This arugula salad recipe was created especially for Biltmore by Chef Vivian Howard of A Chef’s Life on PBS and is a perfect blend of taste and texture for spring!

Wine Pairing Suggestion: Pairs well with many of our crisp, dry white wines including Biltmore® Reserve Chardonnay and Vanderbilt Reserve® Sauvignon Blanc.

Savor this elevated spring salad by Chef Vivian Howard!

Arugula Salad with Shaved Parmesan and Sweet Potato Skins

Total time: 1 hour Serving Size: 4 people

Ingredients:

• 4 roasted sweet potatoes (scoop out flesh and reserve for other use)
• Vegetable oil
• Kosher salt to taste
• 6 ounces mature spicy arugula leaves
• 1 cup shaved Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino Romano, or Ricotta
• Olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and kosher salt to taste

Maple Reduction

• ½ cup maple syrup or honey
• ¼ cup cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
• 1 pinch chili flakes

Instructions:

• Roast sweet potatoes in a 450°F oven for 45–60 minutes. Cut the potatoes in half and scoop out the flesh; reserve for other use.
• Cut your sweet potato skins into strips or wedges. Add enough oil to a sauté pan so that it climbs about a third of an inch up the pan’s sides. Heat the oil over medium heat and brown the skins on both sides. Some parts of the skin will be browner than others. Drain the skins on paper towels and season them liberally with kosher salt.
• Meanwhile in a small sauce or sauté pan simmer together the maple syrup, coriander seeds, vinegar and chili flakes till it reduces ever so slightly.
• Toss arugula, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and shaved cheese together in a bowl. Portion onto four plates and top each serving with sweet potato skins. Drizzle with maple reduction.

Enjoy the hearty flavors of Bistro’s Beef Bourguignon from the comfort of your home! While the Bistro version features Filet Mignon, the home-friendly recipe suggests the robust taste of chuck roast.

Wine Pairing Suggestion: This classic dish can be savored on its own or with velvety mashed potatoes and pairs beautifully with a rich red wines, like Biltmore’s Cardinal’s Crest or Vanderbilt Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, for an even more satisfying experience!

Savor this elevated spring salad by Chef Vivian Howard!

Bistro’s Beef Bourguignon

Total time: 6 hours Serving Size: 6-8 people

Ingredients:

• 4 pounds chuck roast, salted and diced into 2-inch pieces
• 2 cups carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 cups celery, diced
• 4 cups yellow onion, diced
• 5 cups cremini mushrooms, stems removed and sliced into quarters
• 1 ½ cup shiitake mushrooms, stems removed and sliced into quarters
• 1 ½ teaspoon tomato paste
• 1 cup dry red wine
• 4 cups beef stock
• 1 cup of butter, diced
• 3 whole cloves
• ½ pod of star anise
• ¼ stick of cinnamon
• 4 bay leaves
• Approx. 12 whole black peppercorns
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• Small cheesecloth

Instructions:

1. Salt chuck roast and set aside at room temperature while you prepare the other ingredients. Prepare carrots, celery, onions, and mushrooms according to the ingredient list.
2. Make an herb bouquet by wrapping the clove, star anise, cinnamon, bay leaves, and peppercorns in the cheesecloth, ensuring it is securely wrapped.
3. Preheat oven to 300°F.
4. In a large Dutch oven on medium-high heat, sear the beef in 1 tablespoon of canola oil until lightly browned and a crust forms on the beef. Be careful not to overcrowd the pot. Remove meat from the pot and set aside.
5. Reduce heat to low. Add in carrots, celery, and onion and sauté until mostly cooked, about 3 minutes. Stir in mushrooms and tomato paste.
6. Add the red wine and gently scrape the bottom to remove the brown bits. Allow to simmer until wine is reduced by half.
7. Turn off the heat and add the beef, herb bundle, and beef stock.
8. Put the lid on the Dutch oven and cook at 300°F for 4-6 Hours or until beef is fork-tender. Stir in diced butter and season to taste for serving.

Note: If you prefer to use a crock pot, brown the beef and then add everything to your crockpot to cook on low for 8-10 hours until tender.

Delight family and friends with a dessert as delicious as it is beautiful. Inspired by the traditional French bûche de Noël or yule log seasonal cake, Biltmore Pastry Chef Aaron Morgan developed a fresh twist on the classic confection with the addition of a rich peanut butter-cream cheese filling and elegant Italian buttercream icing that resembles freshly fallen snow.

Once the cake is assembled, branch out with decorative elements such as marzipan mushrooms, sugared berries, and fresh herbs that help make your yule log the highlight of any holiday or winter-themed gathering.

Wine Pairing Suggestion: Slice and serve with our Biltmore Estate Riesling or Limited Release Dry Riesling.

Savor this elevated spring salad by Chef Vivian Howard!

Peanut Butter Yule Log or “Buche de Noel”

Total time: 5 hours Serving Size: 6 people

Ingredients:

For the biscuit roulade:

• 3 whole large eggs
• 6 large egg yolks
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 3 large egg whites
• Powdered sugar, for dusting and shaping

For the peanut butter filling:

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ cup heavy cream

For the Italian buttercream:

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• ½ cup water
• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
• 5 large egg whites
• 1 ½ cups unsalted butter, softened and cut into ½-inch pieces

For decoration (optional):

• Marzipan mushrooms, cocoa powder, chocolate Florentine lace cookies, fresh rosemary, fresh or sugared cranberries, etc., as desired

Instructions:

• First, make the biscuit roulade: Heat the oven to 350°F. Spray the bottom and sides of a half-sheet pan (approximately 18x13x1 inches) with cooking spray; line the bottom with parchment paper, then spray the parchment with cooking spray. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer using the whisk attachment, beat whole eggs, egg yolks and 1 cup granulated sugar on medium speed for 3 to 5 minutes until the mixture reaches the “ribbon stage,” or turns thick, pale, foamy and forms ribbons in the batter when the whisk is lifted. Fold in flour until just combined.
• In a separate large bowl using an electric hand mixer, beat 3 egg whites on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Fold the egg whites into the egg-flour mixture until just combined.
• Pour and spread the batter into the prepared sheet pan. Bake on the center rack of the oven for 14 to 16 minutes or until the cake is just baked through and lightly golden.
• Sprinkle the top of the hot cake generously with powdered sugar (this will help to keep the cake from sticking). Run a paring knife along the edge of the cake to loosen it from the edges of the sheet pan. Top the cake with a light, clean kitchen towel and a large cutting board; carefully but quickly, invert the cake onto the towel/cutting board. Remove the sheet pan and parchment paper from the cake.
• Sprinkle the top of the cake generously with powdered sugar. Starting from one short end, tightly roll up the warm cake in the towel; transfer to a cutting board, small sheet pan or large plate, seam side-down. Set aside to cool completely, about 2 hours (you can refrigerate the cake to speed up the cooling process, if desired).
• Meanwhile, make the peanut butter filling: In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat cream cheese and ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar on medium speed for 30 seconds to 1 minute or until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Beat in the peanut butter, melted butter and vanilla extract on medium speed for 1 minute or until well-combined and smooth, scraping the sides often.
• In a separate large bowl using an electric hand mixer, beat heavy cream on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Fold the heavy cream into the cream cheese-peanut butter mixture until just combined.

Ready to assemble!

• Assemble the cake: On a clean work surface, carefully unroll the fully cooled cake. Spread peanut butter filling evenly over the top of the cake all the way to the edges. Reroll the cake and return to the cutting board/sheet pan; cover with plastic wrap and freeze for 1 hour to set the cake.
• Meanwhile, make the Italian buttercream: In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, stir 2 cups granulated sugar, water and corn syrup to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, until an instant-read thermometer reads 245°F to 250°F when inserted into the mixture.
• While the sugar mixture cooks, in the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, beat 5 egg whites on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form.
• With the stand mixer still running on medium-high speed, carefully and slowly pour hot sugar mixture into the egg whites. Continue to whip the mixture for 10 to 15 minutes or until it is fully cooled and turns to a light, fluffy, glossy meringue.
• With the stand mixer still running on medium-high speed, add softened butter, one piece at a time, beating until the butter is fully incorporated and a light, fluffy, smooth frosting forms. If the frosting is too thin, cover and refrigerate until more firm.
• Finally, assemble the cake: Use a sharp knife to cut one end of the chilled cake on an angle a few inches from the end; arrange the cut piece on one side of the cake to form a “branch.” Slice off the very end of the branch for a clean edge, if desired. Frost the top and sides of the cake with the buttercream (you may not use all of the buttercream); use an offset spatula to texture the sides, as desired.
• Decorate and garnish the cake with marzipan mushrooms, Florentine lace cookies, cocoa powder, etc. as desired. Store cake loosely covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Tip: Don’t worry if your Peanut Butter Yule Log isn’t as smooth as you’d like—the snowy Italian buttercream frosting and decorations help cover any imperfections!

Perfect for chasing the chill in the air, this hearty, multi-layered entrée comes from The Dining Room at The Inn on Biltmore Estate.

Wine Pairing Suggestion: We suggest pairing it with The Hunt Sonoma County Red Blend 2020.

Savor this elevated spring salad by Chef Vivian Howard!

Braised Short Ribs with Gingered Sweet Potato Mash and Cherry Barbeque Sauce

Total time: 4 hours Serving Size: 4 people

Ingredients:

• 6 pounds (4 pieces) beef short ribs
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• ½ pound carrots, peeled and chopped
• ½ pound celery, chopped
• ½ pound white onions, peeled and chopped
• 2 quarts beef stock
• 2 ounces fresh thyme

Cherry Barbecue Sauce

• 1 tablespoon molasses
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• ½ cup dried sweet cherries
• Salt and pepper to taste

Sweet Potato Mash

• 2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons butter
• ¼ cup honey
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 275 degrees.  Season shortribs with salt and pepper.  Heat oil in a large heavy pan.  Brown short ribs on all sides, remove.  Add carrots, celery, and onion to a hot pan;  cook until just brown. Return short ribs to the pan along with thyme and beef stock.  Cover pan, and place in hot oven. 
• Braise for 3 hours, or until meat is extremely tender and falls away from the bone. Remove meat to a covered platter, and keep warm. Strain and reserve cooking liquid.
• In a medium saucepan, bring the reserved cooking liquid to a simmer.  Reduce until halved in volume.  Stir in molasses, tomato paste, brown sugar, vinegar, and dried cherries.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Bring heavy cream and butter to a simmer.  Bring to boil a large pot of salted water.  Add diced sweet potatoes.  Cook until sweet potatoes are tender.  Drain. Run cooked potatoes through a food mill or ricer.  Stir in warmed cream and butter along with minced ginger and honey.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• To serve:  Divide sweet potatoes between 4 plates.  Place one short rib atop each portion of sweet potatoes. Sauce the beef with the cherry barbeque.

Savor this spring-inspired pasta dish from our estate chefs featuring quail eggs! Quail eggs elevate any dish and pair especially well with bacon, black truffles, asparagus, caviar, and mushrooms.

Wine Pairing Suggestion: Our Limited Release Pinot Grigio pairs well with the Carbonara. Winemaker Sharon Fenchak says its crispness and citrus notes complement the richness of the quail eggs in this dish.

Savor this elevated spring salad by Chef Vivian Howard!

Spring Squash Carbonara

Total time: 1.5 hours Serving Size: 6 people

Ingredients:

• 1 pound dried spaghetti
• 1 pound smoked bacon, diced
• ½ yellow onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 pound zucchini, chopped
• ¼ cup plus 3 tablespoons fresh chives, minced
• 1½ cups grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 10 squash blossoms, halved lengthwise (optional)
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 6 egg yolks
• 6 quail eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Put bacon in a medium saucepan and place over low heat. Slowly cook until the bacon begins to brown. Drain most of the fat, leaving a few tablespoons in the pot. Add the onions and garlic and cook until translucent. Add the zucchini and cook until tender. Remove from heat.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil for the pasta. When the water begins to boil, add the spaghetti and stir. Cook the pasta for 6–8 minutes until tender. Remove from heat and drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
• Place the zucchini mixture back over medium heat. Add the pasta, 1 cup of pasta water, and egg yolks to the zucchini mixture and stir continuously. When a creamy sauce begins to form, add the Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons butter, squash blossoms, lemon zest and ¼ cup chopped chives. Mix well and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Divide the pasta evenly into 6 bowls and top each with a sunny side up quail egg, the reserved chives, and more Parmesan cheese. Serves 6.

Enjoy your own garden-fresh tomatoes with this lovely cool soup created by Bistro’s Executive Chef. Perfect for lunch with some crusty bread and olive oil, or as an elegant appetizer before dinner.

Wine Pairing Suggestion: Pair this refreshing Spanish soup with an equally refreshing wine, such as our Biltmore Estate Albariño or Sauvignon Blanc.

Savor this elevated spring salad by Chef Vivian Howard!

Tomato Gazpacho

Total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• Gazpacho Ingredients
• 1 1/2 pounds fresh tomatoes
• 2 red peppers – diced
• 3/4 cup red onions – diced
• 3/4 cup cucumber – peeled seeded and diced
• 1/3 cup celery – diced
• 1/3 cup fennel – diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup tomato juice
• 1 clove garlic – minced
• 1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Chipotle Crème Fraiche Ingredients
• 1 cup crème fraiche
• Juice and zest of 1 lime (reserve zest for garnish)
• 1 tablespoon canned chipotle peppers – finely chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. Soup: Bring a medium pot of salted water to boil. With a small knife, remove each tomato core and cut a small X into the bottom of each tomato. Put water and ice in a large bowl; set aside. When the salted water comes to a boil, carefully drop tomatoes into the pot and blanch for 30 seconds. Remove tomatoes from the pot with a slotted spoon and place in the ice water. Allow a few minutes to chill. Once chilled, remove tomatoes from ice water and peel off outer skin. Cut tomatoes in half and remove seeds. Discard skins and seeds. Place tomatoes and all remaining gazpacho ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. For best results, store gazpacho in refrigerator overnight before serving.
2. Chipotle Crème Fraiche: Place crème fraiche, lime juice, and chipotle peppers in a small mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
3. Serving Suggestion: Place approximately 1 cup of chilled gazpacho in each bowl. Garnish with a dollop of crème fraiche, some of the reserved lime zest, and a few cilantro leaves.