How To Impress Your Man This Valentine's Day!
We all know what it’s like to have the men treat us well on the big romantic day every year. Why not try to impress him for a change? In my case, he deserves a bit of a treat.
So we start off with beer and food. How can we go wrong with that? When you keep in mind that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, the suggestions below will not only melt his heart, but you’ll be in his good books for a while.
A match made in heaven: Impress your man by taking a dark beer and pair it with a dark chocolate. A dark beer, such as Rickard’s Dark, is a flavourful option that combines a smooth Porter taste with a hint of maple syrup. The robust flavour of the Porter will bring out the rich cocoa flavours in dark chocolate. Select a bar with anywhere from 70 – 90% cocoa content, just keep in mind the higher the content the more bitter the chocolate. Dark chocolate also contains theobromine which is a mild stimulant, so you can ensure your sweetheart’s senses are awake for the next pairing!
Now for something sweet: Since you’ve experienced pairing bitter flavours and got a healthy fix of antioxidants from your dark chocolate, now move onto something sweet and sour. In keeping with the beer theme why not take a wheat beer and pair it with tangy citrus, drizzled with honey. White beers typically pair very well with citrus, in fact a beer like Rickard’s White, has a hint of citrus that is excellent with oranges. Honey is also a known aphrodisiac that provides the body with a natural boost of energy – enough said.
Red is for Valentine’s Day: End your trio of pairings with something red, but not wine. Take a red beer, such as Rickard’s Red, for example, and pair it with a creamy cheese. The smooth roasted malt finish pairs well with chevre (goat cheese), mild blue cheese or buttery, earthy flavours like cow’s milk cheeses. Encourage your loved one to talk about the textures and buttery flavours, who know where the conversation will lead…
If you’re looking for that special home-cooked meal you can prepare to serve with your favourite beer, check out these suggestions:
The robust flavour of a Porter combined with subtle hints of maple means that a dark beer like Rickard’s Dark pairs perfectly with savoury dishes such as lamb, shepherd's pie or Montreal smoked meats.
A white beer like Rickard’s White has unexpected mild hints of ground coriander with dried orange peel that create a smooth refreshing flavour that pairs perfectly with many dishes such as fish and grilled seafood. The beer can take the place of white wine in almost any recipe or food pairing.
Red beer like Rickard’s Red works well with stronger flavours like red meats, stews or roasted vegetables. Try pairing with grilled meat, sliders and burgers, dried beef ribs or chili.
Who says you have to go leave your home to enjoy a romantic meal with your significant other? Why not enjoy your date at home and spend Valentine’s Day doing something more romantic, while saving your pennies for a rainy day. Enjoy your Valentine’s Day, I know he will with a home-cooked meal and his favourite beer!
Written By: Jennifer Pynn