Cabernet Sauvignon

Cherry Chocolate Brownies

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Ingredients:

Brownie Mix (we like Ghiradelli’s Dark Chocolate Brownie Mix)

1 C frozen dark sweet cherries, halved (check the frozen fruit section of your supermarket)

Instructions:

Prepare brownie mix as instructed; add the cherries.  Bake as directed; the brownie will be fudgy!   If you prefer a less-fudgy brownie, you may have to add some bake time.

Pair with Cooper-Garrod Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Bacon Blue-cheese Dates

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12 pitted Medjool dates

6 regular slices bacon (not thick cut)

¼ c. blue cheese

12 toothpicks

Soak toothpicks in water.  Line a baking pan with parchment; top with a wire rack.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Slit dates open lengthwise, but avoid cutting in half.  Cut bacon in half crosswise.  Put ½ tsp. blue cheese in each date.  Close, then wrap with one piece cut bacon.  Secure with toothpick.  Place on rack.  Bake 25 minutes until bacon is cooked through.  Cool slightly before serving.

Accompany with Cooper-Garrod Cabernet Sauvignon

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Classic Daube

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4 slices bacon, diced

3 lbs. boneless beef chuck, 2″ chunks

2 1/2 c. dry red wine

3 large peeled carrots, cut into 3/4″ pieces

1 bag (14 oz. frozen) petite whole onions

1/2 tsp. each: thyme leaves, rosemary, summer savory leaves

2 bay leaves

1 can beef broth

1 c. frozen peas

2 1/2 Tbsp. each: cornstarch and water

In a Dutch oven, cook bacon about 5 minutes.  Add beef chunks and cook until browned on all sides.  Stir in wine, carrots, onions, dried herbs and bay leaves.  Bring to a boil.  Cover, reduce heat to simmer about 2 1/2 – 3 hours, until meat is tender when pierced.  Use a slotted spoon to remove meat and vegetables from pan.  Discard bay leaves and fat from pan juices.  Measure pan juices.  Add broth, if necessary, to have 2 cups.  Return to pan; add peas and bring to a boil.  Stir together cornstarch and water; add to pan, stirring until sauce thickens.  Return meat and vegetables to sauce; season to taste with salt and pepper.  Lovely served with parsley potatoes!  Serves 6-8.

Pair with Cooper-Garrod Cabernet Sauvignon

Beef Tenderloin with Cherry-Pepper Sauce

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Serves 4

  • 4  6-oz. beef tenderloin steaks
  • 1 ½ tsp. flour
  • 2 tsp. black peppercorns, crushed
  • 2 Tbsp. dried cherries, strip sliced
  • 14 oz. can low salt beef broth
  • 14 oz. can low salt chicken broth
  • 2 c. Madeira
  • 1 shallot, finely chopped
  • 2 ½ Tbsp. butter, divided

In a large saucepan, sauté shallots in 1 Tbsp. butter 2 minutes, until soft.  Add Madeira; boil 15 minutes or until reduced to ½ c. Add broths, cherries, and peppercorns.  Simmer 30 minutes or until reduced to 1 ¼ c.  Mix 1 ½ tsp. melted butter and flour in small bowl. Gradually whisk into sauce; simmer until slightly thickened.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Heat 1 Tbsp. butter in heavy skillet over high heat.  Add steaks and cook as desired, about 5 minutes per side for medium-rare.  Transfer to plates, spoon sauce over, and serve.

Accompany with Cooper-Garrod Cabernet Sauvignon

www.garrodfarms.com

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Herbed Mushrooms

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Serves 2 as a side dish, 4 as garnishment

  • 8 oz. mushrooms, cleaned, trimmed, and sliced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon thyme
  • 1/4 cup Cabernet Sauvignon

Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and stir to coat lightly but thoroughly. The skillet may seem quite full, but mushrooms “shrink” as they cook! Add spices and continue to stir frequently as mushrooms brown. Add wine in last 5 minutes of cooking, continuing to stir until liquid is evaporated.

Accompany with Cooper-Garrod Cabernet Sauvignon

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Happy Holidays Chocolate Bark

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  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup milk chocolate chips
  • 1/3 cup unsalted pistachio meats, chopped
  • 1/3 cup pomegranate-infused Craisins®, chopped

Use the best quality chocolate chips available and combine in a 4-cup glass bowl. Microwave on half power one minute; stir. Microwave another minute on half power; stir to smooth. (May need another half minute.) Line a sheet-cake pan with parchment and spread melted chocolate mixture evenly. Sprinkle with prepared nuts and fruit. Cover with wax paper and press toppings lightly into chocolate; discard wax paper. Chill about 20 minutes, or until firm enough to break into bark pieces.

Accompany with Cooper-Garrod Cabernet Sauvignon

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Fresh Herb & Wine Vinaigrette for Romaine and Roquefort Salad

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Serves 8

  • 2 tablespoons Cabernet Sauvignon
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon minced shallots
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 cup olive oil
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 heads romaine lettuce, washed, spun, and torn
  • 4 oz. Roquefort cheese, crumbled

Combine first 10 ingredients in medium bowl. Gradually whisk in olive oil. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper. Toss vinaigrette with lettuce and divide among 8 salad plates. Sprinkle with Roquefort and serve. (Attributed to the Pleasanton Hotel)

Made with Cooper-Garrod Cabernet Sauvignon

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Sauce “Marchand de Vins”

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  • 1 Tbsp. butter
  • 3 Tbsp. minced shallots
  • 1 c. red wine
  • 1 tsp. flour
  • ½ c. beef stock, warmed
  • 2 Tbsp. minced parsley
  • 1 Tbsp. butter
  • ½ tsp. lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste

This sauce graces a well-browned cut of beef, such as rib-eye steaks. Brown the meat to desired doneness in a sauté pan; remove to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm. Pour the cooking fat out of the pan. Melt 1 Tbsp. butter in pan and cook shallots, stirring, about 2 minutes until softened. Add wine and cook over high heat until reduced by 2/3. Whisk flour into warmed beef stock; add to reduced pan mixture, stirring to cook down again. When reduced and thickened, remove from heat. Whisk in 1 more Tbsp. butter to thicken. Add parsley and lemon juice; salt and pepper to taste. Serve over prepared steaks.

Accompany with Cooper-Garrod Cabernet Sauvignon

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Wine Braised Short Ribs

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Serves 4

  • 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
  • 2 1⁄2 lbs. boneless short ribs
  • Flour for dredging
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 carrot, finely chopped
  • 1 celery rib, finely chopped
  • 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
  • 2 Tbsp. flour
  • 750 ml. dry red wine
  • 2 c. chicken stock

Preheat oven to 300 degrees; place rack in lower third. Salt and pepper meat. Dredge in flour; shake off excess. Heat oil in 5-quart Dutch oven and brown meat. Remove; discard cooking oil. Melt butter in Dutch oven. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Cook until lightly browned, stirring frequently. Add tomato paste, then 2 Tbsp. flour; cook 1 minute, stirring. Add wine and chicken stock, stirring to loosen browned bits. Return meat to Dutch oven; stir to cover in liquid. Cover and braise in oven for 2 to 2 1⁄2 hours, turning meat twice, until tender. Remove meat and tent with foil to keep warm. Strain solids from sauce; skim off fat. Return liquid to Dutch oven; boil until reduced to 2 cups. Return meat to sauce and simmer until heated through.

Accompany with Cooper-Garrod Cabernet Sauvignon

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Toblerone Mousse

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  • 2 Toblerone dark chocolate bars (3.52 oz. each)
  • 1/3 c. heavy cream
  • 2 large egg whites
  • 1⁄4 c. sugar

In a metal bowl over a pan of simmering water, melt chocolate with the cream, stirring. Remove bowl to cool while making meringue. In another metal bowl over the hot water, combine egg whites and sugar, stirring until sugar dissolves. With a hand-held mixer, beat meringue for 5 minutes until it holds glossy, stiff peaks and is warm to the touch. Remove bowl and continue beating until meringue is cool. Gently fold into the chocolate mixture until fully combined. Spoon into 4 ramekins and cover until serving. (May be refrigerated; allow to come to room temp before serving for softer consistency.)

Accompany with Cooper-Garrod Cabernet Sauvignon

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