Pinot Grigio

Pair white wines with soft cheese. The softer the cheese the more it coats the mouth, blocking many wine sensations. White wines tend to have more acidity, creating a mouth cleansing effect on the residue from soft or creamy cheeses.

Make sure your wine is sweeter than your cheese. Some mild cheeses taste slightly sweet, making dry wines seem acidic, tart and devoid of fruit. This happens whenever a food is perceived to be sweeter than a wine served with it. In general, semi-dry and sweet wines pair better with cheese than do dry wines.

Recipes

Bruschetta With Portobellos

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 lb. small Portobello mushrooms, stems removed and caps thinly sliced
• 2 loaves French or Italian bread, diagonally cut into 3/4-inch slices
• 2 large cloves garlic
• 1 jar (26 oz.) tomato & basil pasta sauce with fresh tomatoes
• Fresh ground black pepper to taste

Method:
In 12-inch skillet, heat Olive Oil over medium-high heat and cook mushrooms, stirring occasionally, 4 minutes or until tender.

Meanwhile, broil bread slices until golden; rub with garlic. Evenly spoon unheated Pasta Sauce over bread, then top with mushrooms and black pepper. Garnish, if desired, with sliced fresh basil.

Grilled Veggie Pizza

Ingredients:

• 12-inch pre-baked pizza crust
• 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1 1/2 cups Pasta Sauce
• 1/2 cup artichoke hearts
• 1/4 cup olives
• 2 tablespoons thinly sliced basil
• 3 ounces fresh mozzarella

Method:
Prepare your grill. Brush Olive Oil onto the grill where you will be placing your pizza. Brush one side of the pizza crust with the Olive Oil as well. Place this side down on the grill. Cover the grill for approximately 3 minutes, checking the crust until it takes on a light brown color on the grill side. Brush Olive Oil on the top of the crust and flip over.

Spoon Pasta Sauce on the pizza crust. Add all remaining toppings as desired. Leave the edge of the pizza uncovered so the toppings won't drip off into the flame. Cover the grill and cook for 5 to 10 minutes depending on the heat of your grill, checking every 3 minutes or so.

Citrus Barbecued Chicken Breasts

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups Original Barbecue Sauce
• 1 tablespoon grated orange peel
• 1/3 cup orange juice
• 6 large boneless skinless chicken breast halves (about 2 lbs.)

Method:
Mix barbecue sauce, orange peel and juice. Reserve 1/2 cup of the barbecue sauce mixture into shallow baking dish. Add chicken; turn to evenly coat both sides. Cover. Refrigerate 30 minutes to marinate. Drain; discard marinade.
Preheat greased grill to medium heat. Grill chicken 12 to 15 minutes or until cooked through, turning and brushing occasionally with the reserved 1/2 cup sauce mixture after 8 minutes.