Basil Beer Bread

Just in time for Saint Patrick's Day!  It's tasty, filling, and made with BEER!  What more could you ask for?  I got this recipe straight from the Real Simple website.  Goes well with olive oil or Avocado Hummus (see previous post) for dipping.

Ingredients:
olive oil for the baking sheet
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4-ounce package active dry yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 cup (3 ounces) grated Parmesan cheese
1 12-ounce bottle beer, preferably ale
flour for the work surface
1 cup chopped basil leaves
 
**NOTE- If using fresh basil, remove the leaf stems and chop into very small pieces.  This will help evenly distribute them.  You could also use the dry crushed basil found in the cooking spices section of your grocery store.**
 
Directions:
1.  Heat oven to 400° F. Oil a baking sheet. Combine the flour, yeast, salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese in a large mixing bowl.  Mix together with a large spoon.
2.  Add the basil and stir until well distributed.  
3.  Add the beer and mix just until the dough comes together. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Shape the dough into a round loaf and transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
4.  Bake 40 to 45 minutes, until the loaf is lightly browned and passes the "toothpick test." This means if the bread is done, a toothpick stuck in the center of the loaf will come out clean.  If there are bread bits sticking to the toothpick, it needs to bake for a few more minutes.  Let cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing.

Mac n Beer Cheese

We all know that macaroni and cheese is the epitome of awesome comfort food.  But there is a way to make it even tastier, by adding one of man's greatest inventions- beer!  The equation goes something like this:

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups macaroni noodles
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup dark beer (I have used Newcastle and Killian's, whatever tastes good to you)
3 links of beer bratwurst (I use Johnsonville Beer Brats)
2 teaspoons ground mustard
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Fill a pot with two quarts of water and a pinch of salt, bring to a rolling boil.  Add macaroni and boil 15 minutes or until tender. Drain and set aside.
2.  Heat bratwurst in the microwave for a few minutes, until fully cooked.  Slice and cut into bite sized pieces.
3.  While pasta is cooking, melt butter and olive oil in a large saucepan.  Add flour to the pan and stir until a smooth paste forms.  Gradually add the milk while stirring the mixture.  Continue cooking until the mixture is thick and bubbly.  Add six ounces of cheese and stir until completely melted.  Remove from heat and add beer, bratwurst, mustard, garlic powder, pepper and remaining salt.  Stir until well combined.
4.  Spray a glass baking dish (9x13 or 9x9) with non-stick cooking spray.  Use the pot from earlier to combine the drained pasta and cheese sauce.  Pour the mixture into the baking dish and cover with aluminum foil.  Bake for 15 minutes, then remove foil and sprinkle the remaining 2 ounces of cheese on top.  Continue cooking for another 15 minutes.  Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.