Summer Sizzle Table

The fun continues!

I have had so much fun in the whirlwind of the past few weeks, but when it comes down to it, my true passion will also be found in food. Being able to do what I am passionate about, and get to share it with people, is a dream come true! Which is why I am excited to share that I will be hosting a summer edition of Kristin's Table, my five-course food & wine tasting event, next week! Join me for "Summer Sizzle Table" at 7pm on June 9th at Bocca di Bacco Chelsea for a truly unforgettable evening of food, wine, and learning together. Reserve your seats today by emailing monica@kristinsollenne.com. See you there!

'Tis the Season to spice up your Holiday Menus

Reserve your Place at the Table Today

This is my absolute favorite time of year - The weather is crisp and my favored fruits and vegetables like, butternut squash, pumpkin, artichoke and figs are in season! It's always around this time when I start planning my menus for the Holiday's. First up is Thanksgiving and this year I'm doing something completely different.

'Tis the season to indulge in specialty wines and one-of-a-kind menus. As Executive Chef and Culinary Director of BDB, I'm announcing a limited holiday edition of "Kristin's Table." Looking for exciting new dishes for your Thanksgiving Feast? Join me to learn new recipe's and flavors through a five course tasting menu with Italian wine pairings. You'll enjoy this intimate tasting in the private cellar room of Bocca Di Bacco Chelsea, 169 9th Ave Corner of 20th St.

Walk away with recipes, gift bags, memories and more!

Now taking reservations for Tuesday November 18th, 7:30pm.

Limited Seating Available. $115 per person

Reserve your seat today by emailing 

monica@kristinsollenne.com

*a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the H.O.P.E. Foundation

Mouth of the WIne God!

Exciting news! Bocca Di Bacco will soon be serving our OWN red wine! Our Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is from the east-central region of Italy called Abruzzo. It will be a dry, flavorful red with soft tannins. Bocca di Bacco in Italian means “mouth of the wine god,” so it’s only fitting that we have our very own wine!

With our new wine debuting, I thought it would be a great time to give you some tips on which wines I suggest that pair best with some of my favorite Bocca di Bacco menu items. For our oven roasted Salmone Bocca Di Bacco, I enjoy a crisp, dry Sauvignon Blanc like our Dorigo 2011 to cut through the buttery fish and caramelized onions. When pairing with chicken, like our Pollo Al Rosmarino, most people choose a white like a chardonnay. However, you can also choose a juicy red like a pinot noir or zinfandel. I find that the fruity red adds a burst of berry acidity and complements the chicken's delicate flavor. When it comes to steak and other bold meats, like our Tagliata Al Tagliere, I recommend a strong Cabernet or Syrah. These full-bodied wines have tannins that can stand up to the fatty, bold flavored angus skirt steak while still giving you their fruity undertones.

For dessert, I actually suggest serving brandy If you haven’t tried it before, I highly recommend changing up your usual port. Here you can see one of our dessert brandy options at our Chelsea bar. Smooth and sweet, they add just the right finish. ;)

Not only are we debuting our very own wine, but we are also holding a fabulous contest for its label design! So, if you or someone you know is interested in having their design on our wine label and win a $500 NYCRG gift card, you can find out more contest information here!

Good luck!

-Chef K

Fall Produce: Port-soaked Figs

I always love this time of year, there is an array of fresh and healthy fall produce available at the grocery stores and farmers' markets! Some of my favorite include apples, figs, pears, pumpkins, sweet potatoes and winter squash.

Pears are perfect in salads or for a tantalizing baked dessert. Pumpkins and squash make the perfect filling for raviolis and cannelloni dishes. For our holiday menu I've made a pumpkin cannelloni dish, Cannelloni di Zucca, with a bechamel sauce which I hope you come to try! It's perfumed with thyme, another fall herb favorite of mine. Using earthy herbs such as sage and rosemary are always perfect during this time of year as they bring warmth to any dish.

With all the holidays quickly approaching, I wanted to share a quick and easy party menu item using one of these fall necessities, FIGS! Here is my recipe for Port-Soaked Figs with Gorgonzola, Chives & Walnuts:

INGREDIENTS

12 dried figs, cut in half

1/2 cup Port wine

1 tsp whole fennel seeds

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

1/4 lb Gorgonzola cheese

1 tbsp chopped chives

2 tbsp chopped walnuts

INSTRUCTIONS

STEP 1

In a one-quart saucepan, place the figs, port, fennel seeds and black pepper and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer, and cover with a lid. Let the figs plump in the port for 15 minutes. Then remove the figs from the saucepan, and lay them out on a tray to cool completely.

STEP 2

In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade, place the Gorgonzola cheese and chives, and blend to smooth.

STEP 3

Remove the Gorgonzola from the bowl of the food processor to a work bowl and mix in the walnuts.

STEP 4

Place a small dollop of the cheese mixture in the center of each fig, refrigerate for 15 minutes to firm the cheese.

STEP 5

Serve cold. Makes 24-30 pieces.

This recipe is full of flavor and is a cinch to make! I hope you enjoy my Port-soaked Figs and that you serve it at one of your holiday get togethers this year! What are some of your favorite appetizers to share with guests?

-Chef K

Pairing Wines

Choosing the right wine to pair with your meal is the key to enhancing your overall dining experience and at Bocca Di Bacco we take pride in our wines! The goal is for your food to compliment and enhance your enjoyment of the wine, and vice versa. So, I'm here to help you choose the right wine for the right taste!

Let’s start with the cheeses. White Zinfandel goes well with bleu and fresher cheeses, while a Riesling goes well with many types, especially buttery or hard cheeses. As far as main courses go, the rule of thumb is usually: white wines go with white meats and red wines pair well with red meats. More specifically, lightly prepared poultry goes well with Chardonnay or Chablis, while poultry with heavier sauces can pair with a light, fruity red. Seafood varies, but most whites will do.

Now for my favorite, dessert! The darker the dish, the darker you should go with your wine. A nice sweet port is always suggested, unless you are feeling for a bit of sweet dessert brandy! Hopefully these tips were helpful and improve the flavors of your dish!