Hot In Little Rock

Because we’re “not from around here,” we’ve had to learn about traditions and personalities.  When Linda Dixon introduced us to Thirty Years At the Mansion, Eliza Jane Ashley’s cookbook, we were delighted both by Ms. Ashley’s story and her recipes.  Goodness, she began with Gov. Cherry and retired when Bill Clinton was governor.  Mr. Clinton said Ms. Ashley was like one of the family.  We just wish she had been a part of our family!  We hope it is a tribute to her that we recently adapted one of her recipes for a local reception.

We melted a stick plus 1 tbs of butter, added a cup of shredded Asiago cheese, a cup of flour, and a cup of crisped rice cereal.  Then it gets messy.  We preferred to use our hands to combine all the ingredients, and then take a bit, press it in the palm of our hand, and place on a cookie sheet.  Bake for 10 minutes at 400 degrees. The wafers are uneven and certainly look handmade, and they were a tremendous hit at the reception.  We had doubled the recipe, and should have made at least twice that.

We’ll be serving these again soon, and pairing them with bottles of d’Arenberg 2006 The Footbolt McLaren Vale Shiraz.  (They would also be super paired with champagne, by the way.)  This delicious Australian wine has a great back-story.  “Footbolt” was the name of the racehorse whose winnings financed the purchase of d’Arenberg’s first vineyards in the early years of the last century.  The grapes are still crushed in the traditional way (waders anyone?) and subject to open fermentation.  There is no filtering, resulting in maximum flavor.  While we enjoy the 2006 it will continue to do well for several more years if one wants to cellar it.

On the nose there are aromas of dark red berries and spice.  The palate was rich with black raspberry and cherry, with a bit of chocolate and a touch of oak.  It had ripe tannins and a long finish.

This is the second d’Arenberg wine we have tasted and conclude that these are not only a good value, but superb wines.  Paired with the cheese wafers they are perfect for a party or dinner.  Thanks to Ms. Ashley we found the perfect accompaniment.