Author Page:
Maria
Maria Stuart started her wine career in Chicago selling to restaurants. It was there that she discovered the magic between food and wine, and also had the pleasure of befriending the wines of Oregon and their makers. During a glorious visit to the IPNC (International Pinot Noir Celebration, the fabulous wine event which takes place every summer in McMinnville for 800 attendees from around the world) in 1990, she met a talented (and handsome!) winemaker. Returning to Chicago, she hastily packed bags and headed west, young woman! Yes, they married in 1992.
Maria continued to nurture her love for the Oregon wine industry with various positions in marketing, PR and events, including a 4-year stint as Executive Director of that same IPNC — where she and Rob first met, remember? At R. Stuart & Co. Maria is the director of PR, direct marketing, hospitality and Chef de Maison (or the house cook, here in the US).
My Posts:
Braised Lamb Shanks with Caramelized Onions and Shallots
Nothing says fall or winter dinner like the Lamb Shank. Long, slow braising makes this humble cut of meat a rich and supple luxury. I serve this with white beans and sautéed spinach or Swiss chard on the side. When I made this dish for friends recently we opened a bottle of 2008 Autograph Pinot Noir. This is what we mean by a perfect food and wine match! Serves 6 4 T olive oil, divided 1 pound onion,... [Read more]
Linguini with Mussels & Shrimp, Puttanesca Style
Serves 4 to 6 Pasta Puttanessca is one of my very favorite dishes. The briny capers and olives complemented by the sweet tomatoes and spicy peppers – delicious! This is just the kind of bold and lusty dish I want to serve friends on a cold evening. Here we add some beautiful mussels in their shiny black shells, and some big pink shrimp. With a bright and fruity Pinot Noir it all adds up to True... [Read more]
Grilled Shrimp and White Bean, Goat Cheese Salad
Serves 4 I had the great good fortune to meet Laura Werlin this past summer at the International Pinot Noir Celebration. Her book The All American Cheese and Wine Book is a trove of great information. This is a lovely salad for a warm fall day, pair it with a light Pinot Noir like our Big Fire. For the Vinigrette 1 T plus 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 shallot finely chopped 1 T sherry vinegar 2... [Read more]
Salmon with Lentils
Serves 4 A French classic I have long-loved. I probably should go look up Julia Childs’ version of this, just for the sake of comparison, but I don’t really feel compelled to do that, as much as I love Julia. This is Ina Garten’s rendition and it has served me well for several years. Salmon with lentils is a lovely dish is one I am sure you’ll enjoy again and again. We served it, not... [Read more]
Pascal’s Paella
Serves 4 (easily multiplied for a bigger group) Our friend Pascal Chureau is the Chef/Owner at Allium Bistro in West Linn, OR and Brasserie Montmarte in downtown Portland. Last Sunday he cooked the glorious lunch for our Vineyard Walk, and included his trademark Paella. I asked him if he would share the recipe with us, and voila! This is a lovely match with Pinot noir, once again proving that seafood... [Read more]
Northwest Cioppino
Serves 4 -6, easily doubled This recipe originated in a slow cooker cookbook. I have made it verbatim several times and it is very good. The last time I made it I improvised quite a bit and it was better! Including the fact that I cooked it on top of the stove for just about an hour. Either way works and either way, you don’t add the fish till the very end of course. 2 T olive oil 1 med. Onion, chopped 2... [Read more]
Risotto of the Woods and the Sea
Serves 6 as an entree Adapted from a recipe found in Cucina Del Mar. 1 ounce dried porcini mushrooms ½ cup extra virgin olive oil 2 T unsalted butter 3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced ¼ pound shitake mushrooms, stems removed, thinly sliced ½ pound cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced 1 onion, peeled and diced 2 cups Arborio rice ½ cup dry white wine 6 to 7 cups chicken broth 1 pound shrimp, peeled... [Read more]
Molly’s World Famous Onion Marmalade
Our friend Molly Priest gave us this recipe when we opened the Wine Bar and we’ve served it with our cheese plate ever since. The cheeses change, but this remains constant! We have been asked for the recipe so many times that we finally just printed it up to have on hand to give out. If you haven’t tasted it, do. If you have and forgot to ask for the recipe – here you go! This makes a lot but... [Read more]
Bonnets, Baubles & Bubbles
Join Maria in the Pearl District for a trunk show featuring: Bonnet Hats & Accessories Stella & Dot Jewelry Rosé D’Or Bubbles Bonnet is simply THE best hat shop in Portland, I’m crazy about Stella & Dot Jewelry, and well, you probably know how I feel about the bubbles. Stop by for a very girlie visit! June 4, 1-5pm Bonnet, 412 NW 11th St., Portland, 503/954-2271
Oregon Big Fire Dry Rosé – A new release, and sweet story for you.
As we were getting ready to release the new (absolutely stunning) 2010 Big Fire Dry Rosé, Rob and I were sitting in our kitchen, sipping on a glass and talking about all the lovely things we tasted therein. Suddenly Rob grabbed my laptop and started furiously typing something. ”Just some thoughts I have…”, he said. I didn’t get a chance to read what he wrote until a day or... [Read more]
in our downtown McMinnville 
