Sexy Strawberries

Strawberries are probably one of the sexiest foods out there. They're bright, refreshing, sweet and so much fun to play around with. In the mood for some... strawberries?

I love wine and I love strawberries. So why not pair the two? I created the following recipe one day when I had bought some dessert wines to try out just to get better acquainted with them. This is what I can share with you in regards to the wines I picked up:

DESSERT WINES

RIESLING
Flavors and Aromas: Apple, pear, mineral, floral
Pairings: Desserts
Cuisine: Wide variety

SAUTERNES
Flavors and Aromas: Apple, pear, apricot, vanilla

Pairings: Desserts
Cuisine: Wide variety

PORT
Flavors and Aromas: Black currant, plum, raisin, oak, cedar, vanilla, spice, earth

Pairings: Desserts
Cuisine: Wide variety

So I went with the Riesling for this super sexy dessert! 

WINE GELEE WITH STRAWBERRY CONSERVE

1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin
3 tablespoons cold water
1 ½ cups Riesling
¼ cup sugar
1 pint strawberries, small dice
1 tablespoon honey
1 ½ teaspoons sugar
Finely grated zest of half a lemon

Add water to a small bowl and sprinkle with gelatin. Let stand until softened (about 5 minutes).

Heat Riesling and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisking occasionally, until sugar dissolves. Add softened gelatin and whisk until gelatin dissolves. Pour gelée into wine glasses, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight.

Combine strawberries, remaining ingredients, and a splash of Riesling in a mixing bowl. Gently stir; let stand for half an hour. Spoon conserve over gelée. Serve.

Oh and gelée is just a fancy way of saying jello.


You can never go wrong with the classic duo-- chocolate and strawberries. Here are simple step by step instructions to get them done just right.

CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES 
(in bed)

8 oz semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 lb large strawberries, washed, dried well
1/3 cup finely chopped pistachios or walnuts (optional)

Line a baking sheet with waxed paper. Set aside.

Place chocolate in a bowl set over (not in) a saucepan of simmering water [ just set it over the pot making sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water]. Stir occasionally until melted (about 4 minutes). Remove from heat.

Dip one strawberry at a time in chocolate, spinning to coat. Roll strawberry in chopped pistachios or walnuts if using, and place on wax paper. Chill strawberries in refrigerator for at least 15 minutes
until chocolate sets, but no more than 1 hour--that's when condensation begins to set on the chocolate and you don't want that.

Recommended Wine: Port
Traditional Accompaniment: Cigar

Take caution with port wines as they are heady stuff with a much higher alcohol content than most wines. They are pretty sweet and pair very well with these sexy strawberries. A 3 to 4 ounce pour per person should be the perfect nightcap to a great meal. And don’t forget the cigar.

Cheers!