Monday, July 15, 2013

Cooking With Guinness

If you want to bring out the flavor of red meat or even chocolate then think about adding a traditional Irish ingredient.  Think Guinness stout in for heartier stews and more flavorful burgers. It doesn't create a boozy  type of meal but one that gives richness and complexity to even the simplest of dishes.Even just half a cup of the brew can do wonders, even in cake batter.

Guiness' rich taste comes from the fact that it's made with barley since its' inception in1759. Also the roasted malt and hops also bring something to the flavor as well. The ale works best in tandem with red meat. Use it in shepherd's pie to create a rich earthy taste  that will bring out the literal beefiness. This works well with the traditional crisp potato crust and even sweetens up the pie's carrots and peas.Another idea is the famed Guinness burger where half a cup s added to ground meat along with a dash of Tabasco and chopped onion. Again the stout will bring out the meat's flavor, creating one of the best burgers ever.

Can Guinness be used as a marinade? Yes! In fact it's; excellent for any kind of steak or even kabob.A good recipe includes two cans of stout along with molasses  for thickness and sweetness. (the recipe comes from The Food Network) For added bite, toss in red pepper flakes and garlic (although I'd nix these). There is a simpler recipe that calls for onion along with garlic. I would maybe just use brown sugar , molasses and Guinness and leave the meat soaking in it  for two to three hours. You can finish with the latest cupcake flavor Guinness, The stout is also used in creating a boozy mini cake , usually with a chocolate or devil's food base.

Guinness is a great drink on it's own . However it;' also best used for bringing out the flavor of beef and even cakes. Use it to create a great summer dish full of flavor.

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