This week’s #SundaySupper theme is all about hometown and the wonderful memories one’s favorite hometown foods may evoke.
What I call “hometown” has always been a challenge for me. I was born in Chicago, but moved to California with my parents as a teenager. I’ve spent (way) more than half my life in California. But most of my relatives still live in Chicago. So when I think of what my hometown is, Chicago is top of mind, but I’ve been in California so long that I also feel that’s my home too.
But in terms of hometown foods, I’m going say “both”!. Chicago and San Francisco are arguably, the top two food towns in the U.S. (with apologies to NY’ers – I guess I still have a bit of the Windy City chip on my shoulders when it comes to NYC;-)
The first foods from my two hometown’s that come to mind are Chicago’s Garrett’s Mix popcorn – an amazing mash-up of Caramel and Cheddar popcorn that sweet and salty like Kettle Corn. In terms of San Francisco, the first food that come to mind is the Hangtown Fry – arguably the first California cuisine. It originated during the Gold Rush and consists of fried breaded oysters, eggs, and fried bacon, cooked together like an omelet.
What’s your favorite hometown food?
Check out this week’s fabulous hometown favorite recipes put together by the #SundaySupper food bloggers and my wine pairing recommendations – all under $20!
Breakfast and Snacks
I say start the day with some bubbly! Pair these breakfast favorites and snacks with Moscato d’Asti. One of my favorites is the 2013 Saracco Moscato d’Asti ($10). It shows a sweet, fragrant, delicate, floral, tropical fruit, and a hint of honey character. It’s “frizzante”, which means it’s not as effervescent as most sparkling wines.
- Gluten Free Cinnamon Raisin Bagels by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Mickey Mouse Waffles by Wallflour Girl
- New York Style Bagels by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Peanut Butter and Fluff French Toast by Momma’s Meals
- South Jersey Boardwalk Popcorn by Take A Bite Out of Boca
Enjoy these dishes with one of the most versatile food pairing wines – a sparkling rose. My favorite “everyday” sparkling rose is Deligeroy Crémant de Loire Brut Rosé ($13). It drinks well above it’s $12.99 price point and has a lovely soft texture with a delicious and inviting strawberry, and cherry character.
- Alamo City Breakfast Tacos by The Weekend Gourmet
- Cuban Sandwich Crostini by Casa de Crews
- Cuban Sandwich Dip by Family Foodie
- Fried Rice Vermicelli with Vegetable Fritters by Brunch with Joy
- Hot Brown Ham Sliders by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Joe’s Special by Nosh My Way
Drinks
- Candied Kumquat Peels, Kumquat Syrup, and Kumquat-Ade by Recipe for Perfection
Appetizer, Side and Main Dishes
Pair these dishes with Chardonnay. Look for the 2013 Spellbound California Chardonnay ($12). It’s has a lively, lush tropical fruit, apple, crème brûlée, and vanilla character. Delicious stuff!
- Chicken and Dumplings by Food Lust People Love
- Chicken Rice Pilaf by Crazy Foodie Stunts
- The Pittsburgh Devonshire Sandwich by Seduction in the Kitchen
- Revved-up Poutine by Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
Pair these dishes with a Sauvignon Blanc. Look for the 2013 Patient Cottat “Le Grand Caillou” Sauvignon Blanc ($10). It has a lovely tropical fruit, citrus, spice and mineral character with a tangy acidity.
- 1905 Salad by Supper for a Steal
- Greek Salad with Potato Salad by Ruffles & Truffles
- New England Beans and Cod by Cooking Chat
- San Francisco Cioppino by Eat, Drink and be Tracy
- Seattle-Style Dungeness Crab Roll by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
Pair these dishes with Riesling, the white version of a “goes with virtually anything” wine. Look for 2013 Charles Smith “Kung Fu Girl” Columbia Valley Riesling ($10). It’s off-dry so it’ll handle some spice, and it fruit forward, and fresh with lychee, nectarine, peach and a bit of citrus character.
- Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings by Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Lentil, Cauliflower and Sweet Potato Curry by Mess Makes Food
- Honey Cola Baked Ham by Magnolia Days
- Korean Steamed Eggs by Hip Foodie Mom
- Pozole Rojo by Simply Healthy Family
- Rice with Pork and Pineapple by Basic N Delicious
- Xiang La Tu Zi // Hot & Spicy Rabbit by Curried Canteloupe
Pair these recipes with a red blend. Look for the 2012 Bogle “Essential Red” Old Vine Red Blend ($9). It made from old vine Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah. It has a juicy, smooth, fruit forward character with exotic dark fruit and vanilla character
- Crockpot Cincinnati Chili by Palatable Pastime
- Upper Peninsula Pasties by Recipes Food and Cooking
- Portobello “Philly Cheese Steak” by PancakeWarriors
- Tex-Mex Cheese Enchiladas with Chile con Carne by The Texan New Yorker
Pair these dishes with Chianti. One of my perennial faves is Frescobaldi Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva($19). It’s made from Sangiovese grapes and has a wonderful black cherry, plum, spice, and tobacco character.
- Classic Italian Risotto in Bianco by La Bella Vita Cucina
- Philadelphia Tomato Pie by The Redhead Baker
- Pierogies by Hezzi D’s Books and Cooks
- Victory Pig Sicilian Style Pizza by Rants From My Crazy Kitchen
- Oven Toasted Ravioli by Curious Cuisiniere
- Smoke House Cheesy Garlic Bread by Peaceful Cooking
Desserts
Pair these dessert with a Port. Look for the Quinta do Noval Black Port ($18). It’s a revolutionary new port from one of the world’s legendary estates. It’s fruity and sweet with a jammy, fig, blackberry character. Excellent with chocolate dessert!
- Buckeye Cupcakes by Desserts Required
- Carob Bumpy Cake by Pies and Plots
- Chocolate Earthquake Cake by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Chocolate Pocky Cake by NinjaBaker
- Grandma Sweeney’s Chocolate Cream Pie by Lifestyle Food Artistry
Pair these dessert with a Sauternes, a dessert wine from France. Look for the 2010 Haut Charmes, Sauternes ($14).It’s a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon that has been affected by Botrytis cinerea, also known as noble rot, that which intensifies its sweetness and gives it a honeyed character. It has a rich with fresh acidity and a pleasing tropical fruit characer.
- Apple Crisp by Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
- Lemon Buttermilk Bundt Cake by Alida’s Kitchen
- Memories of Mom; Michigan Apple Cake by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Mile High Strawberry Pie by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Pear Parkin by Happy Baking Days
- Vegan Timbits by Killer Bunnies, Inc
- Vernors Cake by Country Girl in the Village
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more greatSunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board.
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I’m so excited to see your wine pairings for our Sunday Supper recipes again! And what a wonderful choice of Riesling for my ham. It’s just perfect!
Hi Renee…it has been too long! It feels good to be “back in the saddle”. Hope to post at least monthly in 2015!
I was wondering if you’d go red or white for mine, Martin, since most folks think of the clear chicken broth with noodles type of dumpling when they hear chicken and dumplings. Which I discovered, much to my surprise, as an adult. I thought everyone made it just like my grandmother. 🙂 That Chardonnay sounds divine!
Thanks for your comment Stacy. As I commented on your post…you’re totally correct, I was expecting the chicken noodle based dumpling soup. I’d definitely go with a red for your version. It’s looks so delicious!
MMM, Rose with my crostini? Yes, please!
Thanks Nichole! Cheers!
Thanks for all the terrific wine pairings! I’ve walked by Garrett’s a number of times—but I need to actually go inside instead of just inhaling the marvelous popcorn aroma!
Thanks Liz – You really should go inside if you’ve got the time ( the lines can be long). Great popcorn!
Oh this was such a fun post to read! Will have to try some of these pairings. Thanks or sharing!
Thanks Sam! Nice yoga pose! I’ve been practicing yoga for a couple of years now. Still working on getting upside down like that though! Cheers!
I love the wine pairings with these! I can feel you on the two cities! I am born Pittsburgh, but I live in Cleveland. I do get it!
Thanks Deanna! Cheers!
Fantastic wine pairings! Having spent a lot of time in Portugal, I really want to try that black port! It sounds so good!
Thanks Kathy. That Black Port does sound good doesn’t it. It’s good to see a more accessible style of Port on the Market!
I am so impressed with all the wine pairings presented here today! Truly on the mark all the way around 🙂 Great job and great choices! I too want to try that black port with chocolate!
Thanks so much for the kind words Valerie. I truly enjoy making wine pairing recommendations for #SundaySupper. Such creative and delectable recipes!
What a fun post of pairings with our dishes. Thanks
I am a sparkling wine lover so I can’t wait to try your recommendation with my Joe’s Special.
Thanks Marlene. Wouldn’t mind a glass of bubbly with a Joe’s Special myself! Cheers!
Thank you so much for your wonderful recommendation, Martin. I am, usually, completely lost when it comes to figuring out what to serve with peanut butter and chocolate. Port is perfect!
Thanks Betsy! Port does work well with chocolate and PB! Cheers!
Perfect! I love a good chardonnay
Thanks DB! Cheers!
Thanks for all the pairings, Martin! I’m especially happy that moscato goes well with my popcorn…that’s my favorite!
Thanks Shaina!Cheers!
I love reading your pairings!
Thanks so much Heather! Cheers!
How fun! Love the shares and all the great recipes!
Thanks Michelle! I always enjoy doing these pairing. It’s a nice challenge and it’s so fun working with such a creative group of food bloggers!
Great pairings…thank you for sharing!!
Thanks for the kind words Alida! Cheers!
Wow! That’s amazing! I love reading your list of wine pairings and now I’m eager to pair my dish with your recommended wine. Yum and yay to SF!
Thanks Linda! I love living the the Bay Area. Have you ever had a Hangtown Fry? It’s another great SF original…
The Sauv Blanc you mention sounds like a good one with my dish. Kung Fu Girl Riesling is a nice bottle too–fun label! (not that I usually pay much attention to that!).
Thanks David. The Kung-Fu Girl is a nice value! Cheers!
Thanks for doing the wine pairings, that Sauv Blanc sounds great!
Oooh–I’m not the wine fanatic in my circle, but I’ll be forwarding this to my friends for sure! Cheers!
Thanks for your kind words and willingness to forward to your circle of wine-loving friends!
It’s cool that you have two hometowns! I love Garrett’s popcorn – I order it frequently.
Thanks Laura! I think so too! Love Garrett’s although last bag I had, I chipped a tooth! Totally worth it though…
Love to see these pairings! Next time I won’t do a drink for my #SundaySupper contribution, so I can get a pairing, too. 🙂
Thanks Katy! Cheers!
I love the pairing of the wines! I never know which one goes best with what. This helps a great deal.
Thanks Mary Ellen – I really enjoy doing this. I’m glad you found it helpful! Cheers!
I love your pairing combinations!
Thanks so much Serena. Doing this is fun for me! Cheers!
Interesting wine pairing, thank you Martin!
Thanks Cindy! I hope all is well!
Wow, this is an amazing help to me! I never know what to pair with ‘anything’. I like the wine you selected for my risotto for SS. I love your blog, your experience, and your helpful advice! Thanks so much! I’m off to read MORE!
Roz @ La Bella Vita Cucina