Nothing suits an informal buffet better than a robust stew of veal braised in white wine. This ragout can be made ahead and reheated.
Red wine permeates this fork-tender meat, while soy sauce and cranberry juice add a nice balance of saltiness and sweetness. For this pot roast, choose either a double beef brisket (which includes part of the flat and the point) or a regular brisket (just the flat). You may need to cut it in half to fit it into the slow cooker.
The contrast of buttery cream and red wine–poached pears makes these tarts a stunning addition to your holiday spread. For the prettiest presentation, prepare the pastry, cream and poached pears in advance, then assemble the tarts just before serving. Use a small melon baller or a metal measuring spoon to easily core the pears.
This is boeuf en daube, a traditional French dish of large chunks of beef marinated in wine and slow-braised in a sealed casserole. It's renowned for its rich, fresh, luscious flavours and ease of preparation. The optional pig's foot (trotter) gives extra body to the sauce by adding natural gelatin. Check with your butcher for the lean thick-cut bacon and the pig's foot, halved lengthwise at the store.
Steak is especially delicious with a wine sauce that blends with the pan juices. Four steaks provide plenty for steak lovers, but you can adjust the amount to suit the appetites of your guests. Serve with watercress.
Italians have endless variations on chicken roasted with potatoes but none better than this sage-infused one, in which white wine makes a glorious sauce.
Quatre épices, or four spices, is a mix used in French dishes. It consists of pepper, nutmeg, cloves and ginger and pairs nicely with honey, red wine and Dijon mustard as an elegant flavour combination on baked ham.
The simple, flavourful sauce of slightly thickened pan juices, or jus lié, mixed with wine and stock adds a touch of sheer elegance to this special occasion dish. For drama, choose a roast with at least three ribs.
This spin on the French classic blanquette de veau is a tad more rustic than the original. If you don't want to use wine, use 1 cup (250 mL) sodium-reduced chicken stock and 2 tsp (10 mL) lemon juice.
This lemon-kissed herbed turkey is equally suitable for a fancy affair or a casual family get-together. Choose a good-quality white wine to use in the gravy, and serve the rest of the bottle to guests at the table.
