Tag Archives: wine pairing

Gina’s Meatballs & Chianti Classico Riserva is a Chef’s Kiss.

My tomato sauce and meatballs rarely have the same flavors, and that is because I like to experiment in Gina’s Kitchen.

This recipe did not disappoint:

3 beef short ribs 🥩
Salt & black pepper to taste

For the meatballs: ☄️
1.75 lb ground sirloin
2 eggs
1 piece of crusty bread, about 4-5 inches, soaked in milk, then squeezed
2 tbs. flat-leaf Italian parsley, chopped 🌿
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 tbs. grated onion
1/2 cup Parmigiano Reggiano, freshly grated
3/4 – 1 tsp. salt
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Oregano
Olive oil for frying

For the sauce: 🍅🥫
Olive oil for frying
1 small onion, chopped
1 (26.46 oz) container, passata tomatoe purée Pomiusa
1 (24 oz) plain tomato sauce
1/4 – 1/2 cup water
Salt to taste

Season short ribs with salt and pepper on both sides. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, eggs, bread, parsley, garlic, onions, cheese, salt, pepper, oregano. Use a regular size ice cream scoop with a spring to form the meatballs. It will yield about 18 meatballs.

On medium-high heat, heat some olive oil, sear the short ribs on both sides for 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove. Set aside.

Add more oil, sear the meatballs for 2-3 minutes on each side. Do not attempt to turn until the bottom has a crust.

Remove and set aside.

In the same pan, on medium-heat, sauté onions, return the ribs ONLY. Add tomatoes, water, salt & pepper. Simmer on low flame for at least an hour, while stirring constantly. Gently add the meatballs, simmer for an additional 15-20 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through. Check for seasoning. The sauce will have deep colors with a rustic touch.

Serve with a salad or with pasta.

Wine pairing: Chianti Classico Riserva made predominantly with the Sangiovese grape🇮🇹

Hope you will try my recipe.

Happy Cooking from my kitchen to yours!

Gina Martino Zarcadoolas

Cookbook Author: Cuisines, Corkscrews &

Cultures | Food & Wine Blogger

Winner of Italian Wine “USA Blogger’s

Award” | WSET & Level 2 Certified Sommelier | Italian Wine Scholar 

Farfalle with Broccoli & Fragrant Garlic

Farfalle with Broccoli & Fragrant Garlic

Proof that some simple ingredients can flirt with my taste buds. 😌

Farfalle with broccoli and fragrant garlic, lightly sautéed and finished to perfection. Weeknight comfort done right.

🇮🇹This is a typical southern Italian dish. Some pasta shapes like orecchiette and cavatelli are often used.

You will need:

Ingredients:
1 head of broccoli, cut up in florets
1 lb. Farfalle (butterflies aka bow ties in US) medium-sized
1 handful of salt for pasta water
1 head of garlic, sliced razor-thin 🪒
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2-3/4 cup Parmigiano Reggiano, grated
1/4 cup reserved pasta water

Preparation:

1️⃣Bring pasta water to a boil. Add salt. Add the pasta. Cook for 6 minutes. (use the timer) drop the broccoli in the same water. Cook for an additional 6 minutes.

2️⃣In the meantime, in a large frying pan, heat up the olive oil on medium-low, drop the garlic. Remove from the burner. It will continue to cook.

3️⃣Drain the pasta. Add it to the garlic. Add the cheese and pasta water. Mix well. Serve at once.

Wine pairing suggestion: Sauvignon Blanc from Alto Adige. This grape has become one of the region’s leading varities, and displays notes of passion fruit, elderberries, and black currants. The wines tend to be crispy with a fresh mouthfeel and great intensity.

Would you eat this as a side dish?

Farfalle with Broccoli & Fragrant Garlic

Happy Cooking from my kitchen to yours!

Gina Martino Zarcadoolas

Cookbook Author: Cuisines, Corkscrews & Cultures

Food & Wine Blogger

Winner of Italian Wine “USA Blogger’s Award”

WSET & Level 2 Certified Sommelier

Italian Wine Scholar 🇮🇹

Rustic Pasta with Meat, Porcini mushrooms, and Spinach

Rustic Pasta with Meat, Porcini mushrooms, and Spinach
Rustic Pasta with Meat, Porcini mushrooms, and Spinach
Rustic Pasta with Meat, Porcini mushrooms, and Spinach

This flavorful dish is inspired by the mountainous region of Abruzzo, where you will find an abundance of porcini mushrooms. The original recipe was developed by an Italian chef, but I put my own spin on it and tweaked the measurements. I have followed his method and prepared it many times in my kitchen. He recommends using Farfalle, a pasta shape, commonly known as bowties, but it literally means “butterflies” in Italian.  You can also use Fusilli, a short pasta shaped like a corkscrew. They both work well and absorb the sauce nicely.  It’s always a big hit in my kitchen, and perfect for feeding a small crowd.  This recipe brilliantly combines veal, beef, and pork, tomato paste, and porcini mushrooms to create a culinary masterpiece. Make sure you caramelize the tomato paste to get a rust color, and the result will be a stupendous rustic dish packed with layers of deep flavors. Make it for a dinner party, and your guests will think that the sauce had been simmering for hours.

Serves 8 to 10 as a first course, 6 as a main
Level of difficulty – medium

Ingredients: 

6 ounces dried porcini mushrooms, soaked in 2 cups hot water for 10 minutes

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

2- 2.5 pounds ground veal, beef, and pork divided equally

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup tomato paste

1 cup dry white wine

1 cup plain tomato sauce

14 oz. whole San Marzano tomatoes, crushed by hand

1/4- 1/2 cup reserve pasta water

1 pound farfalle pasta

1 handful of salt for the pasta water

6-8 ounces baby spinach, trimmed

½ cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano

Preparation: 

1. Drain the porcini, reserving the soaking liquid, and coarsely chop the porcini. Strain the soaking liquid through a strainer, and set it aside.

2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until it is lightly toasted. Add all the meat and the chopped porcini, and cook, stirring, over medium-high heat until the meat is well browned, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and add the tomato paste. Cook over high heat, stirring constantly, until the paste turns a rust color, 5 minutes. Deglaze with the wine and cook for 3-4 minutes. Add the strained porcini soaking liquid, the tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes. Bring to a quick boil. Reduce the heat to a very low simmer. Cook 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Rustic Pasta with Meat, Porcini mushrooms, and Spinach
Rustic Pasta with Meat, Porcini mushrooms, and Spinach

3. Bring pasta water to a boil. Add salt. Cook according to package directions or al dente. Drain. Add pasta and the reserve water into the meat mixture. Stir in the baby spinach and mix well until the pasta is nicely coated. Pour into a serving bowl and serve at once, with the grated Pecorino on the side.

Then end result will be a rich and thick meat sauce. If you like more sauce, add more tomatoes and pasta water.

My wine suggestions: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, a delightful red wine from the Abruzzo region of Italy or a Barco Reale di Carmignano red wine blend from Tuscany. The latter is made with mostly Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Canaiolo.

Rustic Pasta with Meat, Porcini mushrooms, and Spinach
Rustic Pasta with Meat, Porcini mushrooms, and Spinach

I hope you will try this easy and delicious recipe. Please be sure to let me know when you make it.

Buon Appetito!

Gina Martino Zarcadoolas
Food & Wine Blogger, Sommelier Level 2
WSET Level 2 certified.
Cookbook Author: Cuisines, Corkscrews & Cultures
Italian Wine Scholar
Website: www.foodiewinelover.com
Email: gina@foodiewinelover.com

5 Italian Wines for your Thanksgiving Meal

Thanksgiving Turkey paired with Italian Wines


You might be wondering why I am choosing Italian wines for Thanksgiving. The reason is simple – I am an Italian Wine Scholar and I tend to gravitate towards Italian wines. The following wines offer bright acidity and make delicious food pairings. Furthermore, they are reasonably priced and easily attainable. 

Thanksgiving Turkey paired with Italian Wines
Thanksgiving Turkey paired with Italian Wines

🇮🇹Trento DOC or Trentodoc is an appellation in the Trentino (Trentino-Alto Adige) region of Italy where they only produce white and rosé sparkling wines. They are made in the traditional method, and one of the famous producers is Ferrari Trento. Their aging requirements are more strict than non-vintage Champagne. 😳

🇮🇹Lambrusco di Sorbara is fragrant boasting floral notes and light violet/rosé color. It is produced in frizzante (semi-sparkling) or Spumante (sparkling wine) styles. They thrive in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. 

🇮🇹Arneis hails from the Roero Hills in the Piedmont region. This white wine is on the dry side with floral notes, pears, and a minerally-driven finish. 

🇮🇹Chianti Classico DOCG boasts the emblematic black rooster or gallo nero on the label. It is made with at least 80% Sangiovese and is home to Tuscany. This wine showcases flavor profiles of red cherry, dry spices, with characters of earthiness and forest floor. Perfect for the turkey🦃and its trimmings. 

🇮🇹Vin Santo is a dessert wine made with Trebbiano and Malvasia grape varieties. It has a deep golden color with flavors of caramel and a hint of nuttiness. This wine comes from Tuscany. 

Happy Thanksgiving from my kitchen to yours,

Gina Martino Zarcadoolas
Food & Wine Blogger, Sommelier Level 2
WSET Level 2 certified.
Cookbook Author: Cuisines, Corkscrews & Cultures
Italian Wine Scholar
Website: www.foodiewinelover.com
Email: gina@foodiewinelover.com




Gina’s Cookbook

Cuisines, Corkscrews & Cultures features 88+ recipes from global cuisines, plus more than 160 tidbits, tips, headnotes, Gina’s notes, and wine pairing suggestions. This cookbook is packed with valuable content for the beginner cook to the most advanced. Explore Gina’s kitchen for some delicious meals; let her share with you her knowledge of food & wine and cultures of the world. You will discover a rustic side to her personality, with a touch of glamour!

Her cookbook is available on Amazon.com in the US and many parts of the world. If you would like an autographed copy, please contact her at gina@foodiewinelover.com. The signed copy will be shipped from her US address.

CCC-Cookbook-Cover-FrontJpeg
Cuisines, Corkscrews & Cultures

Testimonials:

“Gina not only offers a wide variety of delicious salads, but her salad recipes are a wonderful way to start a meal. One of my favorite salads Gina makes is tabouleh. It is so easy to make and such a lovely recipe. All of Gina’s salads are made with love and fresh seasonal ingredients.” – Chef Krystina Kalapothakos, http://www.kouzounaskitchen.com Author of the cookbook Back to My Roots

“My dear Gina, I give you a 5 star and more for this dish. This is everything that started my passion for cooking, and I am so very glad you did this post. A true authentic dish from Naples which gladly is where my Nonno was born and raised. The simplicity of this dish speaks volumes! My favorite dish of all-time is Spaghetti al Pomodoro con Basilico. You are amazing and completely fed my soul to see this. Yes, the recipe must be in your cookbook that I am so excited about. Love this and you.” – Natasha Panacci, http://www.cookingwithtash.com

“Gina, I would give anything to have a taste of your Greek-Style Shrimp Saganaki! So delicious! All my senses would love to try this amazing dish. Your food has so much soul, story, and passion! Your fresh pasta looks superb! You are a superstar, Gina! Good food, good wine, good atmosphere. I see it all shining through your pictures and your captions.” – Camila Hurst, http://www.piesandtacos.com

“I love that each recipe has the history and story for it. This helps set the context for why you would want to make each recipe. Gina’s diverse knowledge of foods from around the world along with her knowledge of wines makes enjoyment of each meal more complete. Some favourites of mine are Greek Goddess salad with its deep roots in an ancient Mediterranean culture. The picture an setting are lovely and make you want to dive right in. A really unusual recipe for me was “A Kissable Kibbeh to Caress your Palate” with a great picture of her mother making this unique recipe. It is helpful to have notes about what to do if you cannot find certain ingredients so that you can still enjoy the recipe and make it.
Great job Gina. Highly recommended.” Cathy Connally – Cookbook Author – Canada

Braised Short Ribs in Tomato Sauce

Braised Short Ribs in Tomato sauce

Braised Short Ribs in Tomato sauce

Braised Short Ribs in Tomato sauce

Braised Short Ribs in Tomato Sauce

Braised Short Ribs in Tomato Sauce

It’s been raining here, and I needed some comfort food to cheer me up. I made braised short ribs simmered in a tomato sauce and paired them with a Nero d’Avola. It is the flagship grape of Sicily. Mille e Una Notte translates to A Thousand and One Night and comprises predominantly of Nero d’Avola. This wine boasts violet hues and shows great concentration. The nose delivers aromas of dark fruits, blackberry, plum, savory and sweet spices, and a hint of earthiness. The mouthfeel is silky and mirrors the nose with additional flavors of dark chocolate, baking spices, hints of black pepper, nutmeg, and licorice. The finish is lingering, and this wine has the potential for long cellaring. Below is the recipe for the short ribs.

Braised Short Ribs in Tomato Sauce

Ingredients:

6 short ribs (about 3 lbs.)
salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
olive oil for frying
5-6 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 cup dry red wine
1 (32) oz prepared plain tomato sauce
1/4 cup water
1 (26.46) Pomi strained tomatoes
Flat leaf parsley, plus more for garnish
1 lb. spaghetti or any pasta of your choice
1 handful of salt for the pasta water
Parmigiano Reggiano

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 350-degree Fahrenheit.

1. In the meantime, liberally season the short ribs with salt & pepper. In a Deutch oven on medium-high heat, heat 2-3 tbs. olive oil, sear 3 short ribs for about 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove. Sear the second batch. Remove and set aside.
2. In the same pan, add more oil if needed, sauté the garlic for 1-2 minutes, and deglaze with the wine for 1-2-minutes. Add in the tomatoes, water, parsley, and ribs. Bring to a gentle boil and turn off the burner. Cover.
3. Place the pan in the preheated oven for about 1 hour or until the meat is tender.
4. While the short ribs are cooking, bring the pasta water to a boil, and add a handful of salt. Cook according to package directions or al dente.
5. Serve with grated Parmigiano Reggiano or local Parmesan cheese.

Cook’s Note regarding Italian traditions: if you want to eat like the Italians, serve the pasta first, followed by the short ribs. Here in the US, we tend to serve them on the same plate.

While the wine and the dish were delicious on their own, a brown sauce would have made a better pairing with this outstanding wine. The acidity in the tomato sauce overpowered the wine and mellowed its flavors. Either way, the food and the wine were both super stars, but they didn’t get long together.

I hope you will give this recipe a try! I recommend this wine for a special occasion and stick with a Sangiovese-based red wine for an ideal pairing.

Happy Cooking & Sipping from Gina’s Kitchen!
Gina Martino Zarcadoolas, aka Foodiewinelover
Culinary Personality, Food & Wine Blogger
Author of the cookbook: Cuisines, Corkscrews & Cultures
Level-2 Certified world-renowned – “WSET: Wine, Spirit, Education, Trust”
Level-2 Certified Sommelier & Italian Wine Scholar Student (Unit 1 completed)
Winner of 2019 Italian Wines “Salice Salentino USA Bloggers” Award, held in Puglia, Italy
Brand Strategist

Gina’s Variation of Spaghetti & Meatballs

Spaghetti & Meatballs

Pasta is better inhaled like a vacuum cleaner. It’s so much fun!

Spaghetti & Meatballs

Spaghetti & Meatballs

 

Spaghetti & Meatballs is a comforting Italian-American dish. It is not a traditional Italian dish because the Italians prefer to eat their pasta alone without the meatballs. Meatballs are known as “polpette” in Italian, and they are consumed as a tasty second course (secondo). I have many different versions of tomato sauce, and sometimes, I use Italian sausage for added richness. Today, I am sharing with you a simplified sauce that is rustic and is a crowd-pleaser. For a smoother sauce, simply pure’ the San Marzano tomatoes. This blog post is not sponsored, but I am using the brands that I like. There are times when I combine ground beef and pork, and in that instance, I don’t use the sausage. Alternatively, you can use ground turkey for a healthier version. I use seasoned breadcrumbs instead of the traditional slice of bread soaked in milk. Generally, I don’t use grated cheese, except in my Veal Meatballs with Pecorino. Put your apron on, and follow me in the kitchen. Don’t forget your glass of wine or cider! This recipe is crafted for 6-8 people depending on their appetite. You can easily divide the ingredients to feed fewer people.

 

Spaghetti & Meatballs

Spaghetti & Meatballs

 

Ingredients for the meatballs

1 ½ lbs. ground sirloin
1 ½ lbs. ground chuck
3-4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon oregano
 ½ small onion, grated
1½ teaspoons sea salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 large eggs
½ cup seasoned breadcrumbs, Progresso brand
1 handful of flat-leaf Italian parsley, chopped, plus more for garnish

Preparation:

Mix well all the ingredients by hand (I use a glove because I have long nails) and form the meatballs using an ice cream scooper with a spring. Spray a large tray and place the meatballs on there. Bake them for 10-12 minutes in a 350-degree oven, turning them once. You can also pan-fry them in olive oil for tastier meatballs but this process is less convenient. Set aside.

Ingredients for the Tomato Sauce: 

2-3 tablespoons olive oil
2-3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 teaspoon tomato paste
1 (26.46 ounces) container of Pomi -strained tomato
1 (26.46 ounces) container of Pomi – finely chopped tomatoes
1 (28 oz.) Flora’s San Marzano tomatoes, crushed by hand
Salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 pound of spaghetti
Grated Parmigiano Reggiano to taste (a lot)

Preparation:

In a large stock pot, on medium heat, heat olive oil and sauté the garlic quickly, and add the tomato paste. Stir constantly until it’s caramelized. Add the strained, chopped, and crushed tomatoes. Bring to a gently boil, stir occasionally. Add the meatballs. Lower the flame. Cover with lid tilted. Stir occasionally to avoid the sauce from sticking on the bottom. Allow 1½ to 2 hours until all the flavors marry beautifully. Toward the last 15 minutes, bring your pasta water to a boil. Add a handful of salt, and cook according to package directions. I like mine al dente so cook it for at least 1 or 2 minutes less. The best way to find out how you like it is to taste the pasta before draining it.

Mix the pasta with the sauce until every strand is coated. Serve with grated Parmigiano Reggiano. Garnish with parsley

Wine pairing suggestion:  Sangiovese-based wines such a Rosso Di Montalcino or Chianti Classico will work harmoniously with the acidity in the tomatoes.

Happy Cooking & Happy Sipping from Gina’s Kitchen!

Gina Martino Zarcadoolas, aka Foodiewinelover
Culinary Personality, Food & Wine Blogger
Author of the cookbook: Cuisines, Corkscrews & Cultures: https://foodiewinelover.wordpress.com/product/cookbook/
Level-2 Certified world-renowned – “WSET: Wine, Spirit, Education, Trust”
Level-2 Certified Sommelier & Italian Wine Scholar Student (Prep course completed)
Winner of 2019 Italian Wines “Salice Salentino USA Bloggers” Award, held in Puglia, Italy
Brand Strategist

Tiffany’s Three Moons Wines

Three Moons Winery

Filet Mignon & Tree Moons Winery

Filet Mignon & Three Moons Winery Estate Reserve 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon paired with Filet Mignon

 

While a top notch wine can easily stand on its own “legs”, it can also make a magical  pairing with a luxurious meal.

Today, I present you with the Three Moons Winery Estate Reserve 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon from the acclaimed Howell Mountain located in Napa Valley. Tiffany Moon is the name behind the label. She is a medical doctor and a cast member on the famous show “Real House Housewives of Dallas”.
In 2009, during her residency, Tiffany and her now-husband, Daniel, would travel to Napa to visit wineries. They were invited by a local winemaker to partake in harvesting grapes, learning about the aging and the bottling process of the wines. This experience led them to make their own barrel of a big bold red Cabernet Sauvignon in 2009. They would share the wine with family and friends. Daniel named the wine Three Moons to honor his father who founded Sam Moon stores, and his brother. Tiffany jokes that her three moons represent her and her twin girls. The Moons recently launched their private label that includes this Cabernet Sauvignon, a red blend and a Sauvignon Blanc. They turned their passion to a brand!
This Cabernet Sauvignon is not your typical weeknight wine. It’s one that you splurge on special occasions or purchase to add to your wine collection. I enjoyed this wine with my Waterford Crystal glass to elevate the experience. Every sip of this wine was seductive and boasted aromas and flavors of juicy black cherries, blackberries, crème de cassis, with a nuance of spices and freshly ground black pepper, offering a dust of dark cocoa on the mid palate. It had just the right amount of tannin with a polished astringency and not at all aggressive, well-structured, bold with remarkable fruitiness. The finish was majestically grand.
I paired it with Filet Mignon cooked medium-rare with a homemade Béarnaise sauce. (not easy😅) The richness of the wine and that of the meat created a gourmet-esque combination of flavors on my palate. This wine can be found on Three Moons Wine website.

Filet Mignon & Tree Moons Winery Estate Reserve 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon

Filet Mignon & Tree Moons Winery Estate Reserve 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Hope you enjoyed this food & wine pairing edition.

Happy Cooking and Sipping from Gina’s Kitchen!

Gina Martino Zarcadoolas, aka Foodiewinelover
Culinary Personality, Food & Wine Blogger
Author of the cookbook: Cuisines, Corkscrews & Cultures
Level-2 Certified world-renowned – “WSET: Wine, Spirit, Education, Trust”
Level-2 Certified Sommelier
Winner of 2019 “Salice Salentino USA Bloggers” Award
Brand Strategist

Gina’s Succulent Crab Cakes

Crab Cakes and Champagne

It’s the holiday season and I want to jazz things up with some festive crab cakes and Champagne. Every once in a while I make crab cakes, and I always strive to come up with the best possible recipe. I think, I finally succeeded tonight. Generally, Blue Crabs from Maryland are used and they are famous for their crab cakes. My family gave my Maryland-style crab cakes rave reviews, and I am happy to share my version with all of you. It makes a dazzling meal but it will break the bank! I’m not gonna lie, just make up for it in January!

Servings: 6 – 8 Degree of difficulty: Medium. Yield about 12 regular-sized crab cakes or 14 smaller ones. This recipe can be divided in half to serve about 3-4 people.

Ingredients:
1/2 red bell peppers, diced
1 medium onion, diced
3 celery stalks, chopped
Salt to taste (go easy)
1 tbsp. olive oil and 1 tbsp. butter for frying veggies, plus more olive oil to pan fry crab cakes
2 lbs. ( 2) 16-ounce containers jumbo lump crabmeat
2 cups seasoned breadcrumbs
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp. stoneground mustard
2 tsp. Creole seasoning
Sprinkle of garlic powder
4 eggs
1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped
Freshly ground pepper

Crab Cakes and Champagne

Crab Cakes and Champagne

 

Crab Cakes and Champagne

Crab Cakes and Champagne

Bread and goat cheese

Bread and goat cheese

Beets and goat salad

Beets and goat salad

 

Preparation:

1) Over med-high heat, in a medium-sized pan, heat up olive oil and butter, add celery, onion and bell pepper, salt to taste. Sweat for about 3-4 minutes al dente to give it a crunch. Let it cool.

2) In a large bowl, combine crab meat and all the remaining ingredients. Add the veggies, and mix well with your hands (using gloves). Form crab cake patties, just like you would make a hamburger, place on a tray and chill in the fridge for at least 20-30 minutes.

3) Heat up enough olive oil to cover the bottom of a large pan, on medium-high heat, (make sure the oil is hot) place at the most, 4 patties, AND LOWER HEAT TO MEDIUM, otherwise, crab cakes will come out too dark. Cook on one side for 4 minutes, then flip gently with a spatula, cook the other side for about 2 minutes. Remove promptly and place on a dish lined with a paper towel. Repeat the same process. Add more oil if necessary. You can broil them for a healthier version.

I served them with a rémoulade sauce comprising of 2 tbsp. ketchup, 1 tbsp. mayo, 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard, creole seasoning to taste. Mix well.

It would not be complete without a dazzling beet salad with goat cheese, drizzled with balsamic vinegar from Modena, along with crusty French bread. My family had fun smearing the cheese all over the bread for a fun experience. I hope, you will give this recipe a try, and I am certain your family will love you for it.

Wine suggestion: I paired it with a citrusy and toasty Champagne.

Pommery is a great Champagne House. The Brut Royal is made with the 3 main grapes, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, with refreshing notes of lemons and toasted bread. This Champagne is not dry nor complex and is very enjoyable. It’s lively with a touch of finesse. For $34.00 dollars, it has a great QPR (quality price ratio) and is perfect to add holiday cheers.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, &
Bon Appetit from Gina’s Kitchen!

Gina Martino Zarcadoolas, aka Foodiewinelover
Culinary Personality, Food & Wine Blogger
Author of the cookbook: Cuisines, Corkscrews & Cultures
Level-2 Certified world-renowned – “WSET: Wine, Spirit, Education, Trust”
Level-2 Certified Sommelier & Italian Wine Scholar Student
Winner of 2019 “Salice Salentino USA Bloggers” Award
Exclusive photos by Gina Martino Zarcadoolas
All rights reserved.

Pasta alla Norma

Pasta alla Norma

Pasta alla Norma

Pasta alla Norma

Barbera D'Alba

Barbera D’Alba

Pasta alla Norma originated in Sicily and is perfect for a small gathering. It is believed to be named after the famous opera called Norma. It’s easy and made with a few ingredients including my favorite veggie: eggplant! In this recipe, I am using whole canned tomatoes but you can use fresh tomatoes if they are in season. This is a great meal for vegetarians depending on their diet lifestyles (with or without the cheese). I served a salad with the pasta and my family ate to their heart’s content. Put on your apron and follow me in the kitchen.

Level of difficulty: Easy to intermediate

Serves 6-8 as a main meal

Ingredients:
• 1 medium eggplant, chopped in medium size
• ¼ – ½ cup of olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 – (28) ounce can whole San Marzano tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 5-6 basil leaves cut in chiffonade, plus more for garnish
• ¼ cup pasta water, as needed
• Ricotta Salata cheese, for garnish
• 1-pound penne, rigatoni or spaghetti

Preparation:

1. In a medium-sized saucepan, on medium-high heat, heat up oil, sauté the garlic, 1-2 minutes, add the eggplant, cook while stirring for 5-7 minutes. Adjust the heat as necessary. Add the tomatoes, salt, basil. Lower the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes covered with lid tilted. Stir occasionally.  If the sauce is too thick, add water toward the end. (before draining the pasta). Turn the burner off.

2. While the sauce is cooking, bring pasta water to a boil. Add salt and cook al dente. You will be doing a little juggling.

3. Add drained pasta to the sauce and mix well. Serve in a large pasta bowl. Garnish with the cheese and basil.

I paired this meal with a lovely aged Barbera D’Alba from Ca’ Viola winery and it worked magically.

Other wine pairing suggestions: Nero d’Avola, a red grape variety from Sicily or any medium-bodied red wine of your choice.

Happy Cooking from Gina’s Kitchen to Yours,

Gina Martino Zarcadoolas, aka Foodiewinelover
Culinary Personality, Food & Wine Blogger
Author of the cookbook: Cuisines, Corkscrews & Cultures
Level-2 Certified world-renowned – “WSET: Wine, Spirit, Education, Trust”
Level-2 Certified Sommelier

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