Giustini Avoglia Primitivo Puglia

Stuffed-EggplantStuffed Aubergine Italian Style

INGREDIENTS:

  • 4 small aubergines (eggplants)
  • ½ cup stale bread, crumbled
  • pinch of oregano
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 medium clove garlic, minced
  • 12 grape tomatoes, washed and diced
  • 1 tbsp capers, halved
  • a handful of fresh basil, hand-torn
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • breadcrumbs for topping

DIRECTIONS:

  • Wash and slice the eggplants in half lengthwise, leaving the stem intact.
  • Using a small knife, cut lengthwise and widthwise in a grid pattern then use a teaspoon to scoop out the aubergine flesh in a medium bowl.
  • Drizzle the 8 halves with e.v.o. oil, season with salt and place in a baking dish.
  • Preheat the oven to 350° F
  • Dip the stale bread in water, add 1 Tbsp e.v.o. oil and a pinch of oregano, then crumble it using your hands.
  • Add it to the cubed aubergines, together with the minced garlic, the halved capers, the diced tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste, 2-3 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil and the hand-torn basil and mix.
  • With a table spoon fill the aubergine halves.
  • Sprinkle with bread crumbs, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, add a basil leaf.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes or until fork tender and golden top.

© Recipe and Photo courtesy of Sugar Love Spices. All rights reserved.

OCTOBER WINE CLUB:

Bold wine Style logoAvoglia Primitivo-bottle-imageTenuta Giustini Winery
Avoglia
Primitivo
Puglia, Italy

BOLD WINE STYLE

Ruby red color with violet hues. On the nose, the wine highlights red berry fruits, blackberry and plum. It is soft and harmonious in taste.

WINE DETAILS:

  • Varietal: Primitivo
  • Appellation: Puglia IGP
  • Analysis: 13.5% alcohol / volume
  • Production Area: San Giorgio Ionico (TA), Salento, Puglia
  • Vine Training: Bilateral Guyot
  • Average Age of Vines: 10-15 years old
  • Soil: Medium textured with a good fertility
  • Harvest: First 10 days of September
  • Vinification: Thermo-controlled maceration and alcoholic fermentation with selected yeasts for about 10 days.
  • Aging: In stainless steel tanks
  • Serving Recommendation: Savory first courses, red meats and medium-aged cheese
  • Serving Temperature: 57.2ºF-60.8ºF
  • Longevity: 3 years

ABOUT TENUTA GIUSTINI WINERY:
Tenuta Giustini Wines is lead by Giuseppe Papadopoli together with his sons, Salvatore and Fedrico.  Guiseppe is the heart of the company and applies the experience of four generations of growing the highest quality of grapes in his vineyards. Salvatore is a young and passionate enologis with the desire to experiment and extract the best juice from his father’s work. Federico, on the other hand, is the cellar master and running all the daily operations.  Giustini is a family-owned winery that is committed to continuous improvement and its passion for wine. The winery is located in San Giorgio, a small village that is part of the Primitivo di Manduria DOC wine region and each family member plays an important role in the winery’s success. Learn more here.

Information & Photos © Tenuta Giustini Winery – All Rights Reserved.


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June Wine Club Pairing Recipe

Grilled Harissa Lamb Chops

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2–3 lbs lamb chops, lamb loin chops or sirloin steaks
  • Grillable veggies – your choice of Zucchini, summer squash, bell pepper, onion, eggplant, mushrooms, etc.
  • Spray olive oil (or use regular)
  • 15–20 fresh Mint leaves

Harissa Spice Rub:

  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 1 tablespoon coriander
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried mint
  • 1 teaspoon whole caraway seeds (optional)

Harissa Yogurt:

  • 1 cup plain, full-fat Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon harissa paste (store-bought or homemade Harissa paste) more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika – optional

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Preheat Grill to med-high.
  2. Cut lamb chops into single chops or portions. (Use a sharp chef’s knife and slice in between the bones.)  Pat dry.
  3. Mix spices and salt together in a shallow bowl (big enough to fit chop)
  4. Dip both sides of each chop, as well as fatty edge, into the Harissa rub, tap the excess off and place on a sheet pan.
  5. If grilling veggies, lightly toss with olive oil, salt and pepper, and grill these first. Cover, set aside until serving.
  6. Grill the lamb chops. Spray the grill with olive oil spray. Place the chops down and grill 3 minutes (covered) or until good grill marks appear (don’t fiddle with them too much). Spray the top of lamb chops with olive oil, and turn them over. Turn the heat down to medium and grill another 3 minutes. Then, place the fatty edge of the lamb chop on the grill, so they are sitting upright, on their side, leaning them up against each other. Cover and cook another 2 minutes or so, to melt off that fatty layer.  (These are delicious served medium, but feel free to cook through on lower heat if that is your preference.) Remove from grill, cover with foil until ready to serve.
  7. Mix the yogurt with the harissa paste, starting conservatively, adding more to taste. Each Harissa paste has different levels of heat. Chef Sylvia Fountaine likes to a whisk in a teaspoon of smoked paprika to bump up the smoky flavor – up to you.
  8. To serve, cut the grilled veggies into bite-size pieces, and place them on a platter. Top with the grilled lamb chops. Garnish with fresh mint leaves.
  9. Serve the Harissa yogurt on the side or spoon a little on each chop.
  10. Serve with a cooked grain like quinoa, basmati rice or even couscous.

Notes: If serving with a cooked grain, make sure to season it. ( Olive Oil, salt, pepper, lemon zest, and fresh parsley is nice.) You could serve it on the same platter, underneath the veggies and lamb, or serve it on the side.

© Recipe courtesy of Sylvia Fountaine from Feasting at Home.

JUNE WINE CLUB:

Bold wine Style logoBurdiPrimitivoDuca Carlo Guarini
Burdi Primitivo
Rosso IGT Puglia
Scorrano, Italy

BOLD WINE STYLE

The Burdi Primitivo IGT Puglia Rosso wine is an every day wine, made from organic certified grapes. It is deep ruby red in color, and on the palate it is fruity and soft. This wine is ideal with any kind of food, especially pasta, grilled or roasted meat, and seasoned cheese.
 
Varietal: 100% Primitivo
Analysis: 13.5% alcohol / volume
Description: IGT Red Puglia
Yield:
100,000 kg. per hectare
Vinification: Five Days maceration with skins, temperature controlled fermentation

 

ABOUT DUCA CARLO GUARINI:

The Guarini family has lived in Puglia since 1040, when their ancestors moved from Normandy, arriving in Terra d’Otranto. In 1114, Accardo Guarini, Count of Valesio, founded his vineyard overlooking the Adriatic sea in the Pìutri estate. Since then, the Guarini family continues to take care of the same vineyards, maintaining the traditions founded many centuries ago. Learn more here.

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