Simple and Elegant Holiday Recipes

GRILLED MUSHROOMS: clean and remove stems from three Portobello Mushrooms, place caps on plate with gills up.
 In a small bowl combine 1/4 cup of canola, 3 tablespoons chopped onion, 4 cloves garlic (minced), 4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar. Pour evenly over the mushroom caps and let stand for 1 hour.
Grill over hot grill for 10 minutes. Serve immediately with 2008 Sequana Sarmento Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

PORK TENDERLOIN IN A CHERRY AND CRANBERRY SAUCE: In a small bowl combine 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 1/2 cups cranberry juice and 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard until smooth.

Sprinkle 1 1/2 pound pork tenderloin, thinly sliced, with 2 teaspoons lemon-pepper seasoning.
In a large skillet cook port in 3 tablespoons of butter for 4-5 minutes on each side. Remove.

Stir in cornstarch mixture and add to the skillet - bring to a boil add 1 cup dried cherries and 3 tablespoons cherry preserves cook and stir until thickened.

Return Pork Loin to pan and cook for until heated through.
Serve with 2008 Sequana Dutton Range Pinot Noir

Wine Pairings for Your Holiday Parties

Both the 2008 Sequana Santa Lucia Highlandes Pinot Noir and the 2008 Dutton Range Pinot Noir have received 91 points from Wine Enthusiast. They show fine acidity and a dusting of tannins that provide structural integrity. Both are nice wines to indulge in now and will develop over the next four to six years.

The Santa Lucia is described as exploding in raspberries and cherries with a complex earth and berry scent. It is full-bodied offering hints of spice and cedar with a smoky oak touch of aftertaste.
The Dutton Range is firm, intense, concentrated and complex, with ripe plum and cherry fruit that is full-bodied. It is a bit raw and grainy, but concentrated, ending with tight tannins.  Both wines are on sale at Evergreen Discount Liquors and are very versatile food wines. Pinot Noir goes great with poultry, salmon, lamb, pork loin, veal and even vegetable dishes.