This cheesy, creamy dish originated at a Sanborns cafe in Mexico City in 1950. Its name, “Swiss enchiladas,” in English refers to its copious use of dairy. You could use chicken, crab meat or even slow cooked pork. The creaminess of the dish is delicious with the Russian River Ranches Chardonnay.

Mexican Chicken Soup with Lime Typical of flavors found in the Yucatan. The bright lime flavor goes beautifully with the crisp Les Pierres Chardonnay. And yes . . . you can have wine with soup!

This cooking technique gives the chicken the crisp, crunchy crust we all love with a minimum of fat. This chicken recipe is superb for a springtime picnic and paired with Sonoma-Cutrer’s Russian River Ranches Chardonnay.

Farro is a favorite grain in Italy. The term farro is used when referring to three ancient wheat varieties first cultivated in the Fertile Crescent and still grown in Italy:  farro piccolo (also known by the German einkorn), farro medio (also known as emmer, the Hebrew word for mother), and farro grande (also known as spelt). The imported Italian farro available in the United States is usually the emmer variety. It’s usually labeled perlato or semi perlato (pearled) meaning it retains some, but not all of its bran and nutrients. It is still a very healthy grain. Most recipes are written for this kind of farro; which requires no soaking and cooks quickly in about 25 minutes. This dish pairs nicely with Sonoma-Cutrer’s bright, fruity Pinot Noirs such as the Owsley.

One of the classic comfort foods of Mexico which uses Mexican corn or hominy. Cooking the hominy from dry can take hours so using canned hominy is certainly acceptable. Wine is becoming a more popular beverage in Mexico and the spice of this dish would go well with your favorite Sonoma-Cutrer Pinot Noir.

I’m using salmon caviar here but you could use smoked salmon or even shaved truffle if you’re feeling flush. The custards can be baked up to 4 hours ahead. Reheat gently in a water bath.  This dish is especially delicious served with the complex Sonoma-Cutrer Founders Reserve Chardonnay.