March 10--This reminds of those wine-and-food pairing "charticles" that purport to give the best wines to match Twinkies or potato chips. (Why, Champagne of course!) The "turkey helper" here isn't the name-brand packaged fixings, but your own take on aromatics, flavorings and vegetables -- better helpers indeed. The wine recommendations are just as casual and down-home: a blend of white and red from two Napa Valley sisters that's just off-dry; a pinot from a family in Germany; and an easygoing red from northern Spain made by a winery that's been around since 1890 and is a favorite of the locals.
THE FOOD
Turkey helper saute
Saute one red onion, chopped, in a skillet with 2 tablespoons olive oil until softened, about 3 minutes. Addone red bell pepper, chopped; two zucchini, chopped; 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste; cook until vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Transfer vegetables to a bowl. Add 1 pound ground turkey to skillet; cook, stirring and breaking up, until almost cooked through, about 10 minutes. Return vegetables to skillet; stir in 1/2 cup pitted green olives, chopped, and 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar. Reduce heat; simmer until flavors come together, 5 minutes. Serve over rice or pasta. Makes: 4 servings
Recipe by Joe Gray
THE WINES
NV Tess Wine Red White Blend, Napa Valley, California: Two young sisters; encouraging parents; leftover dinner wines; blends ensue. Now older, the two blend from two prime Napa vineyards in a light red, off-dry style. $18
2012 August Kesseler Pinot Noir "N," Pfalz, Germany: You'll find more and more really well-made, juicy, aromatic and light-bodied pinot coming from Germany. Global warming? Well, there's an upside. $25
2008 Bodegas Franco-Espanolas Rioja Crianza Bordon, Rioja, Spain: Nothing serious here, just lots of dark cherry fruit, soft tannins, wood and a fine, clipped, palate-cleansing finish. $15-$18
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