Recipes With Beer

*Sin*ful Advent Calendars

Posted on: December 9th, 2012 by Carla Johnson No Comments

Last weekend I put up my daughter’s Advent Calendar. I just love it. The charming set of red and green pockets hails the start of the season and the 25 day countdown to Christmas day.

There is one problem though. This year my daughter is 16 and the excitement and appeal of the daily treat is no longer the thrill it used to be for her. She enjoys it, but it no longer trumps the need for extra sleep in the morning.  I think I enjoy putting the  little treats in each day is possibly as much as she enjoys pulling them out. The stick-on earring treats from years past have been replaced with foil-wrapped chocolates, but I believe the child in her – and in me – still enjoys it.

This week I found some boozy advent calendars that definitely appeals to adult in me. I bet they do for you too!

Wine Advent Calendar

Originally created as wine bottle table numbers for a wedding reception, Pinterest fans have revamped the idea into an advent calendar. A bottle of wine a day may be better shared with a friend, but it is proving to be a popular idea.

Beer Advent Calendar

There is a different type of beer each day mixed with canning jars with tools & treats. More info on this idea is found here.

Whisky Advent Calendar

You can buy this one & a couple other versions here.

Don’t worry. I won’t be making any of these for my daughter. She’s still a few years away. I’m just pleased I don’t have to live vicariously through her advent calendar anymore. :lol:

 

“Rickard’s White” Lemon Chicken

Posted on: June 26th, 2012 by Carla Johnson No Comments

Molsons was really supportive at the Kitchener Food & Drink Show this spring and I am very pleased to share one of their recipes here on Cooking With Sin. Great for the BBQ!

“Rickard’s White” Lemon Chicken

Serves Four ● 3 minutes prep ● 15 minutes cook time

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 chicken breast halves, skinned and boned
  • Juice of one lemon
  • 2 oz Rickard’s White (to taste)
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • ½ tsp of dried oregano
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper

THE MOVES

Combine all the ingredients; let them mingle for a while in a glass dish or heavy-duty re-sealable bag. Take chicken breast halves and place in bag. Let marinade at room temperature for 20 minutes. Preheat barbecue on HIGH. Place chicken on the grill, reduce heat to MEDIUM, and cook for 12 minutes, turning once halfway through cooking.

 Carla Johnson "Cooking With Sin"

The Light & Dark of It

Posted on: May 26th, 2012 by Carla Johnson No Comments

Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder. ~ Unknown

Because I grew up in a dry home, it wasn’t until my 20′s that I started to drink alcohol. At 22 I had my 1st beer with a friend. I believe he bought me a Labatt’s Blue Light. I tried my best. I sipped and sipped, but it tasted awful to me. My friend was happy to help me finish it.

At 23 I had my 2nd beer. My room mate’s boyfriend brought over Guinness. He was a great sport and poured me a small glass. Not wanting them to know how “delicate” my beer palate was, I took it to my room where I spent the evening watching the telly. I slowly sipped until I got the entire – albeit small – glass down.

It actually took me years to appreciate beer. Maybe starting with both ends of the beer spectrum didn’t help! It took a hot August night in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico at a Senor Frog’s disco to appreciate how truly thirst-quenching a beer can be.

Today I like both light and dark beers and everything in between. My favourite lager is Stella Artois. We have a set of the pretty pint glasses in our bar! My favourite wheat beer is Microbrasserie Charlevoix‘s Dominus Vobiscum Blanche.

Recently Guinness launched glasses with QR codes on them. Of course they only work with a dark stout in them, but they sure are interesting.

Wonder where I can get a set for my bar!

 

Food & Drink Show 2012 Pics

Posted on: May 5th, 2012 by Carla Johnson No Comments

Last weekend I was honoured to share the stage at Waterloo Region’s Food & Drink Show with Brian Witteveen “Big Sid” of Strode’s BBQ & Deli in Brantford. He’s a great guy! And he knows meat. We shared variations on pulled pork. The pork was cooked with Rickard’s Red and we paired it with Rickard’s White for the samples. It was deeeeeeelish!

Thank you to Molson’s for working with us on this one!

I’ve been asking Brian to share this or any other recipe here on Cooking With Sin. I think my nagging is working! I’ll let ya know!

"Carla Johnson" "Cooking With Sin"

"Carla Johnson" "Cooking With Sin"

"Carla Johnson" "Cooking With Sin"

Prepping pulled pork & jalapeno "turds" with Big Sid

"Carla Johnson" "Cooking With Sin"

Rubbing butt - really!

"Carla Johnson" "Cooking With Sin"

Thank you to the organizers & attendees for making it so much fun!

The Case for Beer

Posted on: April 17th, 2012 by Carla Johnson No Comments

Beer fans, you know you don’t need a case for it! But today I got a “cold call” email from someone at Frugaldad.com sharing this graphic …errr infographic with me.  I must admit I initially ignored the email. Having a popular blog attracts all kinds of unique inquiries and spammy stuff, but I took a moment and looked this one up. So glad I did.

I say this one’s worth a pin!

Beer Infographic

Source: FrugalDad.com