Zin Cup Recipes

ZINFANDEL WINE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups. Make cake batter as directed on box, using cake mix, water, 1/2 cup wine, oil and eggs. Stir in chocolate chips. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups (about two-thirds full).
• Bake 20 to 22 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• In large bowl, beat powdered sugar, butter, cocoa and salt with electric mixer on low speed until blended. Beat in 1/2 cup wine. If frosting is too thick, beat in more wine a few drops at a time. Frost cupcakes. Garnish with chocolate curls.

CARAMELIZED ONION ZIN-BURGERS WITH CRISPY CHEDDAR FRICO

Steps:

• Heat a 10-inch saute pan over high heat. When hot add the olive oil, onions, and season with some salt and black pepper. Reduce heat to medium-high and continue to cook for 10 minutes until caramelized, stirring often. Sprinkle in the thyme and continue to cook for one minute. Add the Zinfandel and cook until wine is 2/3 reduced. Take off the heat and let cool to room temperature.
• For the Cheddar fricos: In an 8-inch nonstick pan heated over medium-high heat add 1/4 cup shredded cheese. Cook until cheese is light brown on the bottom. Turn over with a plastic spatula and continue cooking for another 10 to 15 seconds. Remove to a plate to cool. Wipe pan and start again until 6 fricos are complete.
• Form 6 (1/2-pound) beef patties and season very well with sea salt and black pepper on each side. Place on a hot grill and cook until nicely browned, approximately 5 minutes. Turn over and continue to cook to desired doneness.
• A couple of minutes before the burgers are done halve the rolls and lightly brown on the grill, open side down.
• Place burgers on the bottom halves of the rolls, adding a generous helping of onions. Season the tomato slices with salt and pepper. Top the burgers with frico, tomato slice and greens. Roll up your sleeves and dive in.

ZIN CUP

Steps:

• Add wine and Pimm's to a highball glass filled with ice, then top with ginger beer. Garnish with cucumber and strawberry.

ZINFANDEL SALAD DRESSING RECIPE - (4/5)

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients except mayonnaise in blender; blend until onions and garlic are minced. Add mayonnaise and blend until smooth. Refrigerate until cold. Whisk dressing before using. This recipe yields about 1 1/4 cups.

ZINFANDEL BEEF STOCK

Steps:

• Heat oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Add beef bones; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Sauté until deep brown, turning occasionally, about 15 minutes. Using tongs, transfer bones to bowl. Add onions, carrots, and celery to pot. Sauté until deep brown, about 10 minutes. Return bones and any juices to pot. Add 3 quarts cold water, wine, and next 3 ingredients. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until reduced to 3 1/2 cups liquid, about 3 hours. Strain stock into bowl. Refrigerate uncovered until cold, at least 4 hours. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Cover; keep chilled.) Spoon off fat before using stock.

SHU JAM FIZZ

Steps:

• Rinse a Collins glass by swirling absinthe inside it, just enough to coat the sides; discard excess. Combine gin, jam, fennel syrup, lemon juice and bitters in a shaker with ice, and shake. Add ice to the prepared glass, and into that strain the contents of the shaker. Top with the soda, and serve.

ATOMIC COCKTAIL

Steps:

• Add the vodka, Cognac and sherry to a mixing glass with ice, and stir. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and top with the Champagne.