Mahaffey's Strong Beer Tasting & 4 Course Lunch Pairing at BistroRX

 

First Course begins with Barley Wines:

Blue Cheese Cheddar Soup garnished with Cayenne dusted popcorn!

Victory Old Horizontal Barley Wine 11%

Smutty Nose Wheat Wine 11% slightly syrupy, sweet, with a citrus hop finish. Subtle wet dog, metallic pineapple aftertaste.
Weyerbocker's Blithering Idio
Course 2 We Enter Germany for Dobblebocks

Spaten's Optimator Dopplebock 7.6% Raisiney, roasted, toasted, slightly sweet. Smooth with little carbonation, tight bubbles. Not overly powerful. Drinkable!


Third & Main Course THAI & IPAs

Thai Braised Chicken served over scented Jasmine Rice

Scheider & Sohn Aventinus Imperial IPA

Harpoon Leviathan Imperial IPA 10% Hints of lemongrass, hoppy, citrus, green notes with tight tiny bubbles.

Avery Maharaja Imperial IPA Malty, coffee, lighter body, little pithy, citrus but cloudy.

Final Course Dessert & Stouts

 

Housemade Chocolate Truffles with Toffee Ice Cream

Long Trail Coffee Stout 8% from Vermont. Thin, sour aftertaste, not a well balanced stout at all. Dark burnt coffee notes.

Thirsty Dog's Siberian Night Russian Imperial Stout 9.7% Dark espresso notes, roasted, ashy, bitter but not burnt. Better balance and depth of flavor.

South Hampton Trappist Belgian Abbot 12 Dark Style Ale 10% -

Superior Chocolates_Local Baltimore & Online

Kirchmayr Chocolates

If you have never had the opportunity to try this tasty treats, order yourself a box or stop by his shop in Timonium, MD.

We celebrated Valentine's Day at the Creative Alliance as we usually do. This year we enjoyed a box of Kirchmayr chocolates. I have had his dark chocolate enrobed hazelnuts and truffles and they are wonderful. He sells these at the Baltimore Farmer's Market in the winter months only.

I was quite surprised however, that I enjoyed the specialty pieces that came in our combination box. I am no longer one who enjoys the variety packs! Just give me a great dark bar so, I can break off a hunk and I am good. I share this simply because it shocked me how fabulous these were. The chocolate was amazing quality & the flavors did not over powering (ok- the liquor ones were not for me but the hubbie enjoyed) .

Our box was filled with 12 chocolates and my very favorites were: Caramel (who doesn't love it), Bitter Nougat (roasty/toasty goodness), Mocha, Layered Gianduia (Hazelnut hmmmm), Pear and Passion Fruit (tart, sweet, balanced).

If you haven't tried them out yet - worth it!
Oh -did I mention they are powered by wind?

9630 Deereco Road

Timonium, MD 21093
(410) 561-7705

Cash/Check Only accept online.
Hours:
M~F 9a.m.~5p.m.
Sat 10a.m~5p.m.
Sunday Closed

Seasoned Nuts Egg Free & Reduced Fat Dark Chocolate Potato Chip Bark

It is holiday time! Making small treats for family and friends is my favorite part of the holiday.

Here are two recipes which take less than 20 minutes each.


Cinnamon Chipotle Walnuts
(VEGAN IF YOU USE Non-stick Spray)

Preheat your oven to 325F.
For 1lb or 16oz of walnuts (shelled, peeled).

1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup McCormick's Smoky Sweet rub (cinnamon chipotle blend) or make your own variation
[1 part chipotle to 2 parts cinnamon and you may want to add salt]

Mix sugar and spices in a bowl (if you use seasoning blend no need for added salt).
Spray foil lined baking sheet with non-stick spray.
For less fat, spray your walnuts with same spray (all sides). If you prefer, you can coat nuts with melted butter (3tbsp).
Add sprayed nuts to bowl, toss in seasoning. Evenly, distribute coated nuts on foil lined baking sheet.
Bake in oven 15 minutes. Let cool and package in bags for gifts or serve warm as appetizer.


Reduced Fat Dark Chocolate Potato Chip Bark

Most bark recipes have you add vegetable shortening or oil to the chocolate during melting. Due to the fat from the chips, I eliminate this step. I do not think it is that noticeable. Give it a try!

2- 11.5oz Ghirardelli 60% Bittersweet chocolate baking chips (or any other good quality chocolate you like)
2-3 cups crushed Reduced Fat Utz plain potato chips (can use any kind of chip-even tortilla if you like)
[ratio of chip to chocolate is your preference, for more chocolate use only 2cups crushed chips]

Line a baking sheet with nonstick foil or parchment or wax paper which has been sprayed with nonstick spray.
Make a double boiler by adding 2 inches of water to a sauce pot.
Place a stainless steel or glass mixing bowl on top the pot.
Add all the chocolate.
Turn heat to medium-high bringing water to a simmer. Stir chocolate as it melts.
Once all the chips are melted, turn off the stove and stir in your crushed chips.
Spread mixture evenly on to baking sheet and place in freezer to solidify. Once chilled, break into uneven chunks and enjoy!