One of the absolute delights of wine is when you find a perfect food pairing. I recently found a match made in heaven! Sedàra 2012 Nero D’Avola from Sicily pairs beautifully with a fried chicken sandwich with spicy Kimchee. The wine is primarily Nero D’Avola with Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon blended in. It’s a bold, old-world styled wine with earthy floral notes on the nose and red fruit on the palate. It comes in at a low 13.3% alcohol level. You should be able to find it easily for around $15 or less. Let me know what you pair it with.
Spicy Kimchee and Fried Chicken Sandwich
| Ingredients:Kimchee Slaw:1 1/2 Cups shredded Napa or Savoy cabbage3/4 Cups Hot or mild Kimchee, Chopped a bit if large
1/2 cup shredded carrot 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion 1 tablespoon Gochujang (Korean chili paste) or substitute siracha or Sambal Oelek 1/4 cup mayonnaise 1/4 cup cilantro leaves Chicken: 2 cups Flour 1 generous tablespoon black pepper 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 cup buttermilk 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half crosswise (If thick, pound the breasts to flatten) Vegetable oil for frying 4 sandwich rolls
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| Directions:1. For the slaw, combine all the ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
2. For the chicken, fill a pot that will hold 2 of the chicken pieces with oil to the depth of one inch and heat over medium high to 350. 3. Stir the flour, salt and pepper together in a shallow bowl. 4. Pour the buttermilk into a small bowl. 5. When the oil is hot, dredge a piece of chicken in the flour, then dunk in the buttermilk, and dredge one more time in the flour, shaking off excess and dropping it into the oil. 6. Repeat with a second piece of chicken, adding to the hot oil. 7. The chicken should cook about 3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy, letting them rest on a wire rack while the final chicken pieces cook in the oil. 8. Place the chicken on the bun and top with a generous amount of the Kimchee Slaw. 9. Enjoy with a glass of Nero d’Avola. |
Tom Plant launched WINEormous in 2009 and is a member of the International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association. Based in Temecula, California, he offers intimate winery tours for no more than seven people. Tour details and pricing are available at www.temecula-tours.com. Call now to book your Temecula Winery Tour at (951) 907-9701. Ask about special discounts.