Have you ever felt the exhilarating feeling of knowing you are exactly where you are supposed to be, doing exactly what you are supposed to be doing? That everything you have worked for and towards is metamorphosizing (is that even a word) right before your eyes…and everyone surrounding you is helping you get there?
I feel like that now. Its been such a long time coming and while there is still an enormous stretch of road before me, all those distant dreams are slowly but surely falling into line.
I have so many good people around me, old and new nurturing relationships carrying me through the ups and downs of reaching my goals. I always have a cheering section if I need one and there are those to set me straight when I get off the beaten path. All of these things and particularly those people inspire me and keep me strong and focused.
And then there are all of you, visiting here everyday, taking this journey with me as I chronicle our family’s path towards our vineyard. You are all just as inspiring and fostering in the friendships we have created here together. It has been a pleasure to share it with all of you. I thank you for letting me tell my story.
I spent some time yesterday with other winery families from our McMinnville AVA. We have some great things planned for the future as we press forward towards the Fall grape harvest and beyond. There are such a great mix of successful individuals here…all talented…all inspiring…and now all friends. I am blessed…truly blessed. Somedays I’m not even sure how I landed so easily on two feet in this new place. There has to be some luck involved.
It inspired me to make these amazing little appetizers known simply as Northwest Bruschetta. The Northwest is bountiful in so many foods like apples, cherries, hazelnuts, amazing blue cheese from the Rogue Creamery and sweet onions from Walla Walla. All of those are in this little bite of heaven.
You don’t even have to live in the Northwest to enjoy these. They are the perfect end of summer appetizer and will carry into the Fall season amazingly well.
Let’s make them together…
In a frying pan over medium heat, sauté 1/3 cup chopped onion with 1 Tablespoon olive oil until golden. Add 1 cup chopped apple and 1 teaspoon maple syrup; about five minutes. Let cool sightly.
Brush bread with remaining olive oil and broil or toast until golden, about 5 minutes.
Stir in 1/4 cup chopped dried tart cherries, 1-1/2 teaspoons horseradish and 2/3 cup crumbled blue cheese; spoon over toasts. Top with hazelnuts.
Serve these at your next get-together, they will be a hit.
There is a real flavor punch here.
Enjoy these!
Northwest Bruschetta
1 sourdough baguette, sliced 1/4″ thick
3 Tablespoons olive oil, divided
1/3 cup chopped onion, sweet or brown
1 cup peeled and chopped Granny Smith apple
1 teaspoon maple syrup
1/4 cup chopped dried tart cherries
1-1/2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
2/3 cup crumbled blue cheese
1/3 cup chopped hazelnuts
In a frying pan over medium heat, sauté onion with 1 Tablespoon olive oil until golden. Add apple and maple syrup; about five minutes. Let cool sightly.
Brush bread with remaining olive oil and broil or toast until golden, about 5 minutes.
Stir in cherries, horseradish and blue cheese; spoon over toasts. Top with hazelnuts.
One Year Ago: Have You Ever…
