Publisher test-driving the recipe.
Wine and Whip Cream and
Thoughts that Count
Valentine's Day Sure Thing
TASTE - January 26, 2010
By Teri Citterman
Love it or loath it, Valentine's Day is fast approaching. And like New Year's Eve, it's often an expectation waiting to unravel. But take note BOYS! Minimal effort can reap you maximum reward.
This year's trend is about intimate, at-home dining - where most importantly, the thought DOES count. The year that the German (affectionate tag for my husband) whipped up the inaugural Valentine's Day dinner, he won points for scallops, which showed sophistication and bacon, which needs no explanation. He sautéed the scallops to butterscotch golden-brown, sprinkled salt, pinched some red pepper, threw in some white wine and whipping cream, added spinach and --Voila!
HOLD IT RIGHT THERE! Unquestionably, when wine and whip cream enter the picture, you're looking down the barrel of an almost-sure thing. But the personal touch came when he wrapped the little globules with a bacon bow and presented the tiny love packages on a bed of balsamic-dampened mixed greens (yes, I said dampened). And the lettuce was his idea.
Uncork an elegant German Riesling, and the opportunity becomes yours to lose. If your sweetheart is anything like me (issues, and plenty of them), she won't feel an ounce of remorse eating the little, meaty morsels, which seem more like mushrooms than a shellfish that once frolicked in the ocean. That alone is a thought worth counting. You'll win her over, and dessert will likely be what's for breakfast.
Chop chop!
Publisher's Note:
Teri Citterman is the editor of Best Places to Kiss in the Northwest, 10th edition travel guidebook and writes An Urban Sip Wine Blog. Being a kissing connoisseur and a wine aficionado, it seemed only appropriate that she debut with insight for Valentine's Day.
The Tasty Recipe:
www.KomoNews.com
A few of Teri's favorite Riesling producers:
2006 Clean Slate Riesling (~$12.99)
The whole Mosel contained in one glass. A spicy blend of peach and exotic
fruit - chalk found in the upper, spice from the middle and minerality from
the downward Mosel.
2007 St. Urbans-Hof Ockfener Bockstein Riesling Spatlese (~$20)
The bell of the ball, this beauty sparkles with a spray of all things yellow
- pineapple, grapefruit and lemony lime. Crisp and delightful.
2004 SA Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese (~$22)
Peach and pear and sunlight, oh my! Bright with citrus and honey, this wine
goes from implied sweetness to dryness through the finish.
Wine mark-ups and prices vary, and, as such, Wine Country Minute 00:60 cannot guarantee the accuracy of the listed prices. Please check around to find the best price and availability.
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