April 2017 - Work. Cook. Eat.

Beer and Chocolate: Chocolate Stout Sauce

April 19, 2017 1 Comment

Being an adult is the worst. THE WORST. Bills and commitments and jobs. It’s exhausting. And for those of you with kids… HOW? Just how do you do it all?

Sometimes though, being an adult has it’s perks. Things like being able to drink delicious craft beer and adult beverages. And getting to put that craft beer in fun things like chocolate sauce!

SKKKKKRRRRRRT. (That was the record stopping sound if you were wondering.) WHAT?

Chocolate Stout Sauce

Yeah, I said it. Chocolate sauce with beer in it. It’s the most grown up way to make chocolate sauce. And probably the most delicious too. This chocolate stout sauce is SO good y’all. It’s not as cloyingly sweet as the stuff you buy at the grocery store, it’s dark and rich. It doesn’t scream beer at you either, it’s just a little malty and warm. It’s grown up and sophisticated. AND YOU CAN MAKE CHOCOLATE MILK WITH IT.

The Basics: Balsamic Vinaigrette

One of the best things you can do for yourself to be a better cook is learn a few basic recipes or processes. This is true for seasoned professionals, long time home cooks, novices who are just learning, or people who really don’t enjoy cooking but are trying to cut back on eating out for one reason or another. Once you learn how to make some of the most basic foods (or foods that you eat often and enjoy), you can build on those skills to make more complicated items, to tailor any recipe to suit your personal preferences, or even to create your own recipes.

Think of it this way: when you were in school, first you learned the alphabet. Then you learned how to read and write your name and other small words. Then bigger words and sentences. Questions. Exclamations. Clauses. Prepositions. Eventually you could take all of these skills and write papers. Some people can even write whole books!

basic balsamic vinaigrette

Cooking is a lot like that. While you can easily skip some of the basics and be a pretty good cook, a better understanding of the little things can lead to better food in the long run. I’m not saying learn all the things they would teach in the first semester at Le Cordon Bleu, but master (or at least learn about) how to properly cook your favorite proteins, sauces, and baked goods and you will be well on your way to better meals.