text: Prince William, Kate Middleton; New Zealand Royal Wine Tasting; Recipe - Great Ideas : People.com
  The Royal Feasting Continues: Prince William and Kate's Vineyard Tour
  04/14/2014 at 01:20 PM ET
  The folks in charge of planning the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's New Zealand trip made sure they didn't miss one of the country's biggest assets: its renowned Pinot Noir.
  On Sunday, after attending church services and helping coach a kids' mini rugby game, the couple stopped at the Amisfield Winery and Bistro in Arrowtown, near Queenstown, for a special wine tasting and lunch.
  After a walk through the grapevines (the Duchess traded her signature stilettos for more grass-friendly wedges), the couple stopped to sample the Amisfield Pinot Noir 2011, which was recently given a 92 rating by Wine Spectator magazine and is currently the vineyard's most famous wine. (Although it can be enjoyed now, it can also be saved for about four to five years: Maybe it would make a nice tipple for the grown-up guests at Prince George's fifth birthday party?)
  Amisfield/Vaughan Brookfield
  Lunch came next, and the chefs from the winery's Lake Hayes bistro created a menu that mixed reliable standbys with new dishes. One of the perks of being royalty: People don't just cook really well for you, they create menu items in your honor.
  Highlights included ceviche made from local sea snails and blue cod that was garnished with ginger kimchi, venison from the country's Fiordland region and fresh figs wrapped in the bistro's house-cured pancetta.
  We got the recipe for the beet-cured salmon appetizer, which is one of the restaurant's most popular starters. Because the salmon isn't cooked, the success of this dish will depend on using the freshest, highest quality fish that you can find. Make it for your next cocktail party — and be sure to tell your guests that they're eating it in royally good company.
  Amisfield Beet-Cured Gravlax
  2¼ pounds of salmon side or fillet
  2 large beets, cooked, peeled and thinly sliced
  For dill cream:
  3 oz. salmon caviar
  1. Two days ahead before you plan to serve it, pat the salmon dry and place on a baking tray. Mix together the sea salt, brown sugar and lemon zest.
  2. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the salmon. Place one bunch of dill on top, then layer the beets over the dill. Wrap in plastic film and place another tray on top and weight down with a rock or brick. Leave in the fridge for 2 days; the salmon should become slightly firm.
  3. The next day, peel the cucumber and discard the skin. Peel the flesh of the cucumber into thin ribbons with a vegetable peeler, discarding the seeds, and place in a bowl.
  4. Season with the kosher salt and leave for 2 hours, then discard liquid. Add the vinegar and granulated sugar and refrigerate overnight.
  5. On the day you will serve the salmon, whisk together the cream and crème fraîche until thickened enough that it holds together on a spoon. Add the chopped dill and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Slice the two whole cucumbers on a slight angle. Thinly slice the salmon. Place each piece of salmon on top of a cucumber slice. Garnish with a dollop of dill cream (about 1 tsp.) and top with salmon caviar.
  RELATED: The Best Way to Welcome the Royals to New Zealand: Cookies, Of Course
  FILED UNDER: Entertaining , Food , Kate Middleton , Prince William , Recipes , Restaurants , Stars & Chefs , Travel , Wine
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  Golly gee whiz….those royals are just like us!
  Many a times I've toured the old vineyard and supped on gourmet food in designer clothes after a day out yachting while a professional nanny care's for my child.
  dandelion on April 14th, 2014
  Hmmmm…..notice that the people making this stuff are doing it with their bare hands and fingers…..yuk! Wonder if His/Her Royal Highnessess know this?
  carol on April 14th, 2014
  Seems like a nice state visit.With alot of perks!
  angien2324 on April 14th, 2014
  dandelion, every time you go eat out at a nice restaurant, you're eating food that has been touched by the chef's bare hands. It's difficult to wear gloves a prepare food such as this..I know, I'm a chef. 🙂
  Jay on April 14th, 2014
  Dandelion, I'm sure they wash their hands before preparing the meals, as well as washing their hands after handling raw meat, etc.
  Do you wear gloves when preparing meals at home? Proper hygiene can be and has been attained for ages without being hermetically sealed, lol!
  Anon on April 14th, 2014
  It's funny, the stuff they do for "work" is the stuff normal people do for leisure/relaxation. I am having trouble understanding the point of this trip, which the New Zealand taxpayers are footing.
  Jen on April 14th, 2014
  Well, New Zealand is certainly getting lots of publicity for its "investment" which should be a boon for the tourism industry, local companies and designers featured. Everything this couple touches has instant cache for many worldwide = $$$$. Personally, I think I'll try to find a bottle of that Pinot Noir.
  Marcos Limoli on April 14th, 2014
  Well, much time has passed. No one became ill that I've read. Good that everyone had clean hands when handling food. Or not. Too late now. Ha! I do like this dish. Not so much the caviar. Very salty and icky.
  Matching outfits! Love the blues. Seems as if they absolutely make certain (maids-in-waiting) clothings are compatible! Very cool. Such a fun couple. Can't wait until baby Geroge is walking, etc. Looks exactly like his papa!