Experience #12
Birthday Celebration
Welcome to Experience #12. This was very much an after party to celebrate the success of a birthday party. This Experience is very special because the hosts are one of the closest and most regular foodies we have around for Kitchen Counter Sessions. A few weeks ago, we celebrated M's 40th birthday, and it was an extraordinary and memorable weekend. A gathering of close friends to eat, drink, mix and dance the whole night. So, it was fitting to get together again, to do exactly the same but without the dancing.
However, we did carefully choose some special dishes presented here, that's been favourites from some of our past gatherings. These recipes show the diversity we have at KCS; we often take this for granted and don't think twice about the variety of food everyone brings to the table. But not this time; we are celebrating Algerian food, original family recipes prepared and hosted very kindly by Sonia and family for another unforgettable Kitchen Counter Session filled with laughter, good memories and, of course, good food.
As part of this week's Experience, we have included part of the set we did for M's 40th birthday, just because it was such a fun live set, we thought we should share it with everyone.
We have also included the chill mix - Apero In The Alps, from the same evening that was used for ... you guessed it.
Menu
Hmiss
Condiment made with roasted peppers and tomatoes
Berboucha
Algerian meat stew served with couscous
Mouhalabieh
Milk pudding with orange blossom
Wine Selection
Cuvée Laurent Combier Crozes-Hermitage 2022 is the wine we paired with the starter. It is a 100% Syrah, mainly produced using young vines by Domaine Combier since 1999. It is a very fruity wine that can be served with a simple cheese or goes equally well with a complex dish such as our starter. On the nose, it's full of black and red fruits such as blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries, which was such a welcoming note when you look at the starter we were having—Hmiss.
Hmiss is a dish with such complex flavours and smokiness that you wonder if such a fruity wine would work with it. Once you sip the wine, you realise that it's not only fruity. On the palate, you can feel hints of smoke and black pepper, which complement the smokiness of the peppers in the Hmiss, and the fruits balance the spice.
You can serve this wine directly from the bottle. Serve at 15 to 17 degrees Celsius.
Overall 8/10
Michel Magnien's Coteaux Bourguignons 2020 is the perfect example of a regional Burgundy Pinot Noir. Made from grapes grown in various plots within the Côtes de Nuits, it showcases the region's classic characteristics without the higher price tag of some other appellations. It has everything you would want in a Pinot Noir, and its medium alcohol, medium body, and low tannins make it a versatile wine.
This wine is known for its lightness and drinkability. On the nose, you get red fruits, such as raspberries and strawberries. On the palate, you can clearly taste the cherries' red current. The bright acidity keeps the palate fresh and complements the subtle earthiness often found in Pinot Noir from Burgundy. It was the perfect pairing for the main and complemented the lamb and spices in the dish.
While it might not possess the complexity of a Grand Cru, Michel Magnien's Coteaux Bourguignons offers a lovely introduction to Burgundy Pinot Noir at a good value. Domaine Michel Magnien is known for its organic viticulture practices and minimal intervention winemaking style.
Overall 8/10