Share the Joy of Fresh Ingredients

This winter we are exploring how to use inspiring ingredients to transform your holiday dishes this season. Inspiring ingredients can be anything from fresh ginger for your curried butternut squash soup to Garam Masala for added depth and flavor profile, to the often underrated cauliflower.

Cauliflower is one of our Estate Chef’s favorite winter ingredients. Many of us may view this winter vegetable as the bland, mushy, overcooked side dish we had to endure as kids but, when cooked properly, cauliflower has a lot more to offer than you might think.

Here are Three Cauliflower Preparations:

Toss cauliflower florets with olive oil, salt and pepper and roast in the oven until golden brown. Toss with sage brown butter and serve as a delicious side dish with any holiday meal. The rich, flavorful butter gives cauliflower a robustness that lends itself to a velvety red wine like our 2014 Rutherford Estate Vineyard Merlot.

Cheddar cauliflower soup is a favorite comfort food. Top this dish with a little sour cream, crumbled bacon and green onion for a satisfying cold weather meal. Pair this creamy soup with a well-balanced chardonnay like the 2016 Dollarhide Estate Vineyard Chardonnay.

Parmesan crusted cauliflower is a great appetizer and crowd pleaser. Coat the florets in flour, egg wash and a mixture of panko and parmesan and deep fry at 350°F until golden brown. They are wonderful served with fresh marinara or an herbed lemon aioli for dipping and even better when paired with a crisp sauvignon blanc like our 90 point 2016 Dollarhide Estate Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc.

Pair your holiday preparations with our quick tips and tricks designed to take you through the season. Follow us on social media and search for the hashtag #ShareTheJoy to find fresh ideas for home, kitchen and garden. Our Estate Chef, Horticulturist, Sommeliers and Winemakers will share their wisdom to complement your holiday traditions.