How to Enjoy Barolo, King of Italian Wines: Aging, Pairing, Serving

April 20, 2026April 28, 2026 StefanGourmet

As a holder of a Dutch level 4 diploma in wine (vinoloog in Dutch), one of the questions I get asked most often is what my favorite wine is. Although I’m generally a lover of Italian wine, my favorite white wine is French: white Burgundy from Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet, and preferably Montrachet Grand Cru. However, my favorite red wine is Italian: Barolo. This love affair started about 20 years ago. I had just begun to enjoy drinking wine, and we were having a company retreat at a conference hotel with a pretty good wine list. The waiter was about to … Continue reading How to Enjoy Barolo, King of Italian Wines: Aging, Pairing, Serving

2. Primi (pasta, risotto)3 Comments

Fresh Pasta with Beef and Porcini Mushroom Ragù (Tajarin al Ragù di Manzo en Funghi Porcini)

April 1, 2024April 1, 2024 StefanGourmet

For Easter dinner I wanted to enjoy a nice bottle of Barolo from the 2006 vintage, that I had acquired at the winery in 2010 and had been aging in my wine fridge ever since. It was easy to select … Continue reading Fresh Pasta with Beef and Porcini Mushroom Ragù (Tajarin al Ragù di Manzo en Funghi Porcini)

2. Primi (pasta, risotto)5 Comments

Wild Boar Ravioli with Mushrooms (Ravioli di Cinghiale con Funghi)

March 12, 2023 StefanGourmet

Meat that comes from a muscle that has done a lot work during the animal’s life is the most flavorful. Cheeks are one of the best examples. In this recipe, wild boar cheeks are first cooked sous vide and then … Continue reading Wild Boar Ravioli with Mushrooms (Ravioli di Cinghiale con Funghi)

Secondi di Carne (meat dishes)4 Comments

Fritto Misto alla Piemontese (Fried Steak, Mushrooms, and Zucchini)

March 13, 2022 StefanGourmet

Fried steak is a typical dish from the Italian region of Piemonte. Morsels of beef are breaded with flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs, and then deep fried until golden brown and crispy on the outside and tender and juicy medium rare … Continue reading Fritto Misto alla Piemontese (Fried Steak, Mushrooms, and Zucchini)

1. Antipasti (appetizers)8 Comments

Mushroom Soup with Truffle

February 7, 2022 StefanGourmet

This mushroom soup is surprisingly simple to prepare, yet so delicious and elegant. The star of the dish is fresh truffle. I used black winter truffle, because that is what’s available at the moment. Although truffle isn’t cheap — this … Continue reading Mushroom Soup with Truffle

2. Primi (pasta, risotto)5 Comments

Ravioli del Plin al Sugo d’Arrosto (Meat Ravioli from Piemonte)

December 20, 2021 StefanGourmet

Ravioli are called agnolotti in Piemonte. Every restaurant in Piemonte has them on the menu. As is always the case with traditional recipes in Italy, there are many variations. The most important variations are with or without greens (spinach or … Continue reading Ravioli del Plin al Sugo d’Arrosto (Meat Ravioli from Piemonte)

Eating, Wine4 Comments

Wine trip to Piemonte: Dogliani, Roero, and Barbera d’Asti

December 6, 2021December 7, 2021 StefanGourmet

I am a member of the Dutch association of Vinologists (Verenigde Vinologen Nederland) and for the first time I went on a wine trip organized by them. Piemonte is a large region and we did not visit all of it, … Continue reading Wine trip to Piemonte: Dogliani, Roero, and Barbera d’Asti

Eating, Wine6 Comments

Wine trip to Piemonte: Barolo

December 3, 2021November 26, 2025 StefanGourmet

I am a member of the Dutch association of Vinologists (Verenigde Vinologen Nederland) and for the first time I went on a wine trip organized by them. This is the second article in a short series, in which I describe … Continue reading Wine trip to Piemonte: Barolo

Eating, Wine8 Comments

Wine Trip to Piemonte: Nizza and Barbaresco

November 29, 2021November 26, 2025 StefanGourmet

I am a member of the Dutch association of Vinologists (Verenigde Vinologen Nederland) and for the first time I went on a wine trip organized by them. Although I’ve been to Piemonte myself on a number of occasions, those were … Continue reading Wine Trip to Piemonte: Nizza and Barbaresco

Secondi di Pesce (fish dishes)5 Comments

Yellowtail with Truffle, Mushrooms, and Red Wine Sauce

December 9, 2018December 9, 2018 StefanGourmet

If you like having a great red wine with the Christmas dinner main course, but you would also like to have fish, this is the perfect solution for you! I used yellowtail, which is a great tasting fish that is … Continue reading Yellowtail with Truffle, Mushrooms, and Red Wine Sauce

2. Primi (pasta, risotto)19 Comments

Ravioli alla Genovese

December 30, 2016December 30, 2016 StefanGourmet

For Christmas I wanted to make a traditional Italian dish that I had not prepared before, preferably something that involved stuffed pasta. As I’ve already made so many stuffed pasta dishes over the years, I wasn’t sure if I would … Continue reading Ravioli alla Genovese

2. Primi (pasta, risotto)2 Comments

Pizzoccheri alla Valtellinese

April 20, 2012April 20, 2012 StefanGourmet

Pizzoccheri are a short and flat type of pasta from the Valtellina region in Northern Italy, made from buckwheat and semolina flour. You can buy them dried or make them yourself (something I might try another time). They are traditionally eaten with swiss chard (coste) or savoy cabbage (verza) and the local cheese: valtellina casera. This cheese is important to get the authentic taste, but if you can’t find it then fontina can be used as a substitute. This is the only traditional pasta dish that I know that has cabbage in it. Unlike other pasta dishes that are supposed … Continue reading Pizzoccheri alla Valtellinese

Stefan's Gourmet Blog

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Tag: nebbiolo