Wine and Food Tasting - March 2nd

I am working this weekend - Saturday only (Hmmmm, heard that somewhere before?).  TFM Corporate required sampling is Mrs. Renfro's Salsa and Xochitl Tortilla Chips.   Yes, I will do that. BUT, you know me ... 

RECIPE INDEX

* Represents, TFM co-worker and customer favorite recipes.

2013 RECIPE INDEX
2014 RECIPE INDEX   
2015 RECIPE INDEX
2016 RECIPE INDEX
2017 RECIPE INDEX
2018 RECIPE INDEX

A


B

C
* Cuban Pot Roast

D

E


F

G


H

I
* Instant Pot

J


K


L


M


N


O


P


Q

     

R

S
* Shoyu Steak Marinade
* Smoked Gouda Spread

T

U


V


W
* Water Chestnut Dip


X


Y

Z

Recipe: Shoyu Steak Marinade

What was supposed to be one day of sampling (of whatever I found in the store) ... turned into two days of sampling a juicy, melt in your mouth, delicious strip steak that I marinated (recipe below).  The steak paired perfectly with two red wines I selected for sampling - Imagery Pinot Noir and Imagery Cabernet.





TFM had a great recipe for the marinade:

Shoyu Steak Marinade
1 part Mirin 
2 parts Haku Shoyu Whiskey Barrel Aged

     ie. for 4 NY strip steaks:
            1/3 c. Mirin
            2/3 c. Shoyu Whiskey Barrel Aged

Marinate the steak from 4 hours to overnight.

The marinade and strip steak received rave reviews from customers and my TFM co-workers.  I wish I could have eaten the steak and drank the wine all afternoon with my customers.  But, the best I could do was have it for dinner Sunday night.

FYI - 
     1. I found marinating overnight to be too much.  4 to 6 hours would be perfect.
     2. Let your steak(s) come to room temperature before you cook them.  
     3. Pat the steak(s) dry before cooking them.

*****

Another recipe using Haku Shoyu Whisky Barrel Aged is this salad dressing from TFM.  

Shoyu Citrus Vinaigrette
3 Tbl. Haku Shoyu Whiskey Barrel Aged
1 tsp. lemon zest
2 Tbl. fresh lemon juice
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil

In a medium bowl, whisk together first 4 ingredients. Slowly stream in oil, whisking constantly until thickened.

Of course you can use any salad fixings you like, or have on hand.  However, as an FYI - TFM's salad mix was:
     5 oz. container Butter Lettuce
     1 small fennel bulb, thinly sliced
     1/4 c. radishes, thinly sliced
     1/4 c. shaved Parmesan
     1 Tbl. chives, thinly sliced

I prepared this recipe at home, not at the store. Also, I'm sure all the culinary experts in the world would die, but I put all vinaigrette ingredients in a jar and shook. 

*****

Shoyu is lighter and smoother than the soy sauce one typically uses.  For more information on the Haku products TFM sells, please visit Food52.

Wine and Food Tasting - February 23rd (UPDATED)

I've had more than a lazy day ... I had a lazy week!  Oh so relaxing. 

I will be at the store sampling, but won't decide what wines to pour and food to sample until I get there.

Saturday, February 23rd (12:00 to 4:00 PM)

Wine

• Yes

Food

• Yes

Wine and Food Tasting - February 23rd

First I'll preface this with - this is my blog and my opinion and not approved by Fresh Market.  With that said ... this weekend was underwhelming.  Cold, rainy weather and sampling Gelato?  I think not.  But, it gave me plenty of time to think about what to do for next weekend.

I'm tossing around so many ideas.  Many included using my Instant Pot (it's my obsession), but I've nixed them since I won't take mine to work.  Sample appetizer/wine, steak/wine and dessert/wine?  Wine and tidbits?  Soup and grilled sandwich (which is on my mind with this cold rainy weather)?

Saturday, February 23rd (12:00 to 4:00 PM)

Wine - YES

Food - YES

Stay tuned.  I have time to figure this out and will post by Friday.  Feel free to give me input.

Wine and Food Tasting - February 16th & 17th

I'm working this weekend.  Can't say this sampling makes me happy, but ...

Saturday, February 16th (12:00 to 4:00 PM)
and

Sunday, February 17th (12:00 to 4:00 PM)

Food

• TFM Gelato
• Limoncello
• Sea Salt Caramel
• Dark Chocolate

Next weekend, I get to do my thing! No Corporate requirement!!!

February 9th and 10th

I had everything planned to work this weekend, but still have a cold.

I will be working the following weekend - February 16th and 17th.  I'll post towards the end of next week after I see what the Corporate required sampling is.  Hope to see you then!

In the meantime, I think I'm ready for new medicine to get back to my perky self.

RECIPE INDEX

* Represents, TFM co-worker and customer favorite recipes.

2013 RECIPE INDEX
2014 RECIPE INDEX   
2015 RECIPE INDEX
2016 RECIPE INDEX
2017 RECIPE INDEX
2018 RECIPE INDEX

A


B

C
* Cuban Pot Roast

D

E


F

G


H

I
* Instant Pot

J


K


L


M


N


O


P


Q

     

R

S
* Smoked Gouda Spread

T

U


V


W
* Water Chestnut Dip


X


Y

Z

Recipes: Smoked Gouda Spread - Water Chestnut Dip

Two recipes I had prepared and sampled follow.  Both were hits with customers.  

There was a time when TFM prepared and sold their Smoked Gouda Spread.  Alas, they don't anymore.  So, here you go!  This was always a favorite with customers, so I knew this would be sure to please for Super Bowl sampling.

Smoked Gouda Spread

1 lb. shredded smoked Gouda

¼ c. mayonnaise

1 Tbl. minced red onion

1 Tbl. Tabasco

In a bowl mix all ingredients together.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.

If you're not a Tabasco fan, just add your favorite hot sauce - Texas Pete, Frank's Red Hot, etc.

*****

I wanted to veer away from cheese, cheese and more cheese.  So I went with my Water Chestnut Dip which was a hit several years ago at TFM Huguenot.  For Super Bowl sampling it was a winner again.

Water Chestnut Dip

1 c. mayonnaise

8 oz. sour cream

¼ c. red onion, finely chopped

¼ c. chopped, fresh Italian parsley

8 oz. can water chestnuts, drained and chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

2 Tbl. Tamari soy sauce

Black sesame seeds (optional)

White sesame seeds, toasted (optional)

Sesmark Rice Crackers with Sesame 

In a medium mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, onion, parsley, water chestnuts, garlic and soy sauce, mixing until well combined.  Cover and refrigerate.

When ready to serve, place dip in a serving bowl.  Combine black and white sesame seeds and garnish dip.  Serve (chilled) with rice crackers.