Smooth Jazz Sunday Brunch Picnic
Great music, excellent wines, fabulous food in a beautiful country setting-there aren’t many better ways to spend a late and lazy summer morning. So when Barbara Blake of Smooth Jazz Sunday Brunch asked if I would like to create a Sunday Jazz Brunch menu to enjoy at a Sonoma wine country outing, I jumped at the chance. Sonoma County is not only a renown wine grape growing region, but also one of the country’s most abundant producers of many agricultural products, so I’ve created a menu which celebrates that richness with the simple elegance of a classic Mediterranean style picnic menu. And what wine to drink with your picnic brunch? Rosé wines not only carry the very essence of summer in every sip, but also happen to be just about the best food friendly wines around. So what do we recommend? Try a great Rosé, like Pedroncelli Winery’s (a Sonoma County winery) Dry Rosé of Zinfandel, or Wente Vineyard’s Pinot Noir Rosé. Tapenade with Crostini Zucchini and Roasted Pepper Quiche Prosciutto with Figs and Melon Poached or Grilled Salmon with Gribiche Fingerling Potato Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette Wild Arugula Salad with Shaved Sonoma Dry Jack Cheese from Vella Heirloom Tomato Salad with Basil and Buffala Mozzarella drizzled with Balsamic and Extra Virgin Olive Oil Plum or Apricot Frangipane Tart Heirloom Tomato and Buffala Mozzarella Salad...
read moreBlack Bean and Corn Salad with Avocado Goat Cheese Garnish
This Black Bean and Corn Salad, a recipe I’ve tweaked over the years to include this avocado and goat cheese (inspired by a dish at a favorite restaurant, Sonora Cafe), is a delicious summer dish.
read moreMore Summer Grilling Pan Asian Style-Hoisin Marinated Steak Salad with Asian Vegetables
A Hoisin Marinated Asian Steak Salad, makes a perfect counterpoint to Grilled Rock Cod with Red Thai Curry Sauce on our outdoor grilling (Pan Asian style) menu.
read moreSummer Grilling Pan Asian Style-Grilled Rock Cod with Thai Red Curry Sauce
This Pan Asian styled Grilled Rock Cod with Red Thai Curry Sauce makes a great addition to any summer outdoor gathering.
read moreFiesta Olive Cheesy Spoon Bread – a New Take on a Comfort Food
This Cheesy Olive Spoon Bread, a sort of hybrid corn pudding/baked polenta, is an updated version of a classic Southern comfort food.
read moreCatdaddy Punches with a Kick – Recipe for Mountain Moonshine Punch
This Mountain Moonshine Punch, featuring the unique spirit, Catdaddy Carolina Moonshine, is a great opener to an outdoor summer party.
read moreWelcome to Summer Garden Parties!
We are so pleased to share these summer garden party recipes with you, showcasing summer’s bounty and Jarlsberg cheese.
read moreMore Summer Garden Party-Simple Canapés
These lovely little vegetable canapés are great to offer guests as they arrive to nibble on with a glass of bubbly, or a cup of punch, as the rest of the meal is getting its last minute touches.
read moreSummer Garden Parties- Two Vegetable Frittatas Using Summer’s Bounty
Frittatas are an extremely versatile and inexpensive dish for entertaining. Here are a couple of my favorite veggie frittatas- a Southwestern Shiitake Mushroom and Corn, and a Ratatouille, both of which showcase summer’s bountiful crop.
read moreMore Summer Garden Party Bites-Jarlsberg and Hazelnut Biscuits with Black Forest Ham
Mini biscuits as a base for canapé type sandwiches travel well from brunch all the way through cocktail parties, and an array of herbs, nuts and cheeses can be added to biscuits to create a wonderful variety of flavors. Jarlsberg and Hazelnuts are a sweetly nutty match, and a perfect base for thin slices of Black Forest Ham and Honey Mustard.
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