• Gingerbread Cake With Stout Buttercream
• Black Velvet
• Beer-Cheese Spread
• Grilled Beer-Cheese Sandwich
• Ale Biscuits
• Porter Float
• Pork-and-Greens Stew
• Kitchen Express Pork-and-Greens Stew
• Beer-Kissed Cheese Grits
Most folks define "cooking with beer" as enjoying a cold one
while barbecuing or grilling. Truth is, beer is one of the most
versatile ingredients in the kitchen. Its flavor flexibility adds
richness to meats, helps create super-moist cakes, and makes a tasty
substitute for chicken or beef broth. With Oktoberfest celebrations
cropping up all over the region, now's the perfect time to add some fun
to your menu.
Many tried-and-true Southern dishes only get better with this secret
ingredient. So don't miss the Beer-Kissed Cheese Grits or hearty
Pork-and-Greens Stew. The possibilities are endless, so let your
imagination run wild.
Beer for Beginners
The rule for cooking with beer is the same one that applies to wine:
Choose something you like to drink. There are, of course, a couple of
things to remember to help the process along. First, the same style of
beer (i.e. pilsner, ale, pale ale) from two different breweries may
taste nothing alike. So give it a taste before adding it to a recipe.
Second, looks can be deceiving. Unlike wine, the color of a beer doesn't
always confirm its body or flavor. In other words, light-colored beers
(often thought to be more mild) may explode with flavorful hops, fruit,
or even chile peppers. Darker beers, such as brown ale and bock, have a
richer, deeper flavor while still being surprisingly refreshing and easy
to drink. The exceptions are full-bodied stout and porter. These opaque
gems are full of character and even taste great when served with
dessert.
Our Favorite Southern Brews
• Abita Brewing Company: These handcrafted beers are still made in
small batches in Abita Springs, Louisiana.
• Saint Arnold Brewing Company: This is Texas's oldest craft
brewer. Their Oktoberfest beer is only available for a short time and
shouldn't be missed.
• Terrapin Beer Co.: We fell in love with Wake-n-Bake Coffee
Oatmeal Imperial Stout from this Athens, Georgia, brewer. A full-bodied
beer, it hits the spot when the weather turns cool.
"Pop the Top on Flavor" is from the October 2007 issue of "Southern Living."
