Lucky Us - Lucky You

The difficult economy has provided us with a pleasant suprise.  It's Oregon's ever scarce and often expensive Hedgehog mushroom, not only fresh in Chicago but at an "appetizing" price. They are, in a word, beautiful, and this week Chef is pairing them with pheasant. Kudos to him for this flavorful combination, and in one more word - delicious!

Hedgehogs are similar to chanterelles in color and flavor, and are prized by mushroom hunters and chefs.  The hedgehog mushroom has an especially short season (January and February), and are found on fallen logs and along the forest floor of Oregon's Pacific coast.  They have a sweet and nutty flavor, and a palate pleasing meaty texture that holds up after cooking.

The pheasants, from Mac Farlane Farms in nearby Janesville, Wisconsin, are slowly braised and pan roasted to keep them moist and flavorful, and are served along side the Hedgehogs, which have been sautéed in butter, then enriched with a reduction of pheasant broth and white wine. 

Delicious and perfect for a winter's night.

MEMBERS ONLY
Two Great Wines - Winter White and Winter Red

BR Cohn Chardonnay and Celani Family Cabernet Sauvignon

B.R. Cohn Sonoma County Chardonnay, 2008
$186 per case 101.16 per 6 bottles

Celani Family Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2006
$270 per case $143.16 for six
A MEMBER'S ONLY NOT TO MISSED BARGAIN

the wine is  86% Caberbet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot.
It's aromatics are an impressive of array of blackberries, dark fruits, and blueberries, with hints of sage, chocolate and licorice - aromas so varied, they're hard to pin down.  Sweet plum and dark fruit are easy to identify flavors, and they persist from entry to finish.  The backbone, the tannins, are supple and firm; thus the wine benefits from decanting.  It's excellent now, but will continue to improve for the next 10 years.  Buy a case, enjoy a bottle or two now; then save the rest for when an occasion demands one of your best bottles of red. This wine is usually $540 per case, but lucky us - lucky you, our supplier is anxious to start selling their 2007 vintage. We've committed to ten cases, so give us a call or contact me at hmarkwood@forgeclub.com