Not long after we returned from a trip to Italy, I became obsessed with all things Italian (hence yesterday’s post on the perfect antipasti platter). I was dying to try my hand at a multi-course dinner, complete with wine pairings. I searched online for inspiration, and found a great blog post that inspired me to replicate the delectable dishes listed (and I’ll be posting my results with this inspiration the rest of the week). Then I headed to my local wine store to find wines to pair with each dish, trying to do so in a fashion that would still make it special, but wouldn’t break the bank. Success!
The pairing for the first course, the nibbles to get your palate going, was simple. Prosciutto with Prosecco. The saltiness of the prosciutto paired with the bubbles and light sweetness of the Prosecco was perfect. Hard to believe that a pairing so basic could amp up the flavors in each bite so significantly. But having that glaze on hand is what put it over the top. So…
Some of you may remember a recent challenge post about using up items in my pantry. You know, the items that seem to stack up over time, the items that you just HAD to have for some special occasion and never got around to using? Anyone for some clementine marmalade? Yeah, those.
One of the easier items to find uses for was the balsamic glaze. It is cooked down and rendered much sweeter than it’s big brother, regular balsamic vinegar. The bite of the vinegar is replaced by a sweet, tangy, gooey goodness that suddenly makes this ingredient perfect for both savory and sweet dishes.
So that I had this balsamic glaze handy worked pretty well! The salty prosciutto, the creamy goat cheese, the tangy balsamic glaze--all so perfect with a glass of Prosecco as a starter to a fab meal.
Makes you want to grab an extra bottle for your pantry now, doesn’t it??
| Servings | Prep Time |
| 4 people | 10 minutes |
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I never used to give much credence to the idea that wine could change the taste of food that much. Well, color me a convert. The difference that just the RIGHT wine can make to the perfect bite can be significant. Wine you never would have thought you'd like suddenly becomes delicious. A bite of food that, on its own, is tasty all of a sudden reveals flavors you never knew were there. This is a perfect example of that alchemy between grape and grub.
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- 1 loaf crusty Italian bread, sliced thin
- 1 4 oz. package plain goat cheese
- 1 8 oz. package thinly sliced prosciutto
- balsamic glaze
- Slice bread into 1/2 inch slices, and toast just until dried but not completely browned. Spread thin layer of goat cheese on each toast.
- Top toast with 1-2 slices of prosciutto. Drizzle with balsamic glaze. Be sure not to overdo the glaze--a little of that beautiful nectar goes a long way in flavor.
- Serve with a dry Prosecco and tell me you aren't sold on that pairing!
Like yesterday's post on antipasti, there are so many varieties and pairings for a simple bruschetta like this. If you don't want to build the bites ahead of time and allow people to build their own flavors, go for it. Or if you are not a fan of balsamic (gasp!), a drizzle of really good olive oil will be a great counterpoint to the saltiness of the prosciutto.
If you can't find prosciutto, you can use a pancetta or other very thin sliced, salted pork or ham. Don't want to leave the house in the cold? Let Amazon bring it to your door! Whatever you choose, even though the results will vary for the pairing, imagine what fun you'll have exploring the possibilities!
As for the sparkling wine, a brut Prosecco (dry sparkling wine) is what you want for the pairing. There are many out there, and you don't have the break the bank to find a good one. Personally, for an American-made Prosecco, I am a big fan of VJB Cellars Prosecco. It's a smaller production vineyard in the Sonoma Valley, and it's really something special. If you ever have the good fortune to be in that area, look them up. You won't be disappointed.
This looks so tasty! I do love pairing wine with antipasti, sometimes thats an entire meal for me!
That is OFTEN an entire meal for us. I love the lounging, picking and sipping parts. 🙂
I could snack on this all day!
What a great idea! I love prosciutto and I love prosecco! I would love if you link this up to Tipsy Tuesday at Grey is the New Black! It’s for all things alcohol!