Red wine is one of humankind’s most divine creations, one of the best luxuries in the world. For wine fans, one of the highest pleasures in the world is to zip to a winery or grocery store, pick out a random wine, and figure out what to make for dinner based on the wine.
So, let’s say that’s you. You’ve just returned from your favorite wine dealer with a bottle of grenache wine. This wine comes from the grenache grapes grown throughout France, Spain, Australia, California, and Washington State. They are essential to many red blends.
So, if you are interested in determining what wine pairs with grenache, you’re in the right place. Read on for some answers.
What is the best food for grenache?
Grenache is a full-bodied wine with a soft flavor that is moderately acidic. It can be a forceful wine, usually because it gets blended with strong grapes like syrah and mourvèdre. Other blends, like Côtes du Rhône, are a bit softer.
The best approach for pairing food with grenache is to get something rich, savory, and full-bodied–the same as pairing syrah with food or picking a Chateauneuf du pape food pairing. Garnacha food can come from a variety of cultures–whether you’re wondering what wine goes with Chinese food or what the best venison wine pairing is, grenache tends to be a food answer.
Although many recipes work well with grenache, this article will outline one of the best: the delectable Spanish rabbit dish called conejo al salmorejo.
Best Food for Grenache Recipe - Conejo en Salmorejo
Ingredients
- 1 Whole rabbit divided into legs and loins
- ¼ cups Salt
- ¼ cups Brown sugar
- 1¼ cups Chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 cups Coriander
- 4 Bay leaves
- Several sprigs thyme
- 3 Tbsp Flour
- 7 Tbsp Olive oil
- ½ Onion, sliced
- 10 Cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Dried ancho chiles
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1½ Tbsp Spanish smoked paprika (pimenton)
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Mix the wine, salt, brown sugar, vinegar, coriander, bay leaves, and thyme in a large bowl until combined. If needed, combine the ingredients in a saucepan and bring them to a simmer, then add a cup of water to cool them.
- Add the rabbit to the mixture and marinate them for several hours or, ideally, overnight.
- After the rabbit finishes marinating, remove it and reserve the marinade. Pat the rabbit dry, then dust it with two tablespoons of flour.
- Heat a heavy-bottomed pot over medium to medium-high heat. Add the rabbit, then sear it under golden brown on all sides. Remove the rabbit. In the remaining oil, saute the onion until soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and saute until fragrant.
- Strain the solids out of the marinade and add the marinade to the pot. Add the broth, chiles, cumin, pimenton, salt, and pepper.
- Return the rabbit to the pot and cover it with a lid. Add it to the oven and braise for between an hour and ninety minutes or until the rabbit is tender. Remove the rabbit from the pot to cool.
- Strain the solids out of the sauce, then mix the remaining one tablespoon of flour. Return the liquid to a simmer and cook for five minutes until it’s slightly thickened.
- Spoon the sauce over the rabbit and serve hot alongside a glass of grenache.
Tips & Tricks for Grenache Recipe – Conejo en Salmorejo
Do I Need Spanish Paprika for This Recipe?
It is possible to substitute standard paprika or sweet paprika for the Spanish paprika (pimenton) in this recipe. However, losing the smoky flavor will change the dish significantly, so you might consider adding a smoky ingredient like ancho chiles or liquid smoke to substitute.
Why Does Grenache Pair With Salmorejo al Conejo?
Like grenache, salmorejo al conejo comes from Spain (specifically, the Canary Islands), where spicy, smoky, hardy flavors are quite common in regional cuisines. These flavors mesh well with the flavorful body of grenache, making them an almost perfect pairing. On top of that, the alcohol in the grenache can help offset the spicy mouthfeel of the rabbit.
Do All Grenaches Taste the Same?
Not all Grenaches taste the same. To name just three examples: Spanish grenache (called Garnacha) is a full-bodied, sugary, spicy wine, while French grenache is smokier and less alcoholic, and American grenache tends to be rather fruit-forward.
What Foods Pair Best With Grenache?
In addition to the conejo al salmorejo recipe listed above, a wide variety of other dishes work well with grenache. The key is to pick out foods that are rich and hearty to complement the full-bodied depth of the wine. You could serve a shepherd’s pie with ground beef, turkey, or lamb; you could drink the wine with a Chinese braised pork belly or try pairing it with a piping hot plate of pasta bolognese. The world is your oyster!
Is Grenache a Healthy Wine Choice?
While it might sound surprising, red wines have health benefits when users consume them in moderation. They contain antioxidants that can help with general health, and the resveratrol content in red wine can help prevent cardiovascular disease.
On top of that, grenache is an especially healthy wine, clocking fewer calories than its counterparts. Grenache lovers everywhere can rejoice!
Nutrition Information of Grenache Recipe – Conejo en Salmorejo
Calories: 394
Total Fat: 26.6 g
Cholesterol: 51 mg
Sodium: 5887 mg
Carbohydrates: 20.8 g
Protein: Protein 22.1 g
Calcium: 72 mg
Iron: 5 mg
Potassium: 598 mg
Final Thoughts
Wine lovers everywhere know that a bottle of red goes to waste when you pair it with the wrong meal (well, you can drink it by itself, but only do that in moderation). If you’re wondering about the best food for grenache, look no further.
You can cook up a big bowl of bolognese, a shepherd’s pie, a pot of pulled pork, or any other hardy meal, and grenache will be there for you. So what are you waiting for? Get cooking!
I am the worst cook, and this Recipe, you would have thought I was a Chef!!!
We loved this recipe. It was so flavorful. Thanks for posting.
I really liked this recipe and I made this as written