HAMPTON ROADS, Va. - Chef Patrick Evans Hylton shows us how to create our own version of wine and cheese night in the comfort of our own homes!
CHEERS TO PETIT VERDOT
Wine is one of life’s great mysteries, but it doesn’t have to be. From time-to-time, we’ll take a varietal and examine it in a segment we call “Cheers.” In this segment, we look at Petit Verdot, a beautiful deep purple wine.
Petit Verdot has dark fruit flavors with notes of violet, dried herbs, and and baking spices. It pairs great with umami-rich foods like lamb, mushroom risotto, and firm cheeses. It also goes great with our Creamy Bacon et Fromage Dip
Wines showcased in the segment come from our friends at Virginia Wine of the Month Club:
- Blue Valley Vineyard & Winery (Delaplane, Va.); Petit Verdot 2017
- Pollak Vineyards (Greenwood, Va.); Petit Verdot 2015, Petit Verdot 2017
- Pollak Vineyards (Greenwood, Va.); Petit Verdot 2015, Petit Verdot 2017
For more tasting note, suggested pairings, free tasting sheets and other information to examine wines at home, email me at Patrick@VirginiaEatsAndDrinks.com with “Petite Verdot” as the subject
Our wine today is courtesy Virginia Wine of the Month Club, www.VaWineClub.com
CREAMY BACON ET FROMAGE DIP
This is an easy, simple, and satisfying dip.
It comes together quickly and heats in just minutes in the microwave. The rich flavors come from bacon, onion, and cheese. Serve in a bread bowl for a beautiful presentation. It pairs great with red wine, such as Petit Verdot
Here’s how to make it:
Make the bacon: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook 4 slices of bacon until crisp. Remove and set aside on paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Make the dip: In a medium, microwave-safe bowl, add 1 (8-ounce) package of softened cream cheese with 1 cup sour cream and stir until smooth. Crumble the bacon and add in, along with 8 ounces of shredded Swiss cheese, two green onions, finely chopped, and a dash of hot sauce. Stir to incorporate.
Place in microwave and heat on high 2 minutes. Remove, stir, and return to microwave. Heat an additional 2 minutes and stir. Dip should be thoroughly combined, hot and melted. Heat and stir an additional 2 minutes if not.
Serve: Serve warm in the bowl or transfer to an additional bowl, garnishing with 3 or 4 crushed round, buttery crackers on top. Alternately spoon into a hollowed out bread boule, also garnished with crushed, round buttery crackers on top. Serve with bread slices or crackers. Makes 12-16 servings.
Some ingredients come from The Fresh Market, www.TheFreshMarket.com
COVID 19: TIPS FOR ORDERING FROM RESTAURANTS
Virginia Eats + Drinks has a comprehensive COVID-19 website . It features many eats and drinks tips and tricks during the outbreak.
These include to
+ Look over the menu online and make your selections
+ Follow ordering and payment directions
+ If paying at the restaurant or delivery driver, use a credit card and your own pen
+ Tip generously
+ Remove food to your plate, discard container, and wash hands
+ Reheat dish if needed and enhance or garnish before serving
For information visit www.VirginiaEatsAndDrinks.com/covid19
COVID 19: VIRGINIA EATS + DRINKS RESPONSE
Tune in to our new website Virginia Eats + Drinks has a comprehensive COVID-19 website with features on restaurant offerings such as deliveries and pick ups.
Also look for recipes and expert cooking tips, check out valuable tips for dealing with virus prep and quarantine, and follow along for a virtual dinner party.
MORE VIRGINIA EATS + DRINKS
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