I love the outdoors and think of grilling as a little bit of a camping experience each time you fire up the grill, even in an urban setting. I live in South Florida, and we’ve seen some rough hurricanes in the past decade. We’ve lost our power for weeks at a time and were it not for my trusty propane grill, we would not have had hot food. There is just something about grilling that really brings people together, and makes a meal with family and friends so much more enjoyable, devastating weather, or not!
Steak and fries naturally pair well, and I wanted something that would taste great on both. Lemons were my first inspiration, as I love the bright flavor they bring to so many foods. The addition of the traditional flavors in Caesar dressing of garlic, Worcestershire and parmesan brought it all together. The wine pairing was pretty obvious to me because my dish mimics the warm, buttery tones of the Beringer Founders’ Estate Chardonnay. The crisp fruity notes in the Chardonnay of apple and pear also complement the nutty parmesan cheese. I have always enjoyed chilled white wines with grilled meats, particularly on a warm summer day.
My wonderful husband Michael will be at the Great Steak Challenge to encourage me. I love cooking for him and our three children, who are at home, cheering me on. I will also be thinking of my mother, Rosemary, who taught me so much about being generous in the kitchen and in life.
