While hosting my second twitter taste live event this past Saturday (reported above by Sandra McKenna for WTSP), I was interviewed by April Wilson, @producergirl, for Daytime on NBC. One of the questions was about what I get out of Twitter. After fumbling with a few statements, I realized what it was about this “twitterverse” that continues to pull me in; it’s a feeling of familiarity and comfort. I am blessed to have experienced a childhood where you didn’t have to worry about who was driving through the neighborhood streets or if you locked the front door as soon as you walked into the house and it’s that feeling that embraces you on twitter. This past Saturday evening I had the privilege to once again take those friendships started on the internet a step further and cement the friendships in person over a wine, beer and food pairing hosted by yours truly and my better half Barry.

This event was created at the tail end of the last tasting event that I hosted with Matt, better known as @mmWine. While reflecting on the evenings success with Matt and Ashley, @TheBeerWench, Ashley mentioned that she had participated in a tasting that had involved pairing a wine and beer with each plate and the guests chose which paired better, the beer or the wine. And voila, our April 4th event was born. I never turn down an opportunity to cook, and well, anyone who knows me knows how much I love to have people over. And then my challenge was to create a menu that would accommodate both wine and beer. So here is the menu I created with the list of the wines and beers that Matt and Ashley paired with each plate:

Appetizers-Fried Rice Ball w Shrimp, Bruschetta, Fried Zucchini Straws
Beer Pairing Lagunitas Czech Style Pilsner
Wine Pairing Bisson Prosseco 2007

First Plate - Parmesan Risotto
Wine Pairing Bonci Verdicchio Carpaneto 2007
Beer Pairing Bell’s Two-Hearted Ale

Second Plate - Pistachio encrusted Sea Bass
Wine Pairing Deforville Chardonnay 2007
Beer Pairing Jolly Pumpkin Brewery Calabaza Blanca

Main dish - Grilled rack of lamb encrusted in parmesan cheese, bread crumbs and rosemary.
Wine Pairing Pievano Sagratino Montefalco 2003
Beer Pairing Dogfish Head Raison E’Etre

Dessert - Lemon Cake with strawberries marinated in Limoncello.

If you weren’t able to join us at the event, give this a try even if it’s only one pairing and let me know which you prefer, the wine or the beer. And stay tuned, the next event is going to be an Italian/French cook off between Dolce Debbie and Chef Gui (from the south of France), details coming soon! And look for me on Daytime on April 17, 2009.

Thanks to all of you who joined in on the fun we had last Saturday, both in person and on-line. It really does give me a warm fuzzy knowing that you are there supporting all the whims I throw your way. Don’t forget to let me know which pairing you try and how it works for you.

alle prossimo – Debbie