Three ways to cook with beer

7 April marks Beer Day. 

Beer is one of the most enjoyed beverages around the world. 

According to facts.net, humans consume over 50-billion gallons of beer every year around the world. 

The website states that beer is the most widely consumed alcoholic drink on the planet and is one of the oldest beverages in the world.

The cool thing with beer is that it not only for drinking. You can also cook with it. 

We have three recipes you can cook with beer. 

Beer chicken wings

This recipe is from I Love My Tongue vlogger.

Chicken Wings - 6 pieces

Beer - 1 bottle (330ml)

Soy Sauce - 2 tbsp

Dried Thyme - 1 tsp

Black Pepper

Marinate Ingredients:

Garlic - 4 cloves

Scallion (Green Onion) - 1 stem

Soy Sauce - 2 tbsp

Sugar - 1 tsp

White Pepper - 1 tsp

Garnish (Optional)

Sesame Seeds

Scallion (Green Onion) 

Directions:

1) Wash, dry and cut chicken wings into separate pieces

2) Marinate the wings for at least 1 hour

3) Pan fry marinated pieces on medium high heat - both sides until skin turns golden brown

4) Add beer, soy sauce and dried thyme - simmer for 10 mins

5) Open lid, turn to high heat and reduce sauce

6) When sauce is reduced, crack black pepper and sprinkle chopped scallion

7) Plate and sprinkle sesame seeds

8) Enjoy!

Chocolate Pretzel Beer Toffee recipe from Popsugar food

Ingredients

1 cup sugar

1 cup butter

1 cup amber ale, divided

2 cups dark chocolate chips

2 cups pretzels, smashed

Directions

- Into a large pot over high heat, add sugar, butter and 1/2 cup of the amber ale. Stir until the mixture begins to boil. 

- Leave mixture untouched until it starts to darken and thicken. Continuously stir the sugar beer mixture until it reaches 290ºF. This could take between 15 and 20 minutes. Once the mixture is really dark and reaches 290ºF, pour onto a quarter baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and allow to cool. This is the first layer of the toffee.

- Into a large bowl, add the chocolate. Heat remaining beer in a saucepan over medium heat until it just starts to simmer. 

- Pour beer over the chocolate and stir until smooth and all of the chocolate is melted. 

- Pour the melted chocolate over the toffee, and garnish with crushed pretzels. Allow the chocolate to set.

- Cut into 2-inch squares.

Beer Can Chicken (Recipe from weber.co.za). 

Ingredients

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1 teaspoon granulated onion

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 whole chicken, 1.5kg to 2kg

2 teaspoons vegetable oil

1 can (475ml) beer. 

Method

- In a small bowl combine the rub ingredients.

- Remove and discard the neck, giblets, and any excess fat from the chicken. Rinse the chicken, inside and out under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Lightly brush or spray all over with the vegetable oil and season, inside and out, with the rub.

- Open the beer can and pour off half of the beer. Set the half-full can on a flat surface and slide the chicken over the top so the can fits inside the cavity. 

- Transfer the bird to the grill, keeping the can upright. Carefully balance the bird on its two legs and the can. Grill over indirect medium heat (180°C to 230°C) until the juices run clear and the internal temperature reaches 75°C in the breast and 80°C in the thickest part of the thigh, 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours. Keep the lid closed as often as possible during grilling.

- Wearing barbecue mitts, carefully remove the chicken and the can from the grill, being careful not to spill the beer — it will be hot. 

- Let the chicken rest for about 10 minutes before lifting it from the can. Discard the beer. 

- Cut the chicken into serving pieces. Serve warm.

Image courtesy of iStock/ @m-gucci