Inniskillin Estate Chef David Penny crafts the perfectly paired menu for spending an intimate Valentine's Day at home

Step 1: Start the night off with this salacious snack…

INNISKILLIN ICEWINE MIGNONETTE

SERVING: Makes ½ cup

INGREDIENTS

  • ½ cup Riesling Icewine
  • 2 bay leafs
  • 2 stems fresh thyme
  • ¼ cup rice wine vinegar
  • 2 TBSP finely diced shallots
  • 1 TBSP fresh cracked pepper


DIRECTIONS

  • Combine Icewine with thyme & bay leafs, reduce by half and strain out herbs
  • Cool and add remaining ingredients
  • Store in airtight container in the fridge, will keep up to 2 weeks
  • Serve atop your favourite freshly shucked oyster


WINE PAIRING

  • This take on a classic dish uses Icewine as the main ingredient in place of red wine vinegar. The acidity and residual sugar plays well with briney oysters. Mirroring the flavours in the condiment makes it a perfect match with Inniskillin Riesling.



STEP 2: Ready for more? Move on to this mouthwatering main…

CLASSIC CHICKEN AND FRIED WAFFLES

SERVING: 4

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces
  • 3 cups flour
  • 3 TBSP ground cumin
  • 1 L buttermilk
  • 1 TBSP chili flakes
  • 2 TBSP paprika
  • 2 TBSP kosher salt
  • 1 TBSP black pepper
  • 4 L vegetable oil, for frying
  • 2 stems fresh thyme
  • 1 head garlic
  • 4 sage leaves


DIRECTIONS

  • Combine buttermilk, 1 TBSP salt, chili, paprika and pepper in a bowl and pour over chicken
  • Let sit for at least 4 hours, or overnight
  • In a separate bowl combine flour, cumin and 1 TBSP salt
  • Remove chicken from marinade and toss in flour mixture to coat
  • Place on a drying rack for 20 minutes before frying, this will give you a great crispy texture
  • Place oil in deep pot and add garlic, thyme & sage bring oil to 350 degrees F
  • Gently place chicken into oil and cook for 12 minutes, or until cooked through
  • Season with salt immediately


WILD RICE WAFFLE

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 cups flour
  • ½ cup cooked wild rice
  • 1 ¾ cups milk
  • ½ butter, melted
  • 4 TSP baking powder
  • ½ TSP salt


DIRECTIONS

  • In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, butter and milk
  • In a separate bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt
  • Combine the flour mixture into the eggs and milk
  • Whisk until smooth, stir in wild rice
  • Cook mixture in waffle iron


To finish the dish, place the waffles on a plate and top with chicke; Drizzle with honey & serve.

WINE PAIRING

  • Inniskillin Pinot Noir: The hints of spice and aromatics in the medium bodied Pinot Noir picks up the subtle spiciness of the chicken and the toastiness of the waffle.



STEP 3: Done dinner? Indulge in this delicious dessert…

CINNAMON 'RED HOTS' PANNA COTTA

SERVING: 6

INGREDIENTS

  • 250 mL 2% milk
  • 250 mL 35% cream
  • 8 sheets gelatin
  • 2 sticks cinnamon
  • 1 TSP ground cinnamon
  • 1 small red beet, cut in half
  • ½ cup sugar


DIRECTIONS

  • Place gelatin sheets into a bowl and cover with room temperature water for about 5 minutes
  • In a saucepot, combine remaining ingredients and bring to a gentle boil
  • Remove gelatin from water while squeezing out the excess water, and whisk into the warm cream mixture
  • Strain liquid and pour into ramekins
  • Cover and set in the fridge overnight, or until the gelatin is set
  • Garnish panna cotta with Icewine whipped cream and grated cinnamon hearts


ICEWINE WHIPPED CREAM

INGREDIENTS

  • 1/2 cup 35% cream
  • 1 TBSP sugar
  • 2 TBSP Riesling Icewine

DIRECTIONS

  • Place chilled cream, sugar and Icewine seed in a bowl or mixer. Mix on medium setting or whisk until firm.

WINE PAIRING

  • Inniskillin Riesling Icewine: The elegance and balanced richness of the Riesling Icewine melts into the textures and spiced flavours of the panna cotta without competing with it.


STEP 4: Pop some corn, pop in a romantic flick, and snuggle up with your lover for a Valentine's Day at home…

Forget about red roses and Hallmark cards! For lovers looking to lay low but keep it luxe, Inniskillin, Canada's first estate winery, offers a romantic alternative: classic movies paired with premium wine, and an equally swanky snack.

Inniskillin White Truffle Parmesan Popcorn
 
Ingredients:

  • ½ cup popping corn
  • 2 TBSP olive oil
  • 2 TBSP fresh grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 TBSP fresh chopped parsley
  • 2 TSP white truffle oil
  • 1 TSP salt
  •  Serves two (wink, wink)


Directions:

  • Combine oils in a small bowl
  • Pop corn using air popper or stovetop method
  • Drizzle popcorn with oils; toss to mix
  • Season with salt, to taste
  • Sprinkle grated Parmesan and chopped parsley
  • Toss again; serve warm


WINE PAIRING:

The well-rounded Inniskillin Unoaked Chardonnay has a smooth finish that matches the great mouth feel of the white truffle Parmesan popcorn.

Recipes by David Penny, Inniskillin Winery Estate Chef, www.inniskillin.com

Canadian modern furniture brand, EQ3 provided us with a selection of gorgeous bedding and accessories fit for Valentine’s Day this morning. The company creates affordable, contemporary styles for everyday life with simple, clean and functional design. The following items were included in the segment and are available via www.eq3.com.

  • Bento Bed in Tulsa II Bisque
  • White Sheet Set
  • White Moncton Duvet Set
  • Marimekko Pirput Parput Cushions
  • Marimekko Red Pieni Unikko Cushions
  • Marimekko Unikko Table Cloth
  • Marimekko Unikko Paper Napkins
  • Sagaform Oval Oak Bed Tray
  • Sagaform X-Mas Bowls