Chef McHugh - Pick Me Pick Me!

I got a little giddy when I saw the Facebook post from Lüke San Antonio River Walk. 

I almost had to do a double take. Did they really just say they are hosting a contest so share our favorite beer pairing recipe for a chance to win a spot at the upcoming beer dinner? And did they also say Brooklyn Brewery? Hell Yes!

The Contest:

Do you love beer? If you answered yes, our Brooklyn Beer Dinner Recipe Contest is for you. Share your best pairing recipe on our wall for the opportunity to have your recipe featured at an upcoming Lüke beer dinner, plus complimentary tickets for you and a guest.

- Post your recipe on our Facebook wall between May 1 and May 18

- Recipe submissions may be paired with any Brooklyn Brewery beer and can be for any course http://brooklynbrewery.com/

- Chef McHugh will select his favorite recipe and use it as inspiration for a course at the Brooklyn Beer Dinner on June 7

- The winning recipe will be announced on our Facebook page on May 28

- The winner will receive two complimentary tickets to the Brooklyn Beer Dinner on June 7

- Additionally, the winner will be offered the opportunity to cook with Chef Steve the week of the event and to present the dish at the beer dinner

 

Need I remind anyone how much I adore Brooklyn Brewery beers? If my fridge and buying habits didn't give it away, then perhaps you might have noticed that Brooklyn Local 1 is the single beer to have appeared at all 4 of my Saucer plate parties. I once gave a bottle to a mom-to-be at a baby shower (for after the baby arrived of course!)  I adore the Brooklyn Brewery.

So my only problem with this contest would be trying to decide what to submit as I have spent a great deal of time pairing their beers with delicious food in my kitchen and at restaurants across the country.

I almost wanted to go with my Five Spice Short Rib paired with Brooklyn Sorachi Ace, or my Smoked BBQ chicken (which I dehydrate the beer for my rub) paired with Brooklyn Lager...  but I feel drawn to sticking to my tried and true first love of beers. Brooklyn Local 1. 

(Dear Chef McHugh - if you want either of the other two recipes above because the one below isn't what you're looking for I'm happy to share them as well - because cooking with you over Brooklyn Brewery beers would be rad)

So here's my submission to the contest... I hoping going somewhat simple will win me a spot at this dinner.  This is something I've been making for years for my family and friends. Brooklyn Local 1 paired with Japanese Squash Soup and Pâté (seriously how can you go wrong with squash and duck fat? Paired with a Belgian-inspired Strong Golden Ale? YUM!)

Japanese Pumpkin Soup with Pâté Dipper

1 medum japanese pumpkin

1 tsp olive oil

1 medium sweet onion (sliced)

1 Tbsp butter

2 cups chicken stock

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 1/2 cups milk

Cut pumpkin into 2, remove seeds. Place flesh side down in roasting pan and roast for 45 minutes at 35 or until soft. In large sauce pan heat up olive oil and  saute onion until they start to brown and caramalize. Pour chicken stock over onions and bring to a slow boil. Scoop out squash and add to broth. Simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes then add butter cinnamon and milk. Use an immersion blender to blend the mixture until smooth and creamy. Season to taste with salt and pepper. I sometimes drizzle Crème fraîche on top if I have it.

Serve with the Pâté Dipper below:

3 oz duck fat

1 large shallot, chopped

1 clove garlic, chopped

1 duck liver, chopped

1/2 tsp herbs de Provence

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 tsp Cognac

Sliced baguette, toasted with butter

Cook duck fat in a skillet over high heat for 5 minutes or until browned. add the shallots and garlic, stir. Add the liver and herbs de Provence, stir. Add the salt and pepper and cook on high heat for about 2 minutes. Transfer to a blender and pour the Cognac over and blend until a smooth texture has formed. Cool in the fridge for 2 hours and cover until ready to serve.

Spread the Pâté on the toasted buttered baguette slices and place on the edge of the bowl.

So there you have it - my submission with fingers crossed... I'm also going to have to go to Central Market now after work and pick up a few bottles of Local 1 for the weekend - because now I want to eat this.

I also have to mention my favorite cheese to pair with this beer only because the combination of these two things in my life is a cause for Foodgasm.

Saint Angel and the Brooklyn Local 1 with a few slices of granny smith apple is one of the most decadent things you could place on your tongue... I am definitely making a beer & food run tonight!