The Process

1. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, eggs, minced garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.

2. Form mixture into meatballs, about 1″ in diameter.

3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and brown on all sides. Transfer meatballs to a plate and set aside.

4. In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent.

5. Pour ST Action into the pan and deglaze the pan, scraping the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Simmer for about 5 minutes to reduce down wine slightly.

6. Stir in the beef broth, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, oregano and basil. Bring mixture to a simmer.

7. Return meatballs to the skillet, ensuring they are submerged in the sauce. Cover the skillet and let meatballs braise on a low heat for about 30 minutes, or until they are cooked through and tender.

8. Adjust seasonings with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve meatballs in a chafing dish, casserole dish or spear with toothpicks to serve as a passed hors d’oeuvre. Can be served as an hors d’oeuvre on sliced crostini or with them on the side.

The Process

1. The Initial Fusion
Combine 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of Method red wine in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a steady simmer. Once the sugar is dissolved and the liquid is active, add your first containers of raspberries and blackberries. Allow this to simmer for 15 minutes to begin breaking down the fruit’s structure.

2. Rhythmic Pureeing
After the initial simmer, use an immersion blender (or a potato masher for a more rustic texture) to puree the mixture. This creates a smooth, cohesive base while intensifying the berry-wine integration. Return the sauce to the heat for a final 15-minute simmer, allowing it to thicken into a rich glaze.

3. Defining Texture
Once the final simmer is complete, stir in an additional half-container each of fresh raspberries and blackberries. This adds a fresh, visual dimension to the sauce, providing a contrast between the concentrated reduction and the whole fruit.

4. The Presentation
This sauce serves as a versatile constant that can be applied to various culinary frameworks.

• The Lemon Pairing: Spoon generously over a slice of lemon pound cake; the acidity of the citrus creates a perfect counterpoint to the cherry notes of the wine.
• Alternative Foundations: Serve over vanilla bean ice cream, cheesecake, or a simple custard.
• Final Touch: Finish with a dollop of fresh whipped cream to balance the intensity of the reduction.

The Process

1. The Reduction

Begin by heating ½ cup of Petite Verdot in a saucepan. Bring it to a simmer, allowing the liquid to reduce slightly. This step is critical; it concentrates the dark fruit flavors, ensuring the wine’s character remains prominent when paired with the chocolate.

2. The Ganache, With a Twist

Pour the simmering wine over your 70% dark chocolate. Much like a traditional ganache, let it sit for a few moments to melt the solids, then whisk until the texture is smooth and glass-like.

3. Whisk Away

In a separate bowl, whisk your 3 egg yolks with 2 tablespoons of sugar. You are looking for a “lemon yellow” color—a sign that air has been successfully incorporated into the yolks. Once cooled slightly, slowly fold your wine-chocolate mixture into the yolks.

4. Structural Aeration

Whip your room-temperature egg whites until they reach “soft peaks.” Gradually add the remaining sugar during this process. Gently fold these whites into your chocolate base using an “up and over” motion to maintain the mousse’s light, airy architecture. After you add the egg whites, you need to also add 1 cup of whipped cream.

5. The Presentation

For a sophisticated aesthetic, we recommend serving in a wine glass or champagne flute to showcase the internal layers.

– Pipe an initial layer of mousse
-Add a layer of whipped cream.
-For a final accent, drizzle a small amount of Petite Verdot over the top and use a toothpick to swirl it into the cream for a marbled effect.