Piatti Signature Dipping Oil

This is the best flavored oil for dipping bread in. The recipe is courtesy of Piatti Locali. One my favorite restaurants, because of the emphasis on Italian inspired dishes, with fresh local ingredients.

In a 3 oz ramekin:

¼ Teaspoon Chopped Parsley
¼ Teaspoon Fresh Garlic
Pinch of Salt & Pepper (5:1 Salt to Pepper)
Pinch of Chili Flakes
1 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar to cover bottom
2 oz. Extra Virgin Olive Oil (4:1 to Balsamic)

Cover and let sit for an hour. When you are ready to serve turn a small plate upside down and hold the ramekin to the serving side of the plate. Turn the plate upright and take the ramekin away.

Todd’s Bruschetta

2 cup diced seeded plum tomatoes
1/3 cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
7 tablespoons olive oil
4 1/2-inch-thick slices country-style bread (each about 5x2 1/2 inches)

Blend first 3 ingredients and 5 tablespoons oil in small bowl, and season with salt and pepper. It is best to make this a couple of hours ahead, and refrigerate until about a half our before serving.

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Arrange bread slices on baking sheet.
Brush with 2 tablespoons oil.
Bake until crisp (about 10 minutes)

Remove from oven and spoon on tomato topping;
Top with some Parmesan (if you like).

Serve while the bread is warm.

Kongsgaard, 2004 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

A number of wine critics are saying, “The 2004 Pinot Noirs are as good as Rochioli has ever produced”. I have not been drinking Rochioli wines for all that long, but I can say this is a great wine. It has a lush and opulent style. The taste is plum, cherry, and pomegranate. The flavors are intense, but not heavy in your mouth. Buy it and drink it this year, it is awesome right now. It has the added bonus of being better than a lot of very pricey California Pinots, but at half the price. So far this is the best wine I have tasted in 2006.

Rochioli, 2004 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

A number of wine critics are saying, “The 2004 Pinot Noirs are as good as Rochioli has ever produced”. I have not been drinking Rochioli wines for all that long, but I can say this is a great wine. It has a lush and opulent style. The taste is plum, cherry, and pomegranate. The flavors are intense, but not heavy in your mouth. Buy it and drink it this year, it is awesome right now. It has the added bonus of being better than a lot of very pricey California Pinots, but at half the price. So far this is the best wine I have tasted in 2006.