WARM LEEK-SHIITAKE GOAT CHEESE SPREAD

A new twist of the classic American cheese ball, this festive spread will make the holidays jingle! 

Recipe by: Gabrielle

SERVES: 6

Wine Pairing:  2018 Pietro Family Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Reserve, Napa Valley

PREP TIME: 10 minutes COOK TIME: 10 minutes TOTAL TIME: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• ¼ cup canola oil
• ⅔ cup leeks (white part), finely diced
• 6 oz. shiitake mushrooms, de-stemmed, cleaned, cut into ¼” slices, about 3 cups
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp. GC Napa Valley Natural Olive Spice Blend
• ¼ tsp. GC Napa Valley Natural Culinary Lavender Tellicherry Pepper
• 1 tsp. GC Napa Valley Natural Marjoram Finishing Sea Salt
• ⅓ cup 2018 Pietro Family Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Reserve, Napa Valley
• 1 cup (8 oz.) goat cheese, room temperature
• ½ cup (4 oz.) cream cheese or mascarpone, room temperature
• ¼ cup milk + more if needed
• 1 Tbsp. GC Napa Valley Natural Meyer Lemon Olive Oil
• ½ cup French’s Crispy Fried Onions
• Serving accompaniments: See Recipes – Herb Sea Salt Tortilla Crisps, Lemon Olive Oil Crostini, Grilled Crostini with Rosemary Sea Salt, Other – pumpernickel bread, buttery crackers, Belgian endive leaves, cauliflower florets, spears of celery, cucumber, and red bell pepper

TO PREPARE

1. Heat canola oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add leeks, cook 2 minutes. Add shiitakes, cook 3-4 minutes or until tender. Add garlic, Olive Spice, Lavender Tellicherry Pepper, Marjoram Finishing Sea Salt and cook 1 minute to ‘bloom’ the spices and herbs. Off heat add Pietro Family Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Reserve. Return to heat and reduce wine, 2-3 minutes. FOODIE KITCHEN TECHNIQUE: ‘Blooming’ is the process of briefly heating spices/herbs to extract more flavor, preferably done in oil because the flavor compounds in many spices/herbs are fat soluble.
2. Add both cheeses to a glass mixing bowl. Microwave at 10 second intervals to soften. Stir in ¼ cup milk and leek-shiitake mixture. Microwave again at 10 second intervals to heat through. TIP: Make spread ahead (so flavors can meld), refrigerate, microwave at intervals, or reheat in a 300-degree oven for 10-15 minutes. If the spread is too thick add 1 Tbsp. or more milk.

TO SERVE

SHOPPING LIST

• 1 bottle canola oil
• 1 large leek
• 6 oz. shiitake mushrooms
• 1 garlic bulb
• 1 bottle 2018 Pietro Family Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Reserve, Napa Valley
• 8 oz. goat cheese
• 4 oz. cream cheese or mascarpone
• 1 pint milk
• 1 container 2.8 oz. French’s Crispy Fried Onions
• Serving accompaniments: See Recipes – Herb Sea Salt Tortilla Crisps, Lemon Olive Oil Crostini, Grilled Crostini with Rosemary Sea Salt, Other – pumpernickel bread, buttery crackers, Belgian endive leaves, cauliflower florets, spears of celery, cucumber, and red bell pepper