The Daily Drink: Shredded Potato Cake with Leeks and Cheese

Ah, leeks. Their history goes back to the Egyptians (the pyramid-builders ate them) and ancient Welsh soldiers (they wore bits of leeks in their helmets to distinguish them from their Saxon foes). These days, we turn to leeks as a source of vitamin C, iron, and fiber. Leeks are often paired with potatoes, as they [...]

The Daily Drink: Sausages in the Skillet with Grapes

Is it weird to drink wine — made from grape juice, of course — with a recipe that already features grapes? Not exactly, but it is potentially clamorous, assuming that the table grapes you use in the recipe will not be the same kind as those used in the wine you’ll be drinking. This leaves [...]

The Daily Drink: Baked Penne & Mushrooms

Think mushrooms, and you probably think Pinot Noir. At least that’s been the rule of thumb within the food-wine pairing world for a long time. There’s a good reason for that, as the earthy, woodsy character of mushrooms matches well with the same qualities in a glass of Pinot Noir. Look for Anne Amie Pinot [...]

The Daily Dish: Icy Espresso Frappe

Listen to the Daily Dish Frappe di caffè Serves 4 Recommended equipment A blender and a food processor, if needed 4 tall glasses, chilled, and 4 long spoons Ingredients 2 cups strong freshly brewed espresso 6 tablespoons sugar or more to taste 3 cups finely crushed ice or ice cubes 1/2 cup whipping cream Directions [...]

The Daily Drink: Sweet and Sour Chicken and Peppers

For today’s dish and beverage pairing, why not step into something a little bit unfamiliar? Maybe you’ve already had sweet and sour chicken, but have you made it yourself with a spice as unique as tamarind? And maybe you’ve already had Riesling — which is my recommendation for a wine pairing with this dish — [...]

The Daily Drink: Spicy Wok Clams and Leeks

Certain wines are reliable stand-bys when it comes to pairing with Asian food, and Chef Tsai’s recommendation for this dish — 2003 Hopler Gewürztraminer — is no exception. If your local wine shop doesn’t have that specific wine, however, know that the characteristics of Gewürztraminer that make it so appealing with Asian food also present themselves in [...]

The Daily Drink: Asian Pistou Dumplings in Lime Broth

Dumplings, as Chef Tsai points out, make for great hors d’oeuvres. And what’s great about hors d’oeuvres is that they’re usually just one or two bites, delivering a powerful and concentrated shot of flavor. As a beverage pairing for today’s dumplings, try a few drinks that pack a similar punch one sip at a time. [...]

The Daily Drink: Wok Stirred Maitakes with Blood Oranges

Chef Tsai’s team recommends the 2007 Mas de la Dame Rosé as the pairing for this dish. It tastes, they say, of “subtle flavors of fresh berries and fennel with a flowery finish” and has an aroma of “fresh strawberries, peaches and roses,” all of which I love, especially since we’re talking about a rosé [...]

The Daily Drink: Deviled Eggs with Tuna and Black Olives

There’s something very retro about deviled eggs that inspires me to suggest pairing them with a classic cocktail like an Old Fashioned or a Tom Collins. Go that route, and you’re in the realm of matching atmosphere with atmosphere even more than food with drink, which is hardly a bad thing. You can also take [...]

The Daily Drink: Marmalade Tart

When you’re thinking about what to drink with this tart recipe, consider two factors: your choice of filling, and the time of day you serve it. Fortunately the versatility of this recipe allows for almost endless combinations, since you can vary the fruit of your marmalade filling and, therefore, whether this tart would serve as [...]