Clif Notes

Sunday Brunch – at your Leisure…

Originally Posted by Efrain Barragan on Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Sunday is the perfect day to enjoy an artfully prepared Brunch. Special occasions like Graduation Parties, Father’s Day, or Baby Showers are more special when you can leisurely enjoy with friends and family.

This buttery French Toast recipe pairs perfectly with a chilled bottle of our 2011 Dry Gewürztraminer. This aromatic wine pairs beautifully with the orange and honey based batter. Garnish this decadent dish with your favorite seasonal fruit. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 6 eggs – Organic
• 1 1/2 cups half and half
• 1 tsp. Orange Zest
• 1/2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
• 1 TBS Honey
• 1/2 tsp. sea salt
• 1 loaf Challah Bread
• Unsalted Butter

Preparation:

Preheat your oven to 250 degrees F.

Wisk together eggs, half and half, orange zest, vanilla, honey and salt. Slice Challah bread in thick 3/4 inch slices. Soak each slice in egg mixture for 5 minutes, turning once. Melt 1 Tablespoon Butter and 1 Tablespoon of Vegetable oil on large nonstick griddle over medium heat. Add the soaked bread and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Place the cooked French Toast on a sheet pan and keep warm in the oven. Serve with sliced fresh fruit, maple cured bacon and warmed syrup.

* Special Note: Recipe was adapted from Barefoot Contessa, Family Style and the Food Network.

Meyer Lemon Pasta with Asparagus

Originally Posted by Efrain Barragan on Monday, May 21, 2012

A post from our Master Chef, Anna Callaway

Spring is here, time to celebrate with Greens! Inspired by my upcoming trip to Florence, Italy, I have created a simple, classic pasta with Asparagus.

This is a perfect Saturday evening meal, enjoyed with a glass of the 2011 Rte Blanc Sauvignon Blanc from the Clif Family Winery.

Ingredients:

• Fresh Asparagus – 1 lb.
• Fresh Pasta, fettucine style
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 1 Tbsp. lemon zest
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• one clove of garlic, minced
• 2 shallots, minced
• 2 Tbsp Clif Family Winery Olive Oil
• 1 Tbsp Butter, unsalted
• 3 ounces of white wine, Rte Blanc 11 - Clif Family Winery
• 2 oz. freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Preparation:

In a large stainless pot, add 3 quarts of water and 1 generous tablespoon of sea salt. Bring to a boil and add 1 lb. of asparagus, ends trimmmed. Remove asparagus after 2 minutes and place in a single layer to cool, reserve cooking water. In a stainless skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter along with 1 tablespoon of Olive Oil. Add the minced shallots, garlic and red pepper flakes. Saute for 2 minutes and add the lemon juice and white wine, reduce until syrupy. While the mixture is reducing, bring the water to boil again and add the fresh pasta. Remove the pasta noodles after 90 seconds and add to your skillet and toss. Adjust the consistency of the pasta and sauce with your pasta water, adding 1 tablespoon at a time. Garnish with shaved Parmigiano-Regiano and lemon zest. Enjoy!

News from the Clif Family Farm

Originally Posted by Efrain Barragan on Saturday, April 7, 2012

Spring has sprung…with winter weather! As we all know, the wet weather is welcome. I admit to being thrilled by the sunny, dry winter as far as personal enjoyment, but in the back of my mind was a tad of worry for the summer months to come. Colby, Brad and the rest of the guys at the Farm have working hard all winter expanding the gardens, cultivating the soil, preparing the irrigation, adding bee habitat and renewing our honey bee program with the help of Rob Keller of the Napa Valley Bee Company. More fruit and almond trees were planted as well. The olive trees continue to mature and will hopefully be providing fruit for our extra virgin olive oil next year. We have 47 chicks that are thriving and will eventually be providing farm fresh eggs!

In the garden we now are sowing beets, carrots, and turnips. Potatoes will be added in the next week or so. We are still on plan to have various greens, garlic, broccoli, cauliflower, roots, etc for the early part of the season for our CSA boxes. Speaking of our CSA program, we filled up quickly this year, adding 10 new spaces, and are currently taking names for our waiting list. Pick up will still be Tuesday afternoons.

If you would like more information, please contact Chris at chale@clifbar.com.

The Benefits of Dark Chocolate

Originally Posted by Efrain Barragan on Monday, April 2, 2012

Who can resist the lure of an organic California almond enrobed in rich, organic, dark chocolate (54% cocoa) kissed with a touch of Balinese Sea Salt? We all hear about the health benefits of dark chocolate, but I just read a few that struck a chord with me. Given the gray days lately, you will be happy to hear that the serotonin level in dark chocolate may act as an effective anti-depressant! One of the most exciting health benefits of dark chocolate is the enhancement of endorphin production which results in the generation of the feeling of pleasure!

For more fun facts check out http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/other/health-benefits-of-dark-chocolate.html.

Blood Oranges With Shrimp Escabeche

Originally Posted by Efrain Barragan on Saturday, March 31, 2012

A post from our Master Chef, Anna Callaway

I found this recipe the January 2004 Edition of Bon Appetit and have been making it every since as an appetizer

for a dinner party or with wine on the patio with friends. It is always a hit!

It pairs very well with the Clif Family Winery’s Sauvignon Blanc.

Blood Oranges are a winter fruit but you can substitute Cara, Cara Oranges or fresh squeezed orange juice.

Let’s begin!

Prepare your blood oranges by slicing in half and use a juicer for best results. I use the Professional Juicer by Waring and it works just great.

Look at the deep orange , beautiful color. Save any extra juice in a silicone ice cube tray and freeze for later use.

Next, set up 1 lb. of large prawns. You will need to peel and devein your prawns. Do not substitute cocktail shrimp here! It will not have the wonderful texture only large prawns can provide.

Your sauce will include the blood orange juice, chopped celery, red onion and red bell pepper a garlic clove and fresh lemon juice. The wine you see here is for the chef!

The sauce will be cooked in a medium saucepan until reduced to one cup about 20 minutes. Cool and mix in red crushed pepper.

Cook your prawns in a little butter. Watch as they turn pink in about 3 minutes. Do not overcook, otherwise they will be rubbery. Set aside to cool.

Cut your prawns into 1/2 pieces and combine with the vegetables and some Clif Family Winery Olive Oil.

Arrange Shrimp Escabeche in a shallow serving dish and add additional Olive Oil if desired. Serve with tortilla or pita chips.

Enjoy with a nice cold glass of the Clif Family Winery’s 2011 Rte Blanc Sauvignon Blanc!

Recipe:

Yields 6 servings

1 cups fresh squeezed Blood Oranges

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

2 large garlic cloves minced ( divide)

Pinch of salt

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1 lb. cooked, deveined shrimp, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

3/4 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup diced red onion

1/4 cup fresh cilantro

3 tablespoons olive oil

Preparation:

Combine Blood Orange Juice, Lemon Juice, and 1 minced garlic clove in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Add a pinch of salt:

boil until syrupy and is reduced to 1/2 cup. This will take about 20 minutes. Cool and mixed in crushed red pepper.

Mix shrimp, bell pepper, celery, red onion, cilantro, and olive oil. Toss with cooled blood orange mixture and remaining minced garlic clove.

Season with sea salt and freshly ground pepper. Cover and chill until cool around 2 hours. Best if served the day it is made. Can be made up 8 hours in advance.

Almond Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

Originally Posted by Efrain Barragan on Wednesday, March 14, 2012

A post from our Master Chef, Anna Callaway

Almond Stuffed Pork Tenderloin with a wine and cherry reduction sauce - Pair with Gary's Improv Zinfandel

Diced roasted almonds with goat cheese and fresh herbs

Butterfly tenderloin, pound flat and add almond mixture

Pan sear tenderloin

Serve with Broccolini and Pureed Cauliflower

Recipe using Sundried Berries and Cherries

1.5 lb pork tenderloin
½ cup chopped almonds (fromSundried Berries and Cherries)
¼ cup goat cheese
2 T chopped fresh thyme
2 T Olive Oil – Clif Family Winery
2 T unsalted butter
1 cup Gary’s Improv Zinfandel Wine1 cup chicken or beef stock
½ cup chopped dried cherries ( from Sundried Berries and Cherries)
( soak the dried cherries in the Zinfandel wine while you are preparing the tenderloin)
Fresh ground pepper and salt to start
Preheat oven to 375 F

Instructions:

Chop the roasted almonds and combine with the goat cheese and herbs. Butterfly the tenderloin and flatten with a mallet. Carefully place the goat cheese and almond mixture in the center of the tenderloin. Roll the tenderloin around the center mixture to create a roll. Tie the tenderloin every 2 inches with twine. Sear in a pan with the olive oil for about 10 minutes. Place in the oven and cook for 20 minutes. Temperature should reach 145 to 150 F. Let rest. While the tenderloin is cooking, bring the wine, broth, and dried berries to a simmer in a sauce pan. Cook until reduced to one cup. Remove from heat and swirl in butter, remaining thyme and season with salt and pepper. To serve, thinly slice pork tenderloin and serve with sauce.