And The Secret Ingredient is ... Beer!

Ahh, we have all been there. The sad story about food while living the student life. Express noodles, Tesco meal deal everyday, oatmeal and eggs. One thing you probably use the whatever amount of money you have left by the end of the month, is beer. We all know that beer and food goes hand in hand, but did you also know that beer IN food also does? Actually, you gave give new life to many dishes with beer!

Beer can often taste even better inside the food, rather than besides it.

As we have referred to many times on this blog, beer comes in all sorts of flavour– Sweet, bitter, fruity etc. Beer actually works perfectly both in and with food. It can be used as a spice, taste enhancer, use as a marinade and in your baking. Dark beer is perfect to use as a marinade for chicken, as it makes it more juicy and adds an amazing flavour.

Guinness is an example of dark beer that you can team up with your dessert. Ever tried a Guinness Chocolate Cake?

How do I choose the right beer for my dish?

There are three main points to keep in mind on the search to find the perfect combination of flavour with dish and what kind of beer to use:

1. Strength meeting strength: Neither the beer or the food should outplay each other. They should synchronize each other, and enhance one another. If you are making greasy food, like a burger and fries, the beer you pick should be more bitter. Choose your beer after the strength in flavour of the dish.

2. Finding the perfect harmony and contrasts: The beer and food should balance each other. For instance, if you are having something sweet for dessert, the beer you should use could be more on the sour side.

3. Explore and learn as you go! Perhaps the most important point of them all. You are the best at finding the perfect combination for YOU. Taste as you go, both with types of beer and the amount you use.

Impress your next dinner-guest, group-members or your loved one with one of these three receipts made with beer!

Onion Soup With Beer

Preptime: 20 minutes

What you need:

10 cup onions, sliced (about 10 medium onions)

¼ cup butter

1 Tbsp flour

1 bottle pale ale

1 Tbsp Dijon mustard

4 cup chicken broth, approximately

6 thick diagonal slices baguette, toasted

2 cup grated sharp cheddar

1 pinch Salt and pepper

Get directions at http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/onion-soup-with-beer/9504/#fmbkoZdMPh4irp9Q.99

Bacon Jalapenos Cheese Dip

Preptime: 10 minutes

What you need:

6 rashers bacon diced

2 jalapeno peppers, halved, seeded and thinly sliced

1 tbsp flour

1 bottle Corona (or other Mexican-style lager)

2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese

1 package cream cheese, cut into small cubes

1 can chopped green chilies, drained

* Serve with your side of choice*

Get directions at: http://www.crumbblog.com/bacon-jalapeno-cheese-dip/

Guinness Chocolate Cake

Preptime: Depends on how fast you are

For the topping:

What you need:

250 millilitres guinness

250 grams unsalted butter

75 grams cocoa powder

400 grams caster sugar

150 millilitres sour cream

2 large eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

275 grams plain flour

2½ teaspoons bicarbonate of soda

For the cake-topping you need:

300 grams cream cheese

150 grams icing sugar

2 teaspoons cornflour

125 millilitres double cream (or whipping cream)

Read more at and get directions at: https://www.nigella.com/recipes/chocolate-guinness-cake

Enjoy! Comment down below if you tried any of these recipes and use share on Facebook to tell your friends.

PS: Don´t forget to sign up to our next meeting where we will have a dinner night with various food made with beer!

You can sign up to the event here: https://trinitybeerclub.wixsite.com/beer/events-1/beer-and-dine

Bon Appetit and as always...CHEERS!