Saved By The Belle

In an effort to make this evening’s meal easier on me, Christine and her Mom bought some fresh porcini ravioli at a local place. I was partly relieved, and partly sort of wished that I could have made them myself. Having said that, it’s a busy week for me and was grateful to put the extra time to good use. For a sauce, I took the rest of the crème fraîche and poured in about half a bottle of Champagne left from the party then let it reduce. After it got thick again, I stirred in a knob of butter. I had picked both a salad and some Tuscan kale, so I wilted the shredded kale in olive oil and garlic and dressed it with lemon. The pasta got finished with parmesan, pepper, garlic chives and truffle oil.

Brooklynguy‘s blog reminded me about Vieux Pressoir’s sparkling Saumur rosé, so we began with that (it’s a terrific aperitif, and there was one in the fridge) and then to keep everything thematically consistent moved on to a 2006 Thierry Germain Saumur Champigny. I don’t know what it cost, since someone left it here on Saturday, but it’s unremarkable; given some time the tannins might soften up into something interesting but my guess is not so much. Perfectly good with the thrice-dairy sauce and ravioli, though. I can’t say enough good things about Champagne reductions; they’re by definition decadent luxuries, but if you ever have any left after a party, save it and reduce it with a little butter or cream. It’s genius with lobster, or pasta like this, and has a complex, almost lemony tang that you just can’t get any other way.

Subscribe

8 Comments

  1. Heather
    May 7, 2008

    I wish I could have your blog in my pocket when I go shopping so I could try pairing.

  2. Zoomie
    May 7, 2008

    Great way to dress up some storebought! I’ll remember that if I’m ever busy again… retired people are rarely busy – it’s one of the joys of our lives!

  3. peter
    May 7, 2008

    Heather: Sounds like you need one of those fancy iPhone thingys that the kids are all talking about.

    Zoomie: I can’t complain at all about my life.

  4. Zoomie
    May 7, 2008

    I’d have to agree with that – you seem to have it all. And, best of all, you realize it!

  5. Heather
    May 8, 2008

    lol @ zoomie.

  6. Brittany
    May 8, 2008

    Wow- not bad for a busy week. Busy week at my house= takeout.
    And look at you with the champagne reduction…dayum!

  7. peter
    May 8, 2008

    A champagne reduction is a rare and beautiful thing. Best of all, there’s still some left in another bottle…

  8. Brittany
    May 8, 2008

    You clever bastard.

Comments are closed.