New Years Resolutions: Pairing Fresh Foods with Wines
Inspire your pairings and recipes with new wine ideas. What are your resolutions? Are you vowing to eat more vegetables, eat out less and cook more dinners at home, or eat meatless a few days of the week? Well, just because you’re trying to refresh your meals or get more whole foods into your diet doesn’t mean you have to give up wine. Here are our favorite fresh food and wine pairings for the new year.
If you’re eating a poke bowl or spring rolls…
Loaded with veggies and omega-3’s from the seafood, a poke bowl or a vegetable spring roll are perfectly refreshing ways to get your nutrients. If you’re devouring this seafood trend or a rice-wrapped roll, pair it with a crisp Pinot Grigio. The wine won’t overwhelm the delicate flavors of the fresh fish or raw vegetables, but will enhance their refreshing qualities.
If you’re eating simply steamed shellfish or a Caesar Salad…
Pair these two dishes with an unoaked Chardonnay, like this one. This full-bodied white wine is filled with tropical fruit aromas, but without the oak. It won’t overpower the simple, well-loved flavors of a bowl of mussels in broth or a creamy Caesar salad topped with a chicken breast or tofu.
If you’re eating a grain salad…
Barley, quinoa or farro are just a few of the healthy grains that are loaded with more fiber and nutrients than the usual white flour pasta. Make a pot, stir in vegetables, herbs, beans or another protein and enjoy with a Cabernet Sauvignon. This red wine is the perfect balance to the earthy notes of the grains, but isn’t too big of a red as to drown out the flavors of the vegetables.
If you’re snacking on hummus…
Snacks and wine on a Friday night are how we celebrate the end of the week. Just because you’re trying to eat cleaner doesn’t mean you have to quit the celebrations. Whip up a batch of hummus for a serving of protein and grab a bottle of Pinot Grigio so you can start the weekend off right.
If you’re making vegetarian versions with lentils and beans…
Whether a bean stew is bubbling on the stove or you’re making a vegetarian bolognese with lentils, we suggest pairing these hearty meatless dishes with a bright Pinot Noir. This fruity wine won’t overshadow your vegetarian meal, but will accentuate its best flavors.
If you’re eating a veggie burger…
Wines that aren’t too tannic and have plenty of fruit notes are great friends to veggie burgers. Load your patty up with all the fun burger toppings and pour yourself a glass of fruit-forward Merlot.
If you’re eating spicy rice noodles…
You don’t have to order takeout to satisfy a craving for Asian dishes. Whip up a bowl of rice noodles tossed with your favorite vegetables, quickly pickled and a spicy chili sauce. Serve the fresh bowl with a Riesling to help refresh the palate from the heat.
If you’re eating a grilled tofu or chicken breast wrap…
Quickly grill your tofu or chicken and wrap it up with tomatoes, lettuce, avocado and a sriracha mayo. Pair it with an Italian red blend that plays well with smoke and spice.
If you’re eating baked fish…
One of our favorite meals is wrapping a fish fillet, veggies, olive oil, and some herbs together in a parchment packet. It’s easy to make and easy to pair with Pinot Noir.
If you’re eating fruit instead of dessert…
Sometimes it’s a good idea to wean our bodies off of the excessive sugar it has become used to, thanks to holiday festivities. If you’re steering clear of dessert for a bit, try enjoying a bowl of fruit and a glass of Moscato when you’re craving something sweet. With refreshing sweetness, this Italian wine will match the flavors of the fruits, without being overly sugary.
If you just made a big batch of butternut squash soup…
On cold weekend days, we love making an extra large batch of butternut squash soup and pureeing it until smooth. We freeze half of it so we can easily thaw it on the busiest weeknights. Stir in a drizzle of coconut milk, plain yogurt, tofu chunks, or crumbles of goat cheese and serve with an unoaked chardonnay. You’ll feel like royalty, no matter how busy your day was.
