Beer Girl Cooks

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Blood Orange Gose Glazed Mixed Berry Pavlova

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Blood Orange Gose Glazed Mixed Berry Pavlova is a perfect mixture of tart and sweet beer glazed fruit on top of a whipped cream covered meringue cloud.

Blood Orange Gose Glazed Mixed Berry Pavlova is a perfect mixture of tart and sweet beer glazed fruit on top of a whipped cream covered meringue cloud!

Obviously I’ve had a thing for all things blood orange lately.  From cakes to margaritas I think I’ve been a little obsessed.

Blood Orange Gose Glazed Mixed Berry Pavlova is a perfect mixture of tart and sweet beer glazed fruit on top of a whipped cream covered meringue cloud!

I clearly have a thing for meringue too.

Blood Orange Gose Glazed Mixed Berry Pavlova is a perfect mixture of tart and sweet beer glazed fruit on top of a whipped cream covered meringue cloud!

But can you blame me?  There’s nothing quite like some fruit covered in blood orange gose glaze on a fluffy cloud of whipped cream and sweet meringue.

Blood Orange Gose Glazed Mixed Berry Pavlova is a perfect mixture of tart and sweet beer glazed fruit on top of a whipped cream covered meringue cloud!

This Blood Orange Gose from Anderson Valley Brewing Company has been one of my favorite beers to start off the summer.  I’m loving it in my glass and in my food!

Blood Orange Gose Glazed Mixed Berry Pavlova is a perfect mixture of tart and sweet beer glazed fruit on top of a whipped cream covered meringue cloud!

It was the perfect beer to use in this recipe because it’s not super salty like some gose style ales, but it’s deliciously tart with a hint of salt that went really well with the fruit.  All that business made the perfect topping to cut through the sweetness of whipped cream and meringue.  This Blood Orange Gose Glazed Mixed Fruit Pavlova would make any Dad happy on Father’s Day.  It’s also a great dessert for any 4th of July cookout or party!  Cheers, friends!

Blood Orange Gose Glazed Mixed Berry Pavlova
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Blood Orange Gose Glazed Mixed Berry Pavlova

Ingredients

  • 4 egg whites room temp
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons corn starch
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 4 cups mixed berries and fruit
  • 1/2 cup blood orange gose
  • 1/4 cup strawberry preserves or jam
  • 8 - 10 ounces Whipped cream

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 215
  2. Add egg whites to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment
  3. Start out on low speed and whip the egg whites
  4. Add vanilla and corn starch and when the eggs start to get foamy, increase the speed to medium
  5. Add sugar slowly, one tablespoon at time
  6. After about half the sugar is incorporated, increase the speed to medium high
  7. Continue adding sugar one tablespoon at a time and beat until stiff peaks form and can stand up on their own without falling over - this process takes about 15 minutes
  8. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
  9. Spoon meringue onto parchment paper in a 9 inch round circle with a concave center
  10. Bake 90 minutes or until dry to touch
  11. Turn off oven and let cool in oven completely
  12. In a sauce pan heat beer and preserves/jam until thick and syrupy
  13. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and let cool
  14. Toss berries and fruit in beer/jam mixture to coat
  15. Top meringue with whipped cream and spread all the way to the edges
  16. Spoon glazed fruit on top and pour any remaining glaze over top
Blood Orange Gose Glazed Mixed Berry Pavlova

Honey Roasted Grapefruit Wheat Ale and Meyer Lemon Cupcakes

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Honey Roasted Grapefruit Wheat Ale and Meyer Lemon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting are so good you won’t want to share

Honey Roasted Grapefruit Wheat Ale and Meyer Lemon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting are so good you won't want to share

My Honey Roasted Ruby Red Grapefruit Wheat Ale didn’t win the competition, so I consoled myself by using it to make cupcakes.

Honey Roasted Grapefruit Wheat Ale and Meyer Lemon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting are so good you won't want to share

I mentioned this before, but didn’t really elaborate.  I brewed this beer for a competition called Beer and Branding.  It was a really cool event where home brewers were matched up with a marketing team.  The brewers created a recipe and brewed the beer while the marketing team designed a brand and label to go with it.  All the beer had to use a secret ingredient chosen by NoDa Brewing Company’s head brewer.

Honey Roasted Grapefruit Wheat Ale and Meyer Lemon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting are so good you won't want to share

You guessed it – the secret ingredient was grapefruit.  I decided to cut them in half, cover them in honey, and roast them.  It was called Groovy Red Ruby and I think it was the best beer I ever brewed.  You can even see a little bit of pink from the red grapefruit in the head.

The label was really cool too!  My team did an awesome job and created a graphic of my white boxer, Holly, riding a wave on a surfboard.  I wish I had a copy to share, but sadly, I don’t.

Honey Roasted Grapefruit Wheat Ale and Meyer Lemon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting are so good you won't want to share

It didn’t win the competition, but it is an amazing beer that I’m still enjoying and will absolutely brew again.  And I might just keep it all for myself. 🙂

Honey Roasted Grapefruit Wheat Ale and Meyer Lemon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
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Honey Roasted Grapefruit Wheat Ale and Meyer Lemon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

For the Cupcakes

  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 sticks butter room temperature
  • 4 eggs room temperature
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon zest
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup beer

For the Frosting

  • 16 ounces cream cheese
  • 2 stick butter room temperature
  • 4 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 tablespoon meyer lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoon meyer lemon zest
  • 6 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

For the Cupcakes

  1. Preheat oven to 325
  2. Line 2 cupcake pans with paper cupcake liners
  3. Whisk or sift together flour, salt, and baking powder
  4. Add butter and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on medium high until light and fluffy
  5. Add eggs one at a time making sure each one is incorporated before adding the next and scraping down the sides
  6. Add 1/3 of the flour mixture and beat until incorporated
  7. Add milk and beat until incorporated
  8. Add another 1/3 of flour mixture and beat until incorporated
  9. Add the beer, juice, and zest and beat until incorporated
  10. Add the remaining 1/3 of the flour mixture and beat until incorporated
  11. Transfer to prepared muffin tins filling about 3/4 of the way to the top
  12. Bake 25 - 27 minutes or until golden brown on top and done in the center, rotate pans halfway through baking
  13. Cool on wire racks

For the Frosting

  1. Combine butter and cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat on medium high until smooth
  2. Add vanilla, juice, and zest and beat until combined
  3. Reduce speed to medium lo and add powdered sugar one cup at a time until combined and smooth
  4. Transfer frosting to a pastry bag fitted with whatever tip you like and pipe onto cooled cupcakes

NOTES: 

  1. Obviously you do not have this Honey Roasted Grapefruit Wheat Ale beer, but you can use a grapefruit ale or a wheat ale and substitute some of the lemon zest with grapefruit zest
  2. If you aren’t a cream cheese frosting freak like me, you can use half of the frosting recipe for a lighter frosted cupcake or substitute a butter cream if that blows your dress up
  3. I thought there was a gallery of the branding photos somewhere on Facebook, but I haven’t found them yet.  If I do, I’ll update this post and include a link.

 

Honey Roasted Grapefruit Wheat Ale and Meyer Lemon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Peach Ale & Pineapple Barbecue Chicken Thighs

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Peach Ale & Pineapple Barbecue Chicken Thighs are easy to make starting on the stove top and finishing in the oven for a delicious and simple mealPeach Ale & Pineapple Barbecue Chicken Thighs are easy to make starting on the stove top and finishing in the oven for a delicious and simple meal

I bought a Kayak.

Peach Ale & Pineapple Barbecue Chicken Thighs are easy to make starting on the stove top and finishing in the oven for a delicious and simple meal

Well, two actually.  Chris got one too because we all know that I should not be out and about rowing around a lake without supervision.  Although I did have a life jacket and a whistle.

I have to tell ya that getting in and out of a kayak from a boat dock without falling in the water is a heck of a lot harder than it looks.  Let’s just say it’s a good thing Chris was there and the neighbors got a good laugh.  I’m just really glad they weren’t home to witness my exit strategy because that wasn’t pretty.

Peach Ale & Pineapple Barbecue Chicken Thighs are easy to make starting on the stove top and finishing in the oven for a delicious and simple meal

Once I got going I really had a blast.  There is nothing quite like paddling around a lake while looking at the trees, birds, and pretty houses to quiet the soul.  It was nice to just be.  To work and row, then float around peacefully with the sounds of the water and feeling the perfect breeze.

It was a magical day that I plan to put on repeat.  It’s also a beautiful way to begin healing a broken heart.

Peach Ale & Pineapple Barbecue Chicken Thighs
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Peach Ale & Pineapple Barbeque Chicken Thighs

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces peach wheat ale
  • 2 cups ketchup
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup pineapple preserves
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 5 boneless chicken thighs

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325
  2. Combine beer, ketchup, brown sugar, pineapple preserves, molasses, apple cider vinegar, honey, cayenne, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder in a pot and cook over medium heat until all ingredients combined, sugars are melted, and the mixture is thickened - about 30 minutes stirring often
  3. Melt butter in a cast iron or oven proof skillet over medium high heat
  4. Add chicken thighs and brown about 1 minute on each side
  5. Cover chicken with sauce and transfer to oven and bake until chicken is cooked all the way through and the internal temperature reaches 165 - about 15 - 20 minutes

 

Briney Melon Gose and Blueberry Popsicles

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Briney Melon Gose and Blueberry Popsicles are an adult frozen treat to beat the heat with a sour ale and fruity blueberries on a stick for Popsicle Week!

Briney Melon Gose and Blueberry Popsicles are an adult frozen treat to beat the heat with a sour ale and fruity blueberries on a stick for Popsicle Week!

[Update: In this post I originally said I was taking a break for the month of July.  My break is extended to include August as well.  I plan to return sometime in September.]

It’s Popsicle Week, yo!

Briney Melon Gose and Blueberry Popsicles are an adult frozen treat to beat the heat with a sour ale and fruity blueberries on a stick for Popsicle Week!

First of all, I would like to say that this is not a sponsored post and I am not stalking Anderson Valley Brewing Company.  I just really love their beer and I’m totally digging their gose selection right now.

Briney Melon Gose and Blueberry Popsicles are an adult frozen treat to beat the heat with a sour ale and fruity blueberries on a stick for Popsicle Week!

I’m also keeping things pretty short today, because what more do you need than some Briney Melon Gose and Blueberry Popsicles to celebrate Popsicle Week and head into a holiday weekend.

Briney Melon Gose and Blueberry Popsicles are an adult frozen treat to beat the heat with a sour ale and fruity blueberries on a stick for Popsicle Week!

I’m not going to be the Popsicle Week buzz-kill by dwelling on the negative, but y’all know 2017 has not been kind to my family.  So I’m kicking off Popsicle Week and checking out for a bit.  I’m taking a break from all things blog for the month of July.  I’ll be spending some quality time on the lake, doing a bit of kayaking, and headed to the beach for a welcome week-long vacation. Don’t worry about the fur babies – as always, we have a house/pet sitter.

Briney Melon Gose and Blueberry Popsicles are an adult frozen treat to beat the heat with a sour ale and fruity blueberries on a stick for Popsicle Week!

Happy Popsicle Week, friends and have a great July.  I’ll be back sometime in August, but until then there are all kinds of Popsicle recipes you need to try over at Billy’s website Wit and Vinegar.  Go check out his Popsicle Week page.  Cheers!

Briney Melon Gose and Blueberry Popsicles
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Briney Melon Gose and Blueberry Popsicles

Ingredients

  • 1 12 ounce can Briney Melon Gose from Anderson Valley Brewing Company
  • 1/4 cup simple syrup
  • 1 pint blueberries divided

Instructions

  1. Reserve about 20 blueberries and combine remaining blueberries and simple syrup in a blender and puree until smooth
  2. Add beer and blend until combined
  3. Pour blueberry and beer mixture into the bottom 1/3 of each popsicle mold and transfer to freezer for about 1 hour
  4. Remove from freezer and drop a couple of blueberries into each mold
  5. Top with remaining blueberry/beer mixture
  6. Insert sticks and cover with lid overnight or otherwise freeze according to popsicle mold instructions

Notes:

  1. If you can’t find this Briney Melon Gose another sour beer will be fine
  2. I found that if I filled my popsicle molds too close to the top the lid freezes to any overflow and is a complete pain to get off
  3. Be careful when pulling the popsicles out of the mold.  Don’t rush or they will break.  Just take your time and they’ll be fine.
Briney Melon Gose and Blueberry Popsicles

Briney Melon Gose and Blueberry Popsicles

Tangerine IPA and Meyer Lemon Curd Meringue Nests

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Tangerine IPA and Meyer Lemon Curd Meringue Nests are a bright and flavorful dessert made with classic lemon curd with beer and pipped into a meringue nest.

Tangerine IPA and Meyer Lemon Curd Meringue Nests are a bright and flavorful dessert made with classic lemon curd with beer and pipped into a meringue nest

I haven’t had a lot of words to share lately.

Tangerine IPA and Meyer Lemon Curd Meringue Nests are a bright and flavorful dessert made with classic lemon curd with beer and pipped into a meringue nest

I’m not going to lie. Life has been rough.  I was just starting to find positive things to focus on, embrace spring and all it’s beauty with fresh starts and hope for the future.  I made Tangerine IPA and Meyer Lemon Curd Meringue Nests because they are bright, and yellow, and make me think of sunshine and spring and all things happy.

Tangerine IPA and Meyer Lemon Curd Meringue Nests are a bright and flavorful dessert made with classic lemon curd with beer and pipped into a meringue nest

We’ve grieved and dealt with the tragedy as best we could.  We were emerging from the darkness with a positive outlook.

Tangerine IPA and Meyer Lemon Curd Meringue Nests are a bright and flavorful dessert made with classic lemon curd with beer and pipped into a meringue nest

I guess I thought it was safe to live and hope again.  I guess it was too soon because the universe was there waiting to sucker punch me again.  Right in the heart.

Peyton

Run free sweet girl.  You were loved.

Peyton

Peyton

April 2010 – April 2017

Peyton was a rescue we adopted in April 2010 from Blue Ridge Boxer Rescue.  We never really knew exactly how old she was, so we just counted her adoption day as the start of her new life free from gassing shelters and abuse.  Please adopt. Don’t shop. There are so many beautiful animals in shelters that deserve loving homes.  

Tangerine IPA and Meyer Lemon Curd Meringue Nests
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Tangerine IPA and Meyer Lemon Curd Meringue Nests

Ingredients

For the Tangerine IPA and Lemon Curd

  • 1/4 cup Meyer Lemon juice about 2 lemons
  • 1/2 cup tangerine IPA beer
  • 8 egg yolks
  • 1 3/4 cups sugar
  • 1 1/2 sticks COLD butter cut into tablespoon size pieces

For the Meringue

  • 4 egg whites room temp
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons corn starch
  • 1 cup sugar

Instructions

For the Tangerine IPA and Meyer Lemon Curd

  1. Combine lemon juice, beer, egg yolks, and sugar in a heavy bottomed pot and heat on medium while whisking constantly, making sure to get into the corners
  2. Continue cooking and whisking, without bringing to a complete boil until mixture becomes thick - about 7 - 10 minutes
  3. Remove from heat and stir in each tablespoon of butter, one at a time, making sure each is melted (for the most part) before adding the next
  4. Transfer to an air tight container and refrigerate until needed

For the Meringue

  1. Preheat oven to 215
  2. Add egg whites to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment
  3. Start out on low speed and whip the egg whites
  4. Add vanilla and corn starch and when the eggs start to get foamy, increase the speed to medium
  5. Add sugar slowly, one tablespoon at time
  6. After about half the sugar is incorporated, increase the speed to medium high
  7. Continue adding sugar one tablespoon at a time and beat until stiff peaks form and can stand up on their own without falling over - this process takes about 15 minutes
  8. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
  9. Transfer meringue to a disposable piping bag fitted with a star tip and pipe onto the parchment paper one 3 - 4 inch circle, fill in the center, then add two rings one on top of the other around the edge of the base creating a nest, repeat 12 times, then make little stars with the remaining meringue
  10. Bake 90 minutes or until meringue is solid and dry (ish)
  11. Turn off oven and leave the pan inside until cooled completely

For the Assembly

  1. Transfer curd to a disposable piping bag
  2. Pipe into the center of the nests and fill to just above the top
  3. Serve with the meringue stars and whipped cream if desired

NOTES: 

  1. I don’t normally recommend cooking with an IPA because they are usually hoppy and when reduced can become very bitter.  In this curd recipe I didn’t cook it down very much, so the hops didn’t have a real opportunity to concentrate and get bitter.  The flavor combination of the tangerine beer and the sweet and tang of the meyer lemon juice was a perfect balance with the meringue nests. I used Tangier from Southern Tier.
  2. I saw something similar to these nests in a magazine that I was reading while bored out of my mind waiting in Lowes for Chris to finish shopping for boring hardware or screws or something.  I was inspired, but have no recollection of what magazine it was.

 

 

Tangerine IPA and Meyer Lemon Curd Meringue Nests

Pineapple Ale Cherry Mini Tarts Recipe

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Pineapple Ale Cherry Mini Tarts are a delightful and delicious transition from summer to fall with some beer infused cherries, pastry and whipped cream.

Pineapple Ale Cherry Mini Tarts are a delightful and delicious transition from summer to fall with some beer infused cherries, pastry and whipped cream.

Hi y’all!  How was your weekend?  Did you have a big fun cookout?  Lay low with a cold beer by a pool or lake or ocean?  We spent 5 fantastic days in Hilton Head at the Weston Hilton Head Resort and Spa and I totally wish I was still there – although I did miss my fur babies even though they were so in good hands and no parties were thrown that we can tell.

Pineapple Ale Cherry Mini Tarts are a delightful and delicious transition from summer to fall with some beer infused cherries, pastry and whipped cream.

There isn’t any obvious evidence of shenanigans anyway.

Pineapple Ale Cherry Mini Tarts are a delightful and delicious transition from summer to fall with some beer infused cherries, pastry and whipped cream.

I figured we’d ease our way out of summer and into fall.  I know that Labor Day is kind of that unofficial transition with stupid rules about wearing white (I have zero idea who in tarnation came up with this ridiculousness because it’s still hot as all get out down here) and pools and amusement parks closing.  Those are some sad and heartbreaking days.

Pineapple Ale Cherry Mini Tarts are a delightful and delicious transition from summer to fall with some beer infused cherries, pastry and whipped cream.

I had to cheer some things up around here with some pastry cream in a tart topped with beer infused cherry compote and whipped cream, so I made you some Pineapple Ale Mini Cherry Tarts.  You’re welcome.

Pineapple Ale Cherry Mini Tarts are a delightful and delicious transition from summer to fall with some beer infused cherries, pastry and whipped cream.

I’m still fresh from the beach, so I can’t move on to fall yet.  #sorrynotsorry

Pineapple Ale Cherry Mini Tarts are a delightful and delicious transition from summer to fall with some beer infused cherries, pastry and whipped cream.

I gotta tell ya, it’s been a couple of years since we’ve been able to take a beach vacation.  With four dogs that belong on Misfit Island, it’s hard to get away.  This summer we were able to secure a fantastic pet sitter and made two trips to the beach.  There is not much more relaxing to me as laying on the beach, reading chick lit or legal mystery, and listening to the waves crash while drinking a cold beer or banana daiquiri.

Pineapple Ale Cherry Mini Tarts are a delightful and delicious transition from summer to fall with some beer infused cherries, pastry and whipped cream.

So, we’ll talk about apples next week, ‘k?

Pineapple Ale Cherry Mini Tarts Recipe
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Pineapple Ale Cherry Mini Tarts Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 prepared store bought pie crust

For the Pastry Cream

  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 9 large egg yolks
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste

For the Cherries

  • 1 pound cherries cleaned, pitted stems removed
  • 1 cup pineapple ale beer I used Ballast Point Pineapple Sculpin - peach could be substituted
  • 1 tablespoon corn starch
  • For the Whipped Cream
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1-2 tablespoons vanilla bean paste

Instructions

For the Crust

  1. Preheat oven to 400
  2. Fit crust into mini tart pans, press to form, press edge of dough over top of each pan to cut dough from pan, and prick the bottom of the dough several times with a fork - do this for each of the tart pans
  3. Bake 15 - 20 minutes or until golden brown - you want to bake it all the way because this is the only time it will be in the oven
  4. Cool on a wire rack

For the Pastry Cream

  1. Whisk together sugar, flour, and sal in a large bowl, add eggs and whisk everything together - mixture will be thick
  2. Add milk and cream to a sauce pan and heat over medium heat until steamy, but do not boil
  3. Add 1/2 cup of the hot milk to the egg mixture and whisk to prevent the eggs from scrambling
  4. Gradually add milk 1/2 cup at a time to the egg mixture while constantly whisking until almost all the milk is added to the eggs
  5. Pour all the egg/milk mixture back into the pot
  6. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until it starts to bubble, continue whisking another 1 -2 minutes until thick
  7. Remove from heat
  8. Set a fine mesh sieve over a bowl and pour the pastry cream into the sieve and strain - this will catch any of the eggs that may have scrambled
  9. Cover pastry cream with plastic wrap making sure to press the plastic to the surface of the pastry cream to prevent a skin from forming
  10. Chill completely in the refrigerator

For the Cherries

  1. Add cherries, beer, and corn starch to a sauce pan and stir to combine
  2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cook until thick, stirring often - careful not to let it boil over - this should take 15 minutes or so
  3. Remove from heat and cool

For the Whipped Cream

  1. Chill bowl and whisk attachment for stand mixer in freezer for 20 - 30 minutes
  2. Fit bowl and whisk to the mixer
  3. Add heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla bean paste to the bowl
  4. Turn mixer on low to avoid splashing and increase speed to medium high
  5. Beat until light peaks form - this should take 5 - 6 minutes or so - keep an eye on it so it doesn't turn to butter

For the Assembly

  1. Evenly distribute pastry cream into the prepared tart shells/pans
  2. Evenly distribute cherries to the top of the pastry cream
  3. Top each with whipped cream

Note:  All of these steps can be prepared ahead of time and assembled just before serving

Pineapple Ale Cherry Mini Tarts Recipe

Blood Orange Wheat Ale Pound Cake

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Blood Orange Wheat Ale Pound Cake with Blood Orange Glaze is so pretty and pink making it perfect for a spring holiday or Easter gathering.

Blood Orange Wheat Ale Pound Cake with Blood Orange Glaze is so pretty and pink making it perfect for a spring holiday or Easter gathering

I want to say thank you to all of you who left such kind words.  Chris and I so appreciate each and every one of you and your support has been amazing.  Thank you.

Blood Orange Wheat Ale Pound Cake with Blood Orange Glaze is so pretty and pink making it perfect for a spring holiday or Easter gathering

2017 has not been kind to us so far and we don’t celebrate Easter, but I do like the idea of new beginnings. Most of the world seems to use the new year celebration as an opportunity to start over or make improvements.  For me, spring is a time of rebirth, new growth, planting gardens, and just a general positive outlook on everything.  I don’t know about you, but I find so much happiness and hope in seeing blooming tulips, green grass, and flowers on plants that I know will bring the most delicious summer tomatoes.

Even though I’ve said we don’t really celebrate Easter, I know many of you do, so I’ve come together with a bunch of my fantastic internet friends to bring you everything you could ever need to have an amazing celebration.  There are links below to some amazing dishes to put on your holiday menu.

I really hope that spring is the start of new beginnings and happier things to come. For me and for you. Cheers, friends.

Blood Orange Wheat Ale Pound Cake with Blood Orange Glaze
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Blood Orange Wheat Ale Pound Cake with Blood Orange Glaze

Ingredients

For the Blood Orange Wheat Ale Pound Cake

  • 2 sticks butter plus more to coat the pan
  • 8 ounces cream cheese
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • 1 blood orange juiced
  • 1/4 cup blood orange wheat ale
  • 2 cups flour plus more to coat the pan
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Blood Orange Glaze

  • 1/4 - 1/2 cups blood orange juice about 2 - 4 oranges
  • 2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

For the Blood Orange Wheat Ale Pound Cake

  1. Preheat oven to 350
  2. Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt
  3. Beat butter and sugar together until fluffy
  4. Add cream cheese, vanilla, juice, and beer and beat to combine
  5. Add eggs one at a time
  6. Beat in flour until combined
  7. Coat a bread or loaf pan with butter then flour and shake off excess
  8. Transfer batter to loaf pan and bake for 55 - 65 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean from the center
  9. Cool for about 10 minutes in the pan then remove and cool completely on a wire rack

For the Glaze

  1. Add powdered sugar to a bowl
  2. Stir in blood orange juice 1 tablespoon at a time until desired color and thickness is reached
  3. Pour over top of cake

#BloogersDoEaster Virtual Party:

Spring Roasted Carrot Noodle Salad with Thyme Vinaigrette from No Spoon Necessary

Earn Serious Bunny Points, And Make Easter Basket Cupcakes from The Sweet Nerd

Mini Egg Chocolate Bundt Cake from Girl Heart Food

Maple Bacon Deviled Eggs from Beyond Mere Sustenance

Lemon Curd Pavolva from Seasons and Suppers

Cookie Cutter Chocolates from Contemplating Sweets

Blood Orange Wheat Ale Pound Cake with Blood Orange Glaze from Beer Girl Cooks

Easter Mini Egg Cookie Bars from Salt and Lavender

Ham and Cheese Scones from Kevin is Cooking

Marbled Easter Egg Truffles from Sugar Hero

Angel Food Cupcakes with Compote Filling from Meg is Well

Easter Hazelnut Meringue Layer Cake from From Scratch Mostly

Spring Green Salad with Asparagus from Seasonal Cravings

 

 

 

Jalapeno Pale Ale Chili

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Jalapeno Pale Ale Chili is an adult version of a delicious winter food perfect for sharing with friends while watching some football games.

Are you ready for some football?

Jalapeno Pale Ale Chili is an adult version of a delicious winter food perfect for sharing with friends while watching some football games.

I know that this isn’t the first time you’ve seen beer in chili, but it’s classic for football games and beer brewing around these parts, so I’m popping in real quick to share some with you today.

Jalapeno Pale Ale Chili is an adult version of a delicious winter food perfect for sharing with friends while watching some football games.

And I have a surprise!  Not only am I sharing some Jalapeno Pale Ale Chili for all you football festivities, I’ve teamed up with a bunch of bloggers to bring you a collection of everything you could possibly need for the next round of playoffs and into the final Big Game of the season.

Jalapeno Pale Ale Chili is an adult version of a delicious winter food perfect for sharing with friends while watching some football games.

My beloved Carolina Panthers didn’t have as great of a season this year as last year, so we’re out of the running.  I hope your team wins and at least you can enjoy some delicious food while you sit on the edge of your seat for what I hope is a great last day of playoffs and final game of the season!

Scroll down below the recipe for a list of fantastic game day recipes!

Jalapeno Pale Ale Chili is an adult version of a delicious winter food perfect for sharing with friends while watching some football games.

Jalapeno Pale Ale Chili
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Jalapeno Pale Ale Chili

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 green bell pepper diced
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 1 - 1 1/2 pounds ground chuck
  • 1 cup beer
  • 1 32 ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 15 ounce can tomato sauce
  • 1 15 ounce can dark or light red kidney beans
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • couple of dashes of hot sauce

Optional Toppings and Sides

  • Chopped onions
  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Chopped green onions
  • Sliced or diced jalapeno peppers
  • Sour cream
  • Saltine crackers
  • Fritos
  • Tortilla chips or scoops

Instructions

  1. In a Dutch oven over medium-high heat melt the butter
  2. Add bell pepper and cook for 2 - 3 minutes, stirring frequently
  3. Add onions and cook until onions and pepper are softened
  4. Add ground chuck and cook until completely browned all the way through, stirring often and breaking up into small pieces
  5. Drain off any grease and return to the pot
  6. Add beer, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beans, chili powder, cayenne, bay leaf, salt, and hot sauce, stir to combine
  7. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 45 minutes to 1 hour
  8. Serve with any of the optional toppings and sides

Note: This post is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by the National Football League (NFL) or any of its teams. All opinions and views expressed on our blogs are our own, not that of the NFL and/or any of its 32 teams. Any team names, logos or other symbols referenced are properties of their respective organizations. We are just big fans — and we want to share our love for our teams, the game and the food that brings us all together on game day.

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Mini Bacon Ranch Cheese Balls by Honey & Birch
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Jalapeno Popper Chicken Wings by Around My Family Table
Gluten Free Bread Sticks by What A Girl Eats
Cheesy Beef Dip by Polka Dotted Blue Jay
Buffalo Chicken Deviled Eggs by The Crumby Cupcake
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Belgian Beer Conch Chowder

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Belgian Beer Conch Chowder is an easy soup with fresh conch and vegetables, a floral Belgian beer, heavy cream, and slowly simmered to a creamy perfection.

 

I’m a bit late to the party.

Belgian Beer Conch Chowder is an easy soup with fresh conch and vegetables, a floral belgian beer, heavy cream, and slowly simmered to a creamy perfection.

It’s come to my attention that January is National Soup Month, so I thought I’d come on and ride this train.  I mean, it was 77 degrees today here in Charlotte, so I can’t think of a more perfect time to have some soup.

 

 

Belgian Beer Conch Chowder is an easy soup with fresh conch and vegetables, a floral belgian beer, heavy cream, and slowly simmered to a creamy perfection.

I’m fairly certain that last weekend would have been a bit more appropriate since we were snowed in after the blizzard left us under 1.246 inches of snow.  But it is what it is and here we are.

Belgian Beer Conch Chowder is an easy soup with fresh conch and vegetables, a floral belgian beer, heavy cream, and slowly simmered to a creamy perfection.

I posted a Conch Chowder last year after I attended a really fun cooking class that started with wine at 10:30 am.  That chowder is one of my most popular posts, so I thought it was high time to update the recipe and, of course, add some beer.

If you’re looking for some more soup recipes, be sure to check out my friend, Karrie’s National Soup Month recipe roundup over at Tasty Ever After.

Belgian Beer Conch Chowder is an easy soup with fresh conch and vegetables, a floral Belgian beer, heavy cream, and slowly simmered to a creamy perfection.

Belgian Beer Conch Chowder
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Belgian Beer Conch Chowder

Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound bacon cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 2 shallots thinly sliced
  • 4 carrots diced or cut into discs
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 2 cups vegetable stock
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup Belgian ale beer
  • 1 1/2 pounds conch very thinly sliced (fresh or frozen and thawed)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • pinch of cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon thyme
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 medium potatoes cut into 1/2 inch pieces
  • Thyme sprigs or parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook bacon in a Dutch ovn over medium heat until crispy, remove and drain on paper towel
  2. Reserve 2 tablespoons bacon fat and discard the rest
  3. Heat the reserved bacon fat over medium heat in the same Dutch oven
  4. Add shallots and carrots, cook until soft and fragrant, 2-4 minutes
  5. Sprinkle flour over vegetables and stir allowing flour to cook for about 1 minute
  6. Add vegetable stock, water and beer, bring to a boil
  7. Add conch, cayenne, thyme, salt and pepper, reduce heat, and simmer for 2 hours
  8. Add potatoes and cook until tender, 10 minutes or so depending how big you cut them
  9. Stir in cream, adjust seasonings, and simmer a few more minutes
  10. Taste and adjust seasonings again if necessary
  11. Garnish with fresh thyme or parsley, if desired

NOTES:

  1. If you don’t know where to find conch, most grocery stores, fish markets, and specialty stores either have it or can order it for you.  Publix ordered some for me several times.
  2. Feel free to make it spicier by adding more cayenne if that makes you happy
  3. I used Weeping Willow Wit – a Belgian-style wit beer from Mother Earth Brewing in Kinston, NC. Belgian Beer Conch Chowder was a bit easier to fit into the title.

Blood Orange Ale and Cranberry Baked Brie

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Blood Orange Ale and Cranberry Baked Brie is the perfect appetizer to for any party that beer lovers will thank you for!

 

Later 2016.

Blood Orange Ale and Cranberry Baked Brie is the perfect appetizer to for any party that beer lovers will thank you for!

I’m keeping things short today and just popping in with a last minute easy appetizer to ring in the New Year. This Blood Orange Ale and Cranberry topped baked brie is easy and has very few ingredients.  You can make the cranberries and bake the brie at home, keep the cheese warm, and assemble at a party or serve at your own New Year’s Eve celebration.

Blood Orange Ale and Cranberry Baked Brie is the perfect appetizer to for any party that beer lovers will thank you for!

Blood Orange Ale and Cranberry Baked Brie is the perfect appetizer to for any party that beer lovers will thank you for!

Whatever you do this weekend to celebrate the end of 2016 and the promise of a new year, I wish you all a safe and Happy New Year.  Cheers!

Blood Orange Ale and Cranberry Baked Brie
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Blood Orange Ale and Cranberry Baked Brie

Ingredients

  • 12 fresh cranberries
  • 1/2 cup beer
  • 1 cup sugar
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 brie cheese wheel

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350
  2. Combine cranberries, beer, sugar, and salt in a sauce pan
  3. Bring to a boil, reduce and simmer over medium low heat until thick and some of the berries burst - about 10 minutes
  4. Unwrap brie and transfer to a baking sheet or baking dish
  5. Bake at 350 about 15 minutes or until soft and melty
  6. Transfer brie to a serving dish and top with cranberry mixture
  7. Serve with bread, toasted baguette, and/or crackers

NOTES:

  1. I happened to find a 35.2 ounce/2.2 pound wheel of brie on sale for $14.99, so I went with it.  You can certainly use a smaller one, but you will only need about half of the beer/cranberry mixture.  If you want the same amount, just use two smaller brie wheels.
  2. To make things easier, you can bake the cheese in a baking dish that can also be used as a serving dish.  If you transfer the cheese, just use a large spatula and be careful not to let it fall or separate because it will be soft.
  3. I used Kind of a Big Deal Blood Orange Wit from Triple C brewing, but any orange flavored beer will work.  They cranberries don’t cook very long, but long enough to concentrate flavors, so keep that in mind when choosing a beer.  I wouldn’t recommend anything too hoppy.
  4. Out of all the serving options listed, I prefer a toasted baguette for the crunchy texture.
Blood Orange Ale and Cranberry Baked Brie

Blood Orange Ale and Cranberry Baked Brie