I had the most perfect summer evening last weekend, a communal feast on a farm in the middle of the Rockaways (how’s that for juxtaposition?!).  Edgemere Farm is a half acre urban farm in Far Rockaway, Queens.  They offer weekly farmers markets, “cowboy breakfasts” and a summer dinner series with rotating guest chefs and collaborators.

Sarah Owens was the guest of the evening, author of several cookbooks and famed sourdough baker, she cooked up a Middle Eastern inspired menu of my dreams!  All accompanied by slices of her delicious bread.

The best part about these dinners, they’re BYOB!

We started the evening with this 2016 Bordeaux Blanc from Domaines Barons de Rothschild.  The “Légende” series was created by the Rothschild family to provide a more affordable line of everyday wines, complementary to their Lafite portfolio, that showcase the Bordeaux terroir.

This wine comes from Entre-Deux-Mers, one of the largest appellations in Bordeaux that produces 90% of the dry white wines of Bordeaux.  It’s a traditional “Bordeaux Blanc” blend:  60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Semillon.  It’s a great summer white, light, fresh, mineral in structure, with soft tropical flavors (think lychee and mango), fermentation and aging occurs in stainless steel preserving the freshness.  

Highlights from the menu:  grilled eggplant with tahini and blistered peppers, bread salad with fresh peaches and tomatoes, butter poached chicken with grilled onions and potatoes, buckwheat crumble with lavender cream and fresh berries!