“I cook with wine,
sometimes I even
add it to the food.”
- W.C. Fields
Welcome to the Cypher Kitchen where winemaker SAM ZinPunk Mahler shares her recipes for pairings, YouTube how-to videos, updates form the Earth Fire Farms gardens and more!
The Cypher Kitchen
By SAM ZinPunk Mahler
“Slayer” WINE-INFUSED Spiced Cranberry Sauce
This fabulous, spiced wine cranberry sauce recipe is a family favorite developed years back and anticipated at everyThanksgiving! This year I'm putting a spin on it swapping out Zinfandel for Slayer (51% Cabernet / 18%Petit Verdot / 15% Tannat / 12% Zinfandel / 4% Petite Sirah)! I hope yourfamily enjoys this rich, sweet, tangy cranberry
Irresistible Sweet & Savory Fig Olive Tapenade
This quick and easy olive tapenade will definitely become one of your go-to recipes! Loaded with two types of olives, shallots, figs, fresh rosemary, and lemon zest, this sweet and savory relish is the perfect Holiday appetizer! Simple to make, it pairs divinely with your favorite Cypher Red, and is guaranteed to delight your family and friends! We wouldn’t be surprised if you receive a request or two for the recipe from your guests. Serve on your favorite cracker or crostini, on a cheeseboard, or over a log of goat cheese.
Creamy Delicious Vegan Roasted Pumpkin Soup
This vegan pumpkin soup is nutritious, easy to make, cream-free, and incredibly delicious. Pairs beautifully with Cypher Elemental Cab Sauvignon or Slayer.
Five Fabulous fresh Walnut recipes
Our Fall Enigma Wine Club pack included a gratitude gift for our members – an organza gift bag of organic walnuts from SAM’s EarthFire farm, a traditional walnut cracker to enjoy the tasty morsels with ease, and a bundle of garden-fresh sage!
Deliciously Creamy Easy Vegan Walnut Pasta Sauce
This deliciously creamy, easy-to-make, vegan walnut pasta sauce will no doubt become a standard in your recipe rotations. Easy to make with only 8 ingredients, this walnut white sauce is high in protein, chock full of nutrients, and lower in saturated fat than its cousin the traditional dairy-free cashew cream sauce.
With a buttery-smooth consistency, this sauce is the perfect substitute to create vegan Alfredo pasta, creamed spinach, or even a white sauce lasagna! Get creative in the kitchen and see what else you can create with this velvety delicious alternative to a heavy cream sauce.
Warmed Brie with Walnuts, Dates and Blackberry Balsamic
ZinPunk’s balance of Jam, spice and earthy tannin plays off this simple and elegant recipe beautifully. It is another one of our favorites bringing a unique and exciting twist to your wine and cheese pairings. The fusion of creamy brie with the earthy tannins in the walnuts, and the deep fruit of the balsamic vinegar dances in delightful harmony with the flavors and aromas of ZinPunk.
Toasted Walnut Salted Maple Syrup Brittle
No heavy corn syrup in this delicious brittle recipe! We swapped in pure maple syrup in its place for a rich, full-bodied sweetness that pairs beautifully with bitter walnuts and rich creamy butter. Top it off with a sprinkling of sea salt for an added crunch and yin to the sugar’s yang. Keep in an airtight bag or container for afternoon snacks or bundle in clear cellophane bags and tie with ribbon for gift giving.
Amazing Walnut Honey Crusted Chicken
Farm fresh organic walnuts bring an extra flare and are the secret ingredient to this recipe’s success! Toasted walnuts paired with local honey make the chicken savory, sweet, and moist! This recipe is easy to throw together and quick to impress. Whether you are hosting a casual get-together or formal sit-down dinner, our amazing walnut honey-crusted chicken is sure to delight!
Peach Marinaded BBQ Sausage
This delicious summer peach marinade recipe pairs beautifully with barbecued sausages, pork, chicken, or pan-fried tofu. Sweet and savory, this dish delivers layers of complexity that pair beautifully with Whited, Rosé, and even red wines. We recommend Ethereal White, Evanescence Rosé, or Fifth Element Rhone-style red blend.
