January's Eat This! Drink That!
Think Green!
With the holidays in the rear-view mirror, many of us have committed to New Year’s resolutions! If you’ve pledged to go a little bit more green this year, choosing organic wine is a great place to start.
To be considered organic, the wine must be produced with organically grown grapes. Organic producers tend to spray their vineyards less and can’t use some pesticides, herbicides or synthetic fertilizers. Certified organic wine doesn’t use genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and often have lower sulphites.
Start the New Year with meals using fresh and nutritious ingredients paired with a glass of organic wine you can feel good about!
Pasqua Capitolo 104 Organic Chardonnay Grillo
This wine shows fruitiness of citrus, grapefruits and ripe apples with a touch of ripe peaches and almonds. A crisp acidity guarantees a long and harmonious finish.
This is a fresh and fruity Spanish white that has flavours of gooseberry, green apple and notes of citrus.
Pata Negra Apasionado Organic Monastrell
Pata Negra Apasionado Organic is an intense wine with aromas of ripe red fruit, such as cherry and plum. On the palate it shows the pure expression of Monastrell.
Hacienda Terra d'Uro URO Tempranillo 2016
94 points James Suckling
Lots of plum, floral and light vanilla aromas follow through to a full body with round, polished tannins and excellent intensity.
RECIPES:
Mediterranean baked cod
Author: The Mediterranean Dish
Wine pairing: Pasqua Capitolo 104 Organic Chardonnay Grillo
Download the recipe card!
Serves: 6 Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 15 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 ½ lb cod
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Juice of ½ lemon more for later
- 8 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 ounces pitted olives, halved
- 3 tbsp minced red onion
- 4 to 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 2 tsp dried oregano
INSTRUCTIONS:
Step 1:
Heat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Step 2:
Pat the fish dry and season with salt and pepper on both sides. Brush a baking dish with a little extra virgin olive oil and put the fish in it. Squeeze ½ lemon juice all over the top of the fish.
Step 3:
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the tomatoes, olives, onions, garlic and spices. Add a very small pinch of salt and ground pepper. Add a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, toss to combine.
Step 4:
Pour the tomato and olive mixture over the fish. Bake in the heated oven for 15 to 20 minutes.
Step 5:
Remove from the heat and serve.
Vegan Tofu Tacos
Author: Nora Cooks
Wine Pairing: El Convertido Organic Verdejo
Download the recipe card!
Serves: 4 Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 35 mins
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 14 ounce block firm tofu, patted dry
Taco Assembling
- 8-10 small corn or flour tortillas
- Vegan sour cream
- Salsa, diced avocado, diced tomatoes, non-dairy cheese shreds, shredded lettuce, cilantro
INSTRUCTIONS:
Step 1:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2:
In a large bowl, mix together the olive oil, soy sauce, tomato paste, maple syrup, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika and chili powder. Now crumble the tofu into the bowl with your hands and mix together using a large spoon until well combined with the paste.
Step 3:
Spread the tofu mixture evenly in the parchment lined pan. Place in the oven and bake for 15 minutes, then give it a little stir and bake for 15-20 more minutes, until the tofu is golden and chewy.
Step 4:
Remove from the oven and serve immediately in corn/flour tortillas with desired toppings.
Vegan Wild Rice Pilaf
Author: Simply Whisked
Wine Pairing: Pata Negra Apasionado Organic Monastrell
Download the recipe card!
Serves: 6 Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 50 mins
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup diced celery
- ½ cup diced carrots
- ¾ cup diced onion
- 1 ½ cups wild rice blend
- 2 2/3 cup vegetable broth
- 1 – 2 tbsp fresh parsley
INSTRUCTIONS:
Step 1:
Heat a large skillet to medium-high and add olive oil. Allow it heat and add celery, onion and carrot to the the pan. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent and the vegetables have softened – about 5 minutes.
Step 2:
Add rice and stir to combine. Allow the rice to toast until the oil is absorbed.
Step 3:
Pour in the broth and cover the pot. Bring the rice to a boil and then immediately reduce heat to low. Allow the rice to simmer for 45 – 50 minutes.
Step 4:
Remove from heat and allow the rice to set for 5 – 10 minutes for the rice to absorb any remaining liquid.
Vegan Creamy Tomato Pasta
Author: Bianca Zapatka
Wine pairing: Hacienda Terra d'Uro URO Tempranillo 2016
Serves: 4 Prep Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 15 mins
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 lb pasta
- 1-2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion
- 4 garlic cloves
- 500g tomato puree
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Italian herbs
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tsp sugar
To Serve:
- Vegan cream cheese
- Pine nuts
- Fresh basil
INSTRUCTIONS:
Step 1:
Cook your pasta according to the package instructions in salted water until al dente.
Step 2:
In the meantime, make the sauce. Heat the oil in the pan and sauté the onion for 2-3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
Step 3:
Add tomatoes and tomato paste. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes or until desired consistency is reached. Season with salt, pepper, Italian herbs and sugar.
Step 4:
When the pasta is done, drain and add to the sauce, tossing to combine.
Step 5:
Serve your tomato pasta with a dollop of vegan cream cheese, pine nuts and fresh basil.
BUY THE WINES THAT PAIR WITH THESE MEALS!
BON APPETIT!
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2021