1. Pumpkin Beer Cheese Soup
Look no further than the ever-popular crop of the season for inspiration, and whip up this creamy pumpkin soup. Dice up half of a yellow onion and 1 large leek, and sauté them in a large skillet over medium heat. Then, toss in 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 diced carrots and a stalk of diced celery. Season with salt and pepper, and gradually stir in 2 tablespoons of minced thyme, 2 cups of chicken broth and one 12-ounce bottle of pumpkin ale.
Pour the mixed ingredients into a medium pot, and whisk in a ¼-cup of melted butter and 2 cups of whole milk. To thicken the soup, stir in a ⅔-cup of pumpkin puree and 4 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese—and enjoy!
2. Beer-Battered Onion Rings
Just in time for football season, these boozy onion rings will have you huddled around the coffee table at your living room watch parties. To make this crispy appetizer, first, mix 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 egg and 2 teaspoons, each, of dried parsley, garlic powder and dried oregano—as well as a pinch of salt and pepper. Gradually stir in 1 cup of your favorite lager until the batter thickens, and then dip some ring-sliced onions into it. In a skillet, drizzle in 1 cup of frying oil over medium-high heat, and sear the coated onions until they are golden brown on both sides.
3. Chocolate Stout Layer Cake
You will find that chocolate and beer mix surprisingly well when you try a slice of this decadent chocolate cake. After preheating your oven to 350 degrees, chop up 3 ounces of unsweetened chocolate, and toss the pieces into a medium metal bowl. Set the bowl over a saucepan of barely boiling water until the chocolate is melted. In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together 2¼ cups of all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, a half-teaspoon of baking soda and a half-teaspoon of salt.
Then, beat 1¾ sticks of butter and 1¼ cups of sugar in a larger bowl, and gradually incorporate 3 large eggs. Pour in the warm melted chocolate, a ⅔-cup of fresh coffee and ¾-cup of stout beer (we recommend chocolate stout!). Finally, beat the dry ingredients into the mix, and bake the batter for about 30 minutes. Once the cake is cooled, frost as desired!
4. Bacon-Crusted Beer Mac & Cheese
You think the name of this dish is a mouthful? We say, scoop in a mouthful of this ooey-gooey delight—and you’ll be speechless. First, preheat your oven to 356 degrees, and boil your pasta as normal. Then, sizzle 6 pieces of bacon in a greased pan until they’re crispy, and chop them up!
Use about a half-stick of butter to coat a deep saucepan, and whisk in a ¼-cup of flour until frothy. In the same pan, gradually whisk together 1½ cups, each, of milk and your favorite beer (we suggest a dark stout beer for richness). Add 2 cups of grated cheddar and 1½ cups of parmesan, and sprinkle in a half-teaspoon of smoked paprika, ¼-teaspoon of garlic powder and a ¼-teaspoon of nutmeg—stir until the sauce is creamy and pourable. Mix the cheese sauce with the pasta, and top your concoction with the bacon bits and a ¼-cup of breadcrumbs. Bake for 15 minutes, and voilà!
5. Vegan Beer Chili
If you’re looking for a hearty option that is meatless and dairy-free, we’ve got you covered!
To start making this delicious vegan chili, sauté 1 large chopped onion, one half of a diced green pepper and 4 cloves of minced garlic. Add a half-teaspoon of salt and pepper, each, and stir for about 8 minutes. Then, add 1 tablespoon of chili powder and a 12-ounce bottle of dark Mexican beer (Negra Modelo and Pacifico are popular ones), and cook for another 8 minutes. Lastly, throw in the contents of a 28-ounce can of diced tomatoes (with their juices), a 15.5-ounce can of kidney beans and a 15.5-ounce can of black beans, and stir until well integrated. In our opinion, this dish is best eaten while bundled up next to a fireplace.
So, eat what you drink, and be merry! That’s how the saying goes, right? Either way, that is the mantra for cooking with beer. For all of your kitchenware needs, come check out our store’s wide array of appliances today!