How to pair wines with different foods

We all know the rule of thumb to pair wines with specific dishes: whites with fish and reds with meat. But pairing a wine to compliment your dish takes so much more than that. The most successful food and wine pairings occur when the flavors from the food and the wine reflect each other. When making the match to perfectly complement a dish, you must keep in mind the weight, texture, and flavors in both the food and the wine.

Before putting together your final table, consider the flavors you are trying to highlight.  For example, with lighter meats remember to pair the wine with the sauce, if that is going to be the flavor debuted in your dish. The goal is to compliment the salts, sugars, fats, and spices in our food. The key components of wine that we need identify before pairing it to your meal are: sugar, acid, fruit, tannin, and even alcohol levels. An unoaked wine is more likely to be lighter-bodied than its oaked counterpart.  An oaked wine aged in barrels contains more flavors and aromas with vanilla, cedar, spice and smoky notes.  An unoaked crisp and fresh Chardonnay or a refreshing, crisp, and fruity Pinot Grigio are great to cut through a sweet creamy sauce over pasta, chicken or a flaky fish dish.

An easy way to remember how to pair a wine to a dish is to describe each to yourself and consider how similar they are or are not.  If the two seem pretty comparable then you can safely assume that you’ve got your match.  But where should you start? One of the easiest ways to start pairing your wine is to try to match the color of the wine to the color of your food. Consider the popular pairings of a pale yellow Sauvignon Blanc with citrus flavors and a dark cabernet with a steak.  Light wines, light foods; dark wine, rich foods.  We pair foods and wines in order to enhance our dining experience, these compliments actually go further than just the flavor. For example the bitter tasting tannins in dark red wines actually cut through the coating that fat leaves in the mouth and crisper sparkling wines cleanse the pallet from salty foods. Just  remember, its worth the time to choose a good wine and there is no better place to do this than at La Bottega of Farmingdale.

The Power of the Avocado

Are you a guacamole lover? Well you should be, avocados, the main ingredient in guacamole is actually one of the healthiest fruits you can eat. One of the main benefits of avocados is that they prevent cancer which is the leading cause of deaths worldwide. The extracts in the avocado actually kill precancerous cells because of the vitamin E. Other benefits that avocados help with are human vision. They actually have antioxidants that can be found in the human retina which keep your eyes young and healthy. They are rich in healthy fats, which is not to easy to come across in foods, and for that reason nutrients are absorbed quicker and easier. One of the main nutrients lycopene, helps prevent heart disease and prostate cancer.

Other than containing such healthy fats, avocados also have more fiber and proteins in them than most fruits. Fiber is an essential ingredient in foods because it actually slows down digestion so food isn't turned into fat right away. So yes, in short, fruits high in fiber will not make you gain weight even with all the sugar they have! Avocados also contain lots of B vitamins which help with energy as well as vitamins E and K which help with overall strong bones. If this doesn’t make you want to grab an avocado for lunch I don’t know what will!

Want a delicious meal with avocados in it, stop by La Bottega of Farmingdale, a traditional gourmet restaurant in Farmingdale for some gluten-free avocado salads, or a grilled chicken avocado salad. We also have a delicious dish called gluten-free tacchino e avocado salad, which has roasted turkey, mixed greens, shredded mozzarella, tomatoes, avocados, sauteed mushrooms, and roasted hot peppers. Get avocados in your diet if you want to stay lean, healthy, and limit the risks of cancer and other health risks.

White Wine

With so many different types of white wine, it may become hard to learn the difference between all of them. When you are at restaurant and provided with a wine list or in a liquor store searching through the different types of white wine, it is easy to become overwhelmed by all of the options. Here are a few tips to help you decide which white wine is perfect for you!

One of the most popular white wines is Chardonnay. The grapes that make this wine can be grown all over the world, so you will find bottles from places such as California, Australia, or France. This wine usually has a green apple or citrus flavoring to it. When drinking this wine you will find that is has buttery tones to it, which means that it has vanilla, toast, and coconut flavors in it. These flavors come from the oak barrels that it is fermented in. If you are at a restaurant, try pairing this wine with a fish or chicken dish to enhance the taste of both the wine and the meal.

Moscato is another type of white wine that you can choose from. You will find that many bottles of Moscato will come from Italy. When drinking Moscato you will find that it has a very fruity undertone and you will taste flavors such as oranges and tangerines. It is recommended to drink this wine on its own but if you are out to eat and need wine to pair with your dessert Moscato is the one you should order!

The last type of white wine that you should keep in mind before making your next wine purchase is Pinot grigio.  You will find most bottles coming from Italy, California, or France. This white wine can be paired with almost anything! Pinot grigio gives off a crisp taste that will not overload your palate so you can enjoy any dish with it. So next time you are at a restaurant and do not know what you want to eat, start with a pinot grigio so that your drink choice does not dictate your dinner choice.

If you are serving white wine at your house, keep in mind that how you present it and the temperature that you serve it at will impact the taste of the wine. Look for wine glasses that are narrower when serving white wine. By doing this your wine will have a greater aromatic concentration. Also, when it comes to temperature make sure your white wine is not too hot or not too cold. Try serving your white wine at a temperature between 45-50 °F for optimal taste!

White wine can range in where the grape originated from to what food you should be pairing it with, which is why it is important to get your facts straight about what wine you should be drinking before you order. Everything from what glass to use to the temperature of your white wine is key in making sure you are getting the best taste and experience out of your wine!

Different types of wine

Wine can be a great companion to food, as well as great for your health. There are many different kinds of wine, as well as many different kinds of food they are best paired with. This week, the focus will be on red wine, which not only tastes good, it contains antioxidants which can be great for your heart. It also can prevent against artery damage, when consumed in moderation. The many varieties of red wine can provide a pallet of different kinds of meals, when paired with the right dishes.

Merlot is a very well known red wine, and is compatible with almost every kind of food. It is known to be easy and smooth to drink, and great for people who are just getting acclimated to the taste of wine. It is grown worldwide in many varieties, and is made from the merlot grape. 

Pinot Noir is another wine that is favored by many people. It is very difficult to grow the grapes that Pinot Noir is made from, which are mostly grown in France. With a very distinctive, fruity taste, Pinot Noir is paired best with grilled salmon, chicken, and lamb. 

Malbec, also originating in France, is now largely grown in Argentina. It is known for its taste of plums and spices, and is typically smooth to drink. It is recommended that Malbec is paired with beef or steak dishes, and is also a good started wine with known health benefits. 

Cabernet Sauvignon is renowned worldwide for it’s flavor, seen as one of the best types of wines available. It is often made using oak treatment, and grown in France, Australia, and Chile. The taste is notably firm, but weakens with age. Cabernet Sauvignon is best in combination with red meat, such as steak. 

Zinfandel grapes are known as one of the most flexible grapes when it comes to making wine. They can be used to make both red and white wines. When they are made into reds, they have a very zesty taste. Grown exclusively in California, Zinfandel reds are best when paired with anything containing tomato sauce such as pasta, pizza, or meats.

With an extensive selection of only the best wines available, La Bottega of Farmingdale is the place to visit. Stop by today for a delicious dish paired with a great red wine.

History of Gelato

The creation of Gelato dates back thousands of years. The earliest findings of frozen desserts dated back all the way to 3000 B.C. During this time Asian cultures realized that they could eat crushed ice and flavorings, and 500 years later it became a custom for Egyptian pharaohs to serve for their guests.

It was not until the Italian Renaissance that the Italian gelato became a tradition. In the late 1500s the famous Medici family of Florence had a feast at their house for the famous architect and artist named Bernardo Buontalenti. Buontalenti had quite the culinary skills and presented to the King a creamy frozen dessert that we now call gelato.

Gelato became extremely popular making its way to countries everywhere. In 1770, gelato finally made its way to America. At this time there were two types of gelato, one that was made by mixing water with fruits and one that was made by mixing milk with cinnamon, pistachio, coffee, and chocolate.  With the technology of hand-crank freezers in America, it made gelato that much better. This freezer changed the way gelato was made forever. When gelato was first created it was granular, but because of the freezer it was able to become creamy due to the liquid mixture constantly being in motion. Due to this, industrial ice cream was made, and gelato soon faded out. It was not until the late 1900s that gelato made a name for itself.

Today, business owners all over the U.S are opening up gelato stores. The natural ingredients and the fantastic quality of gelato is what have made it become so popular today. Although gelato is not nearly as popular in America as it is in other countries, it is starting to become more and more known throughout the United States.

Now that you know the history and the deliciousness of gelato, come to La Bottega of Farmingdale for the most delicious gelato around!

Ciabatta Bread

Paninis have become increasingly popular as a quick on the go lunch or recently gourmet versions stuffed with copious varieties of vegetables, meats and cheeses. These classic italian sandwiches are usually served on ciabatta bread. Ciabatta is an italian white bread said to have been invented in 1982 in a town outside Venice,but today every region of Italy has their own variations. The name literally translates to slipper because of its shape, elongated figure, flat and thick. This bread is made with soft, wet dough made with high gluten flour. The dough is so wet that it's commonly only mixed by machine.The italian starter ingredient, biga, has to sit over night so the production of ciabatta typically takes two days. When finished the chewy loaf develops its signature uneven holes called eyes.Ciabatta has a firm crust, dense crumbs and was created in response to the popular french baguette.

Ciabatta is cooked on a pizza or baking stone usually made of stone or clay that evenly transfers and retains heat, creating a crisp golden brown crust. Because of the sturdiness of the bread it is ideal for toasting paninis. It can easily hold all your favorite fillings and won’t get too soggy with whatever pesto, oil or other sauces you add on top.

Here at La Bottega of Farmingdale most of our paninis are made on ciabatta bread. Try this classic italian bread on our eclectic gourmet paninis like our ferrara with parma ham, mozzarella, spicy roasted red pepper sauce, and tomato our our vegetarian panini with our Bistec E Mozzarella with roasted angus steak, mozzarella, roasted pepper on ciabatta...Think outside the wonder bread and let your taste buds explore!

How Italian Cheeses are Incorporated into Dishes!

Cheese has been apart of the Italian diet for thousands of years. Where would the world of cuisine be without Italian cheeses? Italy has a numerous amount of tasty dishes that incorporate all different types of cheeses. The list of cheeses can go on and on. Some of these cheeses include asiago, fontina, gorgonzola, mascarpone, mozzarella, parmigiano-reggiano, provolone, pecorino, and ricotta.  

Mozzarella cheese is a fan favorite. Fried mozzarella is a Southern Italian classic, which is perfect for a summer course. It includes mozzarella, egg, bread crumbs, and oil. This simple dish is a quick preparation that will leave your guests feeling full and happy.

A famous italian dish is antipasti. It’s usually served as an appetizer and is gone within seconds! Antipasti includes an arrayment of foods like bruschetta, salami, pepperoni, olives, and most importantly mozzarella and provolone. This can vary as the chef can swap different cheeses as they please.

Torta di Formaggio is a savory cheese pie. The ingredients consist of puff pastry, mixed cheeses including fontina, ricotta, and parmigiano-reggiano, italian sausage, eggs, spinach, minced garlic, and freshly ground pepper. The prep time for this dish is around an hour but it is worth every second!

Everyone loves a nice ravioli dish. Ravioli is a delicious pasta dish that usually combines ricotta cheese, cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, provolone cheese, egg and parsley into the mix of the dough. You can never go wrong with a yummy ravioli dish with marinara sauce.

Italian cheeses are sure to throw your taste buds a party. Top any dish with some parmigiano and it will top of the dish! Many probably don’t realize how much they love Italian cheeses. They are used in so many dishes, not even limited to only Italian food.

La Bottega of Farmingdale is a great example of an Italian restaurant who knows all the wonderful way to properly use Italian cheeses.  Whether it be in a salad, soup, or sandwich we know the best way to pair a great cheese with a lovely meal.  Be sure to stop into La Bottega of Farmingdale and try for yourself.