Sautéed Striped Bass with Green Papaya Salad and Blood Orange Vinaigrette

The 'Top End' of Australia is home to crocodiles, fresh water sharks, water buffalo and other wildlife that Eric encounters along his journey. Eric’s adventure takes him by boat up the Mary River then by helicopter to a remote fishing spot where he will try to reel in a prized barramundi...all the while avoiding becoming dinner himself. Inspired by his wildlife adventures, Eric will prepare Striped Bass with Green Papaya Salad and Blood Orange with a Citrus Vinaigrette.

Mesclun Salad

Mesclun Salad

Salads can be composed with so many different elements. The greens can be a challenge to pair with wine on their own because of strong, chlorophyll elements that exist in the leaves. When you take that green base and then pile on all kinds of vegetables, fruit, nuts and vinegar dressing, it becomes even more difficult to find the right pairing. In this segment, Aldo and I compare two different white wines against a very complicated but tasty salad. 

Cauliflower “Cous Cous” with Market Vegetables and Argan Oil Vinaigrette

Cauliflower “Cous Cous” with Market Vegetables and Argan Oil Vinaigrette

This recipe uses fresh vegetables to create a satisfying vegetarian dish full of flavor. The cauliflower cous cous is a light, healthy alternative especially for people with gluten sensitivity. The argon oil is great way to add richness and flavor to the vegetables without adding fat. Use the freshest, brightest vegetables available at the local markets to make the dish really stand out.

Lobster Salad

Lobster Salad

This installation of Perfect Pairings was born out of my love of wine from the Bordeaux region of France. If I had to pick one wine to drink for the rest of my life, it would be red Bordeaux. I grew up near the region and developed my palate on Bordeaux. Aldo Sohm, the wine director at Le Bernardin knows this about me so we decided to put the Bordeaux up against four completely different foods—raw oysters, Camembert cheese, lobster salad and pecan pie. Watch as we test my theory that “Bordeaux Goes with Everything” with these diverse flavors.

Oyster and Sea Lettuce Salad with Anchovy Vinaigrette

Oyster and Sea Lettuce Salad with Anchovy Vinaigrette

This recipe was developed after I visited the oyster beds at Hog Island Oyster Company in Marshall, California. Bright green “sea lettuce,” a type of seaweed, was growing on top of the oyster cages. It was delicious so I took some back to shore and made a salad using the oyster meats and a Caesar style dressing.