WINTER 2008


8


9


RECIPE


About The Chef – Susan Goss As the chef and owner of the West Town Tavern in Chicago, Susan Goss specializes in “contemporary comfort food.” Her husband Drew manages the restaurant and its progressively eclectic wine list, which includes Vina Robles. Susan’s culinary interests began at the age of eight and were cultivated by her parents. She later trained at the New York Restaurant School, and she and Drew opened their first restaurant in 1983. Susan’s food has since received accolades from Bon Appétit, Gourmet, Esquire and Wine Spectator. Susan kindly shares the following recipe as a perfect match for our 2005 Suendero. For more information, visit www.westtowntavern.com.


Chef Susan Goss’s Oven-Roasted Ratatouille with Shaved Pecorino Enjoy with Vina Robles 2005 Suendero


Ingredients (Serves 4-8) 1 medium Italian globe eggplant, about ¾ lb., stemmed, cut into 1” chunks


1 large zucchini squash, about ½ lb., halved lengthwise, cut into half moons


1 medium red onion, peeled, halved and thinly sliced ½ lb cremini mushrooms, wiped clean and quartered 1 medium yellow bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, cut into 1” diamonds


8 Tbsp olive oil, divided 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced 1 cup favorite bottled pasta sauce 3 Tbsp capers 2 Tbsp kalamata olives, pitted and halved Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste


3 oz Pecorino cheese, for shaving


Method and Presentation Preheat oven to 350˚F. In a large bowl, combine the chopped eggplant, squash, red onion, mushrooms and bell pepper. Toss with 6 Tbsp olive oil and kosher salt and pepper to taste. Spoon the vegetables and any oil onto a cookie sheet and roast in the oven 30 to 40 minutes until the eggplant is tender and golden brown. Remove the vegetables from the oven. In a skillet large enough to hold all the vegetables, heat the remaining 2 Tbsp olive oil and


sauté the garlic just until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown. Using a spatula, scrape the eggplant mixture into the skillet with the garlic and stir gently. Add the pasta sauce, capers and olives and bring to a simmer. Simmer over low heat for five minutes to blend the flavors. Taste for seasoning, remembering that the capers and olives are salty. Add kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Let the ratatouille cool and serve at warm room temperature. Shave the pecorino over the ratatouille just before serving. Reheat any leftover ratatouille, or served chilled. This recipe is delicious as a side dish with roasted chicken or pork, or as a vegetarian main course.


Light Up Your Holidays at Vina Robles - December We have made our list and checked it twice, and now everyone is invited to join us for good cheer and charity at our “Illuminating Evening” on December 3rd from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The festivities will include wine tasting, holiday music, fresh cookies, spiced mulled


wine and local apple cider, as well as the ceremonial lighting of our 20-foot Christmas tree in our tasting room. Admission is complimentary. Guests are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to benefit Toys for Tots. On the following weekend, December 6th – 7th, we will host our Holiday Open House


from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days, to include complimentary tastings, holiday treats and extensive gift shopping. For information and directions, visit www.VinaRobles.com.


HOSPITALITY HAPPENINGS


Experience The Local Splendors of Paso Robles - November Perhaps the best thing about wine is its ability to express a sense of place—the flavors, character and spirit of the land. Now you can experience all that our place has to offer as we pair our wines with an abundance of creations from Paso Robles during two “Locally Grown and Made” events at our Hospitality Center on November 2nd and November 30th from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. From olive oils to candies, cheeses to jewelry, these events will showcase the agricultural splendors and artistic talent that abound in the Paso Robles wine country. For information and directions, visit www.VinaRobles.com


Bid on Art with A Heart - November Please join us for a complimentary evening of art and wine on November 23rd to benefit the Children’s Health Initiative of San Luis Obispo County, which provides local children with much-needed financial support for vital health care. This two-hour event, which begins at 4 p.m., will showcase paintings by more than 20 local


children from 10 county school districts. Attendees will have the opportunity to bid on the paintings, with the proceeds helping purchase health insurance for local children in need. The festivities will include light appetizers and wine tasting. For information and directions, visit www.VinaRobles.com. For more details on the Children’s Health Initiative of San Luis Obispo County, visit www.slohealthykids.org.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7