Movie Night: Italian Risotto Dinner and Harlem Nights

Dinner

Risotto is a dish that's become associated with fancy high end restaurants, but really, it's the epitome of Italian home cooking and comfort food. Knowing how to make a good risotto is something we think every cook should have in their back pocket, if only because it's one of those dishes that's so satisfying and easy to prepare, and it never fails to impress. What You Need

Ingredients

1 small onion
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups arborio, carnaroli, or vialone nano rice
1/2 cup white wine
6-8 cups vegetable or chicken stock
1-2 tablespoons butter
1 cup cheese (Parmesan is classic, but you can use any kind)

My Drink:

To go with my Italian Risotto I reached out to the Vineyards of South America and they tossed me the exquisite 2008 Gryphus Sauvignon Blanc white wine to compliment this dish. This wine is light and citrusy while still presenting a full body that stood up well to the strong and spicy flavors of the Risotto. The lime in the wine and the Parmesan complemented each other well and this is overall a refreshing spring wine.

The gryphus, or Andean condor, is the national symbol of Chile. This enormous mountain bird, largest in the Western Hemisphere, plays a cultural role similar to that of the bald eagle in North America. On the front label, though, there is actually a mythological gryphus (or griffin), which has the body of a lion and the head and talons of an eagle. Folklore, culture and mythology aside, this is one tasty Sauvignon Blanc. The fruit, from the cool climate Rapel Valley, is picked separately and fermented separately by lot. Winemaker Andre Caballero may find himself in the New World, but his palate, if this wine is any indication, lies squarely in the Old World.

Movie Pick:

Harlem Nights: In the waning days of Prohibition, Sugar Ray (Richard Pryor) and his adopted son, Quick (Eddie Murphy), run a speakeasy called Club Sugar Ray. When gangster Bugsy Calhoune (Michael Lerner) learns that Sugar Ray's place is pulling in more money than his own establishment, the Pitty Pat Club, he pays corrupt cop Phil Cantone (Danny Aiello) to close Club Sugar Ray down. Quick doesn't exactly help the situation when he falls for Calhoune's gun moll, Miss Dominique La Rue (Jasmine Guy). Initial release: November 17, 1989, Director: Eddie Murphy, Screenplay: Eddie Murphy Budget: 30 million USD, Box office: 95 million USD

Evening Cigar:

Finish watching my movie with the NUB Connecticut 358 Cigar from Nicaragua. Manufactured by the Oliva Cigar Co., the concept is a cigar which, instead of just having a 'sweet spot,' is in its entirety a 'sweet spot.' Sporting a light, creamy Connecticut wrapper and a Nicaraguan core, this Nub renders a smooth, medium-bodied smoke laced with complex woody and toasty flavors. Goes very well with my after dinner palate of Italian Risotto and Chilean white wine.

Now time to enjoy my Harlem Nights movie. Good night my friends and Peace be the Journey.

The VIP Gypsy