5 Delicious Recipes to Try Using Red Wine in Your Cooking

5 Delicious Recipes to Try Using Red Wine in Your Cooking

Red wine is a versatile ingredient that can impart a wide range of flavors and textures to your dishes. In this post, we will explore five delicious recipes that incorporate red wine as a key ingredient. So, let's dive in!

1. Classic Beef Bourguignon

Beef Bourguignon is a classic French dish that features tender, slow-cooked beef that's braised in red wine. It is a perfect dish for a cozy winter evening. The red wine gives the sauce a rich and savory flavor that complements the beef perfectly.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds beef chuck
• 4 cups of red wine
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 onions, roughly chopped
• 2 carrots, roughly chopped
• 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
• 1 bouquet garni (thyme, parsley, and bay leaves)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F
2. Cut the beef into 2-inch cubes, and pat it dry with a paper towel.
3. Brown the meat in a pan over medium-high heat, then remove it from the pan.
4. In the same pan, sauté the onions, garlic, carrots, and celery until they're soft.
5. Place the beef back in the pan, and pour in the red wine.
6. Add the bouquet garni and bring the mixture to a boil.
7. Cover the pan with a lid, then transfer it to the oven and bake for 2-3 hours.
8. Serve with your favorite side dish.

2. Red Wine Risotto

This recipe is perfect if you want to serve a fancy vegetarian dish with a twist. Risotto is a creamy and savory dish, which is usually made with white wine, but this variation substitutes red wine, giving it a richer and deeper taste.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Arborio rice
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup red wine
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

1. In a pan, sauté the onions until they're translucent.
2. Add Arborio rice and stir it for a minute to toast it.
3. Pour in the red wine and let it cook until it's mostly absorbed.
4. Then, slowly pour in a cup of broth and let it cook until it's absorbed.
5. Repeat step 4 until the rice is fully cooked.
6. Add the Parmesan cheese, butter, salt, and pepper.
7. Stir until the cheese is melted and the butter is incorporated.
8. Serve hot.

3. Chicken in Red Wine Sauce

This dish is delicious, easy to make, and perfect for a family dinner. The chicken is cooked in a red wine sauce that's packed with flavors.

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless chicken breasts
• 1 cup red wine
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped

Method:

1. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
2. In a pan, melt the butter and brown the chicken breasts on both sides.
3. Remove the chicken from the pan and set them aside.
4. In the same pan, sauté the onions and garlic until they're soft.
5. Sprinkle the flour over the onions and garlic while stirring continuously for two minutes.
6. Add in the red wine and chicken broth.
7. Bring the mixture to a boil, then let it simmer for 5 minutes to thicken the sauce.
8. Add back the chicken to the pan and let it simmer for another 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
9. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve hot.

4. Red Wine Poached Pears

If you have a sweet tooth, this recipe is for you. Poached pears in red wine are an elegant and sophisticated dessert that's perfect for dinner parties or date nights.

Ingredients:

• 4 large pears
• 2 cups red wine
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method:

1. Peel the pears and cut a small slice from the base to create a flat surface.
2. In a pan, combine the red wine, sugar, cinnamon stick, and vanilla extract, and bring the mixture to a simmer.
3. Add the pears to the pan and adjust the heat to keep them at a simmer.
4. Cover the pan and let the pears cook for 25-30 minutes, occasionally turning them.
5. Check if the pears are cooked through by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it goes through smoothly, they're ready.
6. Remove the pears from the pan and let them cool.
7. Strain the remaining liquid and let it reduce on low heat until it's thick and syrupy.
8. Serve the pears with the red wine syrup drizzled on top.

5. Red Wine Braised Short Ribs

This recipe is perfect for a hearty dinner. The short ribs are braised for hours in a mixture of red wine, beef broth, and aromatic vegetables, resulting in a flavorful, fall-off-the-bone dish.

Ingredients:

• 4 pounds beef short ribs
• 2 cups red wine
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 onion, roughly chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 carrots, roughly chopped
• 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
• 1 bouquet garni (thyme, parsley, and bay leaves)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F.
2. Season the short ribs with salt and pepper.
3. Brown the short ribs in a pan over medium-high heat, then remove them from the pan.
4. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery to the same pan, and sauté until they're soft.
5. Pour in the red wine and beef broth, and bring the mixture to a boil.
6. Add the short ribs back to the pan, along with the bouquet garni.
7. Cover the pan with a lid, then transfer it to the oven and bake for 3-4 hours.
8. Serve hot with your favorite side dish.

Conclusion

Red wine adds depth and richness to any dish, be it a classic French beef bourguignon or a sweet and elegant dessert like poached pears. These recipes are bound to impress your guests and satisfy your taste buds. So, the next time you're cooking, don't forget to incorporate red wine and take your dish to the next level.