Which came first - the chicken or the can? Cook with beer, eat with wine.
Hello Everyone,
A Wine Wednesday quickie...
Over the weekend, we caught up with some family, socialized some puppies, and were treated to "beer can chicken" with some wine from Portugal. Portugal is still a hot spot for delicious wines at a crazy value. If you haven't tried some Portuguese wines yet, you can find them for under $12.00 at your local stores. These bottles always taste more expensive than their sticker price, so Portugal is always a good pick off the shelf when you want to try something different.
Making beer can chicken is easy and fun. The preperation opens the door for various jokes, but the end result is fantastic.
Beer Can Chicken Preparation:
- Grab a whole chicken and a can of beer.
- Rub the outside of the chicken a bit with your choice seasoning: (salt, pepper, garlic, cayenne, onion, cumin, etc.)
- Pour 1/2 of the beer out (or find someone to drink it down).
- Strategically place the open 1/2 can of beer, and sit the chicken on it.
- Place chicken on the grill (can and all).
- Cook at 300 to 325 degrees (5 to 6 pound bird should take you about 2 to 3 hours)
My wife's brother-in-law, Doug, likes to grill and uses the technique of indirect cooking when he can.
Indirect Cooking/Grilling: Indirect cooking/grilling means food is cooked by hot air circulating around the food, much like a convection oven. It is a slower cooking method and ideal for larger cuts of meat that require longer cooking times.
Place the chicken in the middle of the grill, but do not turn on the burner directly under it. If you can, only fire up the front and back burners to surround the meat with the circle of heat.
Why Beer?
Moisture. The beer helps the skin become thin and crispy while the meat remains juicy and tender.
Bottom line: the chicken was delicious. On the table was a bottle of Dão that was recommended to Doug by the local liquor store down the street in Weymouth, MA.
About the Wine
2006 Quinta Do Correio Red Wine (Dão)
The Winery: Quinta dos Roques
Grape Varieties: Jaen 45%, Touriga National 35%, Alfrocheiro 10%, Tinta Roriz 5%, Rufete 5%
Wine Notes: Clear ruby color with intense fruit on the nose. For taste, this red wine had wild berries and pine needle notes. The winery states that this wine becomes better with age (6-12 months in bottle at the earliest). Since the vintage we were enjoying was 2006 (3+ years since harvesting), then bottled in late 2007, the wine was ready to enjoy. And we did enjoy.
Just a random food and wine pairing that I wanted to share. Give beer can chicken a try and tell us what you think. Send pics - :)
Cheers!
Jim from Hello Vino
