Ever since the legalisation of a few brands of Absinthe in the United States in 2007, there’s been an Absinthe revolution. People are searching desperately on the net for facts about Absinthe and the way to utilize it. Many now would like to introduce their friends to the Green Fairy and to use the drink when entertaining. But what food to serve with Absinthe?
Absinthe was created by Dr Pierre Ordinaire in the late eighteenth century being a medicinal elixir or tonic. The vital herbal component, wormwood (artemisia absinthium) has been utilized since ancient times as a digestive tonic and to induce the appetite. Absinthe should thus be served as being an aperitif before a meal, an appetizer served with some hors d’oeuvres and finger food.
Absinthe features a strong anise flavor plus a slight bitterness so it is best to never serve it by using a meal. However, Absinthe may be used in cooking, exactly like wine. When cooking, the alcohol is going to be burned off and you will be left with the anise or licorice taste that is great in marinades. Here’s a recipe for a tasty marinade for chicken or fish.
Ingredients:-
2 tbsp dried tarragon or perhaps a handful of fresh tarragon
2 tbsp dried chervil or a handful of fresh chervil
1 cup of Absinthe
1 cup of dry white wine
2 tbsp sugar
A dash of salt plus a grind of pepper
Mix all of the ingredients inside a large bowl and then leave for some hours, preferably overnight. Marinade chicken or fish in the mixture for a couple of hours within the fridge and after that grill, barbecue or bake to shed off the alcohol.
It’s also possible to make use of Absinthe in stir fries and when basting meats, but make certain you always combine it with sugar or fruit juice to compensate for the bitterness in the wormwood.
Even the sexy French chef Jean-Christophe Novelli has become recognized to utilize it in his recipes – risottos, Absinthe ice cream and marinades and infusions for vegetables and also fish. Absinthe ice cream -yum!
Additionally, there are quite a few recipes online for Absinthe cookies as well as Absinthe cupcakes with Absinthe frosting. Absinthe has a great number of uses!
Absinthe is also great in cocktails. Ernest Hemingway created a cocktail referred to as “Death in the Afternoon” where he famously blended Absinthe with champagne, very self-indulgent. The Sazerac is actually a well-known Absinthe cocktail typically served in New Orleans:-
Sazerac
1 teaspoon of Absinthe
1 teaspoon of sugar
1 ½ ounces of rye whisky
3 dashes of Angostura bitters
Ice cubes
Freeze a cocktail glass in the freezer then pour the Absinthe into it, swilling it around to let it coat the interior of the glass.
Put the remaining elements into a cocktail shaker, shake and pour in to the glass. Garnish using a twist of lemon and drink.
You must remember, if you are mixing Absinthe along with other alcoholic drinks, that Absinthe is a very strong liquor – up to 150 proof, 75% alcohol by volume, so don’t get carried away!
So, what food to serve with Absinthe? Serve Absinthe as an aperitif just before any meal, apply it in cocktails, marinades, ice cream and cakes. Take pleasure in the Green Fairy.