Shrimp and Avocado with Mango Vinaigrette

Mango Vinaigrette

3 tbsp. mango nectar
3 tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
pinch of salt
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes (optional)
Add above ingredients to a blender or in a bowl and use a stick blender to emulsify. Set to the side.

2 mango’s, seeded and cubed
1 pound cooked med shrimp, peeled and tails off
2 avocados, cubed
2 tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped
2 green onions, sliced

In a large bowl add shrimp, mangoes, avocados and cilantro, fold just to combine then add vinaigrette to coat.

Can be served in martini glasses for an appetizer, or over a bed of romaine lettuce.

Mango & Ginger White Stilton Cheese Spread

1 (8oz.) package White Stilton with Mango & Ginger
1/2 lb. Sharp White Cheddar Cheese, shredded
1/2 cup Blue Moon – Pale Moon Beer
1 garlic clove, minced
2 green onions, green part only, chopped

Make sure cheese and beer are at room temperature.
In a food processer add cheese, beer and garlic, process until smooth, then add green onions, pulse just to mix in onions but not pureed.  Transfer to a serving bowl and serve with crackers.

This cheese spread is so yummy, great for a party or just hanging out watching the game.

Guinness Black Lager Irish Stew

1 tbsp. oil
1 (3lb.) chuck roast, trimmed and cut into 1 – 1 1/2  inch cubes
4 tbsp. flour, divided
1 cup celery, chopped
1 cup onions, chopped
1 cup carrots, chopped
1 bottle Guinness Black Larger
2 bay leaves
3 sprigs fresh thyme, thicker sprigs
1 tsp. salt and pepper
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

In a large skillet add oil and brown beef, this may need to be done in 2 batches.  Once all beef is browned on all side put all into crock pot, add flour and toss to coat beef, then add rest of ingredients and stir to combine, then cook on low for 6-7 hours. Stir in Worcestershire Sauce and flour then cook 5 minutes more to thicken. Serve over mashed potatoes or noodles and serve with slice of the Harp Beer Bread.

Beer Cheese Soup

1 cup onions, minced
½ cup celery, minced
½ cup flour
1 stick butter
1 bottle Harp Beer
3 cups chicken stock
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
16 oz. Sharp cheddar, shredded (Tillamook is what I used)
8 oz. extra sharp cheddar, shredded (Cabot Vintage Choice)
2 cups cream
Cooked bacon for garnish
Green onions (tops only), thinly sliced

In a stock pot over medium heat add butter, onions and celery sauté until softened.  Add flour, whisk and cook for about 3 minutes, whisking often.  Whisk in beer slowly and same with the chicken broth, bring to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 15 – 20 minutes.  Then add dry mustard and Worcestershire then add cream while whisking and then cheese a good handful at time until all added keep whisking until smooth and cheese has melted.  Cook for about 10 minutes more. Taste, season with salt and pepper etc., if too thick add more broth, beer or cream, too thin add more cheese.  But nothing extra was needed; garnish each bowl with bacon and green onions.

Let me say the bacon really put this soup over the top, serve with the Harp Beer Bread and your good to go…Enjoy!!! Cheers!!

Harp’s Beer Bread

3 cups self rising flour, sifted twice, this is a must
¼ cup sugar
1 bottle Harp Beer

¼ cup butter, melted

In a large bowl add flour and sugar, sifting mixture twice, this will make the bread nice and tneder, pour in beer as mixing with your hand, just fold mixture until just combined, “Do Not Over Mix”.  Pour into a greased loaf pan, let sit for 10 minutes, pour butter over top of dough.  Bake at 375 for 1 hour, till top is light brown.  Cool before slicing, you can make smaller loaves, just divide dough and butter and bake until top is light brown, maybe 35-45 minutes.

Note:  You can use All-purpose flour, but you will need to add 3 3/4 tsp. baking soda and 3/4 tsp. salt.

This bread was great with the Beer Cheese Soup (recipe coming) and stew (recipe also coming)
You could also a slice of this bread a toast and spread with butter or spread with my Beer Cheese Dip.

Beer Cheese Dip

• Time: 10 mins
• Difficulty: easy
• Print

2 pk. 8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
.50 lb. Asiago cheese, shredded
1/2 cup light Beer
3/4 tsp. hot paprika
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. sweet paprika
1/4 tsp. onion powder

In a microwave safe dish, heat cream cheese 1 minute at a time stirring after each until smooth.  then add sour cream and Asiago cheese stir to combine.  Again heat in microwave until same as before until creamy and Asiago cheese has melted. Add beer a little at a time stirring until combined, then add spices mix to combine.  Serve warm or cold, good on crackers or with pretzels.

Guinness Mac & Cheese

Guinness Mac and Cheese

• Servings: 4-6
• Time: 1 hour
• Difficulty: easy
• Print

1 lb. pasta, cooked and drained
8 oz. extra sharp cheese, shredded
½ cup asiago cheese, shredded
8 oz. fontina cheese. Shredded
1 bag fondue shredded cheese ( Emmentaler & Gruyere)
1 bottle Guinness Draught                                            3 tbsp. butter
3 tbsp. flour                                                                        2 cups whole or 2% milk
2 tsp. onion powder                                                        1/2  tsp. dry mustard
¼ tsp. ground nutmeg                                                    ½ tsp. cayenne pepper
2 cups panko bread crumbs

Heat oven to 350 degrees, spray a 9×3 baking dish with non-stick spray.  You can also use individual ramekins.

Mix all cheese together in a large bowl, remove 3 cups and set aside for later.
In a medium size sauce pan over medium heat, melt butter, then add flour, whisk until smooth, it will get bubbly, keep whisking until just starting to turn light brown. While still whisking add ¾ cup of beer, keep whisking then add milk slowly.  Add onion powder, nutmeg, dried mustard and cayenne, season with salt and black pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 3 minutes, remove from heat and add cheese 2 hand full at a time. Whisk in all the cheese until all had melted, add to cooked pasta and toss to coat.  Pour half of the pasta mixture in the pan, top with 2 cups of the reserved cheese, then top with rest of pasta.  Top with remaining cheese.  In a small bowl add panko bread crumbs and the rest of the beer toss quickly together and sprinkle on top of the pasta all over.
Bake 30 minutes or until Panko crumbs are lightly browned and cheese is bubbly.

St. Patty’s Day

So what’s everyone going to do on St. Patty’s Day!!! 

I know what I’ll be doing My Cooking Class using Guninness Beer, I’ll be cooking up all kinds of good stuff!! Here’s a sample of what’s too come Beer Dip, Mac and Cheese, Mini Steak and Ale pies, Beer Cheese Soup, Irish Stew with Beer Bread, Stout Cake Pops and Peanut Brittle…Yes Peanut Brittle made with beer….

There will be lots of fun, music, trivia question giveaways and we can forget “Lucky” the Leprechaun!!!
Hope to lots of you there!!!

Cooking Class with Guinness Beer

If your in the Cincinnati area come on by its going to be lots of fun!!!!

It’s Spring time ready for some Very Berry Sangria

Very Berry Sangria

• 1 bottle Smoking Loon Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 (CA)
• 1/2 cup raspberries (fresh or frozen)
• 1/2 cup blackberries (fresh or frozen)
• 1/2 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
• 1/2 cup strawberries (sliced)
• 1 12 oz. bottle of ginger ale
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 oz. blackberry liqueur

Toss the wine, the berries, the blackberry liqueur and the sugar in a pitcher, cover and place in the refrigerator overnight. Pour in a bottle of chilled ginger ale just prior to serving. Add ice in either the pitcher or individual glasses. Enjoy!