What’s better than delicious home-cooked recipes? Cooking with wine, of course! Whether you’re looking for new ideas for dinner or simply planning a romantic night in, this guide to simmering sautés and Sauvignon-stewed chicken is sure to get your taste buds tingling.
Experimenting with Sauvignon Blanc recipes is a great example of something fun you can do at home. Lay the table, dim the lights and play your favourite tunes – because tonight, the party is at your house.
This vino variety is citrusy and herbaceous, with a racier flavour than other crisp white wines. The acidity alone makes Sauvignon Blanc one of the best white wines to cook with poultry, seafood or anything rich and creamy.
These recipes taste great served with a glass of Barefoot Sauvignon Blanc – or another white wine from our fabulous range.
Delicious Sauvignon Blanc recipes
Chicken and white wine stew
Cooking with Sauvignon Blanc doesn’t get much heartier than this – a simple stew packed with flavour. Fry up some chicken, then brown carrots and broccoli in a frying pan with celery, onion, garlic and two teaspoons of plain flour.
The secret ingredient? Two to three glasses of quality Barefoot Sauvignon Blanc, of course. Let this wine soak into all ingredients in a large casserole dish, then add chicken stock, rosemary and a drizzling of Worcestershire sauce if you fancy the tang. Potatoes give this dish a dash of added comfort. For a fiery twist, add tinned tomatoes, paprika and a diced red chilli.
Bake for at least an hour until it’s piping hot throughout. But remember, the alcohol in wine evaporates during cooking, leading to a concentration of flavour. In other words, turn the heat down and the timer up for a fully flavoursome stew.
Enjoy with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc to really make the flavours dance on your palate.
Mushrooms in white wine sauce
A little home comfort can go a long way. Fortunately, this rich and versatile dish packs plenty of it. Serve on toast for brunch with a twist, load onto rice for a quick midweek dinner or pair with chicken to create a delicious pie.
Choose a dry cooking wine with a crisp taste for best results – Barefoot Sauvignon Blanc packs more punch, while Barefoot Pinot Grigio creates a softer flavour.
Fry an onion, then add a clove of garlic with about 200 grams of mushrooms. Add a large glass of wine and a sprig of parsley, then stir until the liquid reduces.
Add crème fraiche and black pepper to taste, then serve in your home’s cosiest corner, with a glass of Barefoot Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complete a picture-perfect table setting.
Brilliant beurre blanc
This delicious sauce injects some excitement into salmon and transforms green beans from side-serving to tasty centrepiece. It also pairs brilliantly with any mild white fish.
Whip up a sensation by placing a dash of Sauvignon Blanc (about half a glass) in a pan with equal measures of white wine vinegar and a pinch of diced shallot onion.
Stir as the mixture reduces to a syrup, then add heavy cream, plus salt and pepper to taste. Whisk in some butter, remove the onions and serve. Sweet tooth? Try swapping the vinegar for citrus juices.
Serve with your favourite Barefoot white wine to complete the experience. If you experiment with citrus flavours, then a sweet wine such as Moscato will tick all the boxes.
Subtle white wine pasta
White wine pasta is one of the best dishes to cook with Sauvignon Blanc – it’s simple, fragrant and delicious. All you’ll need is garlic, vegetable stock, milk, flour, butter and a mixture of herbs from your spice rack. Feeling creative? You can also add vegetables (we love sprouts and frozen peas for this), sundried tomatoes or shrimp.
Barefoot Sauvignon Blanc gives this dish the wow factor, so once you’ve sautéed the garlic in butter, add a good glug of white wine – the equivalent of a small glass for each 200 grams of pasta.
Stir, then add vegetable stock as you place linguine and any vegetables on the hob. Drain these when they’re al dente, then add them to the wine pot. You’ll also want to gradually add milk and flour, stirring until thick and creamy. Finally, sprinkle with chilli flakes, oregano and parmesan cheese for that authentic Italian feel. Bon appetit – serve with a glass of Barefoot Sauvignon Blanc.
How to cook with wine
There are several ways to approach cooking with white wine, but here are the key rules to remember:
- To marinate meat in white wine sauce, mix all the ingredients together and leave for at least two hours.
- For stews, add the wine as soon as the dish begins to simmer – then leave on a low heat while the wine does its thing.
- Pan sauces need a little more love, so stay with them and stir. Once the wine looks syrup-like, it’s time to add cream or stock.
Whatever your style, cooking with wine is a great way to enhance the dishes you know and discover exciting new flavours. It’s the perfect activity for a big night in – and delectable dishes of all descriptions taste great with Barefoot wine.