SNACKS FOR BEER IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD
In Ukraine, the beer drinking culture began to form not so long ago. Craft breweries appeared about ten years ago, and the first authentic bars opened at the same time. Most snacks were borrowed from other countries, others were inherited from the USSR. bit.ua figured out which beer snacks Ukrainians like the most.
FISH
In the main beer countries – Germany and the Czech Republic – it is not customary to snack on fish with beer. It is believed that it drowns out the taste of the drink itself. In Ukraine, this tradition appeared during the Soviet Union, and smoked and dried fish are still considered classic snacks for beer.
LIGHT BEER PAIRS WELL WITH DRIED FISH, AND DARK BEER PAIRS WELL WITH SMOKED FISH.
CRUSHS
Beer rusks are a German invention. In Ukraine, rye rusks with garlic have become one of the most popular snacks. In beer pubs, beer rusks are made according to their own recipe with the addition of seasonings and spices. Ready-made rusks with different flavors can be bought in stores and supermarkets. At home, the recipe can be adjusted to your taste, experimenting with spices and additives.
How to cook
Ingredients:
- rye bread - 0.5 loaf
- garlic - 2 cloves
- salt – 1 tbsp.
- ground black pepper - to taste
- vegetable oil – 2 tbsp.
Cut the bread into bars and place in a deep plate. Press the garlic through a garlic press, add to the bread, salt and mix. Heat the oil in a frying pan and add the croutons. Fry over moderate heat, stirring frequently with a spatula, until crispy. Serve hot.
CRAYFISH
Another traditional Ukrainian dish is crayfish. Their quality is determined by the color of the shell - the lighter, the cleaner the water in which they live, and the tastier the crayfish. Crayfish are prepared differently in different countries. In Ukraine, it is customary to boil them in spicy water with the addition of dill, in France, a glass of red wine is added to the water with crayfish, and in Sweden, salt is replaced with sugar. Spanish aioli sauce goes well with the appetizer.
How to cook
Ingredients:
- garlic – 4 cloves.
- egg yolk – 2 pcs.
- olive oil – 300 ml
- juice of half a lemon
- salt, pepper - to taste
Press the garlic through a garlic press, add lemon juice, yolks, salt and pepper. Beat all ingredients with a mixer, gradually pouring in olive oil. Whisk until the sauce thickens. Cool before serving.
PIG EARS
Ukrainians learned to eat pig ears with beer from the Latvians.
THE DISH CONTAINS A LOT OF COLLAGEN, WHICH IMPROVES THE CONDITION OF THE SKIN.
The classic version is to serve smoked or pickled pig ears with beer. Another popular recipe is baked pig ears with onions and herbs.
How to cook
Ingredients:
- pig ears – 5 pcs.
- onion – 1 pc.
- dill – 1 bunch.
- parsley - 1 bunch.
- sugar – 4 tsp.
- soy sauce – 3 tbsp.
- bay leaf, salt, black peppercorns – to taste.
Clean the pig ears, singe the hairs and cook for 1.5 hours. Add the onion, herbs, sugar and spices. Cook for another 30 minutes. Place the boiled ears in a deep fireproof dish, add salt and pour in soy sauce. Bake in the oven at 200°C for five minutes. Cut the finished ears into slices and serve with beer.
SALTED NUTS
Nuts are one of the healthiest snacks for beer. They contain a large amount of Omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids, which are important for the body, improve brain function and remove harmful cholesterol.
TRADITIONAL NUTS FOR BEER ARE SALTED PEANUTS AND PISTACHIOS. BOTH PAIR WELL WITH DARK AND LIGHT VARIETIES.
You can buy the snack in the store or prepare it yourself.
How to cook
Ingredients:
- raw peeled peanuts – 300 gr.
- lemon pepper
- Cayenne pepper
- dried garlic
- salt, sugar
- olive oil – 1 tbsp.
Roast the peanuts in a hot frying pan for five minutes. Mix salt, sugar and spices with olive oil and add to the nuts. Place the peanuts on a baking sheet covered with baking paper and dry in a preheated oven (T=200°C) for 5-7 minutes until golden brown. Cool to room temperature before serving.
CHEESE STICKS
Cheese sticks are a classic of American fast food and a traditional beer snack. You can use any kind of hard cheese to make them, but salty and spicy varieties are preferred. It is better to fry the sticks in a deep fryer. A deep frying pan is also suitable as an alternative. To prevent the cheese bars from spreading, the oil should cover the bottom of the dish by at least two centimeters.
How to cook
Ingredients:
- hard cheese – 500 gr.
- eggs – 2 pcs. (if the eggs are small – 3 pcs.).
- wheat flour – 200 gr.
- milk – 100 ml.
- breadcrumbs – 100 gr.
- sunflower oil – 250-300 ml.
- salt, pepper – to taste.
Cut the cheese into bars. Beat the eggs with a whisk, add milk, salt and pepper. You can add flour to the batter or roll the sticks in it before dipping them in the beaten eggs. Roll the cheese thoroughly in breadcrumbs. This should be done quickly, before the batter runs off the sticks. Heat the oil well in a deep frying pan and fry the sticks for 3 minutes. Serve hot with garlic or tomato sauce.
