That is
definitely a curious title for a food blogger because we are always trying
something new.
This week, I
am doing something I haven’t done before. I am making two distinctly different
dishes to test – or show off – the versatility of one wine.
The wine is
Pétale de Rose, a rosé by Régine Sumeire of Château La Tour de l’Évêque. You
have seen wines from this family before on this blog When I made OystersRockefeller and the Parfait of Sweetbreads. The château says this rosé makes
for a good apéritif, and goes well with all variety of seafood, chicken, pork,
and goat cheeses – plus spicy foods.
The two
dishes I am making for this wine are almost opposites. One is new to me:
Persian Roasted Salmon, which I saw in the New York Times recently. The other
is my mother’s rack of lamb, with some updates. Today you will get the fish
recipe, and I’ll post the lamb recipe in a couple of weeks.
I chose to
make something far from Provençal – even far from French or European – for this
week’s pairing.
Why? Because
when I mention Provençal rosés to some people, they instinctively ask me about
Provençal food. While I have plenty of great French recipes and ideas, it made
me realize that they were “profiling” rosés, and that just isn’t
fair.
Rosé wines
can be terrific pairings for all variety of cuisines, from the obvious French,
to close-by Italian and Spanish, Asian cuisine, and Middle Eastern, as we see
today with this Persian recipe.
The dish is
full of complex flavors, such as tart barberries, slow cooked onions, tangy
tamarind, sweet almonds, and a mixture of herbs. No real hot spice, as one
might think, but a marriage of unique and diverse flavors, which worked
beautifully with the wine.
On the other
hand, the lamb recipe is also really a great pairing. In fact, my guess is that
there are many pairings for this great wine. To read more about the wine, see
my post on the Provence WineZine.
In the
meantime, enjoy the warmer weather and raise a glass of pink!
Persian
Roasted Salmon
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Provence WineZine
May 7, 2016 at 4:16 pmSimply gorgeous photos, David!! I know the wine is very good and the fish looks fantastic–this pairing is definitely moving up on my list of dinners to make (already dominated by DSA/C&L recipes!
Cocoa & Lavender
May 8, 2016 at 4:53 pmThanks, Susan! I really think you will like this pairing!
Sippity Sup
May 7, 2016 at 5:51 pmWine profiling! Guilty as charged. GREG
Cocoa & Lavender
May 8, 2016 at 4:54 pmI am sure you aren't alone, Greg!
Cindy
May 7, 2016 at 10:52 pmLovely idea to cook around a wine. Great inspiration! I usually choose wine based on what I cook.
Cocoa & Lavender
May 8, 2016 at 4:55 pmCindy – If I have a special wine, I often pair in reverse. I want to make sure it is used to its best advantage.
Bizzy Lizzy's Good Things
May 7, 2016 at 11:25 pmBeautiful!
Cocoa & Lavender
May 8, 2016 at 4:56 pmThanks, Liz!
Cheri Savory Spoon
May 8, 2016 at 1:31 amHi David, always on the lookout for great salmon dishes, love the spices in this one. Also my husband loves it when rice is served like you have yours, did you use a ramekin? And yes, leaving for the PNW in 8 days, so excited.
Cocoa & Lavender
May 8, 2016 at 4:59 pmThanks, Cheri – I feel the same about salmon. I love it and am always seeking new recipes. I used a little chachepot/flowerpot from Trader Joe's to mold the rice, although most often I use a teacup. Have a great last few days here – looks like you will be getting out just as the heat is settling in.
John - heneedsfood
May 8, 2016 at 12:35 pmWhat a riot of flavours you have on top of the salmon! Very pretty. I may not drink rosés all the often, but I do love the odd glass when the weather is toasty and I'm eating outdoors – preferably somewhere by the water.
Cocoa & Lavender
May 8, 2016 at 5:01 pm"A riot of flavors" is the perfect way to describe this salmon. It is great. We have come to love rosés, especially those from Provence.
Unknown
May 8, 2016 at 1:53 pmI love Persian food! Did you know my name is Persian? Must be why I love all things Persian. I need to post more recipes, I always cook Persain food at home but apart from a couple of recipes, I haven't posted many more.
This salmon is exploding with flavour! I love zereshk, so tart but flavorful too, I can imagine how good they are with the fatty salmon.
I'm always looking for new salmon recipes and love this one. I'm not a drinker so I can't really give you any input on wine!
Have a great week, David.
Nazneen
Cocoa & Lavender
May 8, 2016 at 5:04 pmI always thought "Nazneen" sounded Persian! Yes, please do post some of your Persian recipes – I would love to make some of them!
Gerlinde de Broekert
May 8, 2016 at 4:24 pmOne can never have too many salmon recipes . I love all the flavors in your recipe . My husband does the wine in our family.
Cocoa & Lavender
May 8, 2016 at 5:05 pmI agree, Gerlinde – I love salmon and can't get enough! Definitely tell your husband to pick of some Provençal rosé for the summer!
Frank
May 8, 2016 at 7:11 pmYou know, this is the first time I've heard of barberries. Where might one buy them? Any substitutions if I can't find them?
Rosé wine on the other hand… well, I love them this time of year. Have made a note to try Pétale de rose, sounds very nice! (And I love the name.)
Cocoa & Lavender
May 8, 2016 at 9:05 pmHi Frank. You can get them in most Middle Eastern grocery stores, and even many natural food stores. If you can't find them, you can substitute dried cranberries.
I hope you can find the Pétale de Rose – really a nice wine!
Valentina
May 9, 2016 at 6:15 amThe recipe sounds absolutely fabulous. My mom's favorite wine is a Rosé, so it's fitting I'm reading this on Mother's Day. 🙂
Cocoa & Lavender
May 9, 2016 at 1:37 pmWell, your mother has exquisite taste, Valentina!
Marcelle
May 9, 2016 at 4:49 pmDavid, I love salmon and I'm always looking for new ways to make it. Mine always ends up with a Asian kind of flair, and I'm excited to try your recipe and some new flavors!
Cocoa & Lavender
May 9, 2016 at 4:56 pmI hope you enjoy it, Marcelle! You need to share some of your Asian-inspired versions!
Inger @ Art of Natural Living
May 11, 2016 at 7:13 pmOoooo, something new to do with my salmon! I am excited to get out of my rut.
Cocoa & Lavender
May 12, 2016 at 2:03 pmI think a lot of us are in "salmon ruts," Inger! I am always looking for something new to do with it!
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com
May 13, 2016 at 2:21 pmDavid, that looks fabulous! And I don't use that word lightly. I like the wine pairing you did. It is, after all, rose season.
Cocoa & Lavender
May 14, 2016 at 3:55 pmDon't you love rosé season, Jean? Happily, as I am in the desert, rosé season is MUCH longer! 🙂 Thanks for the "fabulous" rating!