MALKA Stout Beer... Not My Favorite

When I bought the Shapira Ale I loved I also bought a dark stout from Malka Beer.

I poured the beer slowly, but instead of a glass of beer, I found myself with a glass of light coffee-colored foamy bubbles. It took ages for me to be able to pour in some more and then finally taste it.

As much as I love the Shapiro Ale, I don't like the Malka dark Stout. It's too dry and bitter for me. That surprised me, because I generally like dark flavorful beers whether the unique Israel craft beers or those from the large international breweries.

This Malka stout won't go to waste. I see it as a great cooking beer. I'm thinking of experimenting, using it with fish, instead of the beef, my usual beer partner. What do you think?

I must thank Doug, the Beer Mavin for getting me introduced to Israeli craft beers.

Black Beer Beef, So Simple

From the same person who brought the orange juice I used for cooking the easy to cook Turkey Wings, I got some non-alcoholic black beer, which also needs to be used up. So, I decided to cook  it with the chunk of beef, which has been waiting in the freezer.

After thawing the beef and soaking it in water a bit, I did my usual stage one, adding it with some cooking oil* in a pot along with onion and fresh garlic. Then I added the beer, till it reached about a third way up the beef, a few peppercorns and covered. When it reached a boil, I lowered the flame so it would simmer a couple of hours.

That's it. It's that easy.

My plan is to serve it on the Eve of Simchat Torah, since it has a "gravy" and can stay safely on the platta, Shabbat/Holiday electric heater, until we're ready to eat. Other dishes are riskier.

*cooking oil, I cook with soy oil, even though many people nowadays prefer canola or olive oil or one of the many others available. Cook with whichever you prefer and can easily buy.