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Fort Ross Vineyard

Fort Ross
 
January 10, 2022 | Fort Ross

2019 The Terraces Pinot Noir & Carnitas Jackfruit Tacos

Winter 2022 selections: Carnitas Jackfruit Tacos

This Food & Wine recipe provides a healthy, delcious, plant-based alternative to traditional carnitas. The savory jackfruit reduces the amount of fat and cholesterol in your dish. In fact, jackfruit may actually help lower cholesterol. Combined with its high potassium content, it's a great heart-healthy food choice. We recommend pairing it with our 2019 The Terraces Pinot Noir

carnitas_jackfruit_tacos
Credit: Jocelyn Ramirez via Food & Wine Magazine

Ingredients:

Avocado Salsa
3 medium tomatillos, husks removed
1 medium jalapeño, stemmed (seeded, if desired)
1 medium Hass avocado, pitted
1 cup packed fresh cilantro stems and leaves
3 to 6 tablespoons water, as needed
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 ¼ teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
⅛ teaspoon ground cumin

Jackfruit "carnitas"
3 (20-ounce) cans young green jackfruit in water, drained, rinsed, and squeezed dry
¾ cup neutral cooking oil (such as grapeseed), plus more as needed
5 tablespoons fresh orange juice, divided
2 tablespoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon dried oregano
2 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper

Other Ingredients
10 (4- to 6-inch) corn tortillas, warmed
Pico de gallo, fresh cilantro leaves, and lemon wedges, for serving
 

Instructions:

Make the avocado salsa

1. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium. Add tomatillos and jalapeño; cook, turning occasionally, until charred on all sides, 12 to 14 minutes. Let cool 20 minutes.

2. Place tomatillos, jalapeño, avocado, cilantro, 3 tablespoons water, lemon juice, salt, and cumin in a blender. Process until smooth, about 45 seconds, adding up to remaining 3 tablespoons water, 1 tablespoon at a time, as needed until a pourable consistency is reached. Season with additional salt to taste. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

Make the jackfruit "carnitas"

3. Using a knife, remove non-shreddable core from shreddable outer parts of jackfruit pieces; set aside. Remove any seedpods from shreddable parts, and add seedpods to pile of cores. Place shreddable jackfruit in a medium bowl, and shred with your hands into small pieces. Finely chop cores and seedpods until they are a similar texture to the shredded jackfruit; add to shredded jackfruit in bowl. Add oil, 21/2 tablespoons orange juice, cumin, oregano, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper; toss to evenly combine. 

4. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium. Add jackfruit mixture; using a spatula, press into an even layer. Cook, turning and pressing occasionally, until seared and golden brown, 25 to 35 minutes, adding oil as needed. Remove from heat, and stir in remaining 2 1/2 tablespoons orange juice. Season with additional salt to taste.

5. Place about 1/4 cup jackfruit mixture on each tortilla. Top with pico de gallo and cilantro. Serve with avocado salsa and lemon wedges. 

Pair with 2019 The Terraces Pinot Noir »

*Tip from Fort Ross Vineyard: save time by looking for pre-seasoned jackfruit products in the refridgerated section of the grocery store - typically next to the tofu & other meat substitute products!

Why It Works 

Layers of ripe fruit from our 2019 The Terraces Pinot Noir combine with the spices of the jackfruit "carnitas" to create a fun sort of "sweet-and-spicy," play on the palate. This juicy wine matches the succulent, juicy texture of this substitute of pulled-pork. 

Time Posted: Jan 10, 2022 at 12:40 PM Permalink to 2019 The Terraces Pinot Noir & Carnitas Jackfruit Tacos Permalink
Fort Ross
 
January 10, 2022 | Fort Ross

2019 Bicentennial Chardonnay & Seared Scallops with Fennel & Lemon Relish

Winter 2022 selections: Seared Scallops with Fennel & Lemon Relish

This Food & Wine recipe is a great way to start off 2022. Scallops are a highly nutrition seafood that are low in fat. In fact, a 3oz serving of scallops has less than 1g of fat and 17g of protein, plus a healthy dose of potassium, iron, and vitamin B6. We recommend pairing it with our 2019 Bicentennial Chardonnay

seared_scallops_with_fennel_lemon_relish
Credit: Joanne Weir via Food & Wine Magazine

Ingredients:

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest

1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley

1 small shallot, very finely chopped

1/4 cup diced fennel bulb

Large pinch of ground fennel

Salt and freshly ground pepper

1 pound large sea scallops

1 bunch arugula, tough stems discarded

Lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, whisk 3 tablespoons of the olive oil with the lemon zest, lemon juice, parsley, shallot, diced fennel bulb and ground fennel. Season with salt and pepper.

2. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a medium skillet. Season the scallops with salt and pepper and cook over moderately high heat until golden brown and opaque throughout, about 3 minutes per side.

3. Mound the arugula on plates and top with the scallops. Spoon the fennel and lemon relish on the scallops and serve with lemon wedges. 

Pair with 2019 Bicentennial Chardonnay »

Why It Works 

Searing scallops on high heat gives the edges a beautiful, crispy crust while leaving the insides tender & rich. This rich texture combined with the slightly sweet flavor of the fish matches the weight & subtle vanilla note of our 2019 Bicentennial Chardonnay. The addition of lemon & fennel are complemented by the citrus & mineral flavors in the wine.

Time Posted: Jan 10, 2022 at 12:16 PM Permalink to 2019 Bicentennial Chardonnay & Seared Scallops with Fennel & Lemon Relish Permalink
Fort Ross
 
January 10, 2022 | Fort Ross

Winter 2022 Releases & Food Pairings

Our latest releases are out to kick off 2022! To start the new year off right, we've selected some recipe pairings that are low on calories, but huge on flavor. 

2019 Bicentennial Chardonnay & Seared Scallops with Fennel & Lemon Relish

seared_scallops_with_fennel_lemon_relish

Scallops are a highly nutrition seafood that are low in fat. In fact, a 3oz serving of scallops has less than 1g of fat and 17g of protein, plus a healthy dose of potassium, iron, and vitamin B6. The rich, slightly sweet flavor of seared scallops is matched in weight by our 2019 Bicentennial Chardonnay. The lemon & fennel notes bring out the citrus & mineral flavors of the wine as well.

Recipe here.

2019 The Terraces Road Pinot Noir & Carnitas Jackfruit Tacos

carnitas_jackfruit_tacos

"For her jackfruit tacos recipe, Jocelyn Ramirez, cookbook author and chef at Todo Verde in Los Angeles, uses cumin, chile flakes, and salt to capitalize on the pulled-pork texture of jackfruit, transforming it into a plant-based taco filling that tastes like carnitas." - Food & Wine Magazine

The savory jackfruit is used as a plant-based substitute in a variety of classic dishes, reducing the amount of fat and cholesterol in your dish. In fact, jackfruit may actually help lower cholesterol. Combined with its high potassium content, it's a great heart-healthy food choice. When paired with our 2019 The Terraces Pinot Noir, the succulent "pork" flavor is complemented by bright red fruit notes that create a sort of "sweet-and-spicy" play. 

Recipe here.

2018 "FRV" Pinot Noir & Spicy Lemon Rosemary Pork Tenderloin 

spicy_lemon_rosemary_pork_tenderloin

The so-called "other white meat," this particular cut of pork is quite lean, and, as the name suggests, tender. A 3oz serving contains just 3g of fat and 62mg of cholesterol, while delivering 22g of protein. Enjoy this warm, hearty dish all winter long with our 2018 "FRV" Pinot Noir. Ripe layers of fruit will contrast with the herbal notes of rosemary and bring out the juiciness of the tenderloin.

Recipe here. 

Time Posted: Jan 10, 2022 at 11:20 AM Permalink to Winter 2022 Releases & Food Pairings Permalink
Fort Ross
 
January 14, 2021 | Fort Ross

Al's Oxtail

This hearty dish is a great comfort on fall & winter evenings. Pour a glass of Pinotage, and enjoy.

 

Ingredients:

6lbs oxtail

1 large purple onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, crushed

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 cup dates, pitted & chopped

4 tsp cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp oregano

1 tsp curry powder

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp dried ginger

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp nutmeg

Instructions:

1. Brown oxtail thoroughly on high heat in olive oil. Salt well.

2. Sautée onion on low heat until soft. Add salt to this is well.

3. Add garlic to pan, then add herbs.

4. Add onion mix to the oxtail & cover with water.

5. Bring oxtail to a boil. Add dates & bell pepper.

6. Cook covered on low heat for 2 1/2 hours, or until meat falls off the bone.

7. Add salt & pepper to taste. 

Time Posted: Jan 14, 2021 at 10:49 AM Permalink to Al's Oxtail Permalink