[RECIPE] It's All Gravy, Baby

Photo: Gaelle Marcel via Unsplash

5 Homemade Mother's Day Meals

Photo: Dylan Nolte via Unsplash

Mother's Day is this weekend and we're thinking it might just be the perfect time to revive the old breakfast-in-bed idea. It's thoughtful, easy to execute at home, and sooo totally vintage [wink]. Whether you want to crank out something warm and sweet for breakfast or treat your mother figure to a classy dinner, below you'll find some excellent ideas, including a recipe from our friend Chef Mike Shannon. Get inspired! What sort of treat would make your mom swoon this Sunday?

CHOCOLATE SWIRL BUNS | Smitten Kitchen
Oooooh baby, these morsels look decadent! This recipe for Chocolate Swirl Buns is Deb Perelman's simplified take on traditional, chocolatey Babka. All the gooey pockets of chocolate you could want, but much easier to execute. Nice!
PAIR WITH: Domaine des Terres Dorées "FRV 100" - This frothy, raspberry-laced Gamay will pick up on all those chocolatey notes.

photo by Sheri Silver via Unsplash

DUTCH BABY | New York Times Cooking
THIS is one of my personal favorite show-stopping...

[RECIPE+PAIRING] Touchdown! KC BBQ + 49ers WINE

Photo: Vinnie Biskupic

Kansas City vs. San Francisco. A BBQ mecca vs. the wine capital of America. Don’t know who to pick for tomorrow’s big game? Here’s a Super Bowl pairing we can all cheer for! 

KC-style barbecue is known for its dry-rubbed and smoked meats that are slathered in thick tomato and molasses based barbecue sauces. For a dish with smoke, spice, and savory sweetness we want a wine to match those classic tailgate flavors. Turns out Northern California pumps out some killer barbecue wine with higher tannins to cut through that melt-in-your-mouth fatty meat.

KC-Style Spareribs

Created by Vinnie Biskupic

*Pair to Peterson 'Mendo Blendo' 2013 Petite Syrah, Syrah, Carignane, Grenache| Sonoma, California

*Check out our other Football wine recommendations in the "What Your Tailgate Life is Missing” Shop Page

Ingredients

Three Slabs of Spare Ribs

Kansas City Dry Rub:

• 3 cups brown sugar 
• 3/4 cup dried mustard 
• 1 tablespoon ancho chili powder 
• 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoon smoked paprika 

[RECIPE + PAIRING] Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispie Bars + Moscato

Photo: Bree Felten Leidel

EVERYTHING is Halloween right now! If you're just a little sick of the Snickers and Twizzlers and pumpkin-shaped Reeses, get a load of this adult Halloween treat below—created by my pal Corey Meier of Create Catering—that you can whip up in under 20 minutes. The best part about it? It pairs well with a fizzy little Moscato!

Trick or treat, friends!

PUMPKIN SPICE RICE KRISPIE BARS
*Pair to an off dry Moscato, like the 2017 Foris Sparkling Moscato*

Makes one 9×9 pan

For the Bars
• 2 Tbsp Butter
• 1 Bag Marshmallows
• 1Tbsp Instant Coffee Granules
• 5-6 Cups Rice Krispies

For the Pumpkin-White Chocolate Ganache
• 2 Tbsp Pumpkin Puree
• 1 Cup White Chocolate

For the Spice Mix - Make to your liking!
• Cinnamon to taste
• Ginger to taste
• Nutmeg to taste
• Ground Mace to taste

For the Dark Chocolate Drizzle
• 4 Tbsp Dark Chocolate Chips

Method
1. Melt the butter and marshmallows together in a heavy bottom pan over medium heat.
2. Once melted, add the coffee granules and stir to combine.
3. Fold in the...

[RECIPE + PAIRING] Quick Roasted Tomato Chutney

Photo: Emily Rentsch

It's September and the tomatoes are poppin'! Here's a fast and tasty way to get into the spirit courtesy of my friend Chef Mike Shannon. This quick tomato chutney recipe doesn't even require fresh tomatoes (although you could certainly roast your own and gain some more bragging rights) and it makes a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Spread it on crusty bruschetta, add to fresh ricotta (as seen above) or goat cheese, serve it with fish or on top of a hearty burger. This is an all purpose delight.

Oh, and don't forget the wine! After the recipe below, you'll find some of my favorite pairings to tomatoes and other late summer fare. 

QUICK ROASTED TOMATO CHUTNEY
from Chef Mike Shannon
Make about 4 cups