21st March 2022 | Pairings & Recipes | 5 minute read
With Easter on the horizon, it’s a time many of us enjoy with family and friends doing what we do best – indulging in delicious food and drinking great wine of course! With that in mind, we’ve teamed up with SimplyCook to bring you some cooking inspiration for your Easter celebrations which push all the boundaries of traditional Easter grub, along with the ultimate wine pairings which will go down a treat with guests!
Lamb is always a popular choice at Easter, with most enjoying it roasted. However, why not up your game with this Yemeni Lamb Pilaf. Packed with flavour and texture, this dish uses spiced lamb steaks as the star of the show, along with South Asian inspired pilaf rice. Topped off with a Yemeni spicy cumin and mint Zhoug drizzle, and a sprinkle of toasted almonds and pomegranate seeds, this flavour explosion is the perfect Easter treat.
This dish needs a wine which stands up to the strong flavours without being too overpowering. The Aguila Chillando Garnacha Tempranillo 2020 does just that. Fresh raspberry and strawberry notes complement the tender lamb and pomegranate seeds, whilst the peppery hints and notes of chocolate on the finish nestle well against the fragrant spices. The Tempranillo adds a roundness to the palate, making an easy drinking wine which is very food friendly. It really is a winning combo.
Perhaps you’re looking for something a little spicier and with more of a kick this Easter? This Lamb Rogan Josh is a classic north Indian curry originating from the Kashmiri region. Bursting with Kashmiri chillies, which give the curry its distinct red colour, this dish packs a punch. Juicy lamb meat is combined with chopped tomatoes and a range of spices, along with the chillies to create a deliciously rich and fragrant curry. Served on a bed of fluffy white rice, we think this dish ticks all the boxes!
This curry calls for something which can help tackle the heat. A classic German Riesling, like this Hiestand Asia de Cuba Riesling is wonderfully fresh, with a touch of sweetness – as to be expected from this style of wine – which helps to counteract the heat. With a citrusy punch and plenty of lime notes, this vino is a match made in heaven with this bowl of deliciousness, and works in perfect harmony with the spices you’ll be using.
Eggs are synonymous with Easter, often in the form of yummy chocolate of course. But actually, eggs in any form can be enjoyed at Easter as they represent new life. Therefore, this Smoked Haddock Kedgeree is the ultimate Easter treat. Deliciously light, this rice based dish is the perfect storm of spicy, smoky flavours and soft, flaky haddock. Topped with a boiled egg and a squeeze of lemon, this dish has spring written all over it!
The citrusy streak in the El Sabio Sauvignon Blanc 2021 makes for a strong match. Full of bright notes of lemon and peach, along with a fresh acidity, this vino works marvellously with the smoky flavours. Produced in Molina in the heart of Chile’s Central Valley, this Savvy B just keeps on giving with a lively palate and heaps of freshness.
A fried egg on top of a stir fry may look odd, but trust us, you are going to love it! Bokkeumbap is a hugely popular Korean style fried rice dish which is a great use of left overs. Super quick to make, this satisfying meal combines vegetables with two very special ingredients – Doenjang (a Korean soybean paste) and Gochjuang (a red chilli paste). Topped with a fried egg, spring onions and a sprinkling of sesame seeds, this Bokkeumbap may not be traditional Easter fare, but is certain to impress.
This fried rice dish is fragrant yet has a spicy kick from the Gochjuang paste, therefore a light, fruity red such as this Sherwood Estate Stratum Pinot Noir 2020 from New Zealand is a fine choice. Bright and soft on the nose with red fruit tones, followed by slightly richer notes of plum on the palate, this red has just enough body to withstand the heat, but is low in tannins to help counterbalance the spice. Well rounded with a gentle acidity, this wine makes for easy drinking and is just right for a warm spring day over Easter.
Fish is a traditional option at Easter, enjoyed by many on Good Friday. This dish gives you the opportunity to pull out all the stops and indulge in something with a twist. SimplyCook’s Goan Fish Curry is incredibly aromatic and inspired by the classic fish curry from Goa in India. A meal which is rich in flavour with a blend of tamarind, tomato and onion, combined with ginger, garlic, chilli and sweet cloves, all married together with coconut milk. SimplyCook have really hit the spot with this flavoursome dish.
This curry calls for an equally flavoursome wine. The Three Gables Winemaker’s Reserve Chenin Blanc 2021 from the Coastal Region of South Africa has plenty of fleshy stone fruit flavours, with a tropical zing, all balanced by a mineral core. The bright acidity will also help cut through the creaminess of the sauce, cleansing the palate with every mouthful. Winemaker, Nadia Engelbrecht, has done an outstanding job with this vino and it’s sure to be a crowd pleaser served alongside this show-stopping curry.
If you don’t fancy a curry but still want to stick to the tradition of eating fish, then this Miso Cod could be just the ticket. This dish is an infusion of Japanese flavours of miso, soy and honey used to create a glaze. The cod is then grilled until caramelised and served over steamed rice alongside savoury, sautéed asparagus. A sophisticated, light meal that’s big on flavour.
Whilst cod is generally a less flavoursome fish, the Japanese flavours used here certainly take it up a notch. A clean and crisp Chardonnay would work well such as the Reserve de Millenaire Tete de Cuvee Bourgogne Blanc 2020. This white Burgundy is full of ripe apple flavours, with a hint of sweetness which works wonders with the miso. The golden yellow hue makes this an attractive wine to look at, whilst the acidity and freshness help to cleanse the palate and work in harmony with the richer tones of the dish.
And there we have it! If we’ve got your stomach rumbling and you’ve been tempted by some of these delicious Asian inspired dishes, then head over to SimplyCook here, where you can receive your first box of four recipes to try for free! Just pay £1 delivery.
