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beer cheese

Steakhouse Loaded Baked Potato with Beer Cheese

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Steakhouse Loaded Baked Potato with Beer Cheese is just like a classic fancy baked potato you would find in an expensive steakhouse. This potato is made extra special and delicious with a heaping amount of beer cheese on top!

 

There’s nothing in the human experience that’s not within my scope.

Tony Randall

Steakhouse Loaded Baked Potatoes with Beer Cheese is just like a classic fancy baked potato you would find in an expensive steakhouse. This potato is made extra special and delicious with a heaping amount of beer cheese on top!

I absolutely love that quote.

Let me put things into context for you.  I have this ridiculous addiction.  An embarrassing guilty pleasure if you will.

Steakhouse Loaded Baked Potatoes with Beer Cheese is just like a classic fancy baked potato you would find in an expensive steakhouse. This potato is made extra special and delicious with a heaping amount of beer cheese on top!

Buzzer.

We cancelled our cable several months ago and now have one of those antennas that looks like an iPad.  (This event ended my access to DVR and therefore my love of General Hospital has been a hardship to overcome.)  I was flipping through what limited channels we had one night and there it was.  Buzzer.  There is a channel called Buzzer that’s all old game shows mostly from the 1970’s, but some from the 60’s and 80’s.  I can’t quite remember what exactly they were showing the first time I found it, but that was all she wrote.  I went down the rabbit hole.  Episode after episode of Password, Password Plus, The Match Game, Card Sharks, Press Your Luck – No Whammy! No Whammy!

Steakhouse Loaded Baked Potatoes with Beer Cheese is just like a classic fancy baked potato you would find in an expensive steakhouse. This potato is made extra special and delicious with a heaping amount of beer cheese on top!

So I was watching an episode of Password Plus, which was hosted by Allen Ludden.  As a side note, did you know he was married to Betty White?  She said her only regret was saying no to Allen’s marriage proposal for a year and that she missed out on spending that year with the love of her life.

Anyway, Tony Randall was one of the celebrities on Password Plus and Allen Ludden raised his eyebrows at Tony’s comments about American football.  Tony responded with, “There’s nothing in the human experience that’s not within my scope.”

I just stopped.  Shouldn’t that be the sentiment we all live by?  To pay attention.  Be happy and spend every minute possible with the people who matter most to you.  Yet, look beyond just your world.  Put the whole human experience in your scope.  Appreciate the ordinary and the extraordinary.

You could also take an ordinary baked potato and make it an extraordinary special Steakhouse Loaded Baked Potato with Beer Cheese.

Life is a participation sport.

Steakhouse Loaded Baked Potatoes with Beer Cheese is just like a classic fancy baked potato you would find in an expensive steakhouse. This potato is made extra special and delicious with a heaping amount of beer cheese on top!

Steakhouse Loaded Baked Potatoes with Beer Cheese is just like a classic fancy baked potato you would find in an expensive steakhouse. This potato is made extra special and delicious with a heaping amount of beer cheese on top!
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Steakhouse Loaded Baked Potato with Beer Cheese

Ingredients

  • 2 large russet potatoes cleaned and dried
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2-3 tablespoons coarse salt like sea salt
  • 1 cup cooked broccoli florets
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 4 ounces white sharp cheddar shredded
  • 2-3 garlic cloves peeled
  • a dash or two of Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 - 3/4 cup of beer
  • Optional Garnishes
  • Bacon bits
  • Chives
  • Sour Cream
  • Butter

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350
  2. Coat the potatoes in olive oil and salt
  3. Bake potatoes on a parchment or foil lined baking sheet for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until done and soft in the middle when tested with a knive
  4. In the bowl of a food processor combine cream cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic, Worcestershire sauce and puree until combined
  5. With the food processor running, slowly pour in beer until it reaches desired consistency
  6. To serve, slice open the potatoes and gently push in each end to break up the potatoes a bit.
  7. Add butter, if using, broccoli, beer cheese and top with optional garnishes

NOTES:

  1. As usual, I do not recommend an IPA or any beer with a big hop profile.  I like malty beers in this, such as an amber or red ale.
  2. The beer cheese is not cooked or hot, so I heated some up in the microwave for about a minute before topping the potatoes with it.
  3. You will end up with more beer cheese than you need for 2 potatoes, but if you use it all I will not judge.  You can easily double or triple the potatoes, broccoli, etc. to feed more people or save the remaining beer cheese for a snack with bread, pretzels, vegetables, etc. and it will be perfect for a party or game day.
  4. This beer cheese and a smoked gouda beer cheese (which would also be delicious on steakhoues loaded baked potatoes!) can be found here and here.

Easy Beer Cheese – Two Ways

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Easy Beer Cheese – Two Ways is so versatile you can make the original version or mix things up by using pimento cheese for a fun and delicious alternative.

Easy Beer Cheese - Two Ways is so versatile you can make the original version or mix things up by using pimento cheese for a fun and delicious alternative

This post was originally published on January 29, 2017, but the Super Bowl is tomorrow so I thought you could use some easy beer cheese. 

 

So I was trying to relax at the nail salon while getting an overdue and much deserved manicure and pedicure.  I had a glass of delicious red wine in my hand and reached for some beer cheese when I’m abruptly awakened from my dream like state with a complaint from Lisa.  You have never put this beer cheese on your blog.  What?

Easy Beer Cheese - Two Ways is so versatile you can make the original version or mix things up by using pimento cheese for a fun and delicious alternative

Au contraire mon frere.

Easy Beer Cheese - Two Ways is so versatile you can make the original version or mix things up by using pimento cheese for a fun and delicious alternative

I have put Lisa’s beer cheese recipe on this ridiculous website, but I can understand the oversight since it wasn’t in the title.  It was actually the first recipe I shared when I launched my new look almost two years ago.

Easy Beer Cheese - Two Ways is so versatile you can make the original version or mix things up by using pimento cheese for a fun and delicious alternative

In order to make Lisa eat her words happy and because I absolutely cannot get excited about either one of the teams playing in the Super Bowl this year, so I’m going to be faceplanting in some beer cheese only coming up long enough to watch commercials and hope Tom Brady gets sacked, I share with you two versions of beer cheese – Lisa’s original and pimento.

Yes, from the girl who said she doesn’t like pimentos because she doesn’t like olives.  I’m looking at you, Lisa.

Easy Beer Cheese - Two Ways is so versatile you can make the original version or mix things up by using pimento cheese for a fun and delicious alternative.

Easy Beer Cheese - Two Ways
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Easy Beer Cheese – Two Ways

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 4 ounces extra sharp white cheddar cheese shredded
  • 2 - 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 -2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 = 3/4 cup beer

Instructions

  1. Combine cream cheese, cheddar, garlic, and Worcestershire Sauce in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until combined.
  2. With the food processor running, slowly stream in beer until desired consistency is reached

For a Pimento Cheese Version

  1. Combine 8 ounces of pimento cheese, 4 ounces cream cheese, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce in a food processor and pulse until combined.
  2. With food processor running, slowly stream in beer until desired consistency is reached

NOTES:

  1. I used my Irish Red Ale home brew for this, but you can use any beer that you want.  Just remember that it is going to taste like whatever beer you use, so be careful of anything too hoppy or with flavors you don’t want in your cheese.
  2. Serve with pretzels, chips, bread, pita, vegetables, or any other kind of snack you like

 

Easy Beer Cheese - Two Ways

Four Cheese Beer Mac ‘n Cheese

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Four Cheese Beer Mac ‘n Cheese takes beer cheese to a new level. It’s rich and delicious and full of amazing flavor that is sure to please any crowd.

How’s the diet going?

Four Cheese Beer Mac 'n Cheese takes beer cheese to a new level. It's rich and delicious and full of amazing flavor that is sure to please any crowd.

Actually, I don’t really want to talk about boring diets and resolutions that will last 4.8173 minutes. Let’s fall off that wagon before we ever get on.  After all, isn’t beer cheese and macaroni a little more interesting?

Four Cheese Beer Mac 'n Cheese takes beer cheese to a new level. It's rich and delicious and full of amazing flavor that is sure to please any crowd.

I’m down with fresh starts and living right, but isn’t it all about balance?  Try to remember to have a little fun and treat yourself to something gooey and cheesy in between kale salads and trips to the gym.  You deserve it.

Four Cheese Beer Mac 'n Cheese
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Four Cheese Beer Mac ‘n Cheese

Ingredients

  • 6 ounces brie rind removed and cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 4 ounces smoked gouda shredded
  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • 4 ounces parmesan shredded, plus another 2 - 4 ounces shredded for topping
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup beer
  • 1/2 pound corkscrew pasta

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350
  2. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente
  3. In a large Dutch oven melt the butter over medium-high heat
  4. Add flour and whisk until smooth and starts to turn light brown in color, 1 - 2 minutes
  5. Slowly whisk in milk
  6. Slowly whisk in beer
  7. Cook over medium high heat another couple of minutes until mixture is smooth and thickens
  8. Stir in all the cheese except the reserved parmesan and continue stirring and cooking until all the cheese melts
  9. Add pasta to the cheese mixture and stir until all the pasta is coated completely
  10. Transfer pasta and cheese sauce to a casserole dish coated with cooking spray
  11. Top with reserved parmesan and bake for 25 - 35 minutes until top is golden

NOTES:

  1. I used brie cheese in this recipe because I had a bit of luck and happened upon a sale of 2.2 pounds of brie for $14.99 and needed to use the leftovers from this baked brie appetizer.  Even I can only eat so much baked brie in one sitting.
  2. I think brie helps with a smooth texture, but feel free to leave it out and substitute cream cheese because brie can be pricey .
  3. If you don’t like smoked gouda just use the regular stuff.
  4. I used a Belgian style wit beer from Mother Earth Brewing

 

Four Cheese Beer Mac 'n Cheese

Four Cheese Beer Mac ‘n Cheese

Beer Cheddar Broccoli Soup

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Beer Cheddar Broccoli Soup is my way of making a delicious classic soup with craft beer to welcome fall, cooler temperatures, and comfort food!

 

I brewed ten gallons of beer this weekend.

Beer Cheddar Broccoli Soup is my way of making a delicious classic soup with craft beer to welcome fall, cooler temperatures, and comfort food!

It’s about dang time.  As I said in this post recently, I started this ridiculous website because of my love of home brewing, craft beer, and food.  I’m adding a rediscovery of my love for photography to that list – although it’s still a love – hate relationship there.

We had a lot of family responsibilities and home/landscaping improvements that took priority over the last year and we weren’t able to brew as much as we normally do – with the exception of my one mystery ingredient (grapefruit) contest that I entered and didn’t win – boo!  It was called Groovy Red Ruby and was an American Wheat Ale with roasted red ruby grapefruit.  Trust me when I tell you it was a winner in my book!

Beer Cheddar Broccoli Soup is my way of making a delicious classic soup with craft beer to welcome fall, cooler temperatures, and comfort food!

I think we may have a bit left on tap if you want to stop by!

Beer Cheddar Broccoli Soup is my way of making a delicious classic soup with craft beer to welcome fall, cooler temperatures, and comfort food!

We can also whip up some Beer Cheddar Broccoli Soup, put it in bread bowls, and sit on the patio enjoying some home brew with the hope that these ridiculous election shenanigans will be a distant past in the morning.

Beer Cheddar Broccoli Soup
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Beer Cheddar Broccoli Soup

Servings 4 Servings

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 16 ounces beer - see notes
  • 12 ounces fresh broccoli florets
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1/2 - 3/4 cups carrots shredded - see notes
  • 2 cups extra sharp cheddar shredded

Instructions

  1. In a Dutch oven, heat oil and butter together, add onions and cook until fragrant and softened, 3 - 5 minutes
  2. Add garlic and cook another 2 minutes or until fragrant and softened
  3. Turn off heat and add beer
  4. Turn fire back on, bring just to a boil, and scrape up all the bits from the bottom of the pot
  5. Add broccoli and chicken stock
  6. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes or until broccoli is softened
  7. Add carrots
  8. Whisk together milk and flour in a measuring cup - no lumps!
  9. Slowly add milk mixture to broccoli, stirring constantly making sure no lumps
  10. Keep stirring until thickened
  11. Add cheese one handful at a time, stirring to melt cheese until adding the next
  12. Transfer 1/3 to 1/2 soup to a food processor or blender and process until chunky smooth and add back into the soup pot - see notes
  13. Reheat until hot enough to serve
  14. Serve in hollowed out bread bowls

NOTES:

  1. Beer notes:  I like a floral beer in this recipe, so a Belgian or a mild pale ale works here.  I do not recommend a hoppy IPA because when you reduce that it’s going to taste bitter.  You will regret it.
  2. If you buy grated carrots at the grocery, they will take a bit longer to cook than if you grate them yourself.  The grocery ones are just a bit thicker – in my opinion.  Use the amount that blows your dress up.
  3. Same here with the amount.  If you like big chunks of broccoli, then go for it.  If you like it smoother, then blend less.  It’s up to you. This is a judgement free zone.

 

beer-cheddar-broccoli-soup

Easy Beer Brats Recipe

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Easy Beer Brats Recipe

Easy Beer Brats Recipe

Y’all, I have searched the world over and have come to the conclusion that there is absolutely no way to make sausage look sexy.

Easy Beer Brats Recipe

I’m just keepin’ it real here.  But you totally have to trust me when I tell you that you cannot go wrong with searing off some brats then tossing them in a pot with some beer for a couple of hours.

Easy Beer Brats Recipe

I’m not totally sure it’s completely legit to call this a recipe, so if you want to agree to simply call it a suggestion, I’m down with that.  And in the spirit of keepin’ it real, this was just supposed to be beer brats with some spicy mustard and sauerkraut for the first Panthers game of the season a couple of weeks ago.  I also made some beer pretzel bites and smoked gouda beer cheese to nosh on or throw at the TV.

Easy Beer Brats Recipe

The reality is that Lisa came over to watch the game and she decided that the smoked gouda beer cheese belonged on the brats and on the pretzels, so here we are.  We have some ugly, yet delicious beer brats topped not only with spicy mustard and sauerkraut as originally planned, but then made extra over the top ridiculous with beer cheese splattered all over them.

Easy Beer Brats Recipe

Yes, I said splattered.  Just keepin’ it real.

Easy Beer Brats Recipe
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Easy Beer Brats Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 package of fresh uncooked brats style sausages
  • 2 bottles or cans of good craft beer
  • 1 jar or package of prepared sauerkraut
  • Hot dog buns or hoagie rolls for serving
  • Dijon mustard for serving
  • Beer cheese for serving

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet on high until hot
  2. Add brats and sear on all sides - rotate them every 2 minutes or so
  3. Transfer brats to a Dutch oven, add beer, bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to a low simmer
  4. Cook covered for 2 1/2 - 3 hours
  5. Heat sauerkraut in a sauce pan
  6. Serve with sauerkraut, Dijon and beer cheese

NOTES

  1. I found fresh uncooked brats with the other sausages in the fresh meat department of the grocery store
  2. Do this right and serve it with some homemade Smoked Gouda Beer Cheese
  3. I made these brats several times and used two of Seirra Nevada’s beers.  I did one batch in Otra Vez, which is a gose and I find a bit on the salty side, so it was a great match.  The other I cooked in Nooner, which is a pilsner and both were great.
  4. I recommend that you start with one can/bottle and then add the other if needed.  You want to be sure that the brats stay covered.

Easy Beer Brats Recipe

Homemade Beer Pretzel Bites Recipe

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Homemade Beer Pretzel Bites Recipe

Homemade Beer Pretzel Bites Recipe

I think it’s safe to say that regardless of how warm the weather is wherever you are, we are totally rolling into fall.  There are apples and apple recipes everywhere, I’m seeing pumpkins at the Publix and the Teeter, Halloween costumes at Costco and Halloween candy all over the dang Walgreens.

Homemade Beer Pretzel Bites Recipe

I get it.  Everyone is excited to bust out the boots and sweaters, but let’s not get our cart in front of our horse.  It’s still September and you know what that means? Besides apples, of course.  Oktoberfest officially kicked off over the weekend and that, my friends, is cause for celebration!

Homemade Beer Pretzel Bites Recipe

I got the party started by kicking off the weekend with some Smoked Gouda Beer Cheese last week, and today I’ve made you some Homemade Beer Pretzel Bites to drown in it.  Of course, you could always put the pretzels on a string and wear them around your neck at the next beer festival.  That would be ok too, and who am I to judge?  They’re the perfect bite size snack and they’re made out of beer!!  That’s a win in my book!

Homemade Beer Pretzel Bites Recipe

You know what else these little nuggets would be good for?  Well, all the football games this weekend! Take them to the tailgate or have a few friends over to root on your favorite college or NFL teams and serve them up with some of that beer cheese we talked about or some spicy mustard and your friends will be smitten.

Homemade Beer Pretzel Bites Recipe

Whether y’all are cheering on your favorite team (or teams!) or feel like throwing on your lederhosen this weekend, you should absolutely be swinging around a beer and noshing on some tasty homemade beer pretzel bites.

Homemade Beer Pretzel Bites Recipe

P. S. They’re small enough to throw at the TV without hurting anything when the refs make those ridiculous calls or the wrong guy catches the ball.

Homemade Beer Pretzel Bites Recipe

 

Because you know they will.

 

Homemade Beer Pretzel Bites Recipe is a super easy recipe and magically delicious. Make bite sized treats to serve as a snack or appetizer perfect for a tailgate party

Homemade Beer Pretzel Bites Recipe
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Homemade Beer Pretzel Bites Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups brown ale
  • 2 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 package dry active yeast
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 5 cups flour
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2/3 cup baking soda
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 - 2 tablespoons coarse sea salt or pretzel salt

Instructions

  1. Combine beer, sugar, salt and heat to just warm - not hot or it will kill your yeast - remove from heat
  2. Stir in yeast and let sit 5-7 minutes - until foamy
  3. Add butter and beer mixture to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook
  4. Turn mixer on low and gradually add flour one cup at a time until combined
  5. Add vegetable oil to a bowl and turn to coat
  6. Transfer the dough to the bowl and turn to coat all sides
  7. Cover with plastic wrap and set in a warm place to rise for 1 hour
  8. Separate dough into 8 equal pieces
  9. Working with one piece at a time, roll out into about 18 inch pieces with your hands and cut into 1 inch pieces
  10. Transfer all pieces to a large parchment lined baking sheet
  11. In a large pot, combine 9 cups of water and 2/3 cup baking soda and bring to a boil
  12. Working in batches, drop the pieces of dough into the boiling water for 30 to 45 seconds, remove from water, and return to baking sheet
  13. Preheat oven to 450
  14. Combine egg and 1 tablespoon water in a bowl and beat lightly
  15. Using a pastry brush, coat the top of each piece of dough with the egg wash
  16. Sprinkle salt on top of each piece
  17. Bake 12 - 14 minutes or until golden brown

NOTES:

  1. I made this dough, divided it in half, and froze the other half.  I thawed the frozen half in the refrigerator and they turned out just fine.
  2. Each half batch made about 3 dozen depending how big you make the pieces.

homemade-beer-pretzel-bites-recipe

Smoked Gouda Beer Cheese Recipe

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Smoked Gouda Beer Cheese is a delicious creamy appetizer that’s perfect appetizer dip for entertaining or watching the big game. Serve it with some homemade beer pretzels, vegetable sticks, bread or pour it over some pasta for a winning mac ‘n cheese!

Smoked Gouda Beer Cheese Recipe

I made you some cheesy beer, y’all!  Or maybe I made you some beer-y cheese?

Smoked Gouda Beer Cheese Recipe

Either way, I thought we’d take a little break from apples and talk about some Smoked Gouda Beer Cheese.  After all, it’s not just apple season.  It’s football season too and the real Oktoberfest in Munich kicks off this weekend.  All these occasions demand a celebration with some beer cheese.

Smoked Gouda Beer Cheese Recipe

This stuff is so good, y’all!  You can serve it as a warm dip for vegetables or bread the next time you have your peeps over to watch the game.  It also makes a totally awesome sauce.  Now that I think about it, this would make an amazing mac ‘n beer cheese! With bacon!  OMG!  I need to get on that STAT!

Smoked Gouda Beer Cheese Recipe

Sorry – I got a bit distracted by how dreamy this smoked gouda beer cheese is.  I’m keeping things short today and peacing out.  But before I go – I joke you not.  You need this in your life!

Smoked Gouda Beer Cheese is a delicious creamy appetizer that's perfect appetizer dip for entertaining or watching the big game. Serve it with some homemade beer pretzels, vegetable sticks, bread or pour it over some pasta for a winning mac 'n cheese!

Smoked Gouda Beer Cheese Recipe
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Smoked Gouda Beer Cheese Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 3/4 cup beer
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 tablespoon dried mustard
  • dash of Worchestershire sauce
  • dash of hot sauce - I used Texas Pete
  • 16 ounces smoked gouda shredded

Instructions

  1. Melt butter in a sauce pan over medium low heat
  2. Add flour and whisk constantly for about 2 minutes
  3. Slowly add beer and milk and bring to a simmer
  4. Whisk 3 - 5 minutes until thick
  5. Stir in mustard, Worcestershire, and hot sauce
  6. Whisk in cheese one handful at a time until all is melted and incorporated
  7. Serve immediately and keep warm

Adapted from Williams-Sonoma

NOTES

  1. I made this smoked gouda beer cheese twice.  I used Lonerider Brewing Company Sweet Josie Brown and Brooklyn Brewing Summer Ale and both were amazing!
  2. I don’t recommend using an IPA or other hoppy beer for this recipe
  3. If you’re not a fan of smoked gouda cheese, feel free to substitute one that you like, but you’ll want to balance the type of beer you use

smoked-gouda-beer-cheese-recipe