Stir-fries are great! They’re quick, easy and ever so flavoursome. As it’s January and people are conscious of what they’re eating, we thought we would make a healthier dish with wine pairing. So here’s our papaya stir-fry and Mosel Riesling pairing.
Take a look at our video, recipe and Riesling crash course below!
WATCH
INGREDIENTS & METHOD
Here at The Grape Kitchen we’re all for chopping and changing. If you want to change a few things depending on your own taste then go for it! We won’t be offended. After all, this is your papaya stir-fry & Mosel Riesling recipe and pairing!
INGREDIENTS
1 x Block of Rice Noodles
1 x Red Pepper
1 x Orange Pepper
1 x Large White Onion
1 x Bag Baby Corn
1/2 Tin Water Chestnuts
1/2 Tin Bamboo Shoots
2 x Garlic Clove
2 x Table Spoon Rice Vinegar
1 x Table Spoon Brown Sugar
2 x Table Spoon Soy Sauce
1 x Small Stick of Fresh Ginger
1 1/2 x Teaspoon Chilli Powder
1 x Table Spoon Dried Basil (or to taste)
1 x Handful Baby Spinach
1/2 Fresh Papaya
Coconut Oil
Serves Two
Serves two people – Adjust accordingly
METHOD
- Place your pan on the hob, turn to a low-medium heat and add the coconut oil
- While the pan is coming to temperature slice your onions and add to the pan
- After 2-3 minutes add the rice wine vinegar, then the brown sugar and garlic
- While these are cooking, slice the peppers and baby corn
- After five minutes, add the pepper and corn, then cook for a further five minutes
- Add all the seasoning at this point (soy sauce, basil etc)
- After five minutes, add the water chestnuts and bamboo shoots and cook for five minutes
- After two minutes, add the rice noodles to simmering water and boil for two minutes
- Remove rice noodles and add to the rest of the ingredients, with a splash of the noodle water
- When everything is coated, take off the heat and pour yourself a glass of Reh Kendermann Schiefer Steillage Mosel Riesling and take note of how nice it is!
- After the food has been taken off the heat, add the spinach and strips of papaya. Stir in well, coating everything evenly.
- Serve. Enjoy.
RIESLING CRASH COURSE
What is Riesling?
Riesling is a white grape, known for producing wonderfully aromatic white wine. Its spiritual homes are in Mosel, Germany and Alsace, France. However it can be and is produced all over the world and there are notable regions in the new-world such as Clare Valley (Australia), Niagara (Canada) and Finger Lakes (New York, USA). Riesling is also regarded as one of the six original ‘noble grapes‘. These are grapes there were considered to produce high quality wine and retain their character wherever they are planted.
Is Riesling Always Sweet?
No. A common misconception of Riesling is that is always produces sweet wine, which is simply not true. You can get wonderful dry expressions of Riesling and some lovely sweeter versions. Germany is normally affiliated with the sweeter versions, however we stock a fabulous dry Riesling from Pfalz.
How To Tell If It’s Sweet Or Dry
A good tip if you’re looking at a bottle in a shop or online and are unsure is to look at the alcohol content. Lower alcohol content means that it will be sweeter. The higher the alcohol content means it will be dryer.
Keywords To Look Out For With German Wine
Trocken: Dry
Feinherb: Dry-Off-Dry
Halbtrocken: Off-Dry
Kabinett: Off-Dry
Spatlese: Off-Dry-Sweet
Auslese: Sweet
Beerenauslese: Very Sweet*
Trockenauslese: Very Sweet*
*The grapes for these wines encounter a fungus called botrytis, commonly referred to as noble rot. This brings out a concentrated sweetness in the wine, reminiscent of things like marmalade, apricots etc.
What Does Riesling Taste Like?
Riesling, as mentioned is an aromatic grape. This means it’s extremely expressive on the nose. Typically, you’ll get dominant of green apple, lime, jasmine and blossom. However, there’s a very interesting flavour in Riesling (especially older Rieslings) and that’s petrol… yes petrol. You may be wincing at the thought of this, but it’s incredibly distinctive and pleasant!
That was our papaya stir-fry and Mosel Riesling pairing. We hope you enjoyed it. Let us know what you thought! Also, don’t forget….
The Grape Kitchen is an independent online wine shop, specialising in great wines at affordable prices. Wine and food are our lives and we pride ourselves on great wine, great pairings and great customer service.
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