From left, Leg. Tom Muratore; partners Nick Haviaras, Peter Dilis, Corey Catechis, Gus Catechis and George Dilis of MVC Properties; and Councilman Kevin LaValle. Photo by Heidi Sutton
By Heidi Sutton
Local officials, members of the Centereach Civic Association, Middle Country Chamber of Commerce, family and friends were on hand to celebrate the grand opening ribbon cutting of MVC Properties’ latest venture − New Village Plaza in Centereach − on Nov. 2.
Above, Gus Catechis, center, accepts Certificates of Congratulations from Councilman LaValle on behalf of the Town of Brookhaven and Legislature Muratore on behalf of Suffolk County. Photo by Heidi Sutton
Located at 1707-1759 Middle Country Road across from McDonald’s, the shopping center will have over 75,000 square feet of space when the project is completed over two phases. Tenants include an Arby’s, Wingstop, an AT&T store, Swolehouse, Brownstones Coffee and Pacfe Nail & Spa. Cabo Fresh, Voodoo Crab and ProHealth are soon to follow.
Gus Catechis of MVC Properties thanked the community, Councilman Kevin LaValle, Legislator Tom Muratore and Diane Caudullo of the Centereach Civic Association before cutting the ribbon. “I just want you to know how grateful I am for all the support you gave me from the very beginning and to everyone who made this a reality,” he said.
“This special project has been a long time coming. We took something that was a blight in our area and Gus put the time in, put the money in, really giving back to the community to build this great shopping center that we have here with great brand names. It’s really going to be something we are proud of here in Centereach,” said Councilman LaValle, adding “This grand opening shows once again that Brookhaven is open for business.”
“I am always happy to support new businesses in our community, and an entire shopping center is a home run for the local economy,” said Leg. Muratore. “Congratulations to the owners, MVC Properties. We are happy to welcome them to our business community.”
Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese and Orange-Balsamic Vinaigrette
By Barbara Beltrami
Autumn brings with it a plethora of veggies that we too often think we have to cook to death in soups, stews and casseroles. But greens like kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower make a nice base for a salad. Root veggies like beets and carrots add color while nuts and seeds give a whole new dimension to salad dressings. Add autumn fruits with or without your favorite lettuces and you’ve got a great main or side dish. Add some protein like chicken, beans, salmon, shrimp or cheese and you’ve got a healthful one-dish meal, if you want. And there’s no reason you can’t try them with the dressing of your choice instead of the ones here.
Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese and Orange-Balsamic Vinaigrette
Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese and Orange-Balsamic Vinaigrette
YIELD: Makes 6 servings
INGREDIENTS:
Nonstick cooking spray
3 to 4 medium beets, washed, trimmed, peeled and cut into quarters
12 garlic cloves, peeled
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon orange juice
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
1 tablespoon minced red onion
½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
4 cups baby arugula
2/3 cup crumbled goat cheese
½ cup chopped toasted walnuts
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 400 F. Spray shallow baking pan with nonstick cooking spray; add beets, garlic, thyme and 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil; toss to coat thoroughly, then roast, turning once or twice, until beets are tender, about 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from oven. When beets reach room temperature, dice them. In medium bowl, whisk together remaining oil, vinegar, orange juice, zest, onion, mustard, and salt and pepper; add beet mixture; toss to thoroughly coat. Line salad plates with arugula; heap beet mixture evenly on top; sprinkle with goat cheese and walnuts. Serve immediately at room temperature with meat, poultry or a hearty soup.
Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Baby Spinach and Apple Cider Dressing
YIELD: Makes 8 servings
INGREDIENTS:
3 pounds butternut squash, peeled and diced
¼ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons brown sugar
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
1½ cups apple cider
¼ cup cider vinegar
¼ cup minced shallot
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
½ pound baby spinach, washed and patted dry
3 sweet-tart apples, peeled, cored, diced and tossed with freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 400 F. In a very large bowl toss the squash cubes with the quarter cup of olive oil, brown sugar and salt and pepper. Spread evenly on baking sheet and roast for 15 to 20 minutes, until squash is tender. Meanwhile in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat combine the cider, vinegar, shallot, and salt and pepper and bring to a boil; cook for about 6 minutes until liquid is reduced by half. Let cool a little, then add mustard and cup of olive oil. Let cool completely. Line a platter or large bowl with spinach; add squash; drain apples and place on top of squash; sprinkle with almonds and cheese, if using. Serve at room temperature with a meat, poultry, soup or pasta.
Brussels Sprout, Pear and Kale Salad with Mustard-Honey Vinaigrette
YIELD: Makes 8 to 10 servings
INGREDIENTS:
3 firm Anjou pears, peeled, cored and sliced into half-inch wedges
¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 large bunches lacinato kale, center stem removed and leaves cut into thin strips
12 ounces fresh Brussels sprouts, trimmed and thinly sliced
2 cups dried cranberries
1 garlic clove
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
¼ cup white wine vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS:
In a small bowl toss the pear slices with the lemon juice; remove pears and reserve lemon juice for another use, if desired. In a large bowl toss together the pears, kale, Brussels sprouts and cranberries. Cover with plastic wrap and chill to up to 4 hours until ready to serve, then remove from fridge and let sit at room temperature 30 minutes. Meanwhile in small bowl whisk together the garlic, oil, mustard, honey, vinegar and salt and pepper; let sit at least an hour, then remove garlic and toss dressing with salad. Serve at room temperature with poultry, meat or casserole.
Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker joined Town of Brookhaven Councilwoman Jane Bonner, the Miller Place–Mount Sinai Chamber of Commerce and the community in celebrating the grand reopening of Vincenzo’s Pizzeria and Restaurant, 343 Route 25A, in Miller Place on Oct. 19.
“I am pleased to welcome Vincenzo’s to the Miller Place community,” said Anker. “I encourage residents to try its delicious food and inviting atmosphere!”
Vincenzo’s Pizzeria and Restaurant is a family-owned Italian restaurant originally established in Port Jefferson. In 2017, the business had the opportunity to relocate to a larger space in Miller Place, while also expanding its menu and offerings. For more information, visit www.vincenzospizzalongisland.com.
From William Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale,” Act IV, Scene IV, comes a quote: “For you there’s rosemary and rue; these keep seeming and savor all the winter long.” Rosemary is an herb that gives its best aromatic and savory gifts in the cold weather. It’s a strong herb; you need only brush it with your fingertips or sleeve to keep its pungent scent a good while after. An evergreen plant in the mint family along with thyme, basil, oregano and lavender, it has many medicinal as well as culinary uses. Try roasting a chicken and poking rosemary sprigs in the cavity or under the skin. Put rosemary leaves in a bean and cabbage soup or use it with pears in a cake. Fresh rosemary is best, but it freezes well. Grow some on your window sill and savor it all winter long.
Roasted Chicken with Rosemary,Garlic and Lemon
Roasted Chicken with Rosemary, Garlic and Lemon
YIELD: Serves 4 to 6
INGREDIENTS:
One 3- to 3½-pound roasting chicken, cleaned, rinsed and dried
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1 whole lemon, quartered
1 medium onion quartered
4 garlic cloves, peeled and halved lengthwise
4 to 6 rosemary sprigs + more for garnish
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ cup dry white wine
½ cup water
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 425 F. Rub cavity of chicken with salt and pepper and juice from lemon quarters; place onion quarters inside cavity. Tuck wings under neck and tie legs together; tuck garlic and rosemary sprigs under skin; rub outside of chicken with juiced lemon wedges, then smear all over with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast chicken until it is just done, about one hour. Remove from oven and let rest; remove from roasting pan and transfer to warm platter. Set roasting pan over medium heat on stove top; add wine to pan juices and scrape bits and pieces from bottom of pan; add water, boil liquid, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened and reduced by half. Serve chicken with pan juices and roasted potatoes.
Chick Pea and Veggie Soup with Rosemary
YIELD: Makes 4 to 6 servings
INGREDIENTS:
¼ cup olive oil
4 garlic cloves, peeled
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary leaves
One 14-ounce can diced tomatoes with juice
2 cups finely shredded fresh cabbage
2 cups diced zucchini
1 cup chicken or vegetable stock
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
One 28-ounce can chick peas
DIRECTIONS:
Heat oil in a large heavy sauce pan or pot over medium-high heat. Add garlic and onion and saute until garlic starts to brown and onion is transparent, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove and discard garlic; add rosemary, tomatoes and their juice, cabbage, zucchini, stock, salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat 20 to 25 minutes, until cabbage and zucchini are tender. Add chick peas, stir and cook another 5 to 10 minutes until they are heated through. Serve hot with fried bread cubes and a spinach salad.
Pear-Rosemary Upside Down Cake
Pear-Rosemary Upside Down Cake
YIELD: Makes 8 to 10 servings
INGREDIENTS:
Nonstick cooking spray
4 large pears, peeled and cored
1½ cups sugar
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves
2 large eggs
1 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons orange juice
1 teaspoon orange zest
1½ cups flour
¾ cup stone ground yellowcornmeal
½ teaspoon salt
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray inside and bottom of 9-inch springform pan, then wrap outside bottom and sides with heavy duty aluminum foil. In large bowl gently toss pear slices with two tablespoons of the sugar and all the rosemary; arrange pear slices in bottom of pan. In large bowl with mixer on medium speed beat eggs with remaining sugar until light and fluffy. Add oil, orange juice and zest; continue beating just until blended. Add flour, cornmeal and salt; beat on low speed until blended. Pour batter over pears in pan; bake until cake tester inserted in center comes out clean, about 1¼ hours. Cool completely in pan; run knife around edges of cake, invert cake plate over cake and turn cake plate and pan over; carefully remove ring. Serve with creme fraiche and pear brandy.
Wild Flours Bake Shop, 11 New St. in Huntington, recently announced they are closing on Nov. 9. The shop is known for its gluten-free products, many of them made without dairy products or refined sugars. Owners Carolyn Arcario and Mary Mucci made the announcement on Oct. 5. “After 10 years, Wild Flours will be baking our last cakes. Our lease is winding down and we will not be renewing. We have truly enjoyed baking for you and your families,” reads a post on the bakery’s Facebook page.
Bryant Funeral Home, located at 411 Old Town Road, E. Setauket hosts a Thanksgiving Food Drive through Nov. 23. Please drop off nonperishable food at the funeral home from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Every five items you bring in will earn you a chance to win one of three raffle prizes. All food collected will be donated to the Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry located at the St. James R.C. Church in Setauket. For further information, please call 631-473-0082.
Election Day is next Tuesday and it brings with it political polarity the likes of which we’ve never seen until recently. Nobody seems to agree about anything anymore, and most people dare not bring up the subject of politics, lest it bring a shouting match, a détente among friends or family members or worse, the end of a formerly close relationship. Red or blue, Democrat or Republican, we are fortunate enough to have Election Day, an institution as American as, well, apple pie. In its honor I’ve decided to present three different apple pie candidates. You choose the one you think will be best.
Basic Pie Crust
YIELD: Makes two 8- or 9-inch pie crusts.
INGREDIENTS:
21/4 cups flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup solid shortening
4 to 5 tablespoons ice water
DIRECTIONS:
In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the flour and salt. With two table knives or a pastry cutter, work the shortening into the flour mixture until flour-coated particles are the size of peas. Sprinkle ice water, one tablespoon at a time, into mixture until it is completely moistened and all dry ingredients have been incorporated. Divide dough in half; shape each half into a disc; lay between two large sheets of waxed paper on a floured surface, and with a rolling pin, roll out a crust approximately 10 inches in diameter. Carefully transfer to pie plate by inverting waxed paper and peeling it off. Use any torn parts to patch irregularities in crust.
Traditional Apple Pie
Traditional Apple Pie
YIELD: Makes one 9-inch pie.
INGREDIENTS:
Two 9-inch pie crusts, each crust rolled out to 10-12 inches
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1½ tablespoons cornstarch
7 cups pared sliced firm tart apples such as Granny Smith, Winesap or Jonathan
1½ tablespoons unsalted butter
2 to 3 tablespoons milk
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 425 F. In a large bowl combine sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg and cornstarch; add apples and toss to coat evenly with dry mixture. Letting edge drape over rim of 9-inch pie plate, line it with one crust. Heap apple mixture evenly over crust; dot with butter. Top with second crust; seal crusts by pinching edges of both crusts together and pressing them down on pie plate rim with fingers or a fork; flute edge. Cut slits in top crust, then brush with milk. Bake until crust is golden and apples are soft, about 50 to 60 minutes. If edge of crust starts to get too brown, cover with strips of aluminum foil.
Deep Dish Apple Pie
Deep Dish Apple Pie
YIELD: Makes one pie.
INGREDIENTS:
Nonstick cooking spray
6 cups tart, firm apples such as Granny Smith, Greening, Winesap or Jonathan
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup sugar
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon cinnamon
Small pinch of salt
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Pie crusts for 9-inch pie, rolled out 1⁄₈ inch thick
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 425 F. Spray sides and bottom of 10×6×2-inch baking dish. In large bowl thoroughly combine all ingredients except butter. Transfer to baking dish; spread evenly. Dot with butter and top with pastry crust; with small sharp knife, make a few slits in crust, then brush with milk. Bake until crust is golden and apples are soft, about 40 minutes.
Apple Crumb Pie
Apple Crumb Pie
YIELD: Makes one pie.
INGREDIENTS:
Pie crust for 9-inch pie
Filling for traditional apple pie, above
½ cup unsalted butter
½ cup brown sugar
1 cup flour
Pinch of salt
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 400 F. Line pie plate with crust and seal edges against rim. Put apple mixture into crust. In medium bowl combine butter, sugar and flour and salt; mix until crumbly. Spread evenly over apple mixture. Bake 50 minutes, until topping starts to crisp and apples are soft.
Most of us think of pumpkins as the main ingredient in pies, but they’re far more versatile than you might think. I’m not talking about pumpkin martinis or lattes or dishes made with canned pumpkin puree. I’m talking about savory familiar dishes that feature fresh pumpkin instead of their usual main ingredients … dishes such as curry or risotto or even oven fries. Yes, I know it’s a lot of work to cut up a pumpkin, but the taste and texture of what you get from doing it are worth the trouble. If you really think you can’t be bothered, then wait till Halloween and use the pumpkin flesh that’s carved out of the jack-o’-lanterns.
Thai Curried Pumpkin
YIELD: Makes 3 to 4 servings
INGREDIENTS:
One 1½- to 2-pound pumpkin, peeled, seeded and cut into bite-size cubes
2 shallots, peeled and finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
1 tablespoon red curry paste
One 14-ounce can unsweetened coconut milk
2 tablespoons Asian fish sauce
Freshly squeezed juice of one lime
1 tablespoon brown sugar
¼ cup peanut oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
DIRECTIONS:
To a large pot of boiling salted water add pumpkin; cook 5 to 8 minutes, until barely tender. With slotted spoon remove from water and set aside. In a blender or food processor, puree shallots, garlic and curry paste with two tablespoons water; add coconut milk, fish sauce, lime juice and brown sugar and pulse a few times to combine with curry paste mixture. Put oil in a wok and warm over medium heat; add curry mixture and stir constantly just until it releases its fragrance, about 10 to 15 seconds. Stir in coconut milk mixture, bring to boil, add pumpkin and reduce heat to low; cook, stirring once or twice until pumpkin is very tender but not mushy, 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer to serving bowl, sprinkle with basil and serve immediately with rice.
Pumpkin Risotto
Pumpkin Risotto
YIELD: Makes 6 servings
INGREDIENTS:
One 2-pound pumpkin, peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1½ quarts chicken broth
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
½ cup minced onion
½ cup minced celery
1½ cups arborio rice
¾ cup dry white wine
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 400 F. Toss pumpkin cubes with olive oil, salt and pepper in shallow baking pan; bake until they are tender but not mushy, about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside to keep warm. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan over medium heat warm chicken broth and leave on low heat to simmer. In a large heavy pot or saucepan over medium heat melt butter, then reduce heat to medium, add onion and celery and, stirring frequently, cook until onion is opaque, about 5 minutes. Add rice, stir, add wine, and stir for another one and a half minutes. Add one or two ladlefuls of broth and stir frequently until broth is absorbed. Repeat procedure, always stirring frequently, until all broth has been absorbed and rice is al dente, about 20 to 30 minutes. Stir in the baked pumpkin and Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately with a sauteed leafy green vegetable.
Pumpkin Oven Fries
YIELD: Makes 8 to 10 servings
INGREDIENTS:
One 2- to 3-pound pumpkin, peeled, seeded and cut into ½-inch sticks
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1/3 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 400 F. In a large bowl toss all ingredients together until pumpkin is thoroughly coated. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and spread pumpkin sticks around so that there is space between them. Place in oven and bake 20 to 30 minutes, until crispy and golden brown on outside and tender on inside. Place in a serving bowl and toss with cheese. Serve hot or warm with poultry or meat and a green salad.
Pasta sauces are just as seasonal as other foods. Summer’s over. No more basil pestos or fresh tomatoes, zucchinis and eggplants. Now it’s time for hearty sauces featuring cold weather veggies like broccoli rabe, cauliflower and winter squash paired with beans, nuts and sausage. These are not your traditional tomato-based sauces, but they are full of flavor and texture and protein. They’re the kinds of sauces you usually find only in upscale Italian restaurants and are a whole lot easier to put together than you would think, so give them a try.
Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe and Cannellini
YIELD: Makes 6 servings.
INGREDIENTS:
1 large bunch broccoli rabe
½ cup olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
½ cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
One 14-ounce can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 pound orecchiette pasta
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
DIRECTIONS:
Rinse and trim broccoli rabe. Remove coarse outer leaves and tough parts of stems, then chop into bite-size pieces, taking care to leave florets intact. In a large skillet over moderate heat combine oil, garlic and broccoli rabe; saute garlic and broccoli rabe until garlic is light golden. Add broth, pepper flakes and salt and pepper, partially cover and cook over moderate heat, about 5 minutes. Add beans and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until broccoli rabe is tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large pot of salted water, cook orecchiette according to package directions, drain and transfer to a large serving bowl, toss with broccoli rabe mixture, then sprinkle with grated cheese. Serve immediately with a dry robust white wine.
Rigatoni with Sausage and Cauliflower
Rigatoni with Sausage and Cauliflower
YIELD: Makes 4 to 6 servings.
INGREDIENTS:
1 head cauliflower, washed, trimmed and separated into bite-size florets
½ cup olive oil
1 pound Italian sweet sausage, crumbled
2 garlic cloves, minced
One 14-ounce can diced tomatoes with juice
1 teaspoon crushed hot red pepper flakes
½ cup chopped fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1 pound rigatoni, cooked according to package directions
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
DIRECTIONS:
Sprinkle cauliflower with salt and steam until just tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. In a large skillet heat olive oil over medium heat; add sausage and cook until browned; add garlic, tomatoes with their juice, pepper flakes, parsley, oregano, salt and pepper and cook until mixture is thickened and juice is evaporated. In a large pasta bowl combine sauce and pasta; toss thoroughly and sprinkle with grated cheese. Serve with a Caesar salad.
Penne with Butternut Squash, Hazelnuts and Sage
YIELD: Makes 4 servings.
INGREDIENTS:
1 large butternut squash, halved and seeded
1 pound penne pasta
½ pound unsalted butter
Salt and freshly ground white pepper to taste
1/3 cup coarsely ground toasted hazelnuts
8 fresh sage leaves, cut into narrow strips
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 450 F. Place squash on a baking sheet and roast until flesh is very soft, about 45 minutes to one hour. Meanwhile put a pot of salted water on to boil; cook pasta according to package directions; set aside to keep warm. With a serrated spoon scrape out flesh from squash skin; puree in food processor with half the butter until very smooth. Add salt and pepper and stir to thoroughly work in; set aside to keep warm. In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt remaining butter; continue cooking until foam subsides and butter starts to brown, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in hazelnuts and sage strips. In a large bowl, toss the pasta with the squash puree and brown butter mixture; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately with a spinach and mushroom salad.
Sweet wines are meant for after-dinner consumption, right? Well, yes, and no. There are some sweet and some not so, that are served before and even during dinner. In France a sweet Sauternes wine is occasionally served with the main course and in Italy a chilled glass of sparkling Asti is perfect with light and mild appetizers.
Sweet wines can loosely be defined as wines having noticeable sugar, which is detected in the front of the mouth or tip of the tongue. Sweet wines can be relatively light in body compared to others that are fuller in the mouth with a syrupy rich, fat and lush taste with an almost oily texture. Although there is no legal definition for a sweet wine, it’s generally accepted that wines with over 2 percent sugar are considered sweet.
Sweet wines are made in every country and there are many methods used to make these delicious, luscious wines. The most common methods are:
Dried Grapes: Partially drying grapes after harvest; shriveling berries prior to fermentation. The drying can be in the sun on straw mats or in special rooms, which control humidity. Most European cultures maintain some tradition of partially drying grapes. Examples are Amarone della Valpolicella, vin santo, Sforzato di Valtellina and Valpolicella Ripasso.
Late-Harvested Grapes: Grapes left on the vine so natural dehydration concentrates sugars. Examples are Spätlese, Auslese andwines labeled “late-harvest.”
Botrytis-Affected Grapes: In humid climates, grapes destined for sweet wines may be attacked by a beneficial mold, Botrytis cinerea, which dehydrates the grape and concentrates sugars. Examples are Barsac, Sauternes, Beerenauslese, Tokaji, Bonnezeaux, Cadillac, Monbazillac and Quarts de Chaume.
Frozen Grapes: Grapes are literally frozen, on or off the vine to decrease water content and increase sugar. Examples are Eiswein and ice wine.
Stopping Fermentation: Adding brandy to the grape juice, fermenting wine or postfermentation. Examples are port, sherry, Madeira, Marsala, Banyuls and Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise.
Foods that pair with sweet wines are almonds, pistachio, cannoli, cheesecake, chocolate, custards, dried fruits, panettone, pastries, pies, puddings, sorbet, tiramisu and zabaglione, to name but a few. You can even pour sweet wine over ice cream.
Sweet desserts need sweet wines, so choose a dessert that is not sweeter than the wine or the wine will taste dry, thin, bitter and less flavorful. Serve sweet wines cold but not overchilled to get the most flavor from them.
Bob Lipinski is the author of 10 books, including “101: Everything You Need to Know About Whiskey” and “Italian Wine & Cheese Made Simple” (available on Amazon.com). He conducts training seminars on wine, spirits and food and is available for speaking engagements. He can be reached at www.boblipinski.com OR [email protected].
YIELD: Makes two 8- or 9-inch pie crusts.
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