When I grow up

From the first time I saw her a few years ago, I've wanted to be Maria Helm Sinskey when I grew up.  Never mind the fact that I am indeed grown up.  I don't know her personally, but from all appearances she seems to have had an enviable life. 

She moved from upstate New York to the San Francisco Bay area and then finally, the Napa Valley.  She worked in a critically acclaimed restaurant--The Plumpjack Cafe--as a chef before becoming the chef de cuisine at the winery she co-owns with her husband, Robert Sinskey Vineyards.  She has two adorable children and gets to dream up recipes and menus all day, in between hosting wonderful vineyard meals for family, friends, and the public.  Now, understand, I love my life.  But everyone now and again, that cooking for a winery gig seems pretty cool.

A couple of years ago Maria came out with a cookbook, The Vineyard Kitchen.  Unlike some who desired to cook through the Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking, this is my tome of choice.  I'm only about a fifth of the way there but every recipe I bring to life makes me want to delve even deeper.

The Vineyard Kitchen is divided by season and the recipes really work to get one in tune with the weather, the landscape, and the body's need to be satiated.  With those butternut squash that I picked today I was able to turn to the fall section of Sinskey's book and find a recipe that was perfect for my appetite, energy level, and the ingredients that I would naturally have on hand this time of year.

To accompany the butternut squash and sage soup--topped with a dollop of creme fraiche-- Maria recommends a German Riesling and buttermilk biscuits.  I chose a New York State semi dry Riesling produced by Widmer Vineyards' new Brickstone label--a very nice fruity wine with the right amount of sugar to complement the soup.  And the biscuits--I had to put them away for fear that I'd scarf them up before midnight--they were the lightest biscuits I've had in awhile. 

So its too late for me to grow up to be Maria Helm Sinskey but in the end, living my life and cooking her recipes is the better deal.

Comments

[Lenn]

I've never had that riesling...it's so annoying to me that I can't get very many Finger Lakes/Hudson valley wines here on Long Island.

[LisaSD]

What a nice tribute to her. I think I'll have to check out the cookbook! Thanks!

[Jennifer]

Lenn, I know what you mean. That great New York wine store, Vintage New York, in Long Island and the Upstate--not just NYC and the Hudson Valley.

Lisa, I highly recommend the cookbook--you check out the Robert Sinskey Vineyards website for some recipes online--both under "Kitchen" and under each wine description--they include food pairings and recipes with each one.