Hazelnuts roasting on an open fire….. Wait. That’s not how the song goes. But since were turning things upside down with the Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar Ale, why not? This tasty delight has hints of brown sugar with the hazelnut, and VERY easy to drink. With the beautiful taste of this beer, I didn’t want to do the usual chocolate hazelnut recipe, so we went white chocolate and flourless! And, oh, the caramel sauce! To die for! My first...
Dogfish Head Festina Pêche Rice Pudding
22 August, 2014
/ By Hank Watson
If you’re like me, and love most everything about rice pudding, but always think, “Why???? Why must they ruin this beautiful rice pudding by putting raisins in it?” Blech! I found a way to turn that frown upside down! Beer! See? It worked already! Dogfish Head Festina Pêche is a refreshing neo-Berliner Weisse, with the natural peach flavors woven into the yeast. which makes it, well, just peachy! It’s dry, with a slight sweetness that is fabulous for the...
Harpoon UFO White Barbeque Sauce
16 July, 2014
/ By Hank Watson
Barbeque sauce – the staple of summer cooking. I grow weary of the same ole ketchup/tomato based sauces. On a day when the early morning temp was already 85, I decided to challenge myself with creating a light, unique barbeque sauce recipe deserving of the Harpoon UFO White beer. To be honest, the lightness of the Harpoon UFO White, with notes of orange & coriander (and I swear I detected a hint of banana! Some say a...
If You Like Pina Coladas….
10 July, 2014
/ By Hank Watson
In honor of National Pina Colada day, I set out to create a pina colada that didn’t taste like fake coconut, and didn’t make me feel like I was sipping shredded toxic waste. I promise, if you don’t like the cloyingly sweet pina coladas, but like the flavors, you’ll love this recipe!
I was lucky, being a true hedonist, I had all items required on hand. As a habit, if I don’t eat bananas before they wither, I cut them...
Does mayo give you the summer time ewwws? This Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat Potato Salad will chase the “ewwws” away! Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat is created with beautiful Michigan cherries and honey. When you taste this fruity wheat beer, you smell and taste the cherries immediately. It’s so refreshing, and well, YUMMY! So, I thought, “Why don’t you use this to make a light and refreshing potato salad?” Lucky for you fans of summer time, I did just that....
A “Sweet Shop”, full of delectable delights, in a barbecue joint, you say? Brisket, ribs and smoked turkey living in harmony with red velvet cupcakes and chocolate chip cookies the size of your head, you say? I say an exuberant, “OH MY!!!” 4 Rivers Smokehouse has expanded to the River City, and they’re making a statement.
As you enter 4 Rivers Smokehouse, you immediately notice the comfortable, clean, modern space in front of you. Your heart...
New Belgium Brewing Sunshine Wheat Salmon and Cabbage Salad
04 June, 2014
/ By Hank Watson
Cider, cider everywhere, but which one do we drink? Some ciders are really sweet and literally taste like you just bit into an apple. Some are mild, with just a hint of apple aroma. Some are not sweet at all, and quite bubbly. Yes, literally every hard cider is different (and they are all gluten free!). Like wine and beer, they have a very distinct personality. I created this recipe to complement Crispin Natural Hard Apple Cider, a beautiful,...
Unlike the James Dean version of a rebel, the new Samuel Adams Rebel IPA does have a cause! And, that cause is to make your 4th of July grilling fireworks worthy. We’ll step out of the box a bit; this IPA deserves better than the usual grilling marinade. Meet the Samuel Adams Rebel IPA Grilled Orange Rosemary Chicken. Upon opening a bottle of Samuel Adams Rebel IPA, you’ll be able to smell the piney-ness immediately, and...
Strawberries just might be nature’s perfect fruit. They’re low in calories, but high in fiber. They have potassium & magnesium, which promotes bone health. And, so much more. Now, real Louisiana strawberry juice is in beer. Seriously! Abita Strawberry Harvest Lager adds the juice after filtration, so it maintains all the fabulous aroma and flavor of the strawberries. The taste…. It’s incredible. Pair it with lighter foods and cheeses, it’s a party. Put it in...