Swiss Syrah? Who would have thought it? When 15 wine professionals gathered recently for a vertical tasting of the top Syrah cuvée from the cellars of Domaine Jean-René Germanier in the Valais, Switzerland, few of us knew what a treat was in store. Swiss wine is produced in tiny quantities, and
After a season of baking and gorging on gooey cookies and cakes, the last thing I want to think about is more rich sweets. Yet parties still happen, dinners continue to take place and I have desserts to make. For a light yet pleasing meal-ender I opt for the small,
The exciting thing about buying a white eggplant is that it looks like an egg. Then once that ephemeral novelty evaporates you’re still looking at an eggplant that needs to be cooked. So, what to do with it? [aside] Unfortunately, because it tastes like an eggplant, what you’ll end up doing with
When the weather outside turns cold and chilly, I reach for chickpea flour to make Kadhi Pakora in all its comforting glory. Kadhi is a slow, simmered chickpea soup often made with chickpea fritters, called pakoras, that are simmered in the fragrant, saucy broth. The resulting meal is a comforting
High up in the Spanish Pyrenees in Catalonia, a new generation of artisan cheese makers is at work. Some were born and raised in the region, often from farming backgrounds with ready-made herds of goats, sheep or cows. Finding it a struggle to make a living from selling milk or
In pursuit of a healthy cuisine, chefs are adding vegan dishes to their menus. Eliminating all animal products? That raises flavor concerns for some diners. Comfort food, says Swiss chef Olivier Rais, helps make that transition. [aside] At Rive Gauche, Rais focuses on grilled meats and seafood, the mainstay of the restaurant
La Livinière is a little-known French wine appellation that is a star in the making. Part of the Minervois, one of the bigger appellations of the Languedoc, La Livinière’s vineyards are east of the walled city of Carcassonne. La Livinière stands out from the mass of the Minervois for its
For centuries, Belgium has been associated with beer. First brewed by abbey monks in the 12th century, today brands like Leffe, Duvel and Chimay sell to beer connoisseurs worldwide, largely banking on the name “Belgium” to move their products. But two prominent beer experts in Brussels say all this is changing,