Holidays – Purple Cowboy Wines: Tenacious Red, Trail Boss Cabernet

Burgers and Cabs!

June 7, 2016July 14, 2016wsbrandsites

Happy cookout season, friends! With temperatures rising outside, these days we’re planning our meals around what can be tossed on the grill. And, with Father’s Day just around the bend, we’re lining up our favorite grilling recipes for an ample amount of summer cookouts.

When it comes to grilled meats, we recommend our award-winning Purple Cowboy Trail Boss Cabernet. This wine recently won double GOLD at the Taster’s Guild 2016 International Wine Competition and pairs deliciously with grilled red meat. Try Trail Boss with thick grilled cowboy steaks, tri-tip, roasts, stews and burgers.

Speaking of burgers, this recipe for bacon burgers topped with brie is on our must-have list this season.

Wishing you and yours a very happy Father’s Day and incredible summer ahead!

Bacon Burgers on Brioche Buns

(recipe via Food & Wine)

INGREDIENTS

2 medium red onions, thinly sliced
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground pepper
8 slices of thick-cut bacon (12 ounces)
3 pounds mixed ground chuck and ground sirloin
12 ounces brie, sliced
8 brioche burger buns, split

Preheat oven to 400°. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss the onions with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and roast until softened, about 20 minutes. Bake the bacon on a lined baking sheet while you’re roasting the onions (provided your oven can accommodate both).
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise with the lemon juice. Gradually whisk in the remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Light a grill or preheat a grill pan. Form the ground meat into eight patties. Season generously with salt and pepper and brush with olive oil. Grill over moderately high heat until well-browned on the bottom, 5 minutes. Flip the burgers, mound the brie on top and grill for 4 minutes longer, until the cheese is slightly melted and the burgers are medium-rare.
Spread the lemon mayonnaise on the cut sides of the buns; set the burgers on the bottoms and top with the bacon and onions.

Summertime Grill-fest

July 2, 2015July 15, 2015wsbrandsites

It’s hot out there, far too hot to turn on the oven, and the great outdoors are calling (even if it’s only as far as the back yard). Not to mention, the Fourth of July this Saturday provides the perfect opportunity to flex those grilling muscles in preparation for more summer cookouts and holidays.

May we present, one of the tastiest grilled sandwiches, that just to happens to pair deliciously with a glass of Purple Cowboy Tenacious Red (recent winner of the Chairman’s Award ‘Unanimous GOLD’ and Best of Class at the Riverside International Wine Competition!).

Hanger-Steak Sloppy Joe’s with Chopped Slaw

From Food & Wine Magazine

The Day Before: Glaze the Hanger Steak
GRAB:
8 dried guajillo chiles, seeded
4 large garlic cloves
2 t. dried oregano
6 T. canola oil, plus more for brushing
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 trimmed hanger steak (about 1 pound), cut into 4 pieces
1 large onion, finely chopped
1/4 c. light brown sugar
1/4 c. cider vinegar

In a medium microwave-safe bowl, cover the chiles with water and microwave at high power until softened, 5 minutes. Let cool slightly. Transfer the chiles and 1/2 cup of the soaking liquid to a blender. Add the garlic, oregano and 4 tablespoons of the canola oil; puree until very smooth. Strain the puree and season with salt and pepper.
Season the steaks with salt and pepper and rub with half of the chile puree. Transfer the steaks to a resealable plastic bag and refrigerate overnight.
In a medium saucepan, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. Add the onion and cook over moderate heat until softened, about 7 minutes. Add the remaining chile puree and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the brown sugar and vinegar and simmer for 3 minutes. Season the glaze with salt and pepper.
Light a grill or preheat a grill pan. Brush the steaks with oil and grill over moderate heat until medium-rare, 12 minutes; brush with 3 tablespoons of the glaze in the last 2 minutes. Let the steaks rest for 5 minutes before slicing 1/2 inch thick. Serve the steaks with the remaining chile glaze.

On the 4th:
GRAB:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
Salt and freshly ground pepper
12 ounces shredded coleslaw mix
Chile-Glazed Hanger Steak, plus leftover glaze, coarsely chopped
3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
6 brioche burger buns, toasted
Lettuce and tomato slices, for serving

In a bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, vinegar and sugar and season with salt and pepper. In a food processor, pulse the coleslaw until coarsely chopped. Stir the slaw into the dressing and let stand for 10 minutes.
In a large saucepan, combine the remaining glaze and the broth and simmer over moderate heat until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Add the chopped steak, season with salt and pepper and cook until just heated through, about 2 minutes.
Top the brioche buns with the lettuce and tomato and mound the steak on top. Using a slotted spoon, cover with the coleslaw. Close the Sloppy Joes and serve.

Father’s Day Grillin’ Gift Ideas

June 17, 2015June 17, 2015wsbrandsites

In case you haven’t heard, this Sunday, July 21, is Father’s Day. Though we’re hardly ever in need of a reason to light the grill, these fun grilling gifts can make it even more exciting:

Let them know just WHO grilled those steaks with a custom steak branding iron.

This set of wood chips gives him the option of infusing distinct and natural flavors of mesquite, hickory, or apple into his barbeque fare. They work for both gas and charcoal grills!

A regular after-hours griller? Pick up these grill tongs with built-in LED lights. Now we’re cookin’!

This summer is sure to get a whole lot hotter with a Jalapeno Poppers Grilling Rack. Yep, poppers, right on the grill. Genius!

And don’t forget that bottle of Purple Cowboy Tenacious Red or Trail Boss Cabernet Sauvignon – the perfect pair with just about any meat you’re grilling up. Find both in our online wine shop or fill out this form here and our Wine Sisters behind the scenes will help find it at a store near you.

Celebrating the Kentucky Derby

April 22, 2015April 22, 2015wsbrandsites

The 141st running of the Kentucky Derby is on Saturday, May 2, and you better believe we’ll be cheering on the top horses during the ‘greatest two minutes in sports,’ surrounded by friends, family, delicious eats and tasty cocktails!

Below are some Derby Day decorating ideas and a recipe for Hot Brown Bites that puts a new and tasty spin on the classic Hot Brown. Enjoy!

No Derby Day celebration is complete without a picture-perfect bar cart. Don’t forget the roses!

Set the table with decorative dishes and servingware fit for the occasion.

Serve a classic cocktail – the Mint Julep! We love this classic recipe here.

And a slice of cake, coconut cake to be exact. We’re fans of this tasty recipe here.

On the food menu: Hot Brown Bites. Hot Browns have been a Louisville tradition since the 1920’s. Click here to read about the history of The Brown Hotel’s “Hot Brown,” and get the recipe for the original Hot Brown here.

Hot Brown Bites

1. Brush slices of baguette with olive oil and toast until light brown.

2. Top baguette slices with turkey, Mornay sauce (we jazzed ours up with a squeeze of lemon and a couple of dashes of cayenne) and diced tomato.

3. Flash briefly under broiler until sauce bubbles.

4. Finish with toppings of chopped bacon, parsley and dusting of paprika.

Enjoy!

Cozy Up with Whiskey Sister Cowboy Cocktails

December 18, 2014wsbrandsites

Purple Cowboy is ringing in the new year with Whiskey Sister, and we’ve rustled up a few irresistible bourbon cocktails that will keep you and yours “fa la la la la-ing” all season long.

Coming in from the Cold

Whether you are skiing the trails, working the land, or outside stringing up the lights, nothing beats coming home and warming up. We recommend the Caffee d’Alpi, out of Boulder, CO that starts with your favorite hot coffee with bourbon, honey, and whipped cream for a mug full of delicious.

Or put a pot on the stove to simmer with Emeril’s Bourbon Spiked Hot Chocolate for a toastier take on hot cocoa. Top each cup with whipped cream, and you can even add a splash of bourbon when you whip that up, too!

New Classics

The Clint Eastwood—named in honor of the king of the spaghetti western—is a twist on the ultimate bourbon classic, the Manhattan using spiced vermouth with Italian Amerena cherries. Mix the bourbon, vermouth, and orange bitters in a shaker and strain into individual cocktail glasses.

For the whiskey-sour lovers out there, we’ve got two options that bring winter-time citrus flavors together with our favorite bourbon.

To make the Big Texan Bourbon and Grapefruit, from Austin-based chef James Holmes, combine fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice, simple syrup, and bourbon, and then shake and strain into ice-filled rocks glasses. Pucker up and enjoy!

The Ginger Gold Rush from Saveur uses ginger liqueur, lemon juice, and bourbon. Mix in a shaker and serve straight up, garnished with a cherry.

Bourbon South of the Border

A large batch of horchata, a Mexican rice drink made of rice and cinnamon, is perfect for the holidays all by its lonesome. But why not pair it up with Whiskey Sister Bourbon for a real kick? Now you’re giving eggnog a run for its money.

Since you can make the rice drink in advance and add the bourbon to pitchers or individual glasses, this is great for a crowd of thirsty cowboys and cowgirls. Start with a basic horchata recipe, or try Horchata with Cinnamon and Vanilla-Spiced Bourbon from food blog Tomato Tart, which brings in some more complex flavors. Whatever you chose, the smoky bite of the bourbon will help to balance the sweetness of the horchata.

We hope you enjoy the bourbon cocktails here, share your own favorites with us in the comments below. Whatever you are celebrating this year, and however you celebrate, we at Purple Cowboy and Whiskey Sister wish you a joyous and safe holiday season!

Planning a Cowboy Thanksgiving

November 7, 2014November 7, 2014wsbrandsites

Over here at Purple Cowboy, we are thankful for the grapes that make the wine, the horses that carry cowboys near and far, and our health, home, and families. In celebration of the first American holiday, we’ve assembled a range of Thanksgiving recipes that are sure to please, and a few simple, homey decorating ideas for your celebration.

First, the Grub

There’s no place like home for the holidays, and that starts with a good, hearty meal. We’ve put together some of the web’s best recipes for turkey plus our favorite sides. And of course Purple Cowboy Tenacious Red or Trail Boss Cabernet partner up nicely with anything you see here.

5 Ways to Do Turkey

The big day calls for a big bird! Take a look at these turkey-cooking tips plus an overview of cooking methods that put the focus on moist and tasty results.

Brine It! The Pioneer Woman swears by brining for the most reliably juicy meat. If you’re considering this method, it works best with a fresh turkey (frozen birds have a saline solution added and they can end up extra salty). Also check out Saveur’s Brined and Roasted Turkey and Alton Brown’s Brined Roast Turkey.
Southwestern Flavors: Get creative with the rub and bring your favorite flavors together for a bit of kick. Spices like cumin, smoked paprika, and coriander are ones to consider. Don’t forget the heat, from your chile of choice. There is no shortage of recipes to draw from if the flavors of the Southwest inspire you.
On the Grill: Why not bring the cooking outdoors? BBQing the turkey gives your kitchen a rest, and offers an easy way to work with individual turkey parts, or a spatchcocked bird if that is a better option for your family. For more on grilling turkey take a look at this overview at About.com, or Sara Moulton’s recipe on Food Network.
Smokin’ Good! If you take your BBQ seriously, why not smoke the bird, another way to guarantee seriously tender meat. You can use a regular grill, or a smoker. The guys over at Amazing Ribs and Smoker-Cooking have a lot to say on the subject. Esquire also offers up a tip or two, while Alton Brown has a brined/smoked combo.
In the Fryer: Deep frying the bird seals in juices and gives you moist and tender meat, crispy skin, and a lot of taste! Just be sure to keep it safe: only fry outside, away from anything flammable. This method works best with a small to medium sized turkey. The National Turkey Federation has a step-by-step tutorial that will get you frying your way to dinner in no time. If you are itching to try this method take a look at the recipes on Food Network and About.com as well.

Super Sides

Seems like every family’s got at least one or two favorite turkey-day recipes. But if you’re looking for a new take on an old favorite, there are literally thousands to sift through. Purple Cowboy has narrowed it down to just a handful that we can’t wait to serve up.

Buttermilk Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage: Buttermilk in the cornbread makes this, from the Beekman Boys, one of Country Living’s all-time best Thanksgiving recipes.
Sweet Potatoes with Praline Streusel: Here’s a rich and delicious sweet potato side from Country Living, topped with an irresistible pecan topping. Baked until it’s bubbly and crisp on top, this can be prepared ahead and reheated.
Green Bean Casserole is a classic, and this from-scratch version from Ree Drummond (Pioneer Woman) can’t be beat. She uses fresh green beans (but of course!) and a homemade cream sauce to bring all the ingredients together.
Chipotle-Corn Mashed Potatoes: Creamy with a touch of sweet and a touch of spicy, we love this take on traditional mashed potatoes.
Gratitude Rolls: What is the message of the day, if not to give thanks? Write out your own messages of gratitude on parchment paper, and roll ‘em up and bake with either store-bought crescent rolls, or the recipe shown here.

Spruce Up the House!

The focus is on the food for a reason, but we picked out a few easy and fun decorating ideas that work for all of fall.

Autumn Leaves Centerpiece: Fill an assortment of clear glass containers with locally found leaves, pine cones, or acorns. You can also use small apples, pumpkins, or other squash. You can even get in the mood for the big game by adding small football charms to the mix. Try Mason jars, vases, or pitchers for the right look to go with your table.
Family Photo Centerpiece: Print out family photos from Thanksgivings gone by, support them with floral card holders, and add to your own arrangements of seasonal flowers. Instructions are available in this tutorial.
Corn and Leaf Wreath: Add silk leaves or flowers in fall colors, plus small ears of dried corn to a plain twig wreath. Use this on the table as part of a centerpiece, or as a wall or door decoration. Learn how to do it here.

The Wine Sisterhood’s collection of wine bottle crafts offers more great ideas for seasonal decorating.

We hope you enjoy our Thanksgiving recipe and decorating round up. From all of us here at Purple Cowboy, we’re wishing you a holiday full of all the things to be thankful for: home, health, family and friends.

Mother’s Day Treats & Eats

April 30, 2014May 1, 2014wsbrandsites

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 11. We’re giving you ample time to plan out the perfect day and pay tribute to all the Moms in your life. Mom was the first one to patch up that scraped knee when you fell off your first tractor, or to dust away the dirt the first time you were bucked off a horse.

Its time to celebrate her! We’ve gathered some ideas that might help you express your love for these ladies with gracious amounts of all of her favorite things, wine, chocolate, food, and you!

Spoil her, let her sleep in a little longer and prepare her breakfast in bed. Nothin’ says love like heart-shaped toast and eggs! (Image via Pip and Ebby)

Just as perfect as this idea is for Valentine’s Day, it is also full of love for Mother’s Day. Eggs, toast, pancakes or bacon (yes, bacon) – get creative and whip up her favorite!

If you like to bake, this is your time to shine! Bake Mom a cake! Or a pie, or cupcakes, or how about a Flower Pot Cake? Because Moms seem to have a knack for making things grow. (Image and recipe via Will Cook for Friends)

Now, the real fun starts with dinner. If you do a roast, you can set it out early to let simmer. We recommend a beef, chicken, or a classic lamb roast which pairs beautifully with Purple Cowboy Tenacious Red’s hints of black cherries, plum, cola, rose petal and vanilla. Purple Cowboy Tenacious Red pairs particularly well with this buttery and tender Unbelievably Easy Roast Beef via Crepes of Wrath.

Unbelievably Easy Roast Beef

Cook time: 1 hour

Total time: 1 hour

Serves: 6

Ingredients

1 2.5 lb boneless eye-round roast, tied
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon + 1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons dried basil
1½ teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes (this is a good amount and makes a decently hot roast, so cut it back to 1 teaspoon if you’re sensitive to heat)
3 cloves of garlic, finely minced to a paste (see the photos above for an explanation)

Instructions

The day before you plan to cook the roast, sprinkle the salt evenly over the meat, rolling it on your board to pick up excess salt that has failed to stick. Wrap it with plastic wrap and refrigerate it overnight, or at least for a few hours the day of.
Place the oven rack in the middle position and preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Remove the roast from the refrigerator and use paper towels to dry excess moisture from the meat. Rub the roast all over with the teaspoon of oil before evenly sprinkling on the oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, pepper and garlic.
Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it just begins to simmer and slightly smoke. Add the roast and sear until richly browned on all sides (including the sides and the ends), 3 to 4 minutes per side.
Transfer the roast to a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet and sprayed with Pam. Roast the meat for 1 hour and 20 minutes, or until the meat reaches 115 degrees F on a meat thermometer. Turn the oven off, leaving the roast in the oven for another 30-40 minutes, or until the roast reaches an internal temperature of 130 degrees F for medium-rare or 140 degrees F for medium. Do not cook the roast past medium or the meat will be too dry!
Remove the roast from the oven to a carving board and allow to cool for at least 15 minutes. Slice the meat as thinly as possible and serve with potatoes, vegetables, and/or crusty bread.

– See more at: Crepesofwrath.com

Uncork your Purple Cowboy, slice thin and serve.

For dessert, do a little chocolate research. Find out what pairs well with her favorite wine. Try the Wine Sisterhood wine and chocolate pairing guide.

With Purple Cowboy wines, we recommend milk chocolate or dark chocolate and caramel. Nothing too extravagant, but we’ll bet it will be a day she won’t forget.

And lastly, we took the hard part out of finding Mom a gift. We pre-packaged some of the favorite Wine Shop goodies into one Mom-themed gift package! Happy Mother’s Day!