Monday, May 7, 2007

Cheddar and Beer Soup with Tempura Broccoli Florets

  • 4 ounces butter
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup minced onions
  • 1/4 cup minced celery
  • Salt
  • Cayenne
  • 1 (12-ounce) bottle light beer
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 pound sharp Cheddar, grated
  • Dash hot red pepper sauce
  • Tempura Broccoli Florets, recipe follows
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley leaves

Tempura Broccoli Florets:
  • 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 cup seltzer water
  • 8 fresh broccoli florets, blanched
  • Salt and cayenne

1. In a large saucepan, over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly for 4 minutes to make a blond roux. Add the onions and celery. Season with salt and pepper. Continue to cook for 2 minutes or until the vegetables are wilted.
2. Stir in the beer and stock. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes. Stir in the milk and cheese. Continue to cook for 10 minutes. Season with salt and hot sauce.
3. Reduce the heat and keep warm. To serve, ladle the soup into each bowl. Garnish with the Tempura Florets and parsley.

Tempura Broccoli Florets:

1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, egg, and seltzer water. Mix well to make a smooth batter. Season with salt and cayenne. Dip each floret into the batter, shaking off any excess. Carefully add the battered broccoli to the oil and fry until crispy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels. Season with salt.

Serves 8

Thanks to Tarah

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Friday, April 20, 2007

Bacon and Cheddar Beer Bread

  • 3 cups sifted White Lily self-rising flour
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 envelopes Goya ham flavoring
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 4 tablespoons cold butter, cut into cubes
  • 1 cup (4 ounces) grated sharp Cheddar
  • 1/2 cup cooked real bacon pieces
  • 1 (12 ounce) bottle beer

In food processor fitted with the chopping blade, first 4 ingredients Add butter. Process in pulses until it resembles meal. Stir in cheese and bacon. Package airtight and store in the refrigerator. Give along with a bottle of beer and baking instructions.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-5-inch bread pan. Empty contents of package into a mixing bowl. Make a well in center of ingredients. Pour beer into well. Stir by hand just until ingredients are blended. Spread batter evenly in bread pan. Bake 40 to 50 minutes, until bread sounds hollow when tapped. Remove from
oven and place on cooling rack for 5 minutes. Remove bread from pan. Bread slices cleaner and neater if allowed to cool before slicing. Makes 1 loaf.

Thanks to Peggy at Cajun Cooking Recipes

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Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Spring Shepard’s Pie with Tempeh, Asparagus, Sweet Peas and Beer

  • 4 large Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks
  • splash of milk/cream/soymilk
  • 3 Tbsp butter/margarine
  • 2 cups grated parmesan cheese, completely optional
  • 1 8oz block tempeh cut into 1/2 inch cubes
  • 1 bottle of beer*
  • (2) veggie bullion cubes
  • olive oil
  • 3 leeks, well washed and sliced
  • 1 bunch of asparagus, sliced diagonally into 1 inch pieces
  • 2 cups frozen sweet peas
  • 1 bag fresh spinach
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 tsp parsley flakes, optional
  • salt and pepper

*try a nice flavorful ale or wheat beer. I think it would work less well with a dark stout or porter or anything too light like a lager, but it’s casserole and your call.

Start by making your mash potatoes. Make them whatever way you like them but in case you don’t have a favorite way, here’s an easy one: throw your potato chunks into boiling salted water and cook for 15 - 20 minutes or until they are soft through the middle.
Drain the potatoes well and add the milk, butter, salt and pepper. Mash with a potato masher or electric beaters. Right before the potatoes go on to top the casserole, stir in 1/2 the cheese if you’re using it.

While your potatoes are cooking, start simmering the tempeh. Heat the bottle of beer in a small saucepan until almost simmering. Add the tempeh and 2 bullion cubes. Simmer for 15 - 20 minutes or until there is a cup or so of beer left unabsorbed.

In a large skillet/wok, quickly sauté the leek until wilted and then add the asparagus for about 2 minutes, or until just starting to heat. Add the bag of spinach and cook, stirring well from the bottom, until wilted. Add the tempeh and simmering liquid, lemon zest, parsley flakes and taste to adjust salt/pepper levels. Stir in frozen peas.

Dump out the veggies and tempeh into a greased 9″ x 13″ casserole. Cover the casserole with a layer of mashed potatoes - plop spoonfuls down all around the casserole and spread. Brush the mash potatoes with a thin coat of olive oil and top with the other 1/2 of grated cheese. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 30 minutes, or until the top is starting to get golden and you see a little bubbling around the side.

Thanks to vanessipes.com

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Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Chili a la olio

  • 3 tablespoons oil
  • ½ pound sirloin, cubed (I buy stir-fry beef then cut the strips into small cubes with kitchen scissors)
  • 2 tablespoons McCormick Montreal Steak seasoning
  • ¾ box button mushrooms, coarsely chopped
  • ¾ box cremini mushrooms (aka baby portobello), coarsely chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion, coarsely chopped
  • 3 stalks celery, coarsely chopped (use some of the leafy tops, too)
  • 1 large red bell pepper, seeded and coarsely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic (6 if they’re small), finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 chipotle pepper in adobo, finely chopped (you can remove
  • some/all of the seeds if you prefer milder chili)
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 bottle beer (any lager)
  • 1 16-ounce can black beans (don’t drain)
  • 1 16-ounce can crushed tomatoes (don’t drain)
  • 1 cup beef stock
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves

Garnish (optional):

  • ½ cup mild yellow cheese (Gouda is a good choice), grated
  • 1 small white onion, finely chopped
Heat a large, deep skillet over high heat.

Add 2 tablespoons oil, the meat, and the grill seasoning.

Sear the meat for 2-3 minutes, then reduce heat to medium and push meat to one side.

On the “clean” side of the skillet, add another tablespoon of oil, then the mushrooms. When the mushrooms begin to brown and shrink (about 2-3 minutes), stir them once quickly then push them off to the side with the meat.

Add the remaining vegetables (onion, celery, red pepper, and garlic) to the clean side of the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, then mix the meat, mushrooms, and vegetables together.

Add the Worcestershire, chipotle, and cumin. Stir quickly to mix, then add the beer.

Stir/scrape the bottom of the skillet well to deglaze. Simmer until the beer has reduced by half (about 2 minutes).

Taste, and if you want it spicier, you can add a little more (¼ teaspoon or so) adobo sauce from the can of peppers.

Add the beans, tomatoes, beef stock, and thyme and simmer for 10 minutes.

This dish only takes about 30 minutes to make.

Thanks to Lee at Olio

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Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Beer Cheese Soup, Ghetto Gourmet Style

312 Beer Cheese Soup w/ Brie, Chorizo and Manchego
  • 2 yellow onions, chopped
  • 2 fennel bulbs, chopped
  • 2 cups of thinly sliced celery
  • 6 pack of 312 Beer (2 bottles for the soup and the other 4 for you!)
  • 1 tablespoon of ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon of ground coriander seeds
  • 2 teaspoons of crushed red pepper
  • 4 tablespoons of flour
  • 1 pound of cheddar cheese, grated
  • 1 pound of brie cheese, sliced (leave the rind on)
  • 1 stick of butter
  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 8 cups water or stock
  • Mexican-style chorizo, cooked and drained very well (or Soyrizo)
  • Shredded manchego cheese
Heat oil and butter in a large stock pot. Add the onion, celery, fennel, cumin, coriander and crushed red pepper. Sautee on medium heat and stir frequently until everything is caramelized, which should take about 10-15 minutes. Add the flour and cook for 2 more minutes while stirring constantly. Add the beer! Stir and scrape the bottom of the stockpot to deglaze the pan (all that stuck-on stuff is really flavorful and you want in the soup, not stuck to the pan). Add the water/stock and bring everything to a light boil. Add the cheddar and brie cheese and stir to combine. Lower the heat to a low simmer and cover the pot. Cook the soup for one to two hours on low heat and stir occasionally to blend the melted cheese into the broth.

Ladle the soup into bowls and top with a bit of chorizo and shredded manchego cheese.

Thanks to Gaper's Block

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Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Pasta and Eggplant in Beer

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 medium eggplant, about 1 pound, peeled and diced
  • Salt and pepper
  • 6 ounces smoked ham, cubed
  • 1 cup lager
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary or l/2 teaspoon dried
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen peas
  • 1 pound large tubular pasta such as penne cooked according to the directions on the package
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

In a large skillet heat the olive oil over medium heat. Put in the egg plant, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, for about 10 minutes, until it becomes soft. Stir in the ham, and fry 2 minutes. Add the lager and rosemary, and bring to a boil. Reduce the liquid by half. Put in the peas, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 2 minutes. Stir the cooked pasta into the sauce, and cook for 30 seconds to heat through. Transfer to a serving bowl, sprinkle with plenty of Parmesan cheese, and serve.

Yield: 4-6 servings

Thanks to Robert

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Saturday, March 17, 2007

Newcastle Brown Ale Rarebit

  • 50g butter
  • 50g flour
  • 250ml Newcastle Brown Ale (or any strong beer)
  • 200g strong cheddar cheese, grated
  • 1 tbs Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 tbs English mustard
  • Freshly ground pepper

Melt the butter in a deep pan and add the flour, stirring for 1 minute to form a roux.

Pour in the beer bit by bit, stirring all of the time until you have a thick sauce.

Stir in the cheddar cheese, Worcestershire Sauce and English mustard, a good grinding of black pepper and stir until thoroughly combined. You should have a thick paste.

Toast your choice of bread, finishing the 2nd side with a liberal spread of rarebit mixture and grilling until golden and bubbly.

Serves 2 on lots of toast

Thanks to David Hall from Book the Cook

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Saturday, March 10, 2007

Classic Welsh Rarebit

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Pinch cayenne pepper
  • 3/4 cup pale ale or nut brown ale
  • 8 ounces (approximately 2 cups) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 4 1-inch slices good-quality bread, toasted

In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the butter and whisk in the flour. Cook, whisking constantly for 2 to 3 minutes, being careful not to brown the flour. Whisk in mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper and cayenne until smooth. Add ale and whisk to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 to 3 minutes to soften the flavor of the alcohol. Over very low heat, gradually add cheese, stirring constantly, until cheese melts and sauce is smooth; this will take 4 to 5 minutes. Makes 4 servings.

Thanks to Oregon Live

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Wednesday, February 28, 2007

White Chicken Chili

  • 2 lbs boneless chicken breasts
  • 2 cans Great northern beans
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 med. onions, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, Minced
  • 8 oz. Salsa Verde
  • 2 tsp or more ground cumin
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 5 cups canned chicken broth
  • 1 can beer
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • salt to taste
  • 3 cups grated monterey jack cheese
  • Sour cream and salsa

Place chicken in large sauce pan. Add cold water to cover and bring to simmer. Cool until just tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and cool, cut into small pieces.

In large pot saute onions in oil until translucent. Stir in garlic, salsa verde, and seasonings and saute a couple of minutes.

Add beans, broth, and beer. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Add the chicken meat and 1 cup of cheese, stir until the cheese is melted and the chicken warmed through.

Season with salt to taste. Serve with remaining cheese, sour cream and salsa.

Thanks to WhiplashGirlchild

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Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Cheese Soup in Breadbowls

  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup chopped onions
  • 1/2 cup chopped carrots
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 2 1/2 cups milk
  • 1 cup beer
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce (a vegetarian version is available at natural foods stores)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon tabasco sauce
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and saute vegetables until tender. Add flour, stirring constantly until flour is no longer raw. Reduce heat; stir in beer, worchestershire sauce, salt, mustard, and tabasco. Simmer 10 minutes. Add cheddar and parmesan cheese and stir until melted; do not boil. Ladle into bread bowls and serve.

Thanks to Elizabeth's kitchen

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Wednesday, February 7, 2007

MJ’s ‘Up North’ Chili

  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 pounds ground sirloin (or beef chuck, trimmed, if you prefer)
  • 6 to 8 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 large white onion, coarsely chopped
  • 1 small can of green chili’s
  • 6 tablespoons chili powder
  • 4 tablespoons ground cumin
  • 4 tablespoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 6 - 8 dashes cayenne pepper, more if desired
  • 2 (12 ounce) cans beer
  • 1 cup strong black coffee
  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes with puree
  • 1 large tomato - coarsely chopped
  • 3 (15-ounce) cans kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • Sour cream, for garnish
  • Shredded cheddar cheese, for garnish
  • Red onions, chopped, for garnish
  • Limes, wedged, for garnish
  • Oyster crackers or sliced baguette, for garnish

In a 5 quart pot, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil and brown the meat, about 3 minutes on each side. Remove the meat. Add the garlic and onion, cook until soft. Return the meat to the pot. Add chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, cayenne, 1 can of beer (use rule #486; one for the pot, one for me…), green chili’s, crushed tomatoes and coffee. Simmer uncovered at a low temperature for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Stir occassionally. Don’t let it dry out, add beer as necessary (see rule #486). Add chopped tomato, kidney beans and second can of beer. Continue to simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour.

Serve garnished with a dollop of sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, squeeze of lime, or chopped red onions. Or all of the above.

Thanks to Common Place Book

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Saturday, February 3, 2007

Amstel Light Beer and Smoked Gouda Fondue

  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 6 cups Amstel Light
  • 3 lbs. grated Gouda
  • 3 lbs. grated smoked Gouda
  • 6 tsp. dry mustard powder
  • Pinch Cayenne
  • 6 tbs. corn starch
Crush cloves in large sauce pot

Add Amstel Light and slowly warm to simmer

Gradually add cheese and stir continuously

Slurry (add water until paste-like) mustard powder, add water if needed for texture

Add in Cayenne

Slurry cornstarch and add until desired thickness

Use thick bamboo skewers and serve with grilled crusty bread and pretzel sticks, apple wedges, radishes, celery sticks, cherry tomatoes... anything you think tastes better covered in cheese.


Thanks to The Bachelor Guy

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First Down Fondue

  • 2 cups (8 ounces) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 3 cups (12 ounces) colby-jack cheese, shredded
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 bottle (12 ounces) beer
  • 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
  • Dippers: Assorted breadsticks, bell pepper pieces, sugar snap peas and cherry tomatoes

Toss cheeses with cornstarch in medium bowl; set aside.

Pour beer into fondue pot; bring to boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low; add cheese mixture.

Cook 2 minutes or until cheese is melted, stirring constantly. Stir in hot sauce.

Keep fondue over low heat. Dip breadsticks and vegetables into fondue.

Makes 8 servings.

Thanks to OrganicAuthority.com

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Beer Cheese Fondue Recipe

  • 1 small clove of garlic
  • 3/4 cup beer
  • 8 ounces Swiss cheese
  • 4 ounces Sharp natural Cheddar cheese
  • 1 tablespoon flour

Rub inside of pan with cut garlic. Discard.

Add beer and heat slowly.

Dredge cheese with flour. Gradually add to beer - stirring constantly until mixture is thick and bubbly.

Dip small pieces of French bread.

Thanks to Nyam Nyam Cheese

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Beer Cheese Dip

1 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup beer 2 cloves minced garlic 1/2 tsp. salt 1. Mix all ingredients together in medium bowl until well blended.

2. Spoon into smaller serving dish and refrigerate until use.

Thanks to Charleston Daily Mail for this and other tasty SUper Bowl recipes.

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Thursday, February 1, 2007

Italian Sausage Sandwiches

  • 6 Italian sausages (hot or mild)
  • 1 16oz. bottle of beer (the darker the better)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large yellow or white onion, sliced thin
  • 2 bell peppers (any color) stem/seeds removed and sliced thin
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 small tomato, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, cracked and sliced thin
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
  • 6 demi baguettes or hoagie rolls, split and slightly hollowed
  • 12 thin slices of Provolone cheese

Add sausages to a large saucepan, cover with beer and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to low and simmer 10-15 minutes, until firm.

In a second large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium high heat, then add onions, peppers and salt; sauté for 8-10 minutes.

Add tomato, garlic and pepper stir well and cook for two minutes. Turn off heat and cover until ready to use.

You have two options on finishing the sausages: you can drain the sausages, return the pan to stove, increase heat to medium high, drizzle with olive oil and cook until browned and casings are crispy. Or you can remove sausages from beer and place on a hot grill pan or BBQ grill and grill until browned.

To assemble sandwiches; Lay two slices of cheese inside of bread, add about one tablespoon onions and peppers add sausage then top with more onions and peppers.

Makes six sandwiches.

Thanks to helenair.com

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Sunday, January 28, 2007

Cheddar-Ale Soup

  • 4 Tbs. unsalted butter
  • 1 yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 celery stalks, finely diced
  • 2 carrots, peeled and finely diced
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 3/4 cups milk
  • 1 3/4 cups chicken stock
  • 1 bottle (12 fl. oz.) ale
  • 1 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp. dry mustard
  • 1 3/4 lb. sharp cheddar cheese, grated
  • salt, to taste
  • Cayenne pepper, to taste

In a soup pot over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Add the onion, celery and carrots and cook, stirring occasionally, until very soft, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook for 3 to 5 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high and whisk in milk and stock. bring to a simmer and cook, stirring often, until thickened, about 10 minutes. Using an immersion blender, puree the soup until smooth. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl. Return the mixture to the pot and set over medium heat. Add the ale, Worcestershire and mustard and simmer for 5 minutes. Whisk in the cheese 1/2 cup at a time, letting each addition melt before adding more; do not allow the soup to boil. Season with salt and cayenne. Ladle into warmed bowls and serve immediately. Serves 4 to 6. Thanks to Cooking in KC

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Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Onion Soup With Pretzel-Cheese Dumplings

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 pounds onions, sliced thin
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 12 ounces dark ale, preferably altbier
  • 6 cups chicken or beef stock
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 4 branches fresh thyme
  • 2 cups packaged pretzel nuggets
  • 11/2 cups grated Gruyère cheese, more for serving
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard.

Melt butter in a 4-quart saucepan. Add onions and sugar and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until onions are golden, about 40 minutes. Add 1 cup ale and stir, scraping pot to release caramelized particles. Add stock. Simmer 30 minutes. Add lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Add thyme and set aside one hour or longer to infuse.

Pulse pretzels in a food processor or place in a plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin to make coarse crumbs. Mix in a bowl with cheese. Lightly beat eggs, whisk in mustard and remaining ale and stir this mixture into pretzel crumbs and cheese. Form mixture into 18 dumplings about the size of Ping-Pong balls, place on a platter and cover until ready to cook.

About 20 minutes before serving, fill a 3-quart saucepan halfway with water and bring to a boil. Drop dumplings into water and simmer gently 15 minutes. While dumplings simmer, remove thyme from soup. Reheat soup.

Ladle soup into bowls. Use a slotted spoon to transfer 3 to 4 dumplings to each bowl. Serve, with additional grated cheese on the side.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings.

Thanks to nytimes.com

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Saturday, January 20, 2007

Beer Cheese Gills

  • 1 pound bluegill fillets
  • 1/4 cup sliced green onions
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon caraway seeds
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheese
  • 4 tablespoons beer

In a greased baking dish, arrange fish. Bake in a 450 degree oven till fish flakes. Meanwhile, cook onion in butter till tender. Stir in flour, mustard, caraway seeds. Add milk all at once. Stir until thick and bubbly. Add cheese and beer. Cook until cheese melts and pour over fish.

Thanks to Kris Winkelman from walkermn.com

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Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Vegetarian Chili a la Karen

Note: This chili can be made using real meat as well. Drain after browning. Inspired by Karen R.
  • 1 package (12 oz) of Fake Meat
  • 1 medium yellow onion
  • 1 green bell pepper (large)
  • 1 red bell pepper (large)
  • 1 jalapeño pepper
  • 5 cloves of garlic, minced
  • vegetable oil
  • 1 cup of amber beer
  • 1 large can whole peeled tomatoes (28 oz)
  • 2 cans of dark red kidney beans (15oz each)
  • 1 can light red kidney beans (15oz)
  • 1 can black beans (15oz)
  • 1 can corn without liquid (I used 11oz vacuumed packed)
  • 1 tbsp cumin
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp hot sauce
  • kosher salt
  • fresh ground black pepper
  • grated cheddar cheese
Chop onion.

Seed and chop peppers.

Seed jalapeño pepper if desired (it will be less spicy if you do).

Put onion, peppers, jalapeno, and garlic into a bowl, set aside.

Open the 4 cans of beans, drain all liquid, set aside.

Open tomato can and put contents into a large bowl.
Hand crush them completely, removing large stringy bits as necessary.

In a small bowl combine cumin, chili powder, cayenne pepper, as well as 1 tsp of kosher salt and a few grinds of black pepper.

On Medium heat, coat the bottom of a large pot with oil (I only needed 1 1/2 tsp).

Add peppers, onion and garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes (or until vegetables soften). Stir in beer to deglaze the pot.

Add tomatoes (including all liquid), beans (all 4 cans) and corn (be sure to drain if you did not use vacuum packed).

Stir to combine. Let simmer for a few minutes.

Add seasoning mix and hot sauce, stirring while adding.
Turn heat to low.

In a separate frying pan, season fake meat with salt and chili powder, then brown.

Once browned add to pot. If using real meat, do not add excess grease to pot.

Stir to combine.

Add salt to taste (and other seasonings if necessary).

Cook on low until desired thickness, it will need to simmer for at least an hour.
Be sure to stir often so it doesn't stick to the bottom and burn.

Serve topped with cheddar cheese.

Link

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Sunday, January 14, 2007

Cheddar Beer Fondue

  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 tsp. dry mustard
  • 1 bottle (12 oz.) Alpine Lager
  • 3 cups old Canadian Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 Baguette, cubed; each cube with crust

In saucepan, melt butter; blend in flour, Worcestershire sauce and mustard. Gradually stir in beer; stir until mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat; add cheese, stir until melted. Transfer to fondue pot; place over low heat. Serve with bread cubes; use long handled fondue forks.

Link

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Thursday, January 4, 2007

Beer Cheddar Soup

4 tablespoons Tillamook® butter
4 tablespoons flour
3 cups milk
3/4 cup dark beer
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon crushed red chilies, choppped
2 cups Tillamook® Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded

This creamy, vegetarian soup cooks up quick and easy, boasting a thick, luscious texture and an irresistible mingling of flavors. Served with a crusty bread, it’s the perfect comfort food.

Heat butter in sauté pan. Add flour and cook on low heat. Stir mixture until it starts to bubble. Do not allow to brown. Pull off fire and set aside.

Heat milk in sauce pan until it is just ready to boil. Add garlic, salt and pepper and crushed red chilies. Stir mixture until just before boiling.

Add half of flour/butter mixture (Roux) and stir with wire whisk until at a low simmer. Additional Roux may be added to thicken. Stir constantly to avoid burning.

Turn down heat and add Tillamook Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese and beer. Stir to allow cheese to melt. Texture should be smooth to the touch. May be reheated on low temp. (Do not boil.)

Courtesy of Billy Hahn, Executive Chef, Jake's Famous Crawfish Restaurant via tillamookcheese.com.

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Sunday, December 31, 2006

Beer Bread and Asiago Cheese Dip

Beer Bread

Makes 1 loaf.
  • 2½ cups flour
  • 4 tablespoons sugar
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • Pinch of salt
  • 9½ ounces pale ale beer
  • ½ cup grated cheddar cheese
  • 2 green onions, finely sliced (green part only)
  • 10 ounces jalapenos, finely chopped (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon melted butter to coat bread
To prepare oven, loaf pan: Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Lightly coat 9- by 5-inch loaf pan with vegetae oil spray.

To mix dough: Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Add beer. Mix well. Add cheese, onion and jalapenos. (Note: Batter will be stiff.)

To bake bread: Transfer batter to prepared pan, spreading evenly. Brush top of bread with melted butter. Bake for 45 minutes or until bread is light brown. Remove from oven. Cool.

To serve bread: Cut bread into ¼-inch-thick slices. Put bread slices in broiler. Broil for 1 minute or until browned.

Asiago Cheese Dip

Makes 3 cups.
  • 4 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes, reconstituted in hot water
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • ½ cup shredded Asiago cheese, plus more for garnish
  • ¼ cup green onions, sliced into ¼-inch pieces
  • ¼ cup mushrooms, sliced into ¼-inch pieces
To prepare tomatoes: Squeeze all water out of tomatoes. Cut into fine strips. Set aside. (Note: It is important all water be removed from tomatoes, and they must be added last or dip will discolor.)

To prepare dip: In food processor, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, cheese, onions and mushrooms. Blend well at low speed. Add tomatoes. Mix slowly by hand for 1 minute.

To heat and serve: When ready to serve, heat through in microwave oven. Remove from microwave. Sprinkle with Asiago cheese. Place in broiler. Heat until cheese browns.

Thanks to Lynda at the St. Paul Pioneer Press

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Friday, December 29, 2006

Lucky Crock Pot Black-Eye Pea Chili

  • 2 Cups Onion, finely chopped
  • 1 ½ Cups Carrots, finely chopped
  • ½ Cup Celery, finely chopped
  • 1 ½ Cups Red or Green Pepper, finely chopped
  • 2-3 Cloves Garlic, minced
  • 8 Tsp. Chili Powder
  • 2 Tsp. Ground Cumin
  • ¼ - ½ Tsp. Crushed Red Peppers or Ground Cayenne Pepper
  • ¼ Cup Fresh Cilantro or Fresh Parsley, chopped
  • 1 14.5 oz. Can of Diced Tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 14.5 oz. Can of Mexican Diced Tomatoes with Peppers, Undrained (if you don't want the heat, use 2 cans regular)
  • 4-15 oz. Cans of Black-Eyed Peas, drained
  • 2 4 oz. Cans of Chopped Green Chiles
  • 3 Cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth and Beer
  • 13 oz. Pkg. Of Fully Cooked Smoked Andouille Sausage, chopped
  • 2 Tab. Cornstarch
  • 4 Tab. Water
  • Garnish: Shredded Cheddar or Jack Cheese, Chopped Cilantro, Sliced Green Onions, Sliced Hot Peppers
Combine all ingredients except the cornstarch, water, and garnishes in your slow cooker. Cover. Cook on low 6-8 hours or on high for 4 hours.

Dissolve cornstarch in water. Stir in chili 30 minutes before serving to thicken.

Serve chili in bowls. Top with your choice of garnishes.

Thanks to wcpo.com

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Thursday, December 28, 2006

Open-Faced Cheddar and Turkey Bacon Sandwich With Beer-Glazed Onions

This hearty sandwich recipe comes from the Washington Post and features flavors with a long history of great partnership. Using cooked turkey bacon keeps the preparation time short. Adapted from "Seduced by Bacon," by Joanna Pruess (Lyons Press, 2006).
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 small onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup beer
  • 1/4 teaspoon caraway seeds
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon honey mustard
  • 1 slice firm country-style bread, about 4 inches square by 1/2 inch thick, lightly toasted
  • 1 wide slice cooked turkey bacon, cut in half crosswise*
  • 1/3 cup shredded or thinly sliced sharp aged cheddar cheese
Heat the olive oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook for 5 to 8 minutes or until browned, stirring after the first few minutes. Add the beer and caraway seeds, then increase the heat to high and boil for about 1 minute, until the beer has almost completely evaporated. Season with pepper to taste. Cover partially to keep warm.

Spread the mustard on the toasted bread. Add the bacon pieces side by side and cover with the cheese. Broil in an oven or toaster oven just until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Spoon the beer-glazed onions over the cheese and serve.

*NOTE: If using pork bacon, the slices should be cooked first.

Per serving: 420 calories, 17 g protein, 30 g carbohydrates, 24 g fat, 53 mg cholesterol, 10 g saturated fat, 767 mg sodium, 2 g dietary fiber

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