can substitute any type of sprout, such as pea shoots, broccoli […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Remember the Map When Selecting Wine

Selecting wine can be overwhelming. Between vintage, varietal, and processing (just to start!), you could fill your entire brain with wine knowledge and still feel like there’s more to learn. Of course, tasting is a great way to learn more, but before you taste, you have to choose! Luckily, we’ve […]

Beverages and Cocktails

Spicy Green Grape Margarita

Makes 2 cocktails Heat levels can vary widely in jalapeños, so always test the heat before adding them to the recipe. If using mild jalapeños, you may use 2 chiles in the recipe. Ingredients 1/2 lime, cut into 4 wedges Tajín or other chili-lime seasoning, for the rim 2 ½ […]