Prosecco: The perfect patio accessory

Imagine yourself lounging on your patio overlooking the sparkling blue of a pool. There’s a slight breeze that lightly lifts the scent of orange blossoms to your nose. Perhaps there is a tray of chips and dip or a plate of bruschetta within reach, but what to drink? A Prosecco cocktail sounds like the perfect springtime choice to me.

Prosecco is a great alternative to champagne, aside from being less expensive I find it to be somewhat lighter and sweeter–not to mention a great mixer for springtime cocktails.

Try out some of these Prosecco recipes (and food pairings) at home:

Fountain of Cocktails

• 2 bottles STELLINA DI NOTTE PROSECCO®
• 1 quart blueberry juice
• 1 quart peach nectar
• 1 quart apple juice
• 1 quart cranberry juice
• 1 quart orange juice
• 1 quart pineapple juice

Directions:

1. In a large pitcher, mix together the blueberry juice and peach nectar. In another large pitcher, mix together the apple and cranberry juices. In another large pitcher, mix together the orange and pineapple juices.
2. Fill glasses with your choice of juice and top with sparkling wine.

Pear Puffs
Total Time: 60min | Cook Time: 20min |Level: Medium | Servings: 16 puffs

Ingredients:

• 1 egg
• 1 sheet Frouncesen puff pastry, thawed
• 5 tablespoons & 1 teaspoon semisoft cheese with garlic and fine herbs
• 2/3 cup canned diced pears, drained and thinly sliced

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400F.
2. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. For egg wash, in a small bowl, lightly whisk together egg and 1 teaspoon water. Set aside.
3. Unroll puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Using a rolling pin, roll puff pastry into a 14 x 10-inch rectangle. Cut into sixteen 3 x 2-inch rectangles.
4. Spread 1 teaspoon of the semisoft cheese in a middle of a pastry rectangle. Top with 2 teaspoons of the pears. Using a pastry brush, brush egg wash around the perimeter of the puff pastry rectangle. Bring corners of the pastry to the center and pinch seams together. Repeat to make 16 puffs. Arrange puffs, seam sides up, on prepared baking sheets. Refrigerate for 15 minutes. Remove from refrigerator and brush tops with remaining egg wash.
5. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until puffed and golden brown. Remove from oven and cool for 5 minutes. Serve warm.

Prosecco Cake

Recipe Courtesy: Sandra Lee
Total Time: 60min | Cook Time: 45min | Level: Easy

Ingredients:

• 1 (16-ounce) box pound cake mix
• 2 eggs
• ½ stick butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• ⅓ cup Stellina di Notte® Prosecco or sparkling wine
• ⅓ cup orange juice
• 1½ cups confectioners’ sugar
• ¼ cup sparkling wine

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray two 9 × 5-inch loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray and dust lightly with flour.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients for cake. Mix on medium speed until well incorporated. Pour into prepared loaf pans. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until top is golden brown. Allow to cool for 5 minutes then remove from pans and cool completely on a wire rack placed on a sheet pan.
3. To make glaze, put confectioners’ sugar in a large bowl and slowly beat in the Prosecco until consistency is thick but pourable. Pour glaze over top of cakes and allow to drip down sides. Let sit for 5 minutes to set.