Plonk, vino, medicinal juice... call it what you will, we’ve got a whole lot of love for wine. And at this time of year, it’s all about the red stuff, there to warm our cockles and make us feel all fuzzy inside. Chances are, you’re going to give it up (or at least try) in January; then, as we move through spring and summer, whites and rosés take over – so we can’t help but think that now is the time to make the most of it. Within, er, reason of course.
If you’re looking for more inventive ways to get your fill – besides the obvious bottle-to-glass method – let us enlighten you! Read on and raise a glass/ mug/ bowl to ALL the red wine this winter.
Red wine hot chocolate
Yep. Yes. Stop what you’re doing. Red wine hot chocolate exists and it’s as good as it sounds. Better, maybe. Rich and fudgy, more like a dessert than a drink. You need it.
Just heat milk, chocolate chips and wine in a pan until smooth and warm, and voila!
http://immaeatthat.com/2014/11/24/red-wine-hot-chocolate/
Photo: Courtesy of Imma Eat That.
Red wine, caramelised onion and goat’s cheese tarts
Rustling up a fancy pants winter picnic? Let these red wine, onion and goat’s cheese tarts be your centrepiece.
Make your red wine and onion filling by frying up some onions until golden brown, then adding wine, sugar, thyme and seasoning and cooking until the liquid has boiled off. Cut your tartlet shapes from the puff pastry, lightly brush with milk and pop the cases in the oven for 10 minutes. Then, spoon in your red winey-onion filling, and top with goat’s cheese and thyme before popping back in the oven.
http://drizzleanddip.com/2013/04/12/red-wine-caramelised-onions-goats-cheese-tartlets
Photo: Courtesy of Drizzle And Dip.
Mulled wine
I mean, an obvious one at this time of year, but instead of just grabbing a bottle of M&S’ mulled wine, why not get some satisfaction out of making your own?
It’s easy – in a pan, just boil some ginger, nutmeg, cloves and a cinnamon stick; strain the water, add a little sugar, then add the wine and the sliced orange. Serve in the most festive mugs you can find!
http://www.sainsburysmagazine.co.uk/component/zoo/item/traditional-mulled-wine
Photo: Courtesy of Sainsbury's.
Merlot poached pears
Looking for a new dinner party dessert? Merlot poached pears are mega easy to knock up and they’ll impress your pals – they look super fancy.
Just simmer some pears in wine, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon for 30 minutes; chill the pears and let the winey mixture thicken into a syrup. When everything is chilled, serve with a hefty dollop of mascarpone!
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/merlot-poached-pears-vanilla-cinnamon
Photo: Steve Brown Photography/Getty Images.
One-pot red wine pasta
What do we love more than one-pot dishes? One-pot dishes that feature WINE. And hey, don’t worry, the alcohol burns off so this totally works for leftover lunches too.
Now this one is easy… Grab a saucepan and throw in a diced onion, some crushed garlic, basil, a bay leaf, olive oil, stock, 2 cups of red wine, water and pasta, bring to the boil, simmer, and let sit. Serve with a generous sprinkle of parmesan and, boom!
http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2014/10/one-pot-red-wine-pasta.html
Photo: Courtesy of A Beautiful Mess.
Red wine brownies
Prepare to be crowned Star Baker. These red wine brownies are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and you’ll be kicking yourself you didn’t discover them earlier.
Heat chocolate and butter in a pan over boiling water, then add wine, flour, sugar, vanilla and coffee (yep, coffee!). Mix it all well, pour into a tin, and stick it in the oven. 40 minutes (and a little cooling time) later and you’ve got the most decadent brownies you ever did try.
https://www.asdagoodliving.co.uk/food/recipes/Red-wine-brownie-recipe
Photo: A.Y. Photography.
Creamy red wine garlic spaghetti
Ready to add a new spaghetti dish to your repertoire? We’ve got you. Everyone knows wine and pasta go hand in hand, but how about letting it take a more central role? We give you.. red wine spaghetti.
Boil your spaghetti in water and a cup of wine and watch as it turns purple. In a separate frying pan, heat oil, garlic and chilli, before adding wine and cream (YUM – can we jump in next?). Throw in your spaghetti, tossing it around so it’s all covered and creamy, before serving with lashings of parmesan.
http://www.eatwell101.com/red-wine-garlic-parmesan-spaghetti-recipe
Photo: Courtesy of Eatwell101.
Red wine pork ribs
Now these are pretty damn special; a revelation. Red wine and caramelised pork should get together more often.
Rub your pork belly in a little salt, sugar, paprika and cayenne pepper and leave overnight. Stick it in a dish with a little orange juice and put it in the oven until tender. Let it chill and slice it – then it’s time for the caramelising! Reduce some wine in a pan, and in a separate frying pan, melt some sugar. Slowly, add your syrupy wine and once it’s caramel-like, add your sliced pork belly, flipping so it’s fully coated.
http://www.lacrema.com/red-wine-caramelized-pork-belly/
Photo: Courtesy of la Crema.
Red wine velvet cake
Why settle for red velvet cake when you can go all out and do red wine velvet cake? GENIUS.
Preheat your oven and grease your tins. Cream butter with sugar until fluffy, then add eggs, red wine and vanilla. Sift in your flour, cocoa and baking powder and bicarb, and fold together. Get your red wine cakes in the oven as you would with any other cake, and when it comes to the filling, go for mascarpone whipped up with a little icing sugar. Pure decadence.
http://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/recipes/red-wine-velvet-cake-with-whipped-mascarpone
Photo: Courtesy of The Happy Foodie.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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