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We all want our guests to have a great time at our home. We put so much work into it and spend so much money on decorations for the occasion, but if the food is bad or there isn’t enough of it, that will be reflected in everyone’s mood and how they feel about the whole experience.

Food and wine pairings play an important role in making the evening go smoothly without any problems, so here are the delicious food and wine pairings to try for your first party.

Roasted Duck and Pinot Noir

Pairing duck with this red wine from San Simeon Wines makes sense because it has a naturally sweet flavor that helps balance out its gamey taste. The meat can also be cooked using dry heat methods, which means this pairing will work well if you are cooking a roast dinner.

It is recommended to roast a couple of ducks with their legs tied together for around 2 hours until they are tender and golden brown (if you don’t do this, the meat will become too dark).

Once you remove them from the oven, let them rest for ten minutes before cutting them. Otherwise, the fatty juices inside will drip onto the serving plate, which will look messy. To serve, cut up the meat and place it on a platter along with the roasted potatoes and vegetables. Serve with red wine and eat while talking about how beautiful the setting was during the day or reminiscing over happier times.

Pork Loin and Rosé

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Although pork isn’t necessarily considered a “healthy” option, there are ways you can make it healthy without sacrificing taste. You can marinate the pork loin in balsamic vinegar, honey, and garlic, then bake it at 180°C for 15 minutes. While the meat is baking, make the sauce by combining equal parts mayonnaise and sour cream, plus crushed mint leaves, grated cheese, paprika, and black pepper. Place the baked pork on a large platter and drizzle with the sauce. Serve with beans, couscous, fruit salad, and Wingspan Rosé.

Venison and Chardonnay

If you are feeding more people than yourself, you should consider doing venison instead of beef. It’s cheaper, healthier, and tastes better! When preparing this dish, leave the steak nice and rare, depending on what cut you use. This could take anywhere between 30 to 45 minutes to cook through, so start checking after half an hour. When serving, slice the steak very thinly and arrange it on a platter. Add some fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme, and finish by pouring some chardonnay on top and eating immediately.

Salmon and Sauvignon Blanc

This combination works particularly well because salmon is usually served raw and is incredibly healthy, whereas sauvignon blanc pairs well with seafood and light white wines.

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Because salmon doesn’t contain a lot of fat, a little bit goes a long way, so you only need small portions of the fish. Start by removing the skin and bones, then season the flesh with salt and pepper and grill the pieces of fish over high heat for 3-5 minutes per side. You can pan-fry the fish if you don’t have a barbecue. For the sauce, mix equal parts olive oil and melted butter together, then stir in some finely chopped tarragon, lemon zest, juice, and seasoning. Pour over the freshly grilled fish and serve with bread and salad.

Beef and Merlot

A classic combination in many restaurants across the country, beef and merlot is a perfect match. Make sure you buy quality ingredients and follow a recipe to avoid food poisoning or bacteria growing in your kitchen. To prepare the dish, sear and then braise the beef in a casserole dish, adding lots of beef stock and red wine. After 1-1/2 hours, turn down the heat and allow the liquid to reduce slightly. Finish by mixing some corn flour with cold water, pour this mixture into the pot and simmer for another 15 minutes. Serve the beef with carrots, peas, and rice.

When you host your first party, you want to enjoy yourself as much as possible, but you also want everyone else to enjoy themselves. By choosing dishes that both the children and adults can enjoy, you are ensuring that everyone enjoys themselves simultaneously, all while making memories that last a lifetime. Try these delicious items for some new ideas for your next party!

Author

Jenny has always been interested in food and cooking. She grew up in a family where meals were made from scratch and food was always celebrated. After college, Jenny began working in restaurants and catering. She soon realized that she wanted to help people cook at home more often. In 2016, Jenny started Nourish as a way to share her love of simple and nourishing food. Jenny's recipes are all inspired by her own experiences with food allergies and sensitivities. She knows how hard it can be to find recipes that are both delicious and safe to eat, so she creates recipes that everyone can enjoy. If you're looking for recipes that are easy to make and good for you, then you've come to the right place! Jenny's recipes are all tested and proven to be both delicious and nutritious.