Blogging

When quarantine and self-isolation began, one of my favourite British Columbia wineries, Stoneboat Vineyards in the Okanagan, sent me a delivery of 3 wines, and set me to the task of creating some recipes.

Since I worked so hard on them, and really loved how the photos turned out (and I got to be creative with the backgrounds, instead of solid-white like I do for Barre Fitness), I felt I should share with everyone.

First up, was a Scallops and Angel-Hair Pasta paired with Stoneboat’s Bubble Boat Brut, which I also used in the sauce!

I made this lighter and dairy-free by using vegan butter, and coconut cream instead of whipping cream – but it depends on your preference, allergies, and/or what’s in your fridge. 

You could also easily make this fully vegan by using king oyster mushrooms instead of the scallops! 

Serves 2 (Can be doubled) 

Ingredients:  
- ¾ cup Stoneboat Bubble Boat Brut 
- 1 shallot, finely minced 
- 2 tbsp coconut cream (solid part of coconut milk) (could also use whipping cream) 
- 50g butter (vegan), cold, and cut into cubes 
- 1 tsp butter  
- 1 tsp olive oil 
- sea scallops (4-5 per person), cleaned and hinge removed 
- 1 tbsp chives and/or parsley, chopped 
- 250g angel hair pasta (4 nests per person)
- alternatively capellini, or spaghettini  
- salt and fresh ground pepper to taste  

Instructions:  

Clean the scallops, including removing the muscles, and pat dry with a paper towel.
In a medium sized shallow pan, pour the sparkling wine, and the shallots in and bring to a low boil. Then turn the heat down and for around 8 to 10 minutes, simmer until the wine has reduced by approximately half.  

Take the pan off of the heat and add the coconut cream, stirring, and adding the cubes of cold butter a few at a time. Then, placing the pan back on very low heat and continue stirring until it had all been incorporated and heated through.
Remove from heat again and set to the side.  

In a large pot, heat salted water for the pasta, and at the same time in another pan, melt the tsp of butter and heat the tsp of oil for the scallops over medium high heat.  Add the pasta to the pot, stirring occasionally.  
Add the scallops to the pan – cook for 2 or 3 minutes per side, spooning the butter/oil mixture over top of the scallops, and sprinkle with salt and ground pepper – allow them to become golden brown on each side, but just barely. Don’t overcook. Remove from heat.  

When the pasta is done, scoop it out of the pot with a gripped spoon, and directly into the wine sauce (allowing a small amount of the pasta water to come with it). Stir until the pasta is fully coated in the sauce.  

Plate the pasta, top with the scallops, and garnish with chives/parsley, and some fresh ground pepper, and a glass of bubbly! 
ENJOY!

!Uni Taco (with Pemberton Beef Tartare, Cucumber, Yuzu Kosho, and Crispy Nori) from The Victor (and Chef Garett Blundell) with the Gray Monk 2017 Pinot Gris

!Uni Taco (with Pemberton Beef Tartare, Cucumber, Yuzu Kosho, and Crispy Nori) from The Victor (and Chef Garett Blundell) with the Gray Monk 2017 Pinot Gris

On April 18th at the Vancouver Convention Centre, smack in the middle of #BCWineMonth (all of April), I was asked to attend the sold out annual event: Chef Meets BC Grape.

The event links up restaurants and wineries and challenges to create the best food and wine pairing of the night, with both a panel of local judges, and a consumer choice being awarded at the end. There were also 350+ wines from wineries all over BC, just in case you needed to find your new favourite!

I was tasked with covering the instagram feed with pictures of each of the pairings, and people having a great time (which, let me tell you, they were!).

Trying to get to all 17 was an amazing challenge that pretty much puts me in my organizational element, and I got to chat with people while I basically followed them around the room between tables!

I sampled a few food items here and there, as my diet right now has so many restrictions I didn’t want to chance things, but my goal was to find the best visuals, and some booths definitely delivered. My favourite to photograph of the night was the pairing of the Uni Taco (with Pemberton Beef Tartare, Cucumber, Yuzu Kosho, and Crispy Nori) from The Victor (and Chef Garett Blundell) with the Gray Monk 2017 Pinot Gris.
The set up with the boards and books, and the urchins and seaweed was stunning.

Top prizes ended up being as follows:

Best Pairing: Tinhorn Creek 2016 Merlot with the Miradoro Oxtail Arancini (with Fermented Sunchoke Purée, Cherry Gastrique, Leek Powder & Chervil)

Best Dish: BC Salmon Tartare (with Cured Yolk, Radish, Leek & Pea) from Chef Stacy Johnston of Ocean Wise - which was paired with a Harper’s Trail 2018 Rosé

Consumer’s Pick: PiDGiN’s Sautéed Local Morels and Cultivated Mushrooms with Brown Butter Yuzu Vinaigrette paired with Ex Nihilo 2016 Merlot

You can see my photos of the winning dishes and the amazing panel of judges in the slideshow below - (hover for descriptions).

Still two days left in BC Wine Month, and there are so many out there to discover! Thanks to Wines Of British Columbia for having me out…check them out (esp. on instagram) for everything you ever want to know about what’s going on in the world of BC Wine!