Del Papa Distributing Company's Beer Gourmet Combines Best of Beer and Food

Del Papa Distributing Company’s successful Beer Gourmet Program brings new life to the favorite beers in your fridge. Wine and food pairings are commonplace and available at many good restaurants. Now, the Beer Gourmet Program offers a variety of delectable dishes paired with brews ranging from traditional American lagers to amber wheat ales. Del Papa’s unique program, developed in-house, has been a recognizable feature in South Texas grocery stores and supermarkets for quite a while.

Try pairing a favorite batch of brew with one of the following recipes, and bring a new twist to your next party, get-together or quiet evening at home:

Beer Category/Style: American Style Premium Lager
Kick-Off Chili
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 ½ cups chopped onion
8 large garlic cloves, chopped
2 pounds ground chuck
1 envelope taco seasoning or ¼ cup taco seasoning
1 teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon dried thyme
1 15oz can tomato sauce
3 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
1 6oz can tomato paste
Heat oil in heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic. Saute about 8 minutes or until onions or translucent. Add chuck and cook until brown, breaking up meat with a spatula as it cooks. Add taco seasoning, basil, oregano, and thyme. Stir 2 minutes. Mix in tomato sauce, chicken broth and tomato paste. Simmer until thickened to desired consistency, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, about one and a half hours. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until cold then reheat over low heat when ready to serve. Serve with grated cheese and tortilla chips for dipping.

Beer Category/Style: American Amber Wheat
Cuban Sandwich
Sandwich:
4 hoagie rolls or 8 slices of your favorite bread
6 ounces sliced turkey
6 ounces sliced ham
Cranberry jelly (optional)
8 slices ¼ pound swiss, provolone or cheddar cheese
Dill pickle slices
½ cup soft butter
Mustard:
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon paprika, regular or smoked
In a small bowl, stir together olive oil, mustard, cumin, paprika and a pinch of salt.
Split rolls or cut desired bread into slices (8). Butter the outsides of the bread and lay out on a piece of tin foil or waxed paper. Spread the inside of each roll or bread with mustard mixture. Layer meats and cheese on bottom halves of rolls or bread. Spread a layer of cranberry jelly on top of the meat if desired. Add a cheese layer and top with pickles. Cover with the top halves of the rolls or bread.
Place on a hot skillet or panini press. If using a skillet, cover the sandwich with foil and set a heavy pan or pot on top to press down the sandwich. (A brick wrapped in foil makes a great press). Grill, pressing constantly and turning once, until the sandwiches are browned and crisp on both sides. (5-6 minutes per side).
Cut in half and serve warm.

Beer Category/Style: Belgian-Style Wit
Spanish Paella
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
4½ cups finely chopped onions
2 cups uncooked short grain white rice
2 cups clam juice
2 cups dry white wine
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon saffron or 4 envelopes pure ground saffron
¼ cup boiling water
1½ cups peeled, diced plum tomatoes
½ cup finely chopped parsley
1 jar (8oz.) roasted red peppers drained, thinly sliced, divided
1 pound Bay Scallops
10 clams, rinsed
10 mussels, scrubbed
20 large shrimp (1½ pounds) shelled and cleaned
Heat oil in large paella pan over medium-low heat until hot. Add garlic and cook just until garlic sizzles. Add onions and rice, cook and stir 10 minutes or until onions are soft. Stir in clam juice, wine, lemon juice, and paprika; mix well. Combine saffron and boiling water in small bowl; stir until saffron is dissolved. Stir into onion mixture. Stir in tomatoes, parsley, and half the red pepper. Bring to a boil then turn down to low heat. Stir in scallops and peas, clams and mussels, shrimp. Cook until rice is al dente. Serve immediately.

For more information on Del Papa Distributing Company and the Beer Gourmet program, please visit www.delpapabud.com.

About Del Papa Distributing Company
In 2010, Del Papa Distributing Company will celebrate 100 years of business. From its founding by an Italian immigrant, Omero Del Papa, in Galveston in 1910, to its current operations distributing a variety of products throughout the Texas Gulf Coast in three major markets, Del Papa is committed to supporting and strengthening the many communities in which its customers and employees live. Del Papa Distributing Company looks forward to the next 100 years of business, representing quality people building brands and friendships … one case at a time.