Two Meals, One Wine: It’s Easier Than You Might Think
Some people worry about food leftovers: how to use that turkey for the third time or what to do with those veggies before they go bad. Granted, I worry about these things as well, and I’d like to think I’ve come up with some pretty creative meals to get the most out of my fridge contents before moving or going away for a while. But here’s another issue that you might find yourself worrying about if you live alone or if you don’t always opt to finish a bottle in one night. How do you work a meal around your wine leftovers?
Easier to figure out the second time around, I say. You already know what flavors to expect.
With life being oh-so-hectic these days, some of my meals have been on the super fast side. Last weekend after a busy day at work, I wasn’t feeling like cooking or going to a restaurant. So I popped a ham, carmelized onion, and Gruyere cheese pizza from Trader Joe’s into the oven .Since it was called something like Tarte d’Alsace, I found myself wishing for an Alsatian Pinot Gris. Instead, I opted for the New York Pinot Grigio I had gotten at the Grocery Outlet for $3.
Meanwhile I made a quick feta-lemon salad dressing. The flavors in the 2005 Goose Watch Pinot Grigio were of citrus, especially lemon, pear, and chalk and slightly round mid-palate despite the fairly good level of acidity. So the first night was a good pairing against the sharpness of the pizza and with the feta dressing. The wine itself was not the best example of the grape I’ve had, but definitely the cheapest. And another point in its favor was the fact I’ve only had one other New York wine.
Yet another good point was that it went well with a quick meal the following night. After a long day of errands, BK and I went to Whole Foods and got the fixins for fondue. I dusted off my set and threw in garlic, a bit of the Pinot Grigio, Gruyere, Jarlsberg, and vermouth, stirring constantly. Dipping items were pears, apples, and bread, with a side of olives and sopressata. The fact that the wine was one of the ingredients helped to ensure the match, but so would have the pear flavor and the round mid-palate. And the fact that neither of us wanted more than a glass was a good thing.
Moral of the story: don’t let food go bad, and don’t pour good wine needlessly down the drain.
Tags: Goose_Watch_pinot_grigio, leftover_wine, New_York_wineRelated Stories
POSTED IN: New York, Pinot Gris, quick meals
2 opinions for Two Meals, One Wine: It’s Easier Than You Might Think
john witherspoon
Dec 18, 2007 at 9:19 am
you are very resourceful!! And wow a $3 wine that was drinkable, what a steal.
And don’t worry I won’t be pouring any wine down the drain.
John
Farley
Dec 18, 2007 at 12:39 pm
John, I try anyway. Last night, not so much the food or the wine.
Yes, that store had all kinds of bargains! I need to revisit.
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