In collaboration with Landmark® Vineyards. Thank you for supporting the brands that support A Taste of Koko!
Photography by The Dani Creative
When people ask me what my favorite meal is, they’re always surprised to hear me say, “boxed spaghetti – you know the dry pasta that you can buy at the grocery store?” I dine out several times a week at fine-dining restaurants and while the food is delicious and beautifully plated, my favorite meal is just simple pasta noodles with sauce at home. Add a chocolate dessert and a glass of wine and I’m a happy camper!
SEE ALSO: Winter Baked Oatmeal Recipe
My go-to is usually just spaghetti noodles with Arrabbiata sauce but today I’m making a more elevated pasta, bucatini bolognese. Paired with silky, chocolatey pots de creme for dessert and a bottle of Landmark Vineyards 2016 Overlook Pinot Noir.
My number one tip when it comes to cooking is to start by pouring yourself a glass of wine. For this meal, I’m pairing the Landmark Vineyards 2016 Overlook Pinot Noir – a beautiful blend of handcrafted, quality wine produced from its own estate vineyards in the Russian River Valley. I love how medium-bodied this Pinot Noir is with flavors of red and black cherry, ripe raspberries and spice notes of cinnamon, vanilla, cedar, dried orange peel, leather, cocoa, and a hint of purple flowers!
Landmark Vineyards‘ of Sonoma County specializes in luxury Chardonnay and Pinot Noir sourced from California’s finest winegrowing regions. Whether you’re celebrating for the holidays coming up or enjoying a meal at home like myself, Landmark Vineyards wines make it an affordable treat for only $25! You can find Landmark Vineyards in Austin at H-E-B, Central Market, Twin Liquors, and Wheatsville. To see a full list of locations, click here.
BUCATINI BOLOGNESE RECIPE
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What is bucatini you ask? Bucatini is a thick spaghetti pasta with a hollow center which means it gets filled with sauce and because there’s a hollow center, the pasta is chewier and more fun to eat. I had bucatini in Rome last year and was obsessed with it and was so happy when I found it at my local grocery store!
Make sure you cook the bucatini noodles a little bit before al dente because the noodles will cook in the bolognese sauce.
COOKING TIP: Add a couple of pats of butter to your pasta and toss to combine as it melts – the pasta becomes more creamy!
Serve bucatini bolognese with Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, and of course, a glass of Landmark Vineyards 2016 Overlook Pinot Noir!
CHOCOLATE POTS DE CREME RECIPE
And for dessert, chocolate pots de creme – I was so surprised how easy it was to make. Can’t believe I’ve been paying for this at the restaurants!
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POTS DE CREME TIP
This is what the baking pan filled with water should look like. This allows the pots de creme to steam in the oven. Make sure the water doesn’t spill into the mixture.
Enjoy!
