Summer cooking with wine

Do you love to sip a glass of wine while you’re working in the kitchen? Next time, try adding a splash of wine to whatever you’re cooking. Wine makes just about everything taste better! Here are some ideas for seasoning your summer fare with wine:

Mix a savory marinade: Most marinades consist of a blend of oil, vinegar and seasonings, but we find that a bit of wine improves just about every marinade. To make a delicious marinade for beef, lamb or chicken, combine the following items in a blender or food processor: One handful each fresh rosemary and thyme leaves, ½ cup each olive oil and dry red wine (such as Burgundy or Merlot), ¼ cup red wine vinegar, a few spoonfuls of hot-sweet mustard and a few cloves of garlic. Puree, pour mixture over meat and marinate in the refrigerator overnight. This marinade is also great for shish kebabs!

Jazz up your chili: Everybody has a favorite chili recipe, and a lot of them call for the addition of beer. But did you know that red wine really enhances the flavor of chili? Next time you make a batch, add a cup or two of Burgundy, Merlot or any dry red wine to the mix. Excellent when making chili dogs this summer!

Add a splash to your salad dressing: Like vinegar, wine adds great acidity to salad dressings but it’s easier on the palate. Here’s a great all-purpose vinaigrette to toss with baby spinach or crisp summer watercress: Combine ½ cup olive oil with 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons dry red wine (such as Burgundy or Merlot), two teaspoons mustard and salt and pepper to taste. Whisk or shake in a covered jar. You can also add chopped garlic or fresh herbs for extra flavor.