Beer is that one drink that is always on the menu, whether you are at a party, a game night, or a wedding or ceremony. But did you know that it is possible to cook with beer? Beer is not only delicious when you’re sipping it, but it can make your typical dishes taste amazing and delicious by adding its chilling flavor to your average meal. This article will teach you some tips and tricks on cooking with beer and experimenting with it.
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Experiment With Beer
Once you hop on the trend of cooking with beer, there is no going back because it adds amazing flavor to your dishes and is very convenient after learning how to experiment with beer. Also, if you are conscious about your and your family’s health and think that cooking food with beer is unhealthy and addictive, you must know that studies show that cooking with beer is harmless. Cooking with beer is proven to be healthy and safe, reducing cholesterol and preventing blood clots. Following are some tips that will make you a professional at cooking with beer.
Use Your Daily Beer, Which You Enjoy Drinking
It is better to use the beer you drink more often than going for the one you have not heard of. Also, keep in mind the dish you are making pairs well with the beer that you use. You can use beers like pilsners and lagers or even go for darker beers like porters and stouts. Darker beers are usually for making rich means with a robust taste. Earthy beers like IPAs are a great choice to cook leafy veggies and herb-infused vegetable dishes.
Have Some Knowledge About The ABV Of The Beer You Are Using
A beer with more ABV, i.e., ( alcohol by volume), is much more bitter than a beer with a low ABV. A beer that has low alcohol by volume blends with the dishes easily. If you like strong beer with more ABV, then you can reduce it by evaporating extra alcohol. You must also note that cooking with beer will reduce the alcohol content. Yet there will be some traces of alcohol left behind in the dish, so you must not serve these dishes to children.
Initially, Use Light Beers.
If you have never cooked with beer and are experimenting with it for the first time in your kitchen, you must go for lighter beers. Light beers are easier and convenient to cook with than darker beers, as they will blend easily with the other ingredient of your dish. They also have a lower alcohol content giving a mild yet exotic flavor to your meal.
Don’t Pour With A Heavy Hand
This is a reminder again for those who are experimenting with beer for the first time. You must not get too excited and pour all the beer in your cooking pan in just one go. If you do so, your dish will ruin, and it will have an overwhelmingly bitter taste. So to avoid spoiling your dish, measure the amount of beer you want to cook within a separate glass, and then add it to your pan. Always use the minimum amount of beer in your dishes because the beer’s flavor gets more concentrated when you cook it.
Use It To Marinate Meat
Did you know beer works as a tenderizer as well? You can add a great splash of stout to your steak or chicken by marinating them with beer. If you use dark beer with high ABV content, your meat will have a strong, robust flavor, so preferably, it is better to choose a light beer for marinating chicken. You can simply soak the meat in beer for a minimum of 6 hours and then grill it; doing this will reduce the carcinogens present on the meat by nearly 88%.
To Sum Up
Using light beer for cooking at first is the way to go, but you can go for dark beer if you are a fan of robust flavors. Follow these tips to add a strong flavor to your food to serve at parties and gatherings. Remember always to have fun while you’re cooking and get to experimenting with some beer!
