pinot noir chimichurri steak

 

one of my favourite things about summer is having an abundence of herbs at my finger tips. it is so much better to pick your own fresh herbs then buy the prepackaged ones at the grocery store. however, when the herbs begin to look a little wild it is time to make two things: pesto or chimichurri. instead of keeping things classic and using red wine vinegar i incorported a mix of cambria wine's pinot noir & balsamic vinegar. i much prefer the sophisticated flavour of these two ingredients in comparison to red wine vinegar. while i used it as a dressing on the freshly grilled steak, chimichurri works as an amazing marinade for steaks and chicken! i am marinating chicken thighs in the fridge as i type this. so don't let all those fresh herbs go to waste this summer! whip up some fresh chimichurri & keep a jar at your finger tips in the fridge all summer long.

ingredients

  • 1 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup fresh oregano, roughly chopped
  • 2 cups fresh parsley, roughly chopped
  • 2 cloves fresh garlic, roughly chopped
  • 1 shallot, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons cambria wine's pinot noir
  • 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • salt & pepper, to taste
  • 2 sirloin or rib eye steaks

directions

  • in a food processor add the clinatro, oregano, parsley, garlic, shallot and red pepper flakes. pulse 3-4 times.
  • add the olive oil, pinot noir, balsamic vinegar, salt & pepper. blend until desired consistency is reached. set aside while you prepare the steaks.
  • season steaks with salt and pepper. grill to rare/medium rare & let rest for 5 minutes.
  • thinly slice each steak and generously pour over the chimichurri sauce.
  • enjoy along side a glass of cambria wine's pinot noir!

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strawberry peach sangria

 

okay but seriously, how perfect was this weekends weather for a pitcher of sangria? we had the best weekend in the sun. we set up a few things out doors which included building our new BBQ! the gas line gets installed this week & then everything i cook will be made on the grill. i can't wait for may so we can say goodbye to april showers. i think this sangria is the PERFECT beverage to compliment any type of outdoor bbq. it is light, refreshing, full of fruit & made with zevia's strawberry zero calorie soda. this allows for no added sugar because it is made with stevia, a natural zero calorie sweetener. the strawberry soda adds an extra punch of strawberry flavour to the strawberry & peach sangria. i just love fruit in wine as it soaks up all the flavour into each bite. my grandpa always added fresh peaches from the backyard peach tree to his homemade red wine. so cheers to the last week of april, we are almost into those sunny months! next month i will be sharing a recipe for red wine sangria, stay tuned:)

ingredients

  • 1 lemon, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups strawberries, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups peaches, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups ice, plus more for serving
  • 1/2 cup peach schnapps
  • 3 cups white wine
  • 2 cups strawberry zevia soda

directions

  • in a large clear pitcher add the lemon, strawberries, peaches & ice.
  • pour in the peach schnapps, white wine & strawberry zevia. stir to combine.
  • serve immediately over fresh ice & garnish with a slice of lemon.