Recipes

Wine Country Recipe: Roasted Duck Leg with Black Currant Sauce and Roasted Turnips

A tart, slightly sweet currant sauce complements and adds bright flavors to these crispy duck legs and roasted turnips.  Pair with your favorite Temecula Valley Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel.

Serves 2

Ingredients:

4 (8-ounce) duck legs, skin on, excess fat removed
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, divided
2 medium turnips (about 10 ounces), peeled and each cut into ten wedges
1 tablespoon finely chopped shallots
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup black currant preserves
1/4 cup water
2 teaspoons unsalted butter
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees with a rack in the upper and lower third.  Sprinkle both sides of the duck legs generously with salt and pepper and 1 teaspoon of the thyme leaves.

Heat a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat until very hot, but not smoking.  Add the duck legs, skin side down, and sear for 4 minutes.  Turn the legs and sear 1 minute.

Transfer the duck to a medium roasting pan, skin side up.  (Reserve the duck fat in the skillet for later use.)  Cover the pan and roast the duck for 1 hour on the upper rack.  Uncover and roast for an additional 15 minutes.  While the duck is roasting, spread the turnips in a single layer, in another roasting pan. Drizzle the turnips with 2 tablespoons of the reserved duck fat.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper and the remaining teaspoon of thyme leaves.

About 35 minutes before the duck is done, put the turnips in the oven, on the lower rack, so that the duck and the turnips will be ready at the same time.  When the duck is ready, let it rest while you make the sauce.

To make the sauce, remove all but 1 tablespoon of duck fat from the skillet used for searing. (If there is less than 1 tablespoon left, just use what is left.)  Heat the skillet over medium-high heat.  Add the shallots and cook and stir for 30 seconds.  Add the balsamic vinegar and simmer for 1 minute.  Add the black currant preserves and water and simmer for 30 seconds.  Turn off heat and whisk in the butter.  To serve, spoon the desired amount of sauce on 2 plates and top with 2 duck legs.  Arrange the turnips next to the duck.

Pairing Suggestions:

Chapin Family Vineyards ~ 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon ~ Rich, concentrated layers of vanilla, chocolate, roasted coffee and clover.

Doffo Winery ~ 2012 Zinfandel ~ A heartfelt wine which embodies all of the Doffo family’s passion and experience.

Lorimar Vineyards & Winery ~ 2011 Solo-Cabernet Sauvignon ~ Solo can save any occasion with its super powerful dark cherry and green bell pepper and captivating ruby color.

Maurice Car’rie Vineyard & Winery ~ 2011 Zinfandel ~ Rich fruit aromas of blackberry and plum coupled with a slight spiciness of black pepper.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Wine Institute of California.

Wine Country Recipe: Open-Faced Avocado Sandwiches with Arugula Pesto and Crisp Cucumber

The mellow, nutty flavor of avocado contrasts deliciously with the peppery snap of arugula and cool cucumber on this rustic, open-faced sandwich. Serve with your favorite dry Temecula Valley Rosé or Sauvignon Blanc.

Ingredients:

2 cups arugula leaves
1 small garlic clove, peeled and finely chopped
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup grated Dry Jack* cheese or other hard aged cheese
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts or pecans
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 slices French bread, lightly toasted
2 large avocados, peeled, pitted and cut into small cubes
1 English cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
1 piece (about 2 ounces) Dry Jack cheese, for shaving

*Dry Jack refers to the aged version of this classic California cheese.

Directions:

Place the arugula, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, cheese, nuts and salt into a food processor and process for ten seconds. Using a spatula, scrape down the sides and process again for ten seconds. For each serving, place two pieces of toasted bread on a plate. Spread pesto generously on each slice. Cover pesto with a layer of cucumber slices and top with avocado cubes. Use a vegetable peeler to shave desired amount of Dry Jack cheese over the tops.  Serves 4. Pin Up Bet

Pair with:

Danza del Sol Winery ~ 2013 Sauvignon Blanc – Aromas of pineapple and lemon. Flavors of passion fruit and papaya.

Hart Winery ~ 2013 Sauvignon Blanc – Citrus notes of guava and tangerine, a subtle herbal undertone and a clean peach finish.

Falkner Winery ~ 2013 Sauvignon Blanc – Wonderful citrus flavors of lemon and white grapefruit.

Miramonte Winery ~ 2012 Grenache Rose – Chic and stylish with peach, strawberry and tangerine notes, hints of sweet rose petals. Complex, vivacious and noble.

Recipe adapted from the Wine Institute’s recipe book:  Down to Earth: A Seasonal Tour of Sustainable Winegrowing in California

Wine Country Recipe: Penne with Butternut Squash, Spinach and Pancetta

Recipe provided by Thornton Winery

Ingredients:

1-12 oz. package penne pasta, cooked in boiling salt water
1 medium sized butternut squash, peeled, seeded and diced into 1/2 – 3/4″ cubes
2 – 3 cups cleaned baby spinach leaves, loosely packed
6 oz. pancetta, cooked crisp and drained
1/4 – 1/2 cup chicken stock
1 1/2 tsp garlic, minced
2 tbsp. unsalted butter
4 tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. fresh Italian parsley, chopped
1/2 tsp. fresh sage
Optional: red pepper flakes, fresh grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

In a large sauté pan, gently sauté the butternut squash and garlic in the butter and olive oil, being careful not to scorch or burn, about five minutes. Add the chicken stock, parsley and sage and cook an additional five minutes. Add spinach and cooked penne pasta and toss gently until spinach has wilted. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Divide among six plates or bowls. Garnish with optional red pepper flakes and parmesan cheese. Serves 6.

Serve with Thornton 2011 Estate Syrah

Wine Country Recipe: Pecan-Orange Pancakes for Mother’s Day

Pecan-Orange Pancakes
Recipe courtesy of The Restaurant at Ponte
Pair with Ponte Winery’s 2012 Moscato

Serves 2

Ingredients:
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
Zest of 2 oranges, finely chopped
½ cup pecans, lightly toasted and chopped
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 ¼ tablespoons butter
½ teaspoon salt
Pure Maple Syrup

How to Make:
Beat eggs and milk together. Add flour, sugar, orange zest, toasted pecans, oil and salt. Mix to combine, using care to break up any flour lumps. Melt about 1 tablespoon of butter on a griddle or skillet and ladle in ¼ to 1/3 cup pancake batter. When the small bubbles that appear in the batter begin to burst, flip the pancake and cook for a few more minutes. Remove from pan and serve with butter and maple syrup.  Pair with Ponte Winery’s 2012 Moscato and add some fresh orange juice for a delicious mimosa.

Wine Country Recipe: Deep Dish Apple Tarte Tatin

Recipe provided by Europa Village and The Inn at Europa Village Executive Chef Dean Thomas.

This seasonal dessert recipe is a fall classic in France, but is simple enough to put together on a weeknight – all you need are four ingredients!

Apple Tart Tatin

Ingredients:

3 each firm Granny Smith or Gala Apples

6 Tbsp sugar in the Raw

1/4 stick of butter (2 tbsp)

6 Tbsp pie dough or puff pastry dough

Vanilla bean ice cream (optional)

Method of Preparation:

Begin by peeling and coring the apples; cut the apples in half or quarters; place into either an individual large muffin pan or a 10-inch deep dish cake pan.  Top with the butter and sugar in the raw.  Cover with the dough and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes until apples and sugar have caramelized.  Remove from the oven and cover the dough with a large size pan, immediately turn upside down and allow the tart to fall.  Allow to cool to room temperature and serve with your favorite vanilla ice cream or crème Anglaise.

Pair with Europa Village’s Bolero Cellars 2011 Muscat Canelli