Recipes

Ingredients

1 pound spaghetti pasta

1/4 cup olive oil

3 shallots, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

3/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes

1 1/2 cup COUGAR Pinot Grigio

1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined

2 pounds clams, washed

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 cups arugula

Directions:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots and the garlic and cook for 3 minutes, until tender but not brown. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another minute. Add the wine, shrimp, and clams. Bring the liquid to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the shrimp are pink and the clams have opened, about 7 minutes.

Add the spaghetti to the seafood mixture. Add the salt and pepper and stir to combine. Add the arugula. Stir gently and place on a serving platter. Serve immediately.

Prep Time:10 min Inactive Prep Time:– Cook Time:15 min Level:
— Serves:
4 main course servings. Ingredients
Four 4-ounce skinless sole or flounder fillets
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Flour for dredging
5 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon-sized pieces
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 teaspoons water
1 teaspoon minced flat-leaf parsley leaves
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves
Directions
Preheat 2 medium non-stick skillets over medium-low heat for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, lay the fillets on a piece of wax paper, parchment, or a baking sheet and blot dry with paper towels. Season the fillets with salt and pepper. (If the fillets tapers down to a very thin tail, fold the tail back to make a more uniformly thick fillet.) Put the flour on a plate. Dredge the rounded-sides of the fillets in the flour and shake off any excess.

Raise the heat to medium-high and add 1 tablespoon of butter to each skillet. When the butter stops foaming, add 2 fillets to each pan, rounded-side down, and cook, lightly shaking the skillets occasionally, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Turn off the heat, flip the fillets with a spatula, and let the fillets finish cooking in the residual heat in the pans, about 2 minutes more. Transfer the fillets to 4 warm plates and cover loosely with foil.

Add the lemon juice and water to one of the skillets. While moving the skillet in a circular motion, add the remaining 3 tablespoons butter, little by little, until melted and a smooth, creamy sauce is formed. Stir in the parsley and thyme and season with salt and pepper to taste. Spoon some of the sauce over each fillet and serve immediately.

Pairs with Cougar Vermentino. Enjoy!

Ingredients
1 pound lump crabmeat, drained and patted dry with paper towels
1/4 cup mayonnaise
4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
4 teaspoons light brown sugar
5 cups cooked Sushi Rice, recipe follows
4 toasted nori sheets*
1 Haas avocado, pitted, peeled and cut into thin slices
1 papaya, peeled and cut into thin slices
1/2 red bell pepper, cored, seeded and cut into thin slices
1/4 cup black sesame seeds*
Directions
*Can be found at specialty Asian markets

Serving suggestion: wasabi, sweet picked ginger, soy sauce

Special equipment: a bamboo sushi mat

In a medium bowl, mix together the crabmeat, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and sugar.

Place a piece of plastic wrap on the sushi mat. Using wet fingers, spread 1 1/4 cups of the rice evenly over the plastic wrap to form a rectangle slightly smaller than the sushi mat. Lay a sheet of nori over the rice. Arrange 1/4 of the crab mixture along the center of the nori leaving a 2-inch border at the top. Top the crab mixture with 1/4 of the avocado slices, 1/4 of the papaya slices, and 1/4 of the red bell pepper slices. Using the sushi mat as a guide, fold the rice over the filling and roll into a cylinder. Remove the plastic wrap. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Sprinkle each roll with the black sesame seeds.

To serve, using a sharp, damp knife, slice each cylinder into 6 pieces (re-wet the knife after each slice). Arrange the crab rolls on a serving platter and serve with wasabi, sweet pickled ginger and soy sauce.

Cook’s Note: For spicier rolls, substitute the red bell pepper with 2 seeded and thinly sliced jalapenos.

Yield: 24 crab rolls

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Sushi Rice:

2 cups short-grain sushi rice (recommended: Kokuho Rose)*
2 1/2 cups water
1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar
*Can be found at specialty Asian markets

Place the rice and water in a medium saucepan over high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil. Cover the pan and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 25 minutes. Sprinkle the vinegar over the rice and mix with a fork. Transfer the cooked rice to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Allow the rice to cool completely before using.

Enjoy with a glass of Pink Cougar, the ultimate sushi wine.

2 tablespoons Salt
1/2 pound pancetta, cut into medium-to-large chunks
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1/4 cup extra-virgin Olive Oil
1 medium head cauliflower, 1 inch florets plus leaves and core
1 teaspoon red chili flakes
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 pound orecchiette pasta
1 cup ricotta salata or other soft sheep’s milk cheese, grated

In a spaghetti pot place 6 quarts of water, add 2 tablespoons salt and bring to a boil.

Place the pancetta, olive oil, garlic and cauliflower pieces into a 14 inch saute pan over medium heat. Cook until the cauliflower is just soft, stirring regularly, about 12 minutes. Remove from heat and sprinkle with chili flakes.

Cook the pasta and set aside 1/4 cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta and toss into the cauliflower mixture. Add reserved pasta water, place over high heat and cook until the liquid is just evaporated, about 1 minute.

Remove the pan from the heat, add half of the grated cheese and toss. Divide into 4 servings and serve immediately with the remaining cheese on the side.

Enjoy with a glass of Cougar Estate Primitivo!

2 TABLESPOONS EXTRA-VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
14 FRESH SEA SCALLOPS (DRY WELL)
2 BLOOD ORANGES, SEGMENT WITH JUICE
½ MEYER LEMON, JUICED
1 BUNCH OF PEA SHOOTS

LEMON PEPPER

In a sauté pan over high heat, add the olive oil. Add the scallops sprinkle with lemon pepper and cook until browned on 1 side. Flip the scallops, sprinkle with lemon pepper and cook 2 minutes more. Add the blood orange segments and both juices. Place on 4 serving plates. Garnish with pea shoots

Serve with warm French bread and salad.

Enjoy with a chilled bottle of Cougar Bubbly!

paired with the Cougar Meritage

4 New York steaks
½ cup olive oil
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespool chopped fresh rosemary
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly groung black pepper

Butter
8 ounces Gorgonzola cheese, cut into small chunks
1 teaspoon white-wine Worcestershire
2 teaspoons green peppercorns
¼ cup lightly toasted walnut halves
1 ½ tablespoons minced chives
6 drops Tabasco

Place steaks in a glass dish. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, garlic, vinegar, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Marinate in refrigerator covered for 2 to 3 hours. Remove steaks from marinade when ready to grill.

To make butter, combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender and process for about a minute until mixed thoroughly. Can be refrigerated, but plan to serve room temperature.

Prepare a hot fire and grill steaks for 5 to 6 minutes per side or until cooked to desired doneness. Shortly after turning, sprinkle a mound of Gorgonzola butter on steaks and allow it to melt slightly while the steaks finish cooking. Serve with coucous and additional Gorgonzola butter in a small dish on the table.

Enjoy with a nice glass of Cougar Meritage. Serves 4

1 lb ground chuck beef
1/2 lb lean ground pork
1 onion, grated
2 eggs
1 tbsp tomato sauce
1 1/2 tsp salt
3/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp crushed mint leaves
1/2 tsp oregano 3 slices bread, moistened
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup of Cougar Aglianico

sauce:
drippings from meat
2tsp flour
1/4 cup water
1 cup tomato sauce
juice of 1 lemon
1/4 cup Cougar Aglianico
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp salt
dash of pepper
2 tblsp grated kefalotyri cheese (Parmesan or Romano will work too)
Combine the meat, onion, eggs, tomato sauce, and seasonings. Tear the moistened bread in pieces and add. Dissolve the baking soda in the wine and add. Mix together well and shape into round patties. Fry in frying pan. Drain drippings and reserve for sauce.
Transfer meat drippings to a saucepan. Make a paste of flour and water and add to drippings along with all other ingredients. Cook, stirring constantly, until sauce is thick. Serve over baked meat patties. Serves 6.

Enjoy with a bottle of Aglianico.

Ingredients
2 pounds dried lasagna noodles
Extra-virgin olive oil
2 pounds ground beef
2 pound ground Italian sausage
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, sliced
3 carrots, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup finely chopped Italian flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon chopped oregano leaves
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups Cougar Miscuglio del Circulo
2 (28-ounce) cans tomatoes
3 tablespoons heavy cream
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 quarts ricotta cheese, (2 containers)
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded
Grated Parmesan and mozzarella, for topping

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Cook the lasagna noodles in plenty of boiling salted water until pliable and barely tender, about 10 minutes. Stir with a wooden spoon to prevent sticking. Drain the noodles thoroughly and coat with olive oil to keep them moist and easy to work with.
Coat a large skillet with olive oil, add beef and sausage and brown until no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. In a food processor, combine the onion, carrots, celery, garlic, basil, parsley, and oregano. Process until pureed, add to the pan with the ground meat and stir to combine. Stir in the flour. Add the wine and cook until it has reduced by half. Stir in the tomatoes and add the heavy cream and the cinnamon.
In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta and the parmesan. Stir in the eggs and season with salt and pepper.

To assemble the lasagna: Coat the bottom of a deep 13 by 9-inch pan with olive oil. Arrange 4 noodles lengthwise in a slightly overlapping layer on the sauce. Then, line each end of the pan with a lasagna noodle. This forms a collar that holds in the corners. Dollop 1/2 of the ricotta mixture over the pasta, spread to the edges with a spatula. Spread 1/2 of the meat mixture over the ricotta. Sprinkle 1/2 of the mozzarella on top of the ricotta. Top with a ladle full of sauce, spread evenly. Repeat with the next layer of noodles, ricotta, sauce, and cheeses. Top last layer with noodles, sauce, shredded mozzarella and Parmesan. Tap the pan to force out air bubbles. Bake for 1 hour. Remove from oven. Let lasagna rest for 30 minutes so the noodles will settle and cut easily. Cut into 2-inch squares and serve.
PAIR WITH COUGAR Miscuglio del Circulo!

TOTAL TIME: 30 minutes
SERVES: 4-5
Serve this great starter dish with our Estate Sangiovese.
ingredients
1/2 pound rotini or fusilli (corkscrew-shaped pastas)
1 garlic clove
1/2 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard
3 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/2 tablespoon water
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 ounce (1/4 cup) sun-dried tomatoes (not packed in oil), soaked in hot water for 5 minutes and drained well
1/4 pound smoked mozzarella, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
8 ounces canned garbanzos, drained and rinsed
1 1/4 ounces sliced hard salami, cut into julienne strips
5 to 10 bottled small pepperoncini (pickled Tuscan peppers)
1/4 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leafed parsley leaves, minced
In a kettle of boiling salted water cook the rotini until it is tender and drain. Refresh the pasta under cold water and drain well.
In a blender blend the garlic, the mustard, the vinegars, the water, the oil, and salt, to taste, until the dressing is emulsified.
In a very large bowl toss the pasta well with the dressing and stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, the mozzarella, the garbanzos, the salami, the Tuscan peppers, the red pepper flakes, and the parsley.
Chill the salad, covered, for 1 hour. The salad may be made 2 days in advance and kept covered and chilled.

3 (6-ounce) tubs fresh lump crab meat from fish counter of your market
1 1/2 cups chili sauce
1 lemon, zested and juiced
Handful chopped flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon hot sauce, eyeball it
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, eyeball it
3 ribs celery from the heart with their greens, cut into chunks
1 small red bell pepper, seeded and chunked
1 clove garlic, cracked from skin
1 medium yellow onion, cut into chunks
Coarse salt and black pepper
Oyster crackers, for garnish
1 large head iceberg lettuce, cut into 6 wedges

Place crab in a bowl and run fingers through it to check for pieces of shell. Break up crab a bit with finger tips but leave several large pieces. Add chili sauce, lemon zest and juice, parsley, hot sauce and Worcestershire to the bowl and toss to combine. In a food processor, process the chopped veggies into small bits by hitting pulse several times. Line a plate with a few sheets of paper towel. Scrape veggies onto towel to remove liquids. Transfer chopped celery, pepper, garlic and onions to the crab. Stir to combine veggies and season the salad with coarse salt and pepper to taste. Place crab salad in a serving bowl and top with crackers. Surround the salad with lettuce “cups”. Spoon the salad into the crunchy pieces of iceberg as you eat.

Pair with ‘Cougar Bubbly. Enjoy!

Cooking spray
1 lemon
4 (6-ounce) Tilapia filets
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/3 cup light mayonnaise
2 teaspoons prepared horseradish, or more to taste
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Preheat the broiler. Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray. Finely grate 1 teaspoon of zest from the lemon and set aside. Squeeze the juice from the lemon over both sides of the fish. Season both sides of the fish with salt and pepper, to taste, and the garlic powder. Place the fish on the prepared baking sheet and broil until fork-tender, about 3 minutes per side.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, lemon zest, horseradish, chives, an parsley. Serve the fish with the mayonnaise mixture spooned over the top.

Pairs with Cougar Arneis — Enjoy!

2 Pork Tenderloins
olive oil
2 teaspoons Tarragon
2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
2 teaspoons Rosemary
1 red onion
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup dried cherries
2 tablespoons Red wine vinegar

Rub pork tenderloins with olive oil. Cover the tenderloins with the garlic powder, tarragon and rosemary and marinade for 1 hour. Bake tenderloins at 40 degrees until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Let sit.

Chop onion and saute in pan until tender. Add sugar, cherries and red wine vinegar and cook on low for 10 minutes. Remove from heat.

Place tenderloins on platter, slice and serve topped with cherry relish.

Enjoy with a glass of Cougar Brachetto Bubbly.

Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray

Prep Time: 15 min, Cook Time: 15 min, Serves 4

Salt
1 1/2 pounds ground chicken
1 tablespoon grill seasoning (recommended: Montreal Steak Seasoning by McCormick)
1 teaspoon, 1/3 palm full, fennel seeds
1/4 cup tender sun-dried tomatoes (available in pouches or tubs in produce section)
1 cup, 20 leaves fresh basil, divided
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus some to drizzle
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, eyeball it in your palm
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
Pepper
1 pound gnocchi, potato dumplings, from refrigerated or frozen foods section of market
Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Romano, 1/2 cup – a couple of handfuls, plus some to pass at table
Crusty bread, to pass at table.

Bring a pot of water to a boil for gnocchi. Salt boiling water but wait a while to drop in gnocchi.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Place chicken in a medium bowl with grill seasoning and fennel seeds. Pile sun-dried tomatoes on top of each other in small stacks then slice into thin strips. Coarsely chop the thin strips and add to bowl. Stack the basil leaves together then roll them up into a log. Shred the basil by thinly slicing the log. Add the half the basil to the bowl. Drizzle extra-virgin olive oil over the bowl. Mix chicken together, roll into mini balls, 1 1/2 inches across, and arrange on a nonstick cookie sheet. Bake at 400 degrees F for 10 to12 minutes or until firm and lightly golden.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. To the hot skillet, add extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan then the garlic, onions and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook until tender, about 5 to 6 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce and season sauce with salt and pepper.

Drop gnocchi in boiling water and cook 5 minutes or to package directions.

Stir basil into sauce to wilt it. Drain gnocchi and arrange on a platter. Remove balls from oven and add to gnocchi, equally distributing them. Sprinkle cheese over meatballs and hot dumplings then top with sauce by carefully ladling it all over and around the platter. Gently toss to combine then serve with crusty bread and Green Salad.

Pairs with Cougar Lambrusca di Alessandria

Mixed Greens ripped (not chopped)
2 tablespoons chopped cashews
thin slices Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
2 tablespoons frozen raspberries
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons coconut vinegar
6 tablespoons extra-virgin Cougar Estate Olive Oil
Sea salt and pepper to taste

In a high speed blender add together the raspberries, the water, the sugar, vinegar and salt and pepper to taste. Pulse until well mixed and the raspberries are liquefied. Next, add the oil and blend until the vinaigrette is emulsified.

Place mixed greens in a serving bowl and toss with vinaigrette. Top with cashews and cheese.

Enjoy with a glass of Sangio Rosso!

with Bella Rosso
Prep Time: 15 minutes, Cook Time: 8 hours, Yield: Serves 4

2 tablespoons Cougar Estate Olive Oil
4 lamb shanks
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 large sweet onion, sliced
2 medium carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
3 cups Cougar Bella Rosso
2 cups Chicken stock
1 sprig fresh Rosemary
2 to 3 sprigs fresh Thyme

Heat oil in a large skillet. Add the lamb shanks seasoning both sides with salt and pepper. Brown on all sides, about 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer lamb to slow cooker. Add onion, carrots, and celery to the skillet and saute until the onion is tender. Add vegetables to the slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients to the slow cooker. Cook on High for 1 hour. Cook on Low for 8 hours or until lamb is tender.

Enjoy with friends and a bottle of Bella Rosso!

with Cougar Malvasia Bianca
2 lb boneless pork roast, trim fat
5 tbsp hoisin sauce
1 tbsp grated ginger root
1 tsp five spice powder
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
10 four tortillas
3 cups shredded lettuce
8 medium green onions, sliced (1/2 cup)
1 can (15 oz) mandarin orange segments, drained

In 3 to 4 qt slow cooker, place pork roast. In small bowl, mix 4 tbsp of the hoisin sauce, ginger root, five spice and garlic. Spread over pork.

Cover and cook on low setting for 7 to 8 hours.

15 minutes before serving heat oven to 300 degrees. Wrap tortillas in foil. Heat packet until warm.

Remove pork from slow cooker, place on cutting board. Stir remaining tbsp hoisin sauce into juices in slow cooker. Shred pork, return to slow cooker and mix well.

Spoon about 1/2 cup of pork mixture onto each tortilla. Top with lettuce, onion and orange segments.

Pair with a cold glass of Cougar Malvasia Bianca and ENJOY!

1 Sadie Rose flat bread pizza
Olive Oil
1/2 cup Red Sauce (recipe below)
3/4 cup shredded fresh mozzarella
1/8 lb sliced Boar’s Head pepperoni
1/8 lb sliced Boar’s Head Hot Cappy
1 jalapeno, sliced
Freshly grated Parmesan

Heat your BBQ to medium-high for 20 minutes. Sprinkle your work surface with flour. Turn one side of your grill down to medium. Place the dough on the medium-high side of the grill and quickly brush with olive oil. Let the dough cook just until it is firm on the bottom and nice char marks (1 to 2 minutes). Flip the dough over to the medium heat side of the grill.

Brush the other side of the dough with olive oil then start topping the pizza. Spread the red sauce from the center to the edge. Then add mozzarella, followed by pepperoni, salami and jalapeno. Close the lid and cook about 5 minutes.

Remove with a pizza peel or sheet tray. Cut into squares and serve with parmesan.

Red Sauce

1 onion, finely diced
1 tbsp Olive Oil
2 cloves garlic, finely diced
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tbsp dried oregano
2 Italian plum tomatoes, hand crush
1 tsp Boar’s Head Freshly grated Pecorino cheese
1/4 cup Cougar Pinotagio

In a sauce pan saute onion, garlic, and red pepper flakes in olive oil. Add oregano, tomatoes, cheese and Pinotagio. Pour yourself a glass of Pinotagio. Turn down heat to low or simmer. Sip 2 glasses of Pinotagio while stirring your sauce (or “gravy”) and your sauce should be heavenly.

1 1/8 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp sugar
1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ lb cold unsalted butter cut into 1 inch pieces
1/8 tsp kosher salt
¼ cup cold water

Filling
1 6oz pkg dried apricots chopped
1 6oz pkg dried peaches chopped
1 cup Cougar Port
1 cup cold water
½ cup brown sugar
2 tbls cornstarch
1 cup chopped toasted pecans

Oven set to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine flour, sugar and cinnamon. Blend in butter until mixture is a coarse meal. Mix salt and water together then add them to mixture. Blend dough until just moist and smooth.

On a floured surface flatten dough into a circle. Roll out dough with a rolling pin to make an 11-inch circle about 1/8 inch thick. Transfer to 10-inch tart pan, with removable bottom, and press dough into sides. Chill for approximately 15 minutes.

Pierce the dough in several places. Line inside of dough with foil. Weigh dough down.

Place pan on baking sheet. Bake 20 minutes or until dough is a light golden brown. Cool on wire rack.

In a large pot combine fruit, port and water. Bring to a simmer and cook until fruit is softened about 10 minutes. Strain fruit reserving liquid. Add cold water to reserved liquid to make 1 cup.

Mix ½ cup reserved liquid with brown sugar and cornstarch until the cornstarch is dissolved. Pour remaining reserved liquid back into the pot with the cornstarch mixture and also orange juice.

Bring mixture slowly to a boil, stirring often. Stirring occasionally simmer until thick. Add fruit and pecans and remove from heat. When room temperature, add to crust.

Serve chilled or room temperature garnished with whipped cream and a glass of Cougar Primitivo Port!

and Cougar Sangria
Ingredients

4 ripe Papayas
¼ cup light mayonnaise
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
1/8 tsp paprika
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 large tomato, diced
1 pound Jumbo lump crabmeat
Berries to garnish.
Preparation

Cut each papaya in half. Scoop out the seeds.
2. Mix the mayonnaise, lemon juice, rosemary, paprika, salt, and pepper together. Carefully fold in the crabmeat and tomatoes.
3. Scoop into papaya halves, sprinkle with salt and pepper, garnish with berries, and serve with a flute of Cougar Sangria on ice. Serves 4.
Classic Insalata Caprese and Cougar Falanghina or Cougar Fiano

Cut tomatoes into an assortment of slices and chunks and spread over a large plate in a single, slightly overlapping layer. Tuck chunks of mozzarella into the tomato pieces. Drizzle generously with extra-virgin Cougar Estate Manzanilla olive oil. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt and black pepper.

Imagine yourself in your favorite cafe in Positano or Capri!

and Cougar Coda di Volpe (aka Foxtail)
Ingredients

3 medium tomatoes, coarsely chopped
Salt
Sugar
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons Cougar Estate Manzanilla extra-virgin olive oil
Freshly ground white pepper
2 balls of packaged buffalo mozzarella with their liquid, at room temperature
2 scallions, white and tender green parts only, julienned
2 apricots—halved, pitted and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons finely shredded basil
1 teaspoon aged balsamic vinegar
In the blender, puree the chopped tomatoes with a pinch each of salt and sugar. Line a strainer with cheesecloth and set the strainer over a medium bowl. Pour the tomato puree into the strainer, gather the ends of the cheesecloth and tie with a string. Let the tomato juices drain into the bowl for 2 hours. You should have about 1/2 cup of tomato water. Whisk in the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and season the tomato water with salt and white pepper.

Rinse blender. Pour the mozzarella liquid in to the blender; there should be 3/4 cup. Cut each mozzarella ball into 6 pieces and add the pieces to the blender. Blend at low speed for 1 minute, then increase the speed to high and puree until smooth. Add 1/4 cup of olive oil and puree until creamy and smooth. Season the soup with white pepper.

In a medium bowl, toss the scallions and apricots with the lime juice and season with salt and pepper. Pour 1/2 cup of the mozzarella soup into each of 6 small bowls. Spoon the apricot mixture on top and garnish with the basil. Drizzle a few drops of the tomato water and the balsamic on top and serve right away. Serves 6.

paired with Cougar Kaleidoscope

Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter
1/3 cup finely chopped shallots
1/2 pound fresh shiitake or oyster mushrooms
1 1/2 cups Cougar cabernet sauvignon
10 1/2 ounces beef bouillon
freshly cracked black pepper
16 ounces filet mignon steaks 1 inch thick
1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons corn starch
1 teaspoon dried thyme
thyme sprigs
Melt 1 1/2 teaspoons butter in a nonstick pan over medium heat. Add shallots and mushrooms and sauté for 4 minutes. Add 1 cup wine and 3/4 cup bouillon and cook for 5 minutes stirring frequently. Remove the mushrooms with a slotted spoon and place in a bowl. Increase heat to high and cook until reduced to 1/2 cup. Add to mushrooms in bowl and set aside.

Sprinkle steaks with pepper. Melt 1 1/2 teaspoons butter in pan over medium heat. Add steaks and cook 3 minutes on each side. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook 1 1/2 minutes on each side. Remove from pan.

Combine soy sauce and cornstarch. Add 1/2 cup wine and remaining bouillon to pan. Scrape pan to loosen any steak pieces. Bring to a boil and cook 1 minute. Add mushroom mixture, cornstarch mixture, and dried thyme. Bring to a boil and cook 1 minute stirring constantly. Pour sauce over steaks. Garnish with thyme sprigs.

4 Servings (1 steak and 1/2 cup sauce each)

paired with Cougar Fiano (Serves 4)
Ingredients

Olive oil cooking spray

2 small red onions, halved and sliced

2 small fennel bulbs, quartered, cored and sliced

2 tsp fresh ground black pepper

4 tsp fennel seeds

2 whole striped bass, descaled/gutted

3/4 cups vegetable broth

fennel fronds for garnish

Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray baking sheet with cooking spray. Combine onions, fennel bulbs and 1 tsp pepper. Spread mixture out on baking sheet, transfer to oven and roast for 15 minutes.

Combine fennel seeds and remaining 1 tsp pepper. Sprinkle mixture evenly on both sides of each fish. Transfer to a large plate and set aside.

Remove baking sheet with onion-fennel mixture from oven; add broth and toss, scraping up any browned bits from bottom with a wooden spoon. Place fish over top of vegetables, return to oven and roast until fish are almost cooked through and barely opaque throughout, about 20 minutes.

Arrange oven rack 6 inches from heat; preheat broiler to high. Broil fish and onion-fennel mixture until fish are browned, 2 to 4 minutes. Transfer fish to a large platter and garnish with additional fennel fronds. Arrange onion-fennel mixture around fish.

Serve with Cougar Estate Sagrantino

Serves 4

1/2 lb fresh Black Truffles
1 lb thin Spaghetti
1/4 cup Cougar extra virgin Olive Oil
4 cloves fresh Garlic
4 Anchovy Fillets

Clean and brush truffles while rinsing with cold water. Dry and then grate truffles.

Boil 6 cups of salted water. Add pasta.

Over medium heat, heat olive oil. Crush and saute garlic about 3 minutes. Add chopped anchovies, stirring 3 minutes. Add truffles reserving 1 teaspoon for later. Coat truffles, reduce heat and add 2 tablespoons of pasta water. Cook for 10 minutes adding water periodically until the mixture is pesto like. Turn off heat and put pan aside.

Drain al dente pasta and add to sauce. Mix until evenly coated. Top plated dishes with reserved truffles.

Serve with Cougar Nebbiolo, serves 4

1 cup Parigiano Reggiano Cheese, grated

2 fresh bay leaves

salt and pepper

7 carrots, quartered

1 bottle Cougar Nebbiolo

1/2 cup Olive Oil

4 medium shallots diced

1 lb Arborio rice

5 tbs butter

Bring 4 quarts water to boil, add carrots, bay leaves and simmer for 1-2 hours. Place carrots and bay leaves in a bowl and puree with 1 tablespoon of butter and salt/pepper. In a pan bring half of the wine to boil for 5 minutes. Add wine to water pot. Boil until it reduces to 1.5 quarts. Cover and simmer.

Heat 1/2 cup of olive oil in skillet. Add shallots and salt. Saute 2-3 minutes. Turn up to medium and add rice. Vigorously stir for 3 minutes then add 1 cup of the wine and stir some more. Add stock water 2 tablespoons at a time. Continue until the rice is al dente. Should take 20 minutes. Take risotto off the burner. Add remaining butter and cheese while stirring vigorously. Spread the carrot puree on a dish and top with the risotto. Enjoy with Cougar Nebbiollo!

paired with Cougar Greco di Tufo
Servings: 8

Ingredients
8 ripe roma tomatoes, diced
? cup ripped fresh basil
¼ cup shredded parmesan reggiano cheese
2 cloves garlic, smashed and chopped
1 tablespoon barrel aged balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon Cougar Estate olive oil
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 loaf French bread, brushed with olive oil then sliced and panini grilled

In a bowl, toss together the tomatoes, basil, Parmesan Reggiano cheese, and garlic. Mix in the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, kosher salt, and pepper. Serve on grilled bread slices.

Best if the mixture has a couple hours to blend flavors before serving. Enjoy with your Cougar Greco di Tufo!

paired with Cougar Greco di Tufo
This seafood salad is a blend of crab and shrimp in a creamy dill dressing with crunchy vegetables. Pair this with Cougar’s Greco di Tufo!

Serves 4

Ingredients
8 ounces crab meat
8 ounces raw shrimp
2 lemons
1/2 cup finely diced celery
3 tablespoons minced red onion
1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
salt and pepper
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh dill chopped

Instructions

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add one sliced lemon.
Add the crab to the pot for 2 minutes.
Add the shrimp to the pot and cook for 1-2 minutes more or until shrimp is pink.
Drain the water and pat dry the shrimp.
Break crab meat into bite-size chunks.
Peel and clean shrimp.
Place the crab, shrimp, celery, red onion, Old Bay, juice from the second lemon, mayonnaise and dill in a bowl (reserve some dill for garnish). Add salt and pepper as desired. Toss to coat.
Garnish with additional fresh dill and serve.

Try in lettuce cups or scooped into an avocado half.

paired with Cougar’s Teroldego

1 pound dry spaghetti

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

4 ounces pancetta cubed

4 garlic cloves, finely chopped (leave out if want the Italian version)

2 large eggs separating yolks

1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus more for serving

Freshly ground black pepper

1 handful fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped

Add panchetta and water to cover to a skillet and bring to a simmer.
Continue simmering until water is evaporated, then continue to cook the panchetta until crispy.
Remove panchetta from pan and reserve the drippings.
Saute garlic in that same skillet until golden brown, then add to a bowl with 1 tablespoon panchetta drippings, eggs, 1 cup cheese and pepper. Mix well.
Cook the spaghetti al dente. Drain pasta reserving 1 cup of the cooking water.
Slowly pour the hot cooking water into the egg mixture. Then pour over the hot pasta and toss to coat. Add crumbled panchetta.
Let pasta rest for a few minutes, tossing frequently until the carbonara sauce thickens. Serve immediately with a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

Enjoy with a glass or two of Cougar Teroldego!