Chicken Marsala Meatballs

Juicy, savoury chicken and pork meatballs are simmered in a rich Marsala sauce with caramelized mushrooms, tender herbs and just a touch of cream. Serve over creamy polenta for a low-effort weekday indulgence. Enjoy these Marsala Meatballs with Vigneti Zabù Il Passo Nerello Mascalese or Wolf Blass Yellow Label Chardonnay.

Ingredients

Serves 4; Makes 16 meatballs
1 lb (450 g) ground chicken
½ lb (225 g) ground pork
¾ cup (180 ml) panko bread crumbs
2 tsp (10 ml) minced garlic
1½ tsp (7.5 ml) salt, plus more to taste
¾ tsp (4 ml) freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
¾ tsp (4 ml) finely chopped fresh sage
½ tsp (2.5 ml) chopped fresh rosemary
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil, for frying
2 tbsp (30 ml) butter
1 shallot, minced
2 cups (500 ml) sliced mushrooms (cremini, oyster or other fresh, seasonal variety)
1 tsp (5 ml) chopped fresh tarragon
1 tbsp (15 ml) all-purpose flour
½ cup (125 ml) Marsala
1 cup (250 ml) chicken stock
½ cup (125 ml) whipping cream
fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped, for garnish
polenta, steamed rice or pasta, to serve

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C).
  2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine chicken, pork, panko, garlic, salt, pepper, sage, rosemary and eggs. Mix well until ingredients are evenly incorporated. Portion into 16 even-sized meatballs, about ¼ cup (60 ml) each.
  3. In a large ovenproof pan over medium-high heat, warm oil. Working in batches to avoid overcrowding pan, add meatballs and brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Set aside on a plate and cool pan slightly.
  4. In same pan over medium heat, combine butter and shallots and sauté until softened, about 1 minute. Add mushrooms and tarragon and sauté until mushrooms release their juices. Stir in flour and cook for about 30 seconds, then stir in Marsala and cook for 30 seconds more. Pour in stock and cream and bring back to a simmer, stirring often, then return meatballs to pan and transfer to oven.
  5. Bake, uncovered, for 10 minutes, then flip meatballs and continue cooking for about 10 minutes more, until meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165 F (74 C).
  6. Transfer to a serving dish or serve straight from pan. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve over polenta, steamed rice or your favourite pasta.
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Drink Pairings

Cider Braised Chicken & Lentils

Rustic, hearty and weeknight-friendly, this hearth-warming dish brings cozy autumnal depth to the table. It’s the kind of meal that wraps around you like a knit blanket—earthy, nurturing and built for slow evenings. Lonetree Dry Cider and Juno Chenin Blanc make great pairing options for this dish.

Ingredients

Serves 3 to 4
2 lbs (900 g) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 tbsp (30 ml) butter
1 slice bacon (⅓-in/0.8 cm thick), cut into ⅓-in (0.8 cm) lardons
2 tsp (10 ml) smoked paprika
2 tsp (10 ml) chopped fresh sage
1 tsp (5 ml) chopped fresh rosemary
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 shallot, thinly sliced
1 cup (250 ml) chicken stock, plus more as needed
1 × 12 oz (355 ml) can dry cider
1 cup (250 ml) dried green lentils, rinsed and drained
1 small apple, cut into ¼-in (0.6 cm) dice
½ cup (125 ml) fresh cranberries
baguette, to serve

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C).
  2. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towel, then season liberally with salt and pepper on both sides.
  3. Preheat a large skillet over medium-high and warm butter until it begins to foam. Add chicken skin-side down and brown lightly, about 3 minutes per side, then remove from skillet and set aside. Reduce heat to medium and add bacon, paprika, sage, rosemary, garlic and shallots. Sauté, stirring often, until bacon starts to render its fat and shallots are softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in stock, cider and lentils. Bring to a simmer, then return chicken to pan along with apples and cranberries.
  4. Transfer to oven and bake, uncovered, for 30 to 35 minutes, or until lentils are tender and chicken thighs are at least 165 F (74 C) when probed with a thermometer at thickest point. If more time is needed and pan looks a little dry, add a splash more stock and cook a few minutes longer.
  5. Serve straight from skillet with a nice, crusty baguette to soak up juices.
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Drink Pairings

Watercress & Roast Duck Salad

This salad makes for a vibrant, satisfying meal. The bold and peppery foraged watercress is in perfect complement with rich slices of duck breast and sweet seasonal pears. Whether you’re a seasoned forager or just curious about incorporating wild ingredients into your meals, this salad is a delicious place to start. Pair this salad with Hester Creek Columbia Valley Rose or Mission Hill Reserve Sauvignon Blanc.

Ingredients

Serves 4
2 skin-on duck breasts
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 tbsp (15 ml) maple syrup
1 tsp (5 ml) smoked paprika
3 tbsp (45 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp (5 ml) red chili paste
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp (5 ml) granulated sugar
1½ tbsp (22.5 ml) white balsamic vinegar
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
2 bunches watercress (about 4 cups/1 L), washed and dried
2 small Anjou or Bartlett pears, thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 F (175 C).
  2. Place duck breasts skin-side up on a cutting board. With a sharp knife, lightly score duck skin in a criss-cross pattern, making sure not to cut into flesh. Generously season duck all over with salt and pepper. Place duck breasts skin-side down in a large ovenproof frying pan and set over medium heat. Cook until skin is golden and some fat has rendered, 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer breasts to a plate. Pour rendered fat into a heatproof container and reserve for another use. Return duck, skin-side up, to frying pan. Place pan in oven and roast until an instant-read thermometer registers 125 F (52 C) in thickest part of meat, 15 to 20 minutes.
  3. While duck is in oven, in a small bowl, whisk maple syrup and paprika.
  4. Transfer cooked duck breasts to a cutting board, brush each all over with maple syrup mixture and let rest for at least 15 minutes.
  5. Meanwhile, make salad dressing. In a medium bowl, whisk olive oil, chili paste, garlic, sugar and vinegar until well combined. Set aside.
  6. In a small bowl, combine onions and a good pinch of salt. Cover with cold water and set aside for 10 minutes. Drain, discarding water, and pat onions dry with a clean tea towel.
  7. To serve, arrange three-quarters of watercress on a serving platter. Scatter pears and onions overtop. Drizzle with some dressing. Thinly slice duck breasts and arrange over salad. Top with remaining watercress and drizzle a little more dressing overtop just before serving.
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Drink Pairings

Char Siu Chili Chicken

This savoury, sweet and little bit spicy dish is inspired by the famous red-tinted Cantonese barbecue pork. An overnight marinade followed by low and slow grilling lead to tender, flavourful chicken with a beautifully caramelized crust. Serve with Barossa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon or Cedar Creek Chardonnay.

Ingredients

Serves 4-6
¼ cup (60 ml) hoisin sauce
¼ cup (60 ml) light soy sauce
¼ cup (60 ml) granulated sugar
¼ cup (60 ml) Shaoxing cooking wine or sherry
2 tbsp (30 ml) chili oil
2 tbsp (30 ml) sriracha
1 tbsp (15 ml) dark soy sauce
1 tsp (5 ml) five-spice powder
2 to 3 drops red food colouring (optional)
3 lbs (1.4 kg) bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (breasts, thighs or drumsticks)

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except chicken and whisk until smooth. Add chicken pieces and toss until well coated. Cover and marinate in refrigerator overnight.
  2. Remove chicken from marinade and set aside. Transfer marinade to a small saucepan over medium heat and simmer until volume has reduced by about half.
  3. Prepare your grill for indirect cooking: for 2-burner grills, preheat 1 side to medium and place chicken, skin-side up, on unheated side. For single-burner grills, preheat to low and place chicken directly over flame.
  4. Close barbecue lid and cook, flipping chicken every 8 to 10 minutes and rotating around grill to avoid any hotspots; adjust flame as needed to maintain grill temperature around 400 F (200 C). After second flip, start basting chicken with reduced marinade. Cook until a thermometer registers 165 F (74 C) when inserted at thickest point, about 35 minutes. If you want a bit of extra char, move chicken pieces to heated side briefly to allow sugars in marinade to caramelize.
  5. Serve with steamed white rice and a cool, crisp cucumber salad.
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Drink Pairings

Spicy Rum & Jerk Sauce with Chicken

Bring home Caribbean vibes this summer with this spicy jerk marinade. It’s not for the faint of heart—or palate—but its dialled-up flavours with rum are sure to turn up the heat at your summer party! Just add music and friends, and savour the good times! Try using Lamb's Spiced Rum to create this Spicy Rum & Jerk Sauce.

Ingredients

Serves 1.75 Cups
SPICY RUM & JERK SAUCE
1½ tbsp (22.5 ml) whole allspice
1 tbsp (15 ml) whole black peppercorns
1 tbsp (15 ml) coriander seed
¼ cup (60 ml) Lamb’s Spiced Rum
4 to 5 Scotch bonnet or habanero peppers, stems and seeds removed*
4 to 6 cloves garlic
5 to 7 green onions, roughly chopped (about 1½ cups/375 ml)
2 tbsp (30 ml) fresh thyme leaves
2 tbsp (30 ml) brown sugar
1 tbsp (15 ml) dark soy sauce
2 tbsp (30 ml) vegetable oil
¼ cup (60 ml) apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp (15 ml) grated fresh ginger
⅛ tsp (a pinch) ground nutmeg
½ tsp (2.5 ml) ground cinnamon
1½ tsp (7.5 ml) table salt
1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh lime juice
* It’s a good idea to wear kitchen gloves and glasses while handling hot peppers.
JERK CHICKEN
6 each chicken thighs and legs, bone-in, skin-on
1 to 2 tbsp vegetable oil (15 to 30 ml) (if cooking in oven)
lime wedges and julienned green onions, for garnish

Instructions

  1. To make Spicy Rum & Jerk Sauce, in a spice grinder, coarsely grind allspice, peppercorns and coriander seeds to a sandy texture. Transfer to a food processor, add remaining ingredients and process until a coarse paste forms. Store in an airtight, non-reactive jar in refrigerator for up to 1 month.
  2. To make Jerk Chicken, in a large non-reactive bowl, mix chicken with jerk sauce. Cover and marinate in refrigerator overnight.
  3. Bring to room temperature before cooking on grill or in oven, and reserve any residual sauce to brush over chicken while cooking. If using grill, follow manufacturer’s instructions for grilling chicken until internal temperature reaches 165 F (74 C). If using oven, preheat oven to 375 F (190 C). Evenly distribute oil in a large baking dish and line with chicken without overcrowding. Bake for 1 hour 10 minutes, turning chicken after first 20 minutes, again after another 20 minutes, and again after another 15 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 165 F (74 C). Before serving, place under broiler to crisp up skin, about 2 minutes.
  4. Garnish with lime wedges and green onions, and serve.
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Drink Pairings

Spiced Hot Honey Wings

These wings are packed with flavour and can be as spicy as you like! Adding the Thai chilies and lime juice to the honey after it’s heated keep the flavours bright and fresh. Serve with Red Stripe Lager or Malibu Pina Colada.

Ingredients

Serves 4
2 lbs (900 g) split chicken wings
2 tsp (10 ml) salt, plus more to taste
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp (5 ml) freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp (5 ml) ground cumin
1 tsp (5 ml) ground coriander
1 tsp (5 ml) onion powder
1 tbsp (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp (5 ml) soy sauce
1 tbsp (15 ml) neutral-flavoured oil
3 limes, divided
1 tsp (5 ml) chili paste (such as sambal oelek), plus more to taste
¼ cup (60 ml) honey
1 Thai (bird’s eye) chili, minced, to taste
fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine chicken wings, 2 tsp (10 ml) salt, garlic, pepper, cumin, coriander, onion powder, Worcestershire, soy sauce, oil and zest and juice of 1 lime. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in refrigerator for at least 1 hour or overnight.
  2. Submerge a food-safe cedar plank in water, weighed down with a heavy bowl, and soak for 1½ to 2 hours. Remove chicken wings from refrigerator 1 hour before cooking. Preheat barbecue grill to high.
  3. Place plank on right side of grill and heat for 5 minutes. Turn off heat under plank, place chicken wings on plank in a single layer and cook, barbecue lid closed, for 15 minutes. Turn heat on left side of grill to medium and continue cooking until wings reach an internal temperature of 165 F (74 C), about 20 more minutes.
  4. While wings are cooking, place chili paste and honey in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Turn off heat and add chilies and zest and juice of 1 lime. Keep warm.
  5. Cut remaining lime in half. Place wings in a large clean mixing bowl, mix 3/4 of hot honey with the wings, the remainder can be used for dip. Transfer to a platter, garnish with cilantro and lime halves and serve.
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Drink Pairings

Roast Duck

When it comes to creating a memorable holiday dinner, few dishes make a statement quite like a perfectly roasted whole duck. Its rich, succulent flavour and crispy skin instantly transform any meal into a feast. Many shy away from cooking duck, thinking it’s too complicated, but with a few straightforward techniques, you’ll discover just how easy it can be. Duck not only makes a stunning centrepiece but also pairs beautifully with seasonal sides, making it a versatile choice for your holiday table. Serve the roast duck with any of the following: Barolo Fontanafredda Serralunga d'Alba, Red Rooster Pinot Noir, or Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay.

Ingredients

Serves 4 to 6
2 × 4 to 5 lbs (1.8 to 2.3 kg) whole ducks
3 tbsp (45 ml) soy sauce
3 tbsp (45 ml) Fratelli Fici Marsala Superiore Dry
freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 450 F (230 C). Set a rack in a large roasting pan.
  2. Remove giblets and neck from each duck cavity and discard or reserve for another use. Cut off any excess fat from duck cavities and discard or render for another use. Using paper towel, dry skin of ducks as best you can.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk soy sauce and Marsala wine. Set aside.
  4. Place ducks, breast-side down and wings up, on rack in roasting pan. Add water to pan to come just below rack. Sprinkle ducks with pepper and brush with some soy sauce mixture.
  5. Roast ducks for 30 minutes, then remove from oven, being careful not to slosh and spill any water—you don’t want to get any on ducks.
  6. Prick backs of ducks all over with point of a sharp knife, then flip ducks onto their backs. Sprinkle once again with pepper and brush with soy sauce mixture again. Add a little more water to roasting pan if juices are spattering.
  7. Roast ducks for a further 20 minutes. Remove roasting pan from oven again, then prick duck breasts all over and brush once again with soy sauce mixture. Return to oven and roast for 10 minutes. Brush ducks again with soy sauce mixture, then return to oven and roast until ducks are a burnished golden brown all over and an instant-read thermometer inserted into thigh measures at least 155 F (68 C), another 5 to 10 minutes.
  8. Let ducks rest for 5 minutes before transferring to a cutting board for carving and serving.
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Drink Pairings

Blooming Quesadilla with Guacamole Sauce

This recipe elevates the classic quesadilla into a fun, crowd-pleasing masterpiece that will have everyone coming back for seconds and thirds. Convenient handheld pockets of melted cheese and seasoned chicken, all beautifully fanned out and ready for dipping. Enjoy alongside Ole Cocktail Co Margarita Mocktail or Cabron Cantarito.

Ingredients

Serves 10
3 cups (750 ml) shredded roasted chicken (from 1 rotisserie chicken)
1 red bell pepper, diced
2 green onions, thinly sliced, plus more for garnish
1 jalapeño pepper, finely chopped
1 cup (250 ml) store-bought taco sauce or salsa of choice
16 to 18 (6-in/15 cm) flour tortillas
3 cups (750 ml) shredded Monterey Jack
3 cups (750 ml) shredded sharp cheddar
Guacamole Sauce, to serve, recipe follows
fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
GUACAMOLE SAUCE
2 large avocados, pitted and peeled
½ cup (125 ml) fresh cilantro leaves
¼ cup (60 ml) Jose Cuervo Especial Silver Tequila
2 tbsp (30 ml) fresh lime juice, plus more to taste
¼ tsp (1 ml) ground cumin
1 tsp (5 ml) kosher salt, plus more to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment. Place a 4-in (10 cm) ramekin in centre of prepared baking sheet and set aside.
  2. Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment. Place a 4-in (10 cm) ramekin in centre of prepared baking sheet and set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, stir shredded chicken, diced bell peppers, green onions, chopped jalapeños and taco sauce until thoroughly combined. Set aside.
  4. Cut each tortilla in half. Add about 2 tbsp (30 ml) each Monterey Jack, cheddar and chicken mixture to each tortilla half, spreading almost to edges. Roll tortillas into cones, starting from cut edge and making sure not to push ingredients out of tortilla.
  5. With about 13 tortilla cones, create a ring around ramekin on prepared baking sheet, placing cones seam-side down and with points of cones facing centre, touching ramekin. Sprinkle some Monterey Jack and cheddar over this layer. Repeat with remaining cones to make 2 more layers, finishing with rest of Monterey Jack and cheddar. Remove ramekin from centre of ring.
  6. Bake until cheese is melted and edges of tortillas are crispy, 15 to 20 minutes. You can make Guacamole Sauce while blooming quesadilla bakes.
  7. For Guacamole Sauce, in pitcher of a blender, combine avocados, cilantro, tequila, lime juice, cumin and salt. Blend until smooth, scraping down sides of pitcher as needed. Season with more salt and lime juice, if desired. Transfer to a serving bowl.
  8. Carefully transfer blooming quesadilla to a serving platter. Add Guacamole Sauce to ramekin used to shape blooming quesadilla before baking. Place in centre of quesadilla ring before garnishing quesadillas with cilantro and sliced green onions. Best served while still warm.
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Drink Pairings

Italian Hoagie Dip

This recipe takes game day eats to the next level! All the classic flavours of a hearty cold-cut-and-cheese-filled hoagie are transformed into a chunky, crave-worthy dip. While it’s great served simply with corn chips on the side for scooping, we’ve opted to serve it in a baguette bread bowl, making portioning and serving a snap. If you can’t find fresh tomatoes, consider using drained and chopped canned tomatoes. They work well here as they are picked and packed at peak ripeness and flavour. Enjoy this dip with Asahi Super Dry 0.0%, Phillips Iota Hazy IPA, or Superflux Happyness West Coast IPA. 

Ingredients

Serves 10
2 medium tomatoes, finely diced (about 1 cup/250 ml total)
¼ lb (110 g) hot soppressata, chopped into bite-sized pieces
¼ lb (110 g) thick-sliced ham, chopped into bite-sized pieces
¼ lb (110 g) sliced deli turkey, chopped into bite-sized pieces
¼ lb (110 g) uncured Genoa salami, finely chopped
¼ lb (110 g) provolone, finely chopped
½ cup (125 ml) sliced jarred banana pepper rings, plus 1 tbsp (15 ml) brine
¼ cup (60 ml) finely chopped red onions
½ tsp (2.5 ml) dried basil
½ tsp (2.5 ml) dried oregano
¼ tsp (1 ml) red pepper chili flakes (optional)
½ cup (125 ml) mayonnaise
2 baguettes
2 cups (500 ml) packed thinly sliced romaine lettuce

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, toss tomatoes, soppressata, ham, turkey, salami, provolone, banana pepper rings, onions, basil, oregano and chili flakes (if desired) until combined. Add mayonnaise and banana pepper brine and stir until well incorporated.
  2. Cut baguettes in half lengthwise and remove most of interior bread to create 4 long bread boats. Reserve removed bread for another use.
  3. Just before serving, fold lettuce into meat mixture. Divide dip evenly among bread boats. Transfer boats to a cutting board to allow diners to chop off their own slices, or chop each filled baguette boat into 3-in (7.5 cm) lengths and place on a serving platter.
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Drink Pairings

Chicken Adobo-au-Vin

A French bistro classic with a Pinoy twist. Umami-rich notes of mushroom and soy are brightened with a hit of red wine vinegar and loads of freshly cracked pepper. For best flavour, we recommend See Ya Later Ranch Pinot Noir save the rest for a glass with your meal or pair with Fort Berens Riesling.

Ingredients

Serves 4 to 6 
2 cups (500 ml) See Ya Later Ranch Pinot Noir, divided
⅓ cup (80 ml) red wine vinegar
¼ cup (60 ml) dark soy sauce
¼ cup (60 ml) light soy sauce
1 tbsp (15 ml) coarsely cracked black peppercorns
5 bay leaves, fresh if available
4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
4 bone-in, skin-on chicken drumsticks
10½ oz (300 g) tocino*
2 tbsp (30 ml) coconut oil, plus more as needed
8 cremini mushrooms, quartered
1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
5 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
2 tbsp (30 ml) all-purpose flour
2 tbsp (30 ml) brown sugar
sliced green onions, for garnish
steamed white rice, to serve
* Tocino is a sweet, cured, Filipino-style pork bacon available at most Asian grocers.

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup (250 ml) red wine, vinegar, dark and light soy sauces, cracked black pepper, bay leaves and chicken and toss to coat. Cover and marinate, refrigerated, for 3 to 4 hours.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 F (175 C). 
  3. In a small saucepan with salted boiling water, blanch tocino for 3 minutes, separating pieces that stick together. Strain and cut into ¼-in (0.6 cm) thick strips. Set aside on a paper-towel-lined plate.
  4. Remove chicken from marinade and pat dry with paper towel; reserve marinade. In a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat, warm coconut oil. Working in batches and starting skin-side down, brown chicken on all sides, about 5 minutes per side. Set aside on a plate.
  5. To same pan, add tocino and cremini mushrooms and sauté until lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes, adding a bit more coconut oil if needed. Add onions and garlic and continue cooking until onions have softened, then sprinkle with flour and stir. Deglaze with remaining 1 cup (250 ml) red wine, loosening any browned bits stuck to pan. Pour in reserved marinade, brown sugar, browned chicken and any accumulated juices and bring to a simmer.
  6. Transfer to oven and cook, covered, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 F (74 C) when probed with a meat thermometer at thickest point, about 30 minutes.
  7. Using a slotted spoon, arrange chicken on a serving dish, then top with tocino, onions, mushrooms and sauce. Garnish with sliced green onions and serve with plenty of steamed rice to soak up juices.
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