Santa Barbara: The Ultimate Wine Touring Guide

Since I started V is for Vino, people have started visiting the wine regions from the episodes, and asking me for recommendations! So in order for you to get the best experience from your time in wine country, I’ve created this series of posts to point you the direction of my favorite places in each region, from wineries, to restaurants, …

S02E03 Salami Board Apps

15 minutesmakes 4 servings 2 black mission figs8 slices brown sugar bacon2 peaches1/4 lb Nduja (spicy spreadable salami)1/4 lb fresh fava beans (in pods)10 chopped mint leaves3 oz cured whole muscle salumi(e.g. lomo, prosciutto)8 slices toasted crostini2 tbsp Meyer lemon olive oilsalt, pepper Figs Wrapped in Bacon/Peaches and Nduja: preheat oven to 500° slice figs in quarters, wrap each piece …

S02E03 Zucchini and Cherry Tomato White Pizza

30 minutesmakes 2 servings 12-16oz pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)1/2 small green zucchini, cut into half circles about .5” thick1/2 small yellow zucchini, cut into half circles about .5” thick6-8 cherry tomatoes, cut in half6-8 leaves basil, cut into strands (chiffonade)1/3 cup mozzarella, shredded1/3 cup sharp white cheddar, shredded2 tbsp grated Parmesansemolina flour, EVOO, salt, pepper Notes:*feel free to use …

S02E03 Salami Board

15 minutesmakes 4 servings 5oz whole muscle salumi (e.g. lomo, prosciutto)5oz spicy salumi5oz traditional dry salami5oz fennel salami5oz chorizo5oz specialty salami (truffle, duck, bison, etc)1/4 lb hard strong cheese (e.g. aged cheddar, Gouda)3oz olives3oz cornichon (mini pickles)2 tbsp whole grain mustard6-8 crostinirosemary for garnishsalami board apps (see previous recipe) the key to a good salumi board is lots of variation …

S02E02 Pumpkin Ravioli with Sage Brown Butter

15 minutesmakes 2 servings Recipe Notes:*this is a different, simpler version of the pasta made from the episode: but if you’re ambitious enough to make the pasta from scratch, go for it!*you should be able to find pumpkin ravioli at your local Italian grocer 12 pumpkin ravioli3 garlic cloves, smashed1/4 cup unsalted butter1/4 cup chicken stock (as needed)10-12 sage leaves1/4 …

S02E01 Halibut Ceviche

1 hour inactive, 20 minutes activemakes 2 servings Recipe Notes:*sub ingredients if you can’t find them: use whats fresh and local!*don’t salt fish until ready to serve; otherwise it will “cure” Fish:1/2 lb halibut, cubed1/4 cup lime juice1/4 cup grapefruit juice Ceviche base:1 lemon1 lime1 grapefruit1 green garlic, sliced thin1 shallot, finely diced1 fresno chili, seeds and stems white removed, …

S02E01 Salmon with Red Wine Sauce and Spring Vegetables

40 minutesmakes 2 servings Recipe Notes:*sub ingredients if you can’t find them: use whats fresh and local!*just buy demi-glace: it takes two days to make from 2 6-8oz Coho salmon fillets1/2 cup dry red wine2-4 sprigs fresh thyme and rosemary1 stem green garlic, thinly sliced6-8 overripe strawberries2 tbsp demi-glace5 hakurei turnips, halved3-5 porcini mushrooms, cut intolarge chunks1 cup mixed onions …

S01E03 Grilled Octopus Salad

1.5 hours inactive 20 minutes activemakes 1 serving Recipe Notes:*don’t be afraid of making this dish! the work is all in the ingredient gathering. tip: get the chick peas, peppadews, cherry tomatoes, greens, all from your local grocery store salad bar and olive bar*sub ingredients if you can’t find them: use whats fresh and local!*each salad uses one tenticle, so …

S01E03 Triple Bolognese

4-5 hours inactive, 1 hour activemakes 8 servings Recipe Notes:*settle in, this recipe is for that Sunday dinner that you’ve got all day to cook: or cook this sauce a few days in advance!*this recipe feeds a bunch, so make sure to invite some people to “assist”*you can sub/exclude meats if you want, but the blend is kinda what gives …

S01E01 Dry Aged NY Strip & Market Vegetables

1 hour, makes 2 serving 1 20oz Dry Aged New York Strip8 tbsp unsalted butter3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil10 small potatoes, (such as fingerling) halved3 large garlic cloves, skin on, smashed10-15 baby squash, halved10-15 cherry tomatoes6-8 scallions, batons cut into 1 inchbatons, tops finely sliced12 pedrón peppers (can sub shishito)handful chocolate mint2 tbsp taggiasco olives (can sub niçoise olives)1 …