Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

A Taste of Beaujolais

Beaujolais and its wines are easy to understand, easy to buy, and easy to love. With few exceptions, they are juicy, bubble-gum reds produced in a light style for easy drinking. A huge amount of red Beaujolais is produced, all of it made solely from the Gamay grape. A small […]

Main Dishes

Braised Brisket with Persillade

Makes 10 servings The key to the brisket is the marinade, and a handy way to marinate it is to place the meat in a large zipper-locked plastic bag. Pour in the marinade, and seal the bag. Turn the bag a few times to thoroughly coat the meat. Ingredients 3 […]

Soups and Stews

Catalan Beef Stew

Makes 4 servings This Spanish dish marries a flavorful cut of beef from the shoulder with some typical Catalonian ingredients: oranges, olives, red wine, and bacon. Bitter oranges are traditional, but if you don’t have access to a bitter orange, use a Valencia (juice) orange and a touch of lime […]

Appetizers, Hors D’oeuvre, and Snacks, Desserts

Red Wine Granita

Makes 12 servings This granita—an icy, frozen dessert—will remind you of a chilled sangria, which makes it a favorite to enjoy as a treat poolside or as a refreshing course in a Mediterranean dinner party. Ingredients 3 cups water 1 3/4 cup red wine 3/4 cup sugar 3/4 cup orange […]

Beverages and Cocktails

Uku Rouge

Makes 1 serving This cocktail is visually beautiful with deep red wine literally floating on top of the orange-hued blend of sake, sweet vermouth, and orange juice. It is refreshing enough to enjoy during a cocktail party on your back patio, but also transitions beautifully as an aperitif before a […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Wine 101: Malbec

Great food and wine go hand in hand, but when the-things-to-know-about-wine are seemingly infinite, it can be difficult (and intimidating!) to choose a wine. In this series, we’ll explore the fundamentals of wine, from grape varietals to tasting, so that you can tackle a wine list with confidence. Get to […]