Beer Bread and Beer Wars

The rain has made it's return to Southern California which means lots of time indoors spent lazing about, wathcing movies, and of course coming up with new and delicious things to cook.

I recently rented the movie Beer Wars on Netflix, which is about how local craft brewers are trying to make their mark in the beer industry while competing with corporate conglomerates Anheuser-Busch, Coors, and Miller.  I'm a big fan of craft brews so this documentary was defnitely appealing.  One of the most interesting parts was a blind taste test involving Bud Light, Coors Light, and Miller Light.  Nobody could tell the difference between the three beers!  Just goes to show you that "name" isn't everything, so next time you are out try a craft brew instead!  Ok, jumping off my soapbox...

After the movie I was inspired to make something I had been thinking about for awhile: Beer Bread.
This recipe is incredibly simple and literally takes 5 minutes to make.

Quick and Easy Beer Bread

12oz beer of your choice (I recommend a wheatier beer or a lager)
3 cups flour
2 tbsp baking powder
Drizzle of honey (to taste)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix flour and baking powder in a mixing bowl.  Add in the beer.  Continue to stir until all the flour and beer is blended together.  Add in honey for a little bit of sweetness.


My pictures came out blurry so an image from wikipedia will have to suffice


Pour mixture into a 9x5 greased loaf pan.  Place pan in oven and bake from 50-60 minutes.  You will have a thick, hearty bread that goes well with pretty much anything!  I just had the bread with some butter but I think any sort of jam or preserves would go nicely as well.  Devour on a lazy afternoon, then repeat.

Fall Harvest Crumble

It's no secret that I love oatmeal - in fact, I find myself partaking in some sort of oatmeal combination nearly every morning.  But aside from being a delicious and filling breakfast, oats are great for other sorts of things, like fruit crumbles.

I came home one night after work to the smells of fresh fruit and brown sugar wafting through the apartment.  Turns out that the boyfriend had been hard at work preparing a Fruit Crumble with a delicious brown sugar and oats topping.  Now not to be biased, but this crumble was pretty epic.  He didn't have a specific name or recipe for it, so we are just rolling with Fall Harvest Crumble. ;)

Fall Harvest Crumble

Ingredients:

4 baking apples (Jonathans or Jonagolds if you have them)
1 pear
2 cups blueberries (raspberries would work well also)
1/2 cup water
1 cup oats
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 stick butter
1 cup white whole wheat flour (regular flour also works)
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tablespoons honey

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 400 F.  Grease or butter a 9x5 loaf pan.

2. Slice apples and pear into small pieces and put into a small sauce pan.  Add 1/2 cup of water and bring to a boil.  Once fruit begins boiling, add in the cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and honey.

3. Reduce heat so the fruit is just simmering.  Continue to cook until apples become nice and tender.  The apples should be soft, but not super mushy. 

4.  Add berries into the saucepan and continue to mix together for another couple of minutes.  Once berries are blended in, remove saucepan from heat.

5. Melt your 1/2 stick butter and pour into a mixing bowl.  Add the oats, sugar, and white whole wheat flour.  Mix with a wooden spoon until mixture is thick and crumbly.

6. Pour fruit mixture into 9x5 loaf pan. 

6.  Pour oat mixture on top of fruit in pan - spread evenly throughout the top.

7. Bake in oven at 400F for 30-40 minutes.  Remove from oven and let cool for another 5-10 minutes.




The end result.  Please disregard my dingy loaf pan.


When cooled, scoop out of pan and enjoy with your favorite ice cream or whipped topping!

Harvest Crumble and tea.  The perfect dessert.

Tailgating 101: How to have a healthier tailgate

Fall isn't just about pumpkins and baked apples and changing leaf colors (California you are exempt).  It is also about football, and more importantly, tailgating!

Coming from a very sports oriented family, football games are just a part of our fall routine.  I have an uncle who is a head coach for a college team, so the chances are pretty high that we will attend at least ONE football game sometime between September and December.  Naturally, the pre-game ritual involves some sort of tailgate, whether it is putting out a spread of food on the back of someone's truck, or planting ourselves in a parking lot for the afternoon with a portable BBQ. 

But tailgating doesn't have to be the over-indulgent affair that leaves you with heartburn and regret as you sit in the stands watching your favorite team play.  If you incorporate some healthy items into your tailgate, you'll not only feel better, but the game will be a much more enjoyable experience.

1.  Plan Ahead - Coordinate with your group who is bringing what so you aren't left to scrounge around in the stadium for a halftime snack.  The food is overpriced and really not that great anyway.

2. Incorporate Fruits and Vegetables - Even if you are in the mood for a burger and chips or a loaded hot dog, be sure to incorporate some fresh fruits and veggies with your meal.  Add some carrot and celery sticks on the side of your burger, or nosh on an apple or some grapes before you even get to the main tailgate fare.  You won't eat as much and can still enjoy your burger or hot dog or pizza without overdoing it.

3. Bring Foods YOU want to Eat - If the tailgate menu doesn't appeal to you, bring the foods you want to eat!  Sandwiches, salads, crackers, nuts and pretzels are all great options if you aren't feeling like eating the Chili con Carne that's simmering in the pot next to you.

4. Drink in Moderation - We've all been there.  And we all remember the hangovers the next day.  Drink a glass of water in between each beverage of choice, and try to limit your intake to 2-3 drinks maximum.  Trust me, you'll feel better in the morning and you will have saved tons of calories.

5.  Don't be afraid to indulge...a little - You can't expect yourself to go to a tailgate and not enjoy some of your favorite treats right?  Enjoy yourself!  A little indulgence never hurt anyone.