I like to use local ingredients as much as possible when I’m cooking and that extends to my wine choices as well! I love BC VQA wines, and I visit the Okanogan annually to visit the local wineries and fill up my cellar!

This holiday season I’ve partnered with Red Rooster Winery and paired some of their incredible wine selections with a few of my favourite holiday recipes. It’s nostalgia at its finest.I hope you enjoy them all. 

The first one is my Cheesy Mashed Potatoes which is the ultimate comfort food, but this time we give it a little kick with the addition of herb & spice cream cheese and a parmesan crust to make it something special. I’ve paired it with this beautiful Chardonnay as the smooth flavours and medium bodied finish work well with the creamy mashed potatoes. http://easypeasyeats.com/cheesy-mashed-potatoes/

Next up is my Beef Bourguignon. This classic dish gets a simple makeover using a few short cuts, but one area I never compromise on is using a good quality red wine as it’s one of the key ingredients of the dish! This time I am using the Cabernet Merlot as the juicy plum and black cherry flavours work so well with the beef. It’s a real winner. http://easypeasyeats.com/easy-beef-bourguignon/  

Last up, my Skillet Chicken Cordon Bleu has everything you want in comfort food. Cheesy, creamy & wonderfully satisfying, it’s a hit any time of the year but especially during the holidays when time is so tight. For this dish, I have paired Red Rooster’s Pinot Blanc as the subtle flavours of peach, apple & pear in the wine are so crisp and delicious, they offer a clean finish for the savoury chicken. A perfect accompaniment.  http://easypeasyeats.com/skillet-chicken-cordon-bleu/

All three recipes are featured this month on both CTV and Global TV! Red Rooster Winery is based in Naramata BC and their wines are available in stores or online at https://www.redroosterwinery.com