
Chili Oil Noodles
Noodles are served during Lunar New Year to represent long life—just be sure to slurp up a noodle without cutting or biting it, or you’ll cut the long life short! These chili oil noodles are a quick and tasty addition to your Lunar New Year feast. This noodle dish is best enjoyed with Wild Goose Pinot Gris or Diora La Petite Grace Pinot Noir.Ingredients
Serves 4-6
¼ cup (60 ml) soy sauce
3 tbsp (45 ml) dark soy sauce
3 tbsp (45 ml) Chinese (Chinkiang) black vinegar
2 tsp (10 ml) tomato paste
½ cup (125 ml) vegetable oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp (15 ml) minced fresh ginger
2 tbsp (30 ml) red pepper chili flakes
1 tbsp (15 ml) chili powder
1 tsp (5 ml) Szechuan peppercorns
1 tsp (5 ml) ground cumin
2 tsp (10 ml) sesame seeds
2 tsp (10 ml) sesame seeds
1 tbsp (15 ml) sesame oil
1 × 1 lb (450 g) package dried knife-cut wheat noodles, cooked according to package instructions
1 Thai (bird’s eye) chili, thinly sliced, for garnish
fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, dark soy sauce, black vinegar and tomato paste. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, heat oil until hot (just under smoking point). Remove from heat. Add garlic, ginger, chili flakes, chili powder, peppercorns, cumin and sesame seeds. Mix to combine. Add sesame oil and sauce from step 1 and mix to combine.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine noodles and sauce until noodles are well coated, then transfer to a serving platter and garnish with Thai chilies and cilantro.
Drink Pairings

Fried Ravioli with Beer Ranch Sauce
Get ready to kick your game day spread up a notch with a dish that scores big on taste. We’re talking crispy, golden pockets of cheesy goodness that are practically begging to be dunked in a creamy, beer-infused ranch dip. This combo is the ultimate play for your taste buds, perfect for munching while you cheer on your team. Pair fried ravioli with Asahi Super Dry 0.0%, Phillips Iota Hazy IPA, or Superflux Happyness West Coast IPA.Ingredients
Serves 6
1 cup (250 ml) all-purpose flour
2 to 3 eggs
1½ cups (375 ml) bread crumbs
1 cup (250 ml) finely grated Parmesan
2 tsp (10 ml) dried Italian herb seasoning
1 × 12 oz (340 g) bag refrigerated or frozen cheese ravioli, thawed and patted dry if necessary
vegetable oil, for frying
BEER RANCH SAUCE
¼ cup (60 ml) plain Greek yogurt
½ cup (125 ml) full-fat sour cream
¼ cup (60 ml) Parallel 49 Craft Pale Ale
1 tsp (5 ml) garlic powder
1 tsp (5 ml) onion powder
2 tsp (10 ml) dried dill
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- To prepare Beer Ranch Sauce, In a medium bowl, whisk yogurt, sour cream, beer, garlic powder, onion powder and dill. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- For ravioli, line up 3 shallow bowls. In first bowl, place flour. In second bowl, whisk eggs until thoroughly beaten. In third bowl, whisk bread crumbs, Parmesan and Italian herb seasoning.
- Working with 1 ravioli at a time, dredge in flour mixture, taking care to tap off excess flour. Dip in egg and let excess drip off. Press into bread crumb mixture to coat thoroughly, then place on a rimmed baking sheet. Coat remaining ravioli.
- In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat, heat at least 2-in (5 cm) oil to 375 F (190 C) on a deep-frying thermometer. Line a clean baking sheet with paper towel.
- Working in batches, deep-fry ravioli, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crisp, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to lined baking sheet to drain while continuing to fry remaining coated ravioli.
- Once all are fried, transfer ravioli to a serving platter with a bowl of Beer Ranch Sauce alongside for dipping.
Drink Pairings

Buttered Popcorn Risotto
Dinner and a movie with a bit of a plot twist. This creamy and delicious risotto, spiked with loads of popcorn flavour, makes for a great weekday dinner. Pair this Buttered Popcorn Risotto with Viognier Yalumba Y Series or Bread & Butter Chardonnay.Ingredients
Serves 4 as a main course or 6 as a starter
1 tbsp + ¼ cup (75 ml) unsalted butter, divided
2 cups (500 ml) yellow onion cut into ⅛-in dice, divided
3 tbsp (45 ml) minced garlic, divided
1 × 12 oz (341 ml) can corn niblets
4 cups (1 L) low-sodium chicken stock
4 cups (1 L) white cheddar popcorn, plus more for garnish
1½ cups (375 ml) arborio rice
1 tsp (5 ml) salt, plus more to taste
1 cup (250 ml) Bread & Butter Chardonnay
2 tbsp (30 ml) nutritional yeast
½ cup (125 ml) finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus more for garnish
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
fresh chives, for garnish
truffle oil or melted butter, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 tbsp (15 ml) butter. Add 1 cup (250 ml) onions and 2 tbsp (30 ml) garlic and sauté until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add corn, stock and popcorn and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and purée until smooth. Strain and keep warm.
- In a separate medium saucepan over medium-high heat, melt remaining ¼ cup (60 ml) butter. Add remaining onions and garlic and sauté until soft but not browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in arborio rice, add salt and cook until rice turns slightly translucent, then pour in wine and cook until mostly absorbed. Add enough popcorn stock to barely cover rice and reduce heat to a low simmer. Stirring regularly, continue cooking risotto, adding another ladle of popcorn stock as needed to keep covered. Cook until rice is al dente but no longer has a starchy centre, about 20 minutes.
- Once cooked, stir in nutritional yeast and Parmigiano-Reggiano and season with pepper. Finished consistency should be saucy and creamy but hold a bit of shape for a few seconds when stirred.
- Transfer to serving dishes and garnish with extra popcorn, Parmigiano-Reggiano and chives. Drizzle with truffle oil or melted butter if desired.
Drink Pairings

Instant Ramen Mushroom Carbonara
Creamy, rich and loaded with umami, this easy meal goes from packet to plate in under 20 minutes. This definitely isn’t your nonna’s recipe. This dish can be enjoyed with a glass of Montgras Reserva Pinot Noir or Haywire Pinot Gris Reserve.Ingredients
Serves 2 to 3
⅓ cup (80 ml) finely grated pecorino Romano, plus more for garnish
1 seasoning packet from instant ramen noodles, divided
1 egg + 1 egg yolk
2 tbsp (30 ml) unsalted butter
1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
8 shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, sliced ¼-in (0.6 cm) thick
2 tbsp (30 ml) Haywire Pinot Gris
2 × 3½ oz (100 g) blocks instant ramen noodles
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk pecorino Romano, half of ramen seasoning packet, whole egg and egg yolk. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan, boil just enough water to cover ramen noodles, but don’t add noodles yet.
- In a non-stick skillet over medium heat, heat butter until foamy, then add olive oil, mushrooms and remaining half of ramen seasoning packet. Cook until mushrooms are tender, 5 to 6 minutes, then deglaze with wine, scraping any brown bits stuck to pan.
- Once mushrooms have almost finished cooking, add noodles to boiling water and cook just enough that they can be separated, 45 seconds to 1 minute. Reserve ⅓ cup (80 ml) cooking liquid and strain noodles.
- To mushroom pan, add reserved ⅓ cup (80 ml) pasta water and turn off heat. Add noodles and toss, then pour egg-cheese mixture directly onto noodles, mixing well until evenly coated. Transfer to serving bowls and garnish with more finely grated pecorino Romano and freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately.
Drink Pairings

Bloody Mary Minestrone
Shake up your soup repertoire this fall with this fun take on minestrone. If you plan to store the soup for a few days, cook the pasta separately according to package directions and add it to the soup just before serving. You can pair this Minestrone with Castello Di Gabbiano Cavaliere D’oro Chianti.Ingredients
Serves 8 to 10
2 tbsp (30 ml) grapeseed oil or vegetable oil
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
1 large carrot, finely chopped
1 poblano pepper, seeded and finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely minced
6 cups (1.5 L) homemade or low-sodium chicken stock
1 × 28 oz (796 ml) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
1 × 28 oz (796 ml) can crushed tomatoes
½ cup (125 ml) Stoli Vodka
2 tbsp (30 ml) Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp (2.5 ml) granulated sugar
1 cup (250 ml) ditalini pasta, shells or elbow noodles
2 cups (500 ml) chopped hearty greens (such as kale, Swiss chard or collard greens)
2 × 14 oz (398 ml) cans cannellini beans
2 tbsp (30 ml) fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp (15 ml) prepared horseradish
salt, to taste
fresh celery leaves or flat-leaf parsley leaves, for garnish (optional)
1 lemon, cut into wedges, to serve
Instructions
- In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onions, celery, carrots and peppers. Cook, stirring often, until onions start to become translucent, 4 to 6 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
- Stir in stock and tomatoes. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes. Stir in vodka, Worcestershire and sugar. Return soup to a simmer and let cook, uncovered, for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in pasta. Continue simmering, uncovered, until pasta is al dente and veggies are tender, 10 to 15 minutes.
- Stir in greens, beans, lemon juice and horseradish and let cook another minute longer, until greens wilt slightly. Season with salt.
- Divide soup among serving bowls, sprinkle with celery leaves and serve with a lemon wedge to squeeze over soup if desired.
Drink Pairings

Butternut Squash Pilsner Mac & Cheese
Nothing hits the spot on a crisp fall day like a soul-soothing bowl of creamy mac and cheese. In this decadent adult version, we have created a creamy cheese sauce using four types of cheese and have added butternut squash and pilsner beer for an extra layer of earthy depth in the final dish. Serve this Mac & Cheese with Josh Cellars Chardonnay or Parkside Dawn Pilsner.Ingredients
Serves 4
½ medium butternut squash (about 1 lb/450 g)
4 tbsp (60 ml) unsalted butter, divided, plus more to butter skillets
1 large shallot, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp (30 ml) all-purpose flour
1 tsp (5 ml) dry mustard
1 cup (250 ml) Parkside Dawn Pilsner
1 cup (250 ml) whole milk
½ cup (125 ml) whipping cream
4 oz (110 g) sharp cheddar, shredded
2 oz (60 g) aged Gruyère, shredded
2 oz (60 g) goat’s cheese, crumbled
½ cup (125 ml) freshly grated Parmesan, divided
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 lb (450 g) cavatappi pasta
½ cup (125 ml) panko bread crumbs
1 tsp (5 ml) fresh thyme leaves, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C). Butter four 6-in (15 cm) cast iron skillets and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Set aside.
- Scoop out seeds from butternut squash and discard or reserve for another use. Place squash cut-side down on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet and roast until point of a knife or fork easily pierces squash skin and flesh, about 45 minutes. Keep oven on. Let squash sit at room temperature until cool enough to handle, then scoop out softened flesh and place in a medium bowl. Discard skins. Mash flesh with a fork or potato masher until a thick paste forms. Set aside.
- In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, melt 2 tbsp (30 ml) butter. Add shallots and cook, stirring often with a wooden spoon, until translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook another 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Sprinkle flour and dry mustard overtop before stirring well into onion mixture, then let cook, stirring often, for 1 minute. Stir in pilsner and bring mixture to a simmer. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 4 minutes. Add milk, cream, cheddar, Gruyère, goat’s cheese, ¼ cup (60 ml) Parmesan and 1 cup (250 ml) mashed butternut squash (reserving remaining squash for another use), stirring until well incorporated and cheeses have melted. Purée sauce with an immersion blender or blend in a blender until smooth. Taste and season as desired with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Cook cavatappi pasta for 2 minutes less than package directions.
- Meanwhile, melt remaining 2 tbsp (30 ml) butter, then transfer to a medium bowl and mix with remaining ¼ cup (60 ml) Parmesan, panko and thyme. Set aside.
- Drain pasta, return to saucepan and stir in reserved cheese sauce. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Divide sauced pasta among skillets. Top with a generous sprinkle of panko mixture before transferring skillets on baking sheet to oven. Bake until panko is lightly browned and cheese sauce is bubbling, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve hot.
Drink Pairings

Red Wine Pasta
Look no further for a quick and impressive meal perfect for a cozy date night or simply a chilly Thursday evening. To make this pasta more substantial, cooked slices of fennel sausage are a delicious addition. We recommend pairing this Red Wine Pasta with Côtes Du Rhône Famille Perrin Réserve or Salentein Portillo Uco Valley Vegan Pinot Noir.Ingredients
Serves 4 to 6
2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large shallot, finely diced
kosher salt, to taste
¼ tsp (1 ml) red pepper chili flakes
1 × 750 ml bottle Salentein Portillo Uco Valley Vegan Pinot Noir
1 lb (450 g) spaghetti
¼ cup (60 ml) finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus more to serve
chopped fresh parsley leaves or chopped fresh baby arugula leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil.
- In a large, high-sided skillet, combine oil, garlic, shallots, a good pinch of salt and red pepper chili flakes. Place skillet over medium heat and, stirring occasionally, cook until garlic and shallots are softened and translucent, 4 to 6 minutes. Slowly pour in red wine, taking care as wine may splatter. Increase heat to medium-high and bring sauce to a boil.
- Meanwhile, season boiling water generously with salt. Add spaghetti, bring back to a boil and cook for 2 minutes.
- Transfer spaghetti to skillet with red wine sauce and cook, stirring occasionally with tongs, until spaghetti is bright red and al dente and most of wine has been absorbed, 4 to 8 minutes. Stir in Parmigiano-Reggiano.
- Divide pasta among serving plates before topping with chopped parsley or arugula and extra Parmigiano-Reggiano. Serve immediately.
Drink Pairings

Gochujang Bolognese
Spicy, rich and deliciously funky gochujang comes together with classic additions of tomato, red wine and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Monte Antico Toscana and Gray Monk Pinot Gris make great drink pairings with this Gochujang Bolognese.Ingredients
Serves about 6 cups (1.5 L)
4 tbsp (60 ml) olive oil, divided
1 lb (450 g) extra-lean ground beef
8 oz (225 g) ground pork
1 tbsp (15 ml) sesame oil
3 cloves garlic, finely minced
1-in (2.5 cm) knob fresh ginger, finely minced
2 medium carrots, cut into ¼-in (0.6 cm) dice
½ yellow onion, cut into ¼-in (0.6 cm) dice
1 stalk celery, cut into ¼-in (0.6 cm) dice
¼ cup + 1 tbsp (75 ml) gochujang paste
1 cup (250 ml) Monte Antico Toscana
1 × 28 oz (796 ml) can crushed tomatoes
3 cups (750 ml) low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock
2 tsp (10 ml) white pepper
2 fresh bay leaves
10 to 12 shiso leaves or fresh basil leaves, shredded
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
cooked pasta or steamed rice, to serve
finely sliced green onions, for garnish
freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large skillet or heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat, warm 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil. Add ground beef and pork and cook, breaking up any large chunks, until nicely browned. Drain meat in a colander to remove excess fat. Set aside.
- To same pan over medium heat, add remaining 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil, sesame oil, garlic and ginger and sauté for 30 seconds. Add carrots, onions and celery and cook until onions have softened, about 5 minutes. Add gochujang and stir well until gochujang begins to caramelize. Deglaze with Monte Antico Toscana and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits.
- Add browned meat back to pan along with crushed tomatoes, stock, white pepper and bay leaves. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring often, until sauce has thickened and meat is tender, about 2 hours. If sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of water or stock as needed.
- To finish, remove bay leaves, add shiso and season to taste. Serve tossed with pasta of choice or over a bed of steamed rice, and garnish with finely sliced green onions and lots of Parmigiano-Reggiano. Leftover sauce can be stored in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 5 days or in freezer for up to 6 months.
Drink Pairings

Tuna Spaghetti
This tuna spaghetti dish is made mainly of ingredients most folks have in their pantries. It’s light but comforting and a great addition to your weeknight meal arsenal. It’s also very flexible; you can adjust the spice, add some tomatoes, or include a green vegetable. Spinach, chopped broccolini, kale, peas, and zucchini all work well. You could also brown the garlic for some nuttiness or even use pre-roasted garlic for a sweet, mellow flavour. The possibilities are endless! Pair this recipe with Terre Di Chieti Zaccagnini Tralcetto Pinot Grigio or Peroni Nastro Azzurro beer.Ingredients
Serves 2 to 3
salt, for cooking spaghetti, plus more to taste
½ lb (225 g) spaghetti
¼ cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp (30 ml) capers, dried on paper towel, divided
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
2 anchovies packed in oil
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 tbsp (15 ml) jarred crushed Calabrian chilies or red pepper chili flakes, to taste
3 × 5 oz (140 g) cans tuna in olive oil (oil is used in recipe so do not drain)
1 × 15 oz (425 g) can cannellini beans, drained
1 tsp (5 ml) caper brine
1 handful fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, roughly chopped, plus more for garnish
1 lemon, zest and juice
Instructions
- Bring a large saucepan of well-salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook spaghetti according to package directions.
- Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add 1 tbsp (15 ml) capers and carefully fry until they pop. Remove capers and set aside. Turn off heat and let oil cool for 2 minutes.
- Roughly chop remaining 1 tbsp (15 ml) capers and place them in frying pan along with garlic, anchovies and pepper. Let cook in residual heat until garlic is soft. Turn heat to low if needed. Once garlic is soft, add chilies, tuna and its oil, cannellini beans and caper brine. Mix, breaking tuna into large chunks.
- Once spaghetti is cooked, reserve 1 cup (250 ml) cooking water. Drain spaghetti and add to pan with ¼ cup (60 ml) cooking water. Toss well, adding more cooking water as needed if pasta is dry. Add parsley and lemon zest and juice, and toss well. Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with parsley.
- * Tuna canned in olive oil will result in a better taste, but if you only have tuna packed in water, drain water and add an extra 2 tbsp (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil to the recipe.
Drink Pairings

Spelt Noodle Crab Pasta
This fresh spelt noodle crab pasta recipe highlights the delicate sweetness of BC crabmeat in every bite, complemented by the creamy richness of ricotta cheese and the aromatic flavor of fennel. This dish pairs wonderfully with CedarCreek Pinot Gris or Steamworks Lions Gate Lager, making it a versatile choice for wine or beer enthusiasts alike.Ingredients
Serves 4
¼ tsp (1 ml) ground saffron
2 ice cubes
7 oz (200 g) ricotta cheese
2 to 4 tbsp (30 to 60 ml) olive oil, divided
1 lb (450 g) spelt linguine
1 large bulb fennel, trimmed, fronds reserved for garnish
kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 large lemon, zest and juice
1 lb (450 g) Dungeness crabmeat and claw meat, picked over and any shells discarded
homemade or store-bought hot chili oil, for garnish
* Saffron is usually available in strands. Use a small mortar and pestle to grind it into a fine powder, or just finely crush it between your fingers.
Instructions
- Place saffron in a small bowl or jar. Add ice cubes and let sit at room temperature until ice is fully melted, about 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, place ricotta in a blender, add 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil (or up to 2 tbsp/30 ml if ricotta is dry) and blend until smooth, scraping down sides of blender with a rubber spatula as needed. Transfer whipped ricotta to a small bowl and set aside.
- Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Add a couple good pinches of salt and cook pasta until al dente according to package directions.
- Meanwhile, in a large frying pan or sauté pan over medium-high heat, heat 1 to 2 tbsp (15 to 30 ml) olive oil. Finely slice fennel bulb before adding to pan. Season fennel with salt and pepper and sauté, stirring often, until wilted and softened with a bit of colour, 8 to 10 minutes. Add garlic and bloomed saffron and continue to sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Turn off heat and stir in lemon zest and juice.
- Once pasta is cooked, remove and reserve 1 cup (250 ml) cooking water before draining pasta in a colander. Stir pasta into fennel mixture. Stir in ricotta and thin as desired with reserved pasta water to make a creamy, emulsified sauce. Fold in three-quarters of the crabmeat.
- Divide pasta among warm serving bowls. Garnish with remaining crabmeat, some torn fennel fronds and a drizzle of chili oil. Enjoy.