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Home-made Naan

Great accompaniment for any Indian meal, or for my flatbread recipe!

Ingredients

2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp baking powder
Salt to taste
1/2 cup lukewarm milk
1/2 cup whole milk yogurt
1/2 tsp sugar
Butter as required

Sift the flour, soda and baking powder together to ensure even mixing. Transfer to a mixing bowl and make a well in the center. Pour the milk, sugar, salt and yogurt in it and mix after a minute softly to make a dough. Set aside for 1-3 hours. Make fist sized balls of the dough and dust it with the flour. Roll gently in the shape of a naan and mist with water on one side of it. Stick this side to a well seasoned griddle or fry pan and cook covered for 1-2 minutes. Bubbles will start coming up on the naan. Flip the naan, and when brown spots start appearing on it and is cooked, remove from the pan and apply butter as desired to it.

Makes approximately 4 to 5 naan flatbreads

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Smoking Duck Breast

Here are the steps we took to smoke a perfect magret duck breast….

What you’ll need:
1. 1 magret duck breast half
2. charcoal grill
3. hardwood charcoal
4. wood chips (we used mesquite)

What you need to do:
1. Score the duck breast skin in a criss cross pattern; season with salt and pepper
2. Soak wood chips (we used mesquite) in water for at least 30 minutes
3. Light the charcoal, and make sure it’s “white hot” (we did this in a charcoal chimney)
4. Place coals on one side of the grill, leaving the other side “empty.”
5. Take enough soaked wood chips to cover the coals and place on top of them.
6. Place duck breast, skin side down, on the hot side of the grill (coal side) for 3 minutes
7. Flip the breast, and place on the indirect heat side of the grill, and continue to smoke for 20 minutes, covered.

Result:
Smoked duck breast…. slice and enjoy!

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Battle Berry… with a twist

For this season’s battle, the main ingredient was Summer Berries. In addition to showcasing this ingredient, there was a twist… each course needed to use an additional 2 ingredients out of the following: fresh tarragon; any variety of mushrooms; any variety of dried chilies; maple syrup. Needless to say, we had our work cut out for us! (Challenge accepted! – for you HIMYM fans out there, this deserves a giggle 🙂 Click on the photos for an enlarged version.

First Course
Piyush and Jigna presented a gorgeous and delicious starter course. Grilled crostini with harissa rubbed salmon (which was also grilled) topped with a strawberry maple compote. Jig’s version utilized tofu instead of the salmon. I have had the good fortune of tasting their home-made harissa in the past, and once again, it left me wanting more. The savory and sweet components of the dish were so well balanced and proved to be the perfect introduction to a very berry meal. They also allowed us to whet our palates with a delicious cocktail: Strawberry Fields. The concoction was a shake of muddled strawberries, tarragon, tequila, lemon juice, and simple syrup. I’m not sure that I could describe summer in a glass better than that 🙂

Second Course
Next, Chirag and Priti delivered the perfect summer salad course. The mix of sauteed and fresh fruit and vegetables provided layers of flavor, and the vinaigrette is going to be one of my summer staples! Sauteed mushrooms and cherries accompanied tarragon and creme fraiche atop toasted brioche; and this was balanced with a fresh spring salad with strawberries and a tarragon maple vinaigrette. Delicious brightness and warm earthiness were complimentary mates in this dish! They brought the outstanding 2009 Robert Sinskey Pinot Gris to pair.

Main Course
Forgive the tangents that I may go off on here, as this is the course that Manish and I were in charge of. Various proteins trickled through my mind as we planned the main course for this battle. We finally resolved to using duck. And inspired only the night before the battle with the thought of doing a trio course, we were a bit unsure as to how it would all play out. We opted to showcase our trio as a “breakfast, lunch, and dinner” themed plate. Chirag and Priti did this once before with great success, and this time our decision seemed to pay off as well! Forgive the messy plate, as we realized only after we all started eating that we forgot to photograph this course! For the “breakfast” part of the course, we made a savory corn fritter topped with some duck confit that we glazed with a maple and New Mexico Chili mixture. We topped this with some green onions and accompanied it with a blackberry maple “syrup.”  Jigna’s course was topped with shitake mushroom that were glazed with the same chili-maple mixture. For the “lunch” part of the course, we grilled flatbreads that were topped with a spicy raspberry and guajillo chili sauce. On top of that was some sliced smoked duck, shaved ricotta salata, and some cilantro. We charred a strawberry and placed that on top of each flatbread “slice.” The vegetarian version of the flatbread utilized pan fried oyster mushrooms instead of the smoked duck. The “dinner” part of the course was grilled Magret duck breast that was marinated in the maple-chili mixture that I mentioned above, topped with a strawberry gastrique. Jigna’s main dish was a grilled portabella that was also marinated in the chili-maple mixture, a poached egg that was placed inside the cap, and the strawberry gastrique on top.

I think parts of the course worked better than others, but it seemed that the flatbread was everyone’s favorite. Manish and I were surprised by the balance that the sweet berries and savory protein brought to the dish. And although I am a huge fan of “less is more,” this was a ridiculous challenge (proposed by ME!) and somehow, some way, it worked….. For all of us! We chose a grenache based wine to pair with this course. The 2006 Coume del mas Coullieure Schiste in my opinion was a nice choice – berries and game in both the food and the wine!

Dessert
Rick and Sejal created a picture perfect plate of “Summer” for dessert. As Sejal explained, she wanted us to think about happy children playing in the park, ice cream trucks, sunny days, and skinned knees – all of the components of summer that we as parents are so fortunate to experience through our kids. What a perfect ending to an absolutely terrific meal. We first bit into a deliciously sweet and tangy berry tart. It was an open faced rustic sort of tart, with a delicate but oh so savory home made crust. The filling incorporated various summer berries and the addition of maple syrup. The ice cream cone was filled with homemade strawberry and guajillo chili ice cream. The fresh, ripe strawberries took hold of your palate at first, and then the spicy guajillo kicked in on the finish. Absolutely brilliant and it certainly pleased that “kid” in all of us!

Thanks to all of my fellow battlers. This may have been the last “Food Feud” for a while, so thank you for putting your ALL into the meal last week, and making it a BERRY delicious one!  YES…. I had to go there. 🙂

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Pretty in Pink

Rose’ season has sprung, and I am happy to report that I have tasted a healthy dose of “pink” so far this year. They are created in varying shades. And although color doesn’t always give away what the flavor intensity will be, I tend to prefer the ones that are a true “blush” or “barely pink.” Crisp, mineral, and long finishing rose’s are the ones on my radar. I tend to love ones from Provence  and other southern French regions – usually boasting a wealth of flavor from the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, and Cinsault grape varietals.

Most rose’s that I have come across have utilized the traditional method of “limited skin contact” during production. In other words, the red grapes are crushed, juices are extracted, and the skins are left in contact with the juice for a limited amount of time. The structure of the wine is more like a white wine than a red, due to the lack of tannin structure that you would get from longer skin contact (ie when making red wines.) There are other ways to make rose… In Champagne, for example, they vinify red and white wines separately (usually Pinot Noir or Pinot Meuniere for reds, and Chardonnay for whites) and then they blend the wines to make rose’. Another method is “Saignee,” where the winemaker bleeds off the juice after limited skin contact with the skins. The pink “must” is removed and vinified separately than the concentrated red juice that is left over. Essentially, rose is considered to be a byproduct of red wine fermentation in this method.

There are three rose’s that I have come across so far this year that have “WOWed” me. One is a favorite of mine that year to year has remained consistently high quality. One is a very unique result of brilliant wine-making, and one is perhaps my new all around favorite – in price and quality, but unfortunately not in quantity, as I have yet to acquire any for myself! See the descriptions below and enjoy the recipe with any of these, or your favorite pink!

2010 Domaine du Bagnol Cassis Rose – A gorgeous blend of Grenache, Cinsault, and Mourvedre…  Melon, berries, stone fruits, and lots of minerals. This wine is so complex! Super long finishing, and perfectly balanced acidity. I know that I say this every year about the current vintage, but the 2010 just might be my favorite!

2010 La Crotta di Vegneron Pinot Noir Bianco (Rose) Vallee d’Aosta – This is 100% Pinot Noir vinified off the skins for 5 months. The high altitude of the vineyard yields the unique fruit for this fabulous terroir driven wine. This producer farms organically, and they use the same grapes to make their fabulous red version of the Pinot. Don’t let the color throw you – this “barely pink” wine is full of texture and flavor. Rainier cherries, red berries, and serious minerality provide the backdrop for this complex and long finishing rose. This one is still available at 56 Degree Wine!

2010 Mas de Cadenet Rosé Sainte Victoire – This is by far the most value driven, and complex rose of the year! Gorgeous white flowers, red berries, melons, and sweet red fruit give way to sea shells and minerality. The color is a perfect blush… Another wine that lingers on the palate and screams “drink me now!” I was fortunate to enjoy this on my deck last week on Memorial Day, and I will have to wait until July for our next shipment. The magnums come in stunning bottles and may be the centerpiece at our next outdoor soiree 🙂

Mussels with Sausage and Herbs

2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 lb smoked sausage, diced (I’ve used chorizo in the past but you can use whatever you prefer)
3 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced thinly
2 lbs mussels, cleaned and debearded
1 large tomato, seeded and diced
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
3/4 cup white wine
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon butter
chopped fresh parsley

In a large saute pan, warm the olive oil over medium heat and add the garlic and sausage. Saute for 3 to 5 minutes, being careful not to burn the garlic. Add next 4 ingredients and stir well. Add the wine and the water, cover the pan, and cook over medium heat for about 7 minutes, shaking the pan once. Most of the mussels should have opened by now. Uncover and simmer until the liquid is reduced by about half, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the butter and mix into the sauce. Transfer the entire contents of the pan to a serving bowl, sprinkle with parsley, add crushed black pepper and salt (if needed,) and serve with crusty garlic bread. (Discard any unopened mussels.) Serves 4.

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Ratatouille

There is no better way to celebrate the summer than with its bounty! My next post will be featuring a rose’ wine and seafood pairing… so I wanted to supply you with a spectacular vegetarian option for the wine pairing… Ratatouille! Enjoy!

Ratatouille

1 large onion, peeled and sliced
3 large garlic cloves, peeled, and minced
1/4 cup olive oil, or more if needed
1 eggplant (approx 1 lb) cut into 1 inch chunks
1 small yellow squash, cut in half lengthwise, then into half moons
1 small zucchini, cut in half lengthwise, then into half moons
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 1/2 cups canned diced tomatoes (I like San Marzano – I get the whole tomatoes and chop them myself)
1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shredded basil leaves
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup fresh breadcrumbs (made from processing firm white bread slices into crumbs)

In a large saute pan, cook the onion and the garlic in 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat, stirring until onion is translucent. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil to the pan, and increase heat to medium high. Add the eggplant, and cook until it is softened, about 8 minutes. (You might need extra oil at this step.) Stir in the next three ingredients and cook for 10 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, and cook for 5 minutes, or until all the vegetables are tender. Stir in the next 6 ingredients, and add cracked pepper to taste. Mix for about a minute over the heat. At this point, you can refrigerate the ratatouille and use the next day.

If made ahead of time, warm the ratatouille over the stove. Add the shredded basil and set aside (tasting for seasoning and adjusting accordingly.) In a small skillet, saute the 1 minced garlic clove in the tablespoon of olive oil over moderate heat, about a minute. Add the fresh breadcrumbs and saute until crumbs have crisped up, about 5 minutes.

Place servings of ratatouille in individual bowls or plates, top with the garlic breadcrumbs, and enjoy with your favorite rose’! Serves 4.

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Last Chance for Ramps!

The Farmers Market in Union Square may still have these little beauties for a couple more weeks, but as far as I can see, Ramp Season is at its tail end. Ramps are wild spring onions, and sometimes are called wild leeks. They have small white bulbs, hairy roots, and resemble scallions to a certain degree. The stems shoot out into long green leaves, and these leaves possess the essence of garlic and onion at its freshest. The bulb and stem are stronger in flavor, and are best with a little saute. But the leaves can be chopped and sprinkled over salads, or used as an herb component in any savory dish.

The ramps in the photo above were the result of a “bottom of the barrel” sweep at Whole Foods by yours truly. I went in one day looking for them, and was about to leave, disappointed, sans ramps. I came across a bin of some loose lettuces, and next to it was an almost empty bin of dirty, scraggly rooted things. I was able to decipher that underneath the crust of dirt was the exact ingredient that I was searching for – the stragglers of the bunches that the fortunate shoppers before me had acquired. I took everything that was left in the bin (probably a little more than a bunch) and asked the produce guy if they had anymore. He simply responded with one word “Saturday.” Well, it was Thursday, and I needed my ramp pesto for dinner on Friday. The dirty, crusty stash was my only hope.

I washed the ramps THOROUGHLY and let the dry in paper towels. Soaked the ends in water, and they regenerated themselves to the vibrant green stems they were meant to be. I used a little bit in my spring vegetable soup that evening, a little in the wild rice dish that I made, and most of it in the ramp pesto (recipe below.) My daughter Maya loves to chop the tops of the ramps and fold them into her scrambled eggs. They are so versatile, so fresh, and so SPRING. Grab them while you can, at your local farmers market. Or perhaps forage them yourself like my brother in law Piyush suggested I do at the Great Swamp. 😉

Ramp Pesto

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 bunch ramps – root ends discarded, bottoms and stem chopped and placed in a bowl, and green leaves chopped and placed in a  separate bowl
2/3 cup parmiggiano reggiano cheese
1/4 cup pine nuts, lightly toasted
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon

Saute the ramp bulbs and stems in 1 tablespoon of olive oil until soft. Place in a food processor. Add the green ramp tops, the cheese, the nuts, and the herbs, and process until combined. With the machine running, add the rest of the olive oil in a stream and process until pureed. Transfer the pesto to a bowl and season with salt and pepper. This can be made a day in advance. Bring to room temperature before serving, This pesto is wonderful on top of seared or grilled fish or combined with pasta.

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Inspiration

PASSION… I am inspired everyday to learn more about what I am passionate about.

CREATIVITY… I am inspired by the creative geniuses that surround me, and make me want to challenge myself.

ASPIRATIONS… I am inspired to be a positive role model for the two most important little ladies in my life.

LOVE & SUPPORT… I get inspiration everyday from my supportive family, who love me no matter what path I choose to follow.

Thank you for being my inspiration!

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Battle BEAN

A few weeks ago, Priti and Chirag hosted our latest Battle. Battle BEAN. Numerous menu choices set the foundation of what became an unforgettable culinary experience. Reigning course of champions, dessert, took the win again! Read on for details, and click on the photos for larger images!

Manish and I were assigned the appetizer course. Favoring a theme of past, “the trio tasting,” we decided to introduce our friends to three different spins of classic “bean” preparations, all served in porcelain appetizer spoons. With a fancy vegetable peeler, we sliced green beans ever so thinly, creating an almost “shaved” result. These diagonal shavings of green beans were dressed with a sesame soy vinaigrette and topped with tiny little pieces of red bell pepper (we called it red bell pepper “roe” because it took on the look of tobiko.) Fresh, crunchy, and clean, a different spin on a green bean salad. The next spoon showcased a fritter, made entirely of lima beans, herbs, and spices. This was served atop a minted yogurt. Our take of a “falafel” fritter. The last spoon was the result of three days of preparation. It all seems so silly now for just a spoon, but I guess that’s what this group is all about! Cassoulet. Made with gigante beans. Home-made duck confit, pork shoulder, garlic sausage, and slab bacon. We made sure to have a taste of every component in the spoon. Jigna’s version had a medley of vegetables, and instead of topping it with the duck confit, I made a garlic confit for her. We served this course with the Parigot Bourgogne Rouge, which I spoke of in my last post.

Sejal and Rick created a delicious interpretation of the traditional Vietnamese Banh Xiao. This is a mung bean pancake, with various types “fillings.” Bean sprouts and shrimp were sauteed first and then the batter was poured atop the “filling.” The crepes were then served with fresh lettuce leaves, a shmear of sriracha, and fish sauce. Jigna’s version had mushrooms in it, and instead of fish sauce, soy. The way to eat these is to wrap a piece of the crepe in a lettuce leaf, and then dip into the sauce. The flavors married so well, and the dish was a complete success. Definitely a recipe to add to the repertoire!

Priti and Chirag grilled some grouper, and alongside displayed a colorful array of tasty bean accompaniments. The grouper was grilled to perfection, and provided the perfect backdrop for all of the concentrated flavors around it.

There was a roasted tomato and edamame sauce to accompany the fish, which added brightness and depth at the same time. Gorgeous yellow wax and green beans were combined with a red wine vinaigrette – visually and texturally just as appealing as the burst of flavor. Small discs of the chili-cumin crusted black bean tart rounded out the meal with equally flavorful ingredients. The wine that they paired was the 2007 Bloomer Creek Chardonnay, Block 97.

Jigna and Piyush proved once again, that thinking “outside the box” with dessert really does win the game! Their plate displayed several uses of beans. First was a berry and canellini bean smoothie “shot.” Who would have thought that this would even be palatable? It was delicious. The berry flavors shined but the texture was smooth and rich because of the beans. The whoopie pie with marshmallow filling was made with cocoa and espresso beans. This took me back to childhood… so much so that now every time I go to the grocery store, I have to stop myself from buying OREOs for the mere fact that they will NOT taste like this decadent creation! And last was the black bean brownie with home made vanilla bean ice cream. Texturally very smooth and “fudge-like,” very rich. The ice cream was the perfect accompaniment!

And now to quote Kayla, who was trying to be funny on the way to battle bean… “Beans beans, they’re good for your heart. The more you eat, the better your heart.” BTW, she stands by her version of the “rhyme.”

Now, some sad news that was “discussed” during the course of the battle… The next battle MAY be our last… 🙁 So, I am asking all of you foodies out there to either comment to this or send me a private message and tell me what you think a great “battle finale” theme would be!? Manish and I are hosting, and we already have some ideas. But we want this one to be grand. So all suggestions are welcome!

Fellow battlers… I <3 YOU

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Perfect Pairings

I am often asked “so what’s your favorite wine?” Or if I’m at the shop “show me your favorite bottle.” I have many favorite bottles, and I find it challenging to pick just one. My response is always the same. “Well, it depends on the time of year and what I’m eating.”

Here, I share some of my favorite “pairings” that I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing recently. (Feel free to click on the food photos for larger images. I reduced the sizes in all cases just to fit well in this post)

Herb Roasted Pheasant with NV Domaine Parigot Bourgogne Mousseaux Rouge Brut

I was lucky enough to acquire a couple of wild pheasants for this meal. This sparkling wine has rich and juicy fruit, a dry finish, and enough structure to hold up to the game. I was told by my colleague to “let it go still” but the wine is too delicious to hold untouched in my glass…. Oh well.

Cauliflower Soup with Seared Scallop, Lemon Oil, and Caviar with 2008 Dmne Gilbert Picq et Ses Fils Chablis Dessus La Carriere

Cauliflower is something that confused me when it came to pairings. Instead of focusing on the base, I focused my attention to all of the additions to the soup for my pairing. The fruit from this vineyard site result in a wine that has gorgeous minerality to it but also possesses some riper qualities making the mouthfeel a tad richer than you would expect out of a Chablis. The acidity of the lemon and the brininess of the caviar paired perfectly with the mineral and racy tones of the wine; while the richness of the seared scallop complimented the fruit and weight of it. It was truly an ideal pairing!

Caramelized Onion and Duck Confit Flatbread with 2009 Domaine Georges Vernay Cotes du Rhone Sainte Agathe

I wasn’t sure about this pairing. And even after loving the two together, I’m still unsure as to WHY it worked so well. But it did. The flatbread was topped with caramelized onion, duck confit, fresh herbs, and fontina and asiago cheeses. The wine is so unique being a red varietal from the Condrieu region. It is a really elegant Syrah with its almost floral aromatics but still possesses the dark fruit and the smoky and peppery tones that you may be expecting. All of the flavors married well, making me one happy gal.

Shahjahani Biryani with 2009 Donnhoff Oberhauser Leistenberg Riesling Kabinett

We order the Shahjahani Biryani from Neelam (Berkeley Heights) regularly. SO regularly that the folks at the restaurant now “know” us and try to throw in some other things when we order just to show us that they DO know how to cook other types of Indian food. :)  The 09 Donnhoff Oberhauser Kabinett is the perfect pairing. Showing fabulous acidity, the wine stays fresh but still contains enough RS to provide some relief from the heat of the spices of the dish.

Seared Hake “almost” with 1985 Domaine Huet Vouvray Clos du Bourg Moelleux

We went to elements recently (I know, so unlike us to dine there) and they served us this lovely dish. Seared Hake with an almond puree, olive oil powder, and if I remember correctly, some sort of either acacia, quince, or tropical fruit accompaniment. I forgot to take notes, so can’t be certain of that final ingredient. What I am certain of though is that the 85 Clos du Bourg would have been the perfect wine to drink with this dish. It’s as though Chef Scott Anderson created the dish for the wine. Tones of marzipan, and acacia round out the weight but the finish still showcases lovely acidity. Somewhat off-dry in style, this wine would have been perfect with the Hake…. had it not been corked. 🙁 The dish was fabulous – so complex, and the flavors melded so well. Subtle flavors of almond matched the beautiful taste and texture of the fish. And the brightness to the dish was brought out with that honey or fruit component. (This will bother me for days now!)  The olive oil powder was a really neat touch too. Despite the fact that I never actually tasted the two together, I still had to publish it here because I thought the pairing was so spot on.

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A Comforting Recipe

Wow. No mistaking that it’s winter these days – huh? I wish that I could close my eyes and take myself to a warm and sunny place. Weather like this demands comfort food. One of my all time favorite techniques of comfort food cooking is braising. This recipe is super easy, and essentially adapted from Anne Burrell’s repertoire. I changed only a few things here and there, so I thought I should give her proper credit. Definitely something to make when you are home, stranded, because of YET another snow day… 😉

Braised Lamb Shanks

My Favorite Lamb Shank Recipe
This comforting, warm, and utterly satisfying dish needs a rich, robust, and hearty red wine.  The perfect food and wine pairing for a cold winter day, or when you are snowed in!  (The optional gremolata will add brightness to the dish)

Ingredients:
1/3 cup olive oil
5 lb lamb shanks (4 shanks total)
1 ½ cup chopped onions
1 ½ cup chopped carrots
1 ½ cup chopped celery
¼ cup chopped garlic
2 (6 oz) cans tomato paste
½ bottle of a hearty red wine
Herb bundle: 4 rosemary branches, 12 thyme branches, and 4 bay leaves tied together
4 cups chicken broth or water

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Heat the 1/3 cup olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium high heat. Season the shanks generously with salt and add them to the pan. Patiently, brown the shanks well on all sides. This should take about 12-15 minutes total.

Meanwhile, puree the next 4 ingredients in a food processor. Set aside.

Remove the shanks and set aside in a tray. Discard all but 2 tablespoons of fat from the Dutch oven, and add pureed vegetables. Season with salt to taste. Saute about 15 minutes until the veggies are brown. They should have almost formed a crust on the bottom of the Dutch oven, without burning.

Add tomato paste and brown for 5 minutes. Stir in the wine and the herb bundle, and reduce the wine to about half.

Add the shanks back to the pot, and pour in 4 cups of the broth or water. The shanks should be submerged in the liquid. If they are not, add more water. Cover the Dutch oven and place in the oven.

Check the shanks in about 1 ½ hours, and turn them all over. Place back in oven, covered, and cook for another hour to hour and half. Check the shanks every 30 minutes or so, checking to make sure that the liquid has not reduced too much. If it has, add more water. You may also de-fat the sauce as you go. You may also remove the lid at the last 15 minutes of cooking to maximize browning.

The meat will be incredibly tender, and falling off the bone. Transfer to a serving dish, and sprinkle with gremolata if desired. Serve one shank per person, over mashed potatoes or soft polenta… Enjoy!

Optional Gremolata: Combine zest of 1 orange, zest of 1 lemon, ¼ cup finely chopped parsley, 1 minced garlic clove, and 2 tablespoons of freshly grated horseradish, Sprinkle on the lamb shanks just before serving. This adds a lovely brightness to the dish!

Serves 4

Clotte Fontane Matheriou

I would drink this with a southern Rhone blend with a lot of juicy ripe fruit character. I love the 2009 Chateau La Clotte Fontaine Mathierou. It’s a perfect blend of Grenache and Syrah showing dark berry tones and balanced spice. Gorgeous length. It’ll be available again soon at 56 Degree Wine.

Another great wine to try this with would be the 2008 PB Wines Syrah Yakima Valley. A new world option, this wine shows lush dark berries and fig, and the length is incredible as well. This is sort of a second label of Rasa Vineyards -  I love the story behind this union of brothers who make and sell some fantastic Rhone-style varietals.  Read here to get the scoop on PB wines! This is also available at 56.