Wine-friendly bites begin with bread
SWAP SHOP
With Thanksgiving and the holiday entertaining season rapidly approaching, Swap Shop readers H.F. and D.S., both of Chicago, asked for simple appetizer recipes perfect to pair with wine.
Tom Gumpel, chief baker for Panera Bread, shares two easy-to-create hors d'oeuvres: Artichoke Crostini and Cranberry Butternut Bruschetta. Both are delightfully crunchy, savory, elegant and delicious with wine.
Not surprisingly, Gumpel is an authority on pairing breads with foods.
"Pairing breads is a lot like pairing wine or beer with certain foods. Certain breads work particularly well with various meats, spreads of cheeses," he says.
Flavor, grain and texture all should be considered when pairing bread. He recommends:
• Cheese breads with grilled vegetables and meats; soups and stews; heartier meals; hummus, dips or fruit and cheese plates.
• Focaccia with braised or grilled meats; pasta with tomato sauce; sauteed seasoned vegetables; panini, and Mediterranean foods.
• French bread with meats, soups and salads; cheese and fruit courses, and bruschetta.
• Rye with flavored meats (braised, roasted, smoked or cured) and sandwiches (especially Reubens).
• Sourdough with grilled and roasted meats; vegetables and fresh greens with flavorful dressings, and hearty meals.
• Sweet/fruit breads for toasting at breakfast, bread pudding or French toast.
• Whole-grain breads as breakfast toast with egg dishes or for sandwiches.
Around 1982-85, my mom, grandma, cousin and I would eat in Kmart's cafeteria. They had the greatest mac and cheese. I would give anything for this recipe.
J.Z., Burbank
Does anyone have a recipe for cheesecake with filling that is half pumpkin, half pecan pie like the one at Cheesecake Factory?
D.S., Chicago
I'm looking for a recipe for a gelatin salad that was made with lime gelatin and cottage cheese -- it was popular in the '50s and '60s.
M.H., Hinsdale
Send recipes and requests to: Swap Shop, Chicago Sun-Times, 350 N. Orleans, 9th Floor, Chicago 60654 or by e-mail, swapshop@suntimes.com.
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