In our column, “Cider Loves Meals,” contributor Meredith Collins (blogger extraordinaire at Alongside Got here a Cider) is taking a look at completely different cuisines and discovering the right ciders to assist take your meals to the following stage.
Although Spring could technically be right here, there are many blustery, moist and muddy days nonetheless to return. However that isn’t something to dread! There’s an exquisite vibrance and potential in these transitional Spring days, which might help us really feel splendidly alive.
Nonetheless, a heat hearty meal at residence is typically simply what we have to profit from this season of progress. So, I’ve put collectively a listing of cozy, acquainted consolation meals (with hyperlinks to recipes) and a few ciders that pair fantastically with them.
I’ve been a fan of lasagna since my youth, in all probability as a result of my mother’s vegetarian lasagna is savory and scrumptious. I by no means missed the meat as a result of there’s a lot umami richness within the layers of cheese, sauce and veggies.
I like to recommend pairing veggie lasagna with Alpenfire Cider’s 2020 Glow Airlie Pink Rosé Cider. I’ve chosen this pairing for 2 essential causes: The Airlie Pink cider has the required acidity to chop via the hefty parts of ricotta and mozzarella, and the cider matches the daring depth of a tangy crimson sauce.
There are such a lot of methods to make mashed potatoes, however regardless of your method, in my e book they should be creamy, however not gluey, neither too easy nor lumpy, and intensely flavorful. Beginning with actually good Yukon Gold potatoes is essential!
For mashed potatoes, I like to recommend an ultra-dry, super-bubbly, high-acid cider like Farnum Hill Additional Dry. The bubbles and acidity each assist with lifting what could be a heavy dish. This cider can also be complicated sufficient that pairing it with one thing comparatively easy permits the numerous flavors of the cider to sing.
I didn’t develop up consuming hen pot pie or something prefer it. At first I used to be too choosy, after which my household stopped consuming meat. Now I like a savory pie, and I’ve included two variations that each pair fantastically with a semi-sweet fruity cider.
There’s no scarcity of fine choices right here, however I’m a fan of Rosé for Sal by Offended Orchard’s Innovation Cider Home in Walden, New York. This fruited cider makes use of tart blueberries and New York state apples to make a splendidly balanced blueberry rosé. The creamy roux-based sauce for each of the pies actually contrasts deliciously with one thing fruity and enjoyable. Or if you wish to strive one thing model new, Two City’s Ciderhouse simply launched The Baddie with Pink Woman apples and superb floral botanicals.
You’ll want two ciders for this one as a result of the recipe requires 12 ounces of beer, but it surely’s a lot extra pleasant if you happen to sub in cider as a substitute. The cider you prepare dinner with issues much less, however for the pairing, go together with a whiskey- or bourbon-barrel-aged cider.
Barrel-aged ciders usually function notes of butterscotch, bread crumbs and delightfully bourbon-y aromas, which helps them stand as much as the highly effective flavors of an excellent chili. Bauman’s Cider makes a Bourbon Barrel Vanilla Cider that I significantly advocate if you happen to like your chili additional spicy. The vanilla and bourbon barrel notes interaction with spice in a method you don’t need to miss.
Within the Fall, apple macaroni-and-cheese is a fan-favorite at our native apple harvest pageant. I prefer it a lot that I make it 12 months spherical. You possibly can method the pairing in just a few alternative ways, and undoubtedly can’t go improper with a semi-sweet and fruity excessive acid cider, like Uncle John’s Cider’s Blossom Mix or Schilling Laborious Cider’s Spaceport Imperial Pineapple. In case your pairing purpose is to boost the refined fruit of apple in macaroni-and-cheese, doubling down with a strongly fruity cider pulls the dish in simply the appropriate course.
I merely can’t speak about consolation meals with out mentioning probably the most dependable shortcuts to happiness that exists on this planet: chocolate chip cookies. They provide every little thing I need in a pleasant and moveable bundle: chocolatey, candy, only a bit salty! And whereas they are often both as chewy or crispy because the baker wishes, my desire is mushy and chewy. Although milk is the standard beverage accompaniment, I’d wish to counsel Threadbare Cider’s Farmhouse Cider as a substitute. This cider gives its personal model of every little thing good as effectively; the cider is tart, bubbly, minerally, and just a bit bit candy.
That is only a brief checklist of a few of my favourite consolation meals; I’m certain everybody has their very own lineup, whether or not from childhood recollections or their very own culinary achievements. Hopefully these pairing suggestions might help you get pleasure from them another time, this time with some scrumptious ciders. Cheers!
