Summer gatherings seasoned with sophisticated style

Chill the wine, light the grill and let the party begin. However you like to entertain, summer gatherings should be seasoned with style. Coaxing great flavors from fresh foods is the secret to summer menus.

Borrow a professional chef’s secret by using kosher salt for everyday cooking. Kosher salt offers unique texture and shape that delivers a bold taste and unmatched burst of flavor you can count on every time.

•An exceptional, naturally coarse texture makes kosher salt ideal for seasoning and bringing out the true flavor of good food.

•The crystal structure makes it blend beautifully with other spices and herbs for bursts of flavor that delight the palate.

Summer’s perfect wines are affordable, and infused with vibrant flavors. Marinate foods for the grill with the same quality wine you enjoy at the table. Rosés are full of ripe fruit; these rosy-hued wines have a refreshing zing and enough structure to marry with summer menus.

Entertain deliciously this summer. Visit www.VibrantRioja.com and call Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt at (800) 428-4244 for more information.

Grilled Salt- and Herb-Crusted Steak

Serves 4

Marinade

3/4 cup red wine

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh tarragon leaves

1 tablespoon grated onion

1 large clove garlic, pressed or minced

2 teaspoons packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon kosher salt

4 hanger steaks*, about 6 ounce each (about 3/4 inch thick)

Rub

1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 teaspoon sugar

3/4 teaspoon cracked or coarse ground black pepper

Marinade: Combine marinade ingredients in small bowl; whisk to dissolve kosher salt and sugar. Place steaks and marinade in large, sealable food storage bag. Press to remove excess air and seal bag. Toss lightly to coat evenly. Refrigerate and marinate at least 6 hours to overnight, turning occasionally.

Rub: Strip thyme leaves from thick stems and coarsely chop or rub between fingers to separate leaves from stems.

Combine thyme, remaining 2 teaspoons kosher salt, sugar and pepper in small bowl; mix well. (To evenly distribute thyme throughout kosher salt, rub between fingers to mix.)

Heat grill to medium-high direct heat. Remove steaks from marinade; discard marinade. Pat steaks gently with paper towel. Spread kosher salt mixture evenly on steaks to coat; press lightly.

Place steaks on grill. Grill steaks, covered, 9 to 11 minutes or until desired doneness, turning once.

*The hanger steak is a thick strip of meat from the underside of the cow. It hangs (hence the name) between the rib and the loin. It is part of the diaphragm and is full of flavor but can dry out and get tough when exposed to dry heat. When grilling or broiling, use a marinade to keep it moist.

Grilled Fennel, Corn and Red Pepper Salad

Serves 4 to 6

1 medium red bell pepper

1 fresh fennel bulb

3 to 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon coarse ground pepper

1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

2 large cloves garlic, unpeeled

2 ears corn on cob

1 1/2 cups cooked fusilli or rotini pasta

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

Heat grill to medium direct heat. Remove stem and seeds from pepper; cut pepper and fennel lengthwise into halves. Blend 2 tablespoons olive oil, thyme, kosher salt, pepper and dry mustard in small bowl. Brush pepper, fennel, garlic and corn lightly with olive oil mixture. Place vegetables on grill. (If garlic is small enough to fall through grill, place on small piece of foil on grill. Remove garlic when soft.) Grill 7 to 9 minutes or until tender-crisp, turning once and brushing with remaining oil mixture. Remove from grill.

Coarsely chop pepper and fennel; place in medium bowl. Finely chop or mash garlic; cut kernels from corn cobs. Combine garlic, corn, pepper, fennel and pasta; toss to mix. Drizzle with vinegar and remaining olive oil.

Pair with a red Rioja crianza.

Wine-Kissed Chocolate Fondue

Serves 4 to 6 (makes about 1 cup)

3/4 cup whipping cream

8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate (baking squares or other high-quality chocolate), broken into small pieces

Kosher salt to enhance chocolate flavor

3 tablespoons red wine

Assorted fruits (strawberries, cherries, peaches, etc.) for dipping

Combine whipping cream, chocolate and dash of kosher salt in small saucepan. Heat over low heat, stirring frequently until chocolate can be stirred smooth.

Stir in wine. Pour into fondue pot; place over flame. Dip fruit into fondue.

Recipe can be doubled, if desired.

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