The holidays are upon us.

Instead of talking about getting together with your family (and the inevitable political debate your uncle will bring up), let’s talk about food and wine pairings.

Pinterest…

As you may already know, we have a “Wine Pairings & Recipes We Love” Pinterest Page (here: https://www.pinterest.com/soldiercreekwin/wine-pairings-and-recipes-we-love/)  but we also have a “Thanksgiving Wine Pairings” Pinterest board.

Some of you may be wondering

“Does it really matter that much?”

“Oh my gosh I haven’t even thought about what wine I will have!!!”

Fear not. It doesn’t really matter, it’s up to the drinker—does it taste good to you? Then it’s a good pairing for you! My suggestions are based on the flavor profile of the wine and the typical flavor profile of the dish. Also, these are generalized, use them however you like!

We also have a special Thanksgiving Wine Pairings Pinterest board, because one can never have too many enough Pinterest Boards : https://www.pinterest.com/soldiercreekwin/thanksgiving-wine-pairings/

something new

I don’t know about you, but I’m always open to new ways of making something traditional. But, don’t get me wrong, I love traditional Thanksgiving meals! Thinking of a classically baked turkey is making me drool RIGHT. NOW. But, I’ve been obsessively looking at perusing epicurious.com and their Thanksgiving recipes and I just have to share them with you!

Epicurious features a ton of different menus for Thanksgiving and I thought I would dissect their Indian menu and add some wine pairing suggestions along the way. Enjoy this!

An Indian Inspired Thanksgiving

*All photo and recipe credit to epicurious.com*

*Click on photos to see recipe*

http://www.epicurious.com/holidays-events/an-indian-inspired-thanksgiving-turkey-menu

Tandoori Turkey: slow roasting and long marinating will give this turkey a richly spiced flavor. The best part? The delicious gravy that you will get from this turkey. Pair our Marquette ’15 or Maréchal Foch ’15 with this turkey.

PAIR WITH: MARQUETTE ’15 OR MARÉCHAL FOCH ’15

Rice Pilaf with Almonds & Raisons: Just the right side for Iowans, I would say. Not too grand and just plain enough. A perfect complement to the Turkey and the rest of the sides. Because of the almonds, the Marquette ’15 and Maréchal Foch ’15 would taste lovely with this side next to your bit of turkey.

PAIR WITH: MARQUETTE ’15 OR MARÉCHAL FOCH ’15

Caramelized Cumin Roasted Carrots: Earthy and fragrant, again this will marry so well with the Turkey and Pilaf. Again, Marquette ’15 and Maréchal Foch ’15 will create the happiest place in your mouth.

PAIR WITH: MARQUETTE ’15 OR MARÉCHAL FOCH ’15

Scalloped Potatoes with Coconut Milk & Chilies: Don’t worry, the coconut milk will tame this down a little. But, I will say, this doesn’t look like it’s for the faint of heart. However, with everything on the menu, you can’t go wrong with throwing a little bit on a forkful of turkey and carrots! (Plus the next side is guaranteed to help you if you can’t take the heat.) Again, the Marquette ’15 & Maréchal Foch ’15 will go perfectly with everything in this menu thus far.

PAIR WITH: MARQUETTE ’15 OR MARÉCHAL FOCH ’15

Traditional Indian Raita: This dish is traditionally made to help you out if you can’t “handle the heat”—so treat this like your sour cream on your baked potato, yo! Keep washing it all down with healthy sips of Marquette ’15 or Maréchal Foch ’15.

PAIR WITH: MARQUETTE ’15 OR MARÉCHAL FOCH ’15

Sweet & Sour Tomato Chutney: Instead of cranberry sauce, try something new! I can attest, this is delicious and if you don’t use it all for Thanksgiving—put it on your turkey sandwiches later instead of mayo or mustard. You won’t regret it. I hope you still have some Marquette ’15 or Maréchal Foch ’15 left in your glass. You don’t? Fill it up!

PAIR WITH: MARQUETTE ’15 OR MARÉCHAL FOCH ’15

**Dessert** Fragrant Indian Brittle: A new take on the old-style peanut brittle—substitute peanuts for cashews, pistachios, and almonds and throw in a little cardamom for a delicious warm, autumn feel.

PAIR WITH: LA CRESCENT ’15 OR BRIANNA ’15

Well, that was fun wasn’t it?

Until next time, with Midbest love,

Meg