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This is the second installment in a new pairing series/collaboration with the website They Draw and Cook (TDAC). TDAC is a truly inspiring website with hundreds if not thousands of illustrated recipes by artists from around the world. As you can imagine each recipe’s style and content is as unique as the artist who illustrated it. TDAC is a “veritable who’s who” of artistic styles and recipes as you will find painted, collaged, drawn, and digital renditions of scrumptious salads, mouthwatering main dishes, decadent desserts and so much more!
For this series, I have picked five recipes from a compilation book of recipes TDAC had published last year but you can also find them on TDAC.com. I have picked one breakfast-y recipe, one salad, one appetizer, one main dish and one dessert AND paired each recipe with one and sometimes two different beers!
For this series, I have picked five recipes from a compilation book of recipes TDAC had published last year but you can also find them on TDAC.com. I have picked one breakfast-y recipe, one salad, one appetizer, one main dish and one dessert AND paired each recipe with one and sometimes two different beers!
Arugula, Avocado & Grapefruit Salad
by Salli Swindell
Click to see more recipes by Salli!
Today I have picked another uncommon beer pairing. Unless you have been to a beer pairing dinner, pairing beer with a salad may seam a little odd. But this one isn't odd it's delicious! Admittedly, it can be a challenge to pair fresh fruit and especially fresh veggies with beer (even after you have tasted as many beers as I have) unless you come across a recipe like this! This salad is a perfect pairing with a specialty offshoot category of American style IPA's. Namely the rye IPA.
This pairing works for several reasons. First, the beer's citric hop flavor and bitterness complement the delightfully bittersweet pink grapefruit flavors perfectly. So perfectly that if it weren't for the crunchy parts, you might find it hard to tell where the salad ends and the beer starts. Then the earthy flavors of the avocado and the nutty-spiciness of the arugula resonate with the beer's subtle rye spiciness. The carbonation plays a double role in this pairing. First it causes a momentary burst of spicy flavors as the the rye, arugula and pepper mix together before the beer's malt sweetness and avocado take over keeping everything in balance. And as always, the carbonation, the alcohol and the dry finish help to cleanse the savory avocado off the palate as you swallow. A crisp and refreshing way to cleanse the palate before your next bite.
If you can't find Ruthless Rye IPA then use any rye pale ale or IPA especially if your local brewery makes one. Freshest is the bestest!
Specific Beer Description: Ruthless Rye IPA pours a crystal clear copper with a cascade of tiny carbonation bubbles rising from the etching in the bottom of my glass. The pillowy, off-white head has staying power with some decent lacing on the side of the glass. Lemon peal, pine and earthy hop aromas (a mouth watering combination) ready your palate for what's to come. Ruthless Rye's crisp hop bitterness gives way to a wonderfully smooth earthy hop flavor. However, the caramel-like malt sweetness and the rye malt spiciness balance the bitterness before it can become to intense. The malts then morph, what could be an over the top aggressive, hop bitterness into a smooth and refreshing grapefruity flavor. My overall opinion is that you should try this beer! Ruthless Rye doesn't have the one-sided bitterness that turns so many people away from trying other IPA's. The mix of spice and citrus hop flavors make this beer an awesome partner for salads that include bitter greens or citrus.
If you can't find Ruthless Rye IPA then use any rye pale ale or IPA especially if your local brewery makes one. Freshest is the bestest!
Specific Beer Description: Ruthless Rye IPA pours a crystal clear copper with a cascade of tiny carbonation bubbles rising from the etching in the bottom of my glass. The pillowy, off-white head has staying power with some decent lacing on the side of the glass. Lemon peal, pine and earthy hop aromas (a mouth watering combination) ready your palate for what's to come. Ruthless Rye's crisp hop bitterness gives way to a wonderfully smooth earthy hop flavor. However, the caramel-like malt sweetness and the rye malt spiciness balance the bitterness before it can become to intense. The malts then morph, what could be an over the top aggressive, hop bitterness into a smooth and refreshing grapefruity flavor. My overall opinion is that you should try this beer! Ruthless Rye doesn't have the one-sided bitterness that turns so many people away from trying other IPA's. The mix of spice and citrus hop flavors make this beer an awesome partner for salads that include bitter greens or citrus.
1. If you liked this pairing or love this recipe let the artist know and spread the love around. The artist and I would appreciate the extra publicity!
2. You can and should order this fabulous cookbook on TDAC.com.
3. These illustrations are copyrighted. You may not use them for any commercial reason without express written consent from the artist. You may, however, print them for your own use. Click the recipe which will take you to TDAC and from there you can download a high resolution copy or print a copy of this recipe.
2. You can and should order this fabulous cookbook on TDAC.com.
3. These illustrations are copyrighted. You may not use them for any commercial reason without express written consent from the artist. You may, however, print them for your own use. Click the recipe which will take you to TDAC and from there you can download a high resolution copy or print a copy of this recipe.
American IPA Style Description:
Aroma: Think citrus (grapefruit), resinous pine, or even tropical fruit. There may be a slight sweetness present from the malt but the hop aromas will most likely cover up those aromas.
Appearance: Colors will vary from medium gold to a reddish copper but they will all be clear unless they have been dry hopped and then there may be a slight haze. Because the malt used in this style has very little dark color the head will be white to off-white and should persist.
Flavor: IPA’s are all about the hops (bitterness, flavor and aroma) and so there will be medium to high amount of hop flavor and bitterness that will reflect the American hop citrus qualities (citrusy, floral, resinous, pine). Malt flavor will be low to showcase all the hop characteristics in and an American IPA.
Mouthfeel: You can expect a medium body with a pleasing mouth puckering bitterness (think grapefruit) that helps to dry the beer out and creates a thirst quenching, refreshing beer.
Other IPA's: Titan, Furious, Stone IPA, Two Hearted Ale
General Beer Pairing Suggestions:
Cheese: Pepper Jack. Meat: Fish, smoked salmon. Cuisine: American, Mexican.
I love IPA’s! They are refreshing when it is hot out and their warming alcohol keeps you warm when it is cold. These beers pair well with many foods especially savory or sweet foods. The bitterness and alcohol help cleanse the palate of savory foods like cheeses or fried foods and the bitterness also helps keep the sweet foods in check. But if you want to spice things up a bit drink an IPA. The bitterness momentarily emphasizes the spice but the alcohol helps to refresh the palate just like a tortilla chip.
Aroma: Think citrus (grapefruit), resinous pine, or even tropical fruit. There may be a slight sweetness present from the malt but the hop aromas will most likely cover up those aromas.
Appearance: Colors will vary from medium gold to a reddish copper but they will all be clear unless they have been dry hopped and then there may be a slight haze. Because the malt used in this style has very little dark color the head will be white to off-white and should persist.
Flavor: IPA’s are all about the hops (bitterness, flavor and aroma) and so there will be medium to high amount of hop flavor and bitterness that will reflect the American hop citrus qualities (citrusy, floral, resinous, pine). Malt flavor will be low to showcase all the hop characteristics in and an American IPA.
Mouthfeel: You can expect a medium body with a pleasing mouth puckering bitterness (think grapefruit) that helps to dry the beer out and creates a thirst quenching, refreshing beer.
Other IPA's: Titan, Furious, Stone IPA, Two Hearted Ale
General Beer Pairing Suggestions:
Cheese: Pepper Jack. Meat: Fish, smoked salmon. Cuisine: American, Mexican.
I love IPA’s! They are refreshing when it is hot out and their warming alcohol keeps you warm when it is cold. These beers pair well with many foods especially savory or sweet foods. The bitterness and alcohol help cleanse the palate of savory foods like cheeses or fried foods and the bitterness also helps keep the sweet foods in check. But if you want to spice things up a bit drink an IPA. The bitterness momentarily emphasizes the spice but the alcohol helps to refresh the palate just like a tortilla chip.
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