I Don’t Always Drink Beer, But When I Do…

Zoe Bauer  

I can handle its foaminess, its stickiness, and even its smelliness, but the taste of beer is the reason I abstain from drinking it. I strongly dislike beer for its monotonous and bitter flavor, but more than that, I hate that I hate it. It’s tragic to attend the University of Michigan, an institution that undeniably has the best football tailgates in the country, and have to refrain from the social, carefree environment that beer creates for the students.

Beer, more than just an alcoholic beverage, is an activity. Instead of involving grimacing faces and extinguishing chasers, it breeds a “lets all be friends” type of attitude. People play games with beer, watch games while drinking it, talk about beer, talk while drinking it; the combinations are infinite. So, as last semester closed, I imagined begrudgingly the three beer-less football seasons that were still in store for me.

But my spirits were lifted when BuzzFeed introduced me to an entirely new role for this fermented drink. To my excitement, beer can be used as an ingredient in a variety of foods, sweet and savory, to enhance the dishes’ flavor and complexity. The BuzzFeed article presented 10 mouthwatering recipes that take the bitter, monotonous substance and transform it into soup bases, glazes, dips, and batters.

My favorite recipe calls for sautéing shallots and Brussels sprouts in a light beer and smoky bacon glaze to create a delicious and aromatic twist on a relatively bland vegetable.

A more conventional use of beer simply involves adding a bottle or so to a frying batter to create a thick gold coating on fish. Since beer is dense, the batter will encase the fish while keeping moisture in, so the fish won’t become dry or chewy.

After discovering the BuzzFeed article, further research led me to a plethora of beer-based recipes for all occasions. Turns out that including beer (of all kinds) is a simple and delicious solution for anyone trying to amp up a meal at an affordable cost.

But why does it work so well? Beer is becoming a popular flavor enhancer due to its relatively low alcohol content and its subtle flavor compared to cooking wines and liqueurs. The malty additive complements the ingredients it’s paired with, whether it’s adding a richer and deeper flavor to a sauce or glaze, or incorporating a clean, earthy taste to balance an overly sweet dish.

One small word of advice is to follow a recipe closely when it calls for a specific type of beer. Though it may be tempting to use whatever beer is already in the fridge, light and dark flavors often make a large difference in the end result of the dish. If the recipe doesn’t specify, it’s safe to assume that lighter beers work well with chicken, fish and dessert, while darker beers pair nicely with heavier meats like pork or lamb.

Next fall, while others are busy re-racking and keg standing, I’ll be hard at work filling my solo cup in preparation for a game-day dinner of Beer-Can Chicken and Hoppy Hush Puppies. Go Blue!

Insights into Al Dente

Carmen Lee  

Picture beautiful ribbons of Italian tradition, canvases on which to create masterpieces of color and flavor. I mean, who doesn’t love pasta?
Thankfully, for pasta lovers and skeptics alike, I am starting a series that explores the world of pasta in its best form; al dente, meaning as perfectly prepared as possible. One company that has taken this technique to heart is the Ann Arbor based Al Dente Pasta whose creativity is unbounded, as seen in pasta varieties such as squid ink fettuccine and spicy sesame linguini. Monique, the founder of Al Dente, draws inspiration from travel and the local community. With an amazing amount of dedication and passion, she and her husband Dennis put modern twists on a wonderful tradition. This teamwork is more than a company – it’s a family. Managed by Monique’s sister, Al Dente has expanded nationwide, selling to cities across the country and even in Canada. People around the country get to enjoy the family’s fresh take on pasta. What a great way to pass on this beautiful tradition!

Is your mouth watering yet?

In this series, I will report all the latest and local happenings at Al Dente. I’ll even post step-by-step recipes of delicious dishes, so you can enjoy a taste of Italy in your own home. Keep on the lookout for future posts! If you’re not completely in love with pasta yet, you definitely will be soon.