Welcome to the second edition of pairing food and beer! This recipe is compliments of my mumsie who threw a bunch of random things into a bowl and made delicious magic!
Sweet and Sour Chicken with Quinoa
(Serves 4-6 people)
Ingredients:
2 lbs chicken breast, chopped
2 tbsp gin
1/3 cup soy sauce
3 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 can of chopped pineapple, drained
1/2 cup pineapple juice
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 cup quinoa, dry
2 cups water or chicken broth
1. In a large bowl, combine the chicken, gin, soy sauce, olive oil, onion, bell peppers, pineapple and pineapple juice. Stir well, cover and let marinate for 1-4 hours.
2. With a slotted spoon, remove vegetables and chicken and spread one even layer on a cookie sheet covered with foil.
3. Take the marinade and bring to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the balsamic vinegar and simmer until reduced by 1/3.
4. Bake vegetables and chicken in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-20 minutes, stirring occasionally until chicken is no longer pink inside.
5. Remove the chicken from the trays and place in a bowl, covered to keep warm.
6. Bake the vegetables until soft and golden – about 15 more minutes.
7. Cook quinoa according to directions on package, substituting chicken broth for water.
8. Serve everything together, drizzled with the marinade reduction.
Deliciousness marinating!
Spread in one layer so all the vegetables are cooked evenly.
This is a hearty, filling meal with a lovely tangy sweetness. I’d recommend pairing this dish with a rich nut brown ale or any other sweet malty beer to really emphasize the caramelized sugars that form as a crust on the pineapple after it’s baked in the oven. If possible, drink local!
Enegren Brewing’s Valkyrie California Alt – rich, malty and a smooth finish. The residual sugars in this match perfectly with the marinated chicken and vegetables.
Island Brewing Company’s Nut Brown Ale – this one is a little drier, but still has enough malty sweetness and roasty back-end to enhance the sweet marinade reduction. If you want to be blown away, throw a handful of roasted peanuts on top, combine with a nut brown and let your taste buds go crazy!
Some mainstream beers that would pair well with this dish:
Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale – rich malts and a toasted nutty finish with just a touch of hops.
Chimay Premiere (Red) – sweet dried fruits and a relatively dry end.
Sierra Nevada’s Tumbler – hints of chocolate and toasted nuts with medium high carbonation and light sweetness.
I’m sure there are plenty more! If you make this, share your beer pairing choices!
