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 Instructions

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

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 Instructions

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

  1. In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, dark soy sauce, black vinegar and tomato paste. Set aside.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
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Drink Pairings

Stir-Fried Pea Tips with Pork

Stir-fried greens are a must in any feast. We’re using pea tips here, which are the tender leaves of a pea plant. If you can’t find pea tips, substitute any other Asian green vegetable, such as bok choy or gai lan. Blanching times will vary depending on the vegetable used. Enjoy this recipe with Wild Goose Pinot Gris or Toscana Tenute Rossetti Governo.
Ingredients Instructions

Ingredients

Serves 4-6
1 lb (450 g) pea tips
2 tsp (10 ml) cornstarch
2 tsp (10 ml) water
1 tbsp (15 ml) vegetable oil
2 strips Chinese cured pork belly or thick-cut bacon, roughly chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 thin slices fresh ginger
2 tbsp (30 ml) oyster sauce
1 tsp (5 ml) chicken stock powder
2 tsp (10 ml) Pagoda 8-Year-Old Shaoxing Rice Wine
sliced chilies (such as red serrano peppers), for garnish

Instructions

  1. Fill a large saucepan with heavily salted water and bring to a boil over high heat. Add pea tips and blanch for 30 seconds, until just wilted. Transfer pea tips to ice water to stop cooking, then drain and set aside.
  2. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water. Set aside.
  3. In a wok or large saucepan over medium heat, render pork belly in oil until golden brown but not completely crisp, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and ginger and stir-fry for 30 seconds.
  4. Increase heat to high. Add pea tips, oyster sauce, chicken stock powder and cooking wine. Stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes, until fragrant. Mix cornstarch slurry, then add to pan. Stir-fry for another 1 to 2 minutes, until sauce has thickened and everything is nicely coated.
  5. Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with sliced chilies.
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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 Instructions

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

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 Instructions

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Transfer to serving dishes and garnish with extra popcorn, Parmigiano-Reggiano and chives. Drizzle with truffle oil or melted butter if desired.
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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 Instructions

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

  1. In a small bowl, whisk pecorino Romano, half of ramen seasoning packet, whole egg and egg yolk. Set aside.
  2. In a small saucepan, boil just enough water to cover ramen noodles, but don’t add noodles yet.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
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Drink Pairings

Sour Cream & Onion Potato Chip Frittata

Packed with the nostalgic flavours of sour cream and onion, this frittata is a great weekday meal solution that might not even require a trip to the grocery store. Serve this Frittata with Steller’s Jay Oliver Brut or Oyster Bay Marlborough Chardonnay.
Ingredients Instructions

Ingredients

Serves 2 to 3 as part of a main course
2 tbsp (30 ml) butter
1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
½ tsp (2.5 ml) fresh thyme leaves
6 eggs
1 cup (250 ml) sour cream, divided
2 tbsp (30 ml) milk
¼ cup (60 ml) finely shredded aged white cheddar
5 strips cooked bacon, roughly chopped
2½ cups (625 ml) lightly crushed sour cream and onion potato chips, plus more for garnish (use sturdy, kettle-style chips for best results)
3 tbsp (45 ml) finely chopped fresh chives
¼ tsp (1 ml) onion powder

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 F (160 C) and set rack to centre position.
  2. In a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add onions and sauté until they start to brown. Reduce heat to medium-low, add garlic and thyme and continue to cook until onions are fully softened and a light amber colour, about 15 more minutes.
  3. In a medium mixing bowl, gently whisk eggs, ½ cup (125 ml) sour cream and milk until smooth, then mix in cheddar, bacon and caramelized onions.
  4. Pour egg mixture back into pan, add crushed potato chips, transfer to oven and cook until eggs are barely set, about 15 minutes.
  5. While frittata is cooking, mix remaining ½ cup (125 ml) sour cream with chives and onion powder and set aside.
  6. Remove frittata from oven, run a knife or spatula around edges of pan and slide frittata onto a serving plate. Garnish with dollops of sour cream and chive mixture and a few more potato chips.
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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 Instructions

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Stir in pasta. Continue simmering, uncovered, until pasta is al dente and veggies are tender, 10 to 15 minutes.
  4. Stir in greens, beans, lemon juice and horseradish and let cook another minute longer, until greens wilt slightly. Season with salt.
  5. Divide soup among serving bowls, sprinkle with celery leaves and serve with a lemon wedge to squeeze over soup if desired.
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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 Instructions

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Cook cavatappi pasta for 2 minutes less than package directions.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
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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 Instructions

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

  1. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil.
  2. 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.
  3. Meanwhile, season boiling water generously with salt. Add spaghetti, bring back to a boil and cook for 2 minutes.
  4. 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.
  5. Divide pasta among serving plates before topping with chopped parsley or arugula and extra Parmigiano-Reggiano. Serve immediately.
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