Witch’s Hat Cheeseball

This cheesy party snack is filled to the brim with mild Cambozola, cream cheese and cheddar spiked with port and black garlic. Hats off! Be sure to enjoy this Cheeseball with Parallel 49 Craft Lager.

Ingredients

Serves 8-10 people. Makes 1 large and very cheesy witch’s hat and as many broomsticks as needed to get all your witchy guests home safely.
CHEESEBALL
1 cup (250 ml) Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port 2017
1 head black garlic, peeled and chopped, or ½ cup (125 ml) chopped dried figs
12 oz (340 g) cream cheese, room temperature
6 oz (170 g) Cambozola, room temperature
4 oz (110 g) cheddar, shredded
1 tbsp (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp (5 ml) freshly ground black pepper
½ tsp (2.5 ml) onion powder
½ tsp (2.5 ml) garlic powder
1 cup (250 ml) crushed blue corn tortilla chips
radish, very thinly sliced, for garnish
crackers, to serve
BROOMSTICKS
string cheese sticks, cut into 1¼-in (3 cm) long pieces
pretzel sticks
fresh chives, cut into 2½-in (6.25 cm) lengths

Instructions

  1. To make the cheeseball, in a small saucepan over medium heat, combine port with black garlic and simmer to reduce volume to ½ cup (125 ml). Set aside and let cool to room temperature.
  2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, Cambozola, cheddar, Worcestershire, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder and beat until smooth. Add cooled port reduction and mix well. Wrap about one-quarter of mixture with plastic wrap and flatten into a small disc. Wrap remaining mixture with plastic wrap and form into a cone shape. Refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours.
  3. Cut a piece of parchment into a 7-in (18 cm) circle. Using gloves or a large sheet of plastic wrap, form cheeseball as follows. On cut-out parchment circle, use unwrapped disc portion to form brim of hat. Place unwrapped cone portion on top and shape top part of hat. Coat cheeseball with crushed tortilla chips, then arrange sliced radishes where hat brim and top meet to make a hat band.
  4. Using parchment disc to help, slide witch’s hat onto a plate. Garnish with Broomsticks and serve with plenty of crackers.
  5. To make the broomsticks, use a chopstick or wooden skewer to poke a ⅓-in (0.8 cm) deep hole in 1 end of a piece of string cheese. From unpierced end, peel back shreds of cheese, stopping halfway. Insert a pretzel stick ½-in (1.25 cm) into pierced hole and tie with piece of chive. Repeat with remaining string cheese, pretzel sticks and chives.
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Drink Pairings

Beer Pretzel Stuffing

If you are looking to give your Thanksgiving stuffing a fun and simple twist (Get it? A twist!!), look no further than this pretzel stuffing. If you have the time, let the torn pretzel pieces sit out overnight to begin drying out. This will cut down on your oven drying time, or you may not need to oven-dry at all. If no fresh herbs are available, feel free to substitute dried; just use half the amount of fresh. If serving a large crowd, this recipe easily doubles to make a 9 × 13-in (23 × 33 cm) pan. Enjoy the Beer Pretzel Stuffing with Slackwater Brewing Idleback Amber Ale.

Ingredients

Serves 6
8 soft pretzels or soft pretzel buns (about 12 cups/3 L once torn)
¼ cup (60 ml) unsalted butter, plus more for greasing
2 mild Italian sausages, casings removed
1 medium onion, diced
1 large stalk celery, finely diced
1 large carrot, finely diced
¼ cup (60 ml) chopped fresh parsley leaves and tender stems
1 tbsp (15 ml) chopped fresh sage leaves
1 tsp (5 ml) chopped fresh rosemary leaves
1 tsp (5 ml) chopped fresh thyme leaves
½ tsp (2.5 ml) freshly ground black pepper
½ cup (125 ml) fresh cranberries
1 tbsp (15 ml) Dijon mustard
1 cup (250 ml) Slackwater Idleback Amber Ale
½ cup (125 ml) low-sodium chicken stock, plus more as needed
1 large egg
3 tbsp (45 ml) finely grated pecorino

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 250 F (120 C).
  2. Slice or tear pretzels into bite-sized pieces. Arrange in a single layer on a large rimmed baking sheet and bake, tossing occasionally, until dry like croutons, 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on pretzels. Remove pretzels from oven and place in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
  3. Increase oven temperature to 375 F (190 C).
  4. Meanwhile, in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Crumble in sausages and cook, stirring and breaking up chunks with a wooden spoon, until browned and mostly cooked through, about 5 minutes. Stir in onions, celery and carrots and sauté until onions are translucent but not browned, about 4 minutes. Add sausage mixture to pretzel pieces along with parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, pepper and cranberries. Stir until mixture is well combined.
  5. In a medium bowl, whisk mustard, beer, stock and egg. Pour over pretzel mixture and stir well to combine. Set pretzel mixture aside for 20 minutes to allow pretzels to absorb liquid. If pretzel pieces are still quite firm after sitting, add another ¼ cup (60 ml) stock and stir to mix in. Pretzel pieces should be hydrated but not falling apart.
  6. Butter an 8-in (20 cm) square casserole dish. Add pretzel mixture in an even layer. Loosely cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil, rotate casserole dish 180 degrees in oven and reduce oven temperature to 350 F (175 C). Bake until deep golden brown and crisp on top, about another 20 minutes. If stuffing seems dry, pour another ¼ cup (60 ml) stock overtop and bake for another 5 to 8 minutes. Let rest on a rack for 10 minutes, sprinkle with pecorino and serve.
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Drink Pairings

Crab Cakes

Sweet Dungeness crab is the star of the show in these crab cakes, they have just enough breadcrumbs to hold them together. Buy whole crab and cook and pick it yourself, or buy pre cooked crab meat from your fish monger.

Ingredients

Serves 4
1 lb (450 g) cooked Dungeness crabmeat, picked through to remove any shells and cartilage
2 eggs
1½ cups (375 ml) bread crumbs, divided
2 tbsp (30 ml) creole seasoning, divided
2 tbsp (30 ml) lemon zest, divided
3 tbsp (45 ml) finely chopped fresh dill leaves, divided
3 tbsp (45 ml) finely chopped fresh chives, divided
3 tbsp (45 ml) mayonnaise, divided
2 tsp (10 ml) salt, divided
2 pinches pepper, divided
1 tbsp (15 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp (30 ml) butter, plus more if needed
¼ cup (60 ml) crème fraîche or sour cream
1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
greens, for garnish
1 lemon, cut into wedges, to serve

Instructions

  1. In a small mixing bowl, place crab, eggs, ½ cup (125 ml) bread crumbs, 1 tbsp (15 ml) creole seasoning, 1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon zest, 2 tbsp (30 ml) dill, 2 tbsp (30 ml) chives, 1 tbsp (15 ml) mayonnaise, 1 tsp (5 ml) salt and 1 pinch pepper. Mix just until combined.
  2. Spread remaining 1 cup (250 ml) bread crumbs on a plate.
  3. Form crab mixture into 8 crab cakes. Roll in bread crumbs and set aside.
  4. Heat a large frying pan over medium heat. When hot, add oil and butter and heat until butter foams. Fry crab cakes for about 5 minutes per side, or until golden. Add more butter if pan is dry after crab cakes have been flipped.
  5. In a small bowl, mix crème fraîche, lemon juice and remaining 1 tbsp (15 ml) creole seasoning, 1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon zest, 1 tbsp (15 ml) dill, 1 tbsp (15 ml) chives, 2 tbsp (30 ml) mayonnaise, 1 tsp (5 ml) salt and 1 pinch pepper.
  6. Serve 2 crab cakes per person with herb sauce, greens and lemon wedges.
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Drink Pairings

Fish & Chips with Mushy Peas

Here's a classic fish and chips recipe for crispy battered fish and twice cooked chips. The mushy peas are made with frozen peas instead of the traditional dried which gives the dish a nice fresh flavour and bright colour. To make all 3 components so they’re ready to serve at the same time, start by making Double-Fried Chips through step 4. While chips are chilling in refrigerator, make Mushy Peas and keep warm until ready to serve, and prepare Fish recipe through step 3. Now do second fry of chips (step 5 of Double-Fried Chips recipe), then use same oil to fry fish (steps 4 and 5 of Fish recipe).

Ingredients

Serves 4
FISH
1½ lbs (680 g) halibut or cod
4 tsp (20 ml) salt, divided, plus more for seasoning
2 cups (500 ml) all-purpose flour, divided
2 tbsp (30 ml) cornstarch
1 tsp (5 ml) pepper, divided
1½ cups (375 ml) pale ale beer, cold
1 tsp (5 ml) paprika
1 tsp (5 ml) garlic powder
vegetable oil, for deep-frying
1 lemon, cut into wedges, to serve
tartar sauce, to serve
DOUBLE-FRIED CHIPS
vegetable oil, for frying
2 lbs (900 g) yellow potatoes, peeled, cut into ½-in (1.25 cm) chips
salt, to taste
MUSHY PEAS
2 tbsp (30 ml) butter
1 green onion, thinly sliced
1 × 15 oz (425 g) can green peas, drained
½ cup (125 ml) frozen petite peas, blanched in hot water
1 tsp (5 ml) salt
1 pinch pepper
1 tbsp (15 ml) water

Instructions

  1. To make the fish, cut fish into 8 equal pieces, about 3 oz (85 g) each. Season with 2 tsp (10 ml) salt and let sit for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, remove excess moisture with paper towel.
  2. In a medium bowl, mix 1 cup (250 ml) flour, cornstarch, ½ tsp (2.5 ml) pepper and beer until no lumps remain.
  3. In a shallow dish, combine remaining 1 cup (250 ml) flour, ½ tsp (2.5 ml) pepper and 2 tsp (10 ml) salt with paprika and garlic powder, and mix well.
  4. Fill a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan one-quarter full with vegetable oil (or just use same pan and oil used to fry chips). Heat over medium-high heat to 375 F (190 C).
  5. When oil is hot, prepare fish. Working in batches, dredge fish in dry flour mixture, shake off excess flour, then coat in beer batter. Carefully place fish into oil, laying it down away from you. Fry until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Remove from oil and drain on a rack. Season with salt while fish is still hot. Repeat with remaining fish.
  6. Serve with lemon wedges, tartar sauce, Double-Fried Chips and Mushy Peas.
  7. To make the chips, fill a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan halfway with oil. Heat over medium-high heat to 300 F (150 C).
  8. Meanwhile, rinse chips in cold water until water runs clear. Drain, then dry well with paper towel.
  9. Working in batches, fry chips in hot oil for about 10 minutes, or until soft, stirring occasionally so they don’t stick. They should be pale.
  10. Remove from oil and drain well. Cool chips to room temperature, then chill in refrigerator until cold.
  11. When ready to serve, heat same saucepan of oil over medium-high heat to 400 F (200 C). Fry chips in batches until golden brown and crisp, about 5 minutes. Drain and toss with salt. Repeat with remaining chips, bringing oil temperature back to 400 F (200 C) before frying next batch.
  12. To make the mushy peas, heat a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add butter and green onions. Sweat until onions are soft. Add green and petite peas, salt, pepper and water. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes, or until peas are heated through.
  13. Transfer to a food processor and pulse until chunky. Keep warm until ready to serve.
  14. To make all 3 components so they’re ready to serve at the same time, start by making Double-Fried Chips through step 4. While chips are chilling in refrigerator, make Mushy Peas and keep warm until ready to serve, and prepare Fish recipe through step 3. Now do second fry of chips (step 5 of Double-Fried Chips recipe), then use same oil to fry fish (steps 4 and 5 of Fish recipe).
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Drink Pairings

Thai Pork Laab

Laab is a spicy, sweet, and tangy dish packed full of umami and bright herbs. It comes together so quickly. Think of it as a meat salad or a quick stir-fry. Try it in rolls with the cabbage and rice, or take bites of it between bites of rice and vegetables. Pair this dish with Our Story Sauvignon Blanc or Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc beer.

Ingredients

Serves 4 to 6
2 tbsp (30 ml) raw jasmine rice
2 tsp (10 ml) red pepper chili flakes (or to taste)
1 lb (450 g) ground pork
2 tbsp (30 ml) water
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1 shallot, finely chopped
1 stalk lemongrass, thinly sliced
3 tbsp (45 ml) fish sauce, plus more if needed
1 tbsp (15 ml) granulated sugar
1 to 2 Thai (bird’s eye) chilies, thinly sliced (or to taste)
¼ cup (60 ml) roughly chopped fresh mint leaves
¼ cup (60 ml) roughly chopped fresh cilantro leaves
3 tbsp (45 ml) fresh lime juice
1 small cucumber, sliced, to serve
1 small cabbage, cut into 4 to 6 wedges, to serve
cooked jasmine rice, to serve

Instructions

  1. In a small frying pan over medium-high heat, toast raw rice until golden brown. Transfer to a spice grinder or small food processor and grind into a powder. Set aside.
  2. In same frying pan over medium-high heat, toast chili flakes until golden brown. Set aside.
  3. In a large frying pan or wok over medium-high heat, cook pork with water, stirring constantly to break it up. Cook until no pink remains, 3 to 5 minutes. Turn off heat.
  4. Add green onions, shallots, lemongrass, fish sauce, sugar, Thai chilies and toasted chili flakes. Stir to combine, then let cool for 5 minutes.
  5. Add mint, cilantro, lime juice and toasted rice powder. Mix well. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  6. Serve with cucumbers, cabbage and jasmine rice.
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Drink Pairings

Tuna Spaghetti

This tuna spaghetti dish is made mainly of ingredients most folks have in their pantries. It’s light but comforting and a great addition to your weeknight meal arsenal. It’s also very flexible; you can adjust the spice, add some tomatoes, or include a green vegetable. Spinach, chopped broccolini, kale, peas, and zucchini all work well. You could also brown the garlic for some nuttiness or even use pre-roasted garlic for a sweet, mellow flavour. The possibilities are endless! Pair this recipe with Terre Di Chieti Zaccagnini Tralcetto Pinot Grigio or Peroni Nastro Azzurro beer.

Ingredients

Serves 2 to 3
salt, for cooking spaghetti, plus more to taste
½ lb (225 g) spaghetti
¼ cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp (30 ml) capers, dried on paper towel, divided
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
2 anchovies packed in oil
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 tbsp (15 ml) jarred crushed Calabrian chilies or red pepper chili flakes, to taste
3 × 5 oz (140 g) cans tuna in olive oil (oil is used in recipe so do not drain)
1 × 15 oz (425 g) can cannellini beans, drained
1 tsp (5 ml) caper brine
1 handful fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, roughly chopped, plus more for garnish
1 lemon, zest and juice

Instructions

  1. Bring a large saucepan of well-salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook spaghetti according to package directions.
  2. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add 1 tbsp (15 ml) capers and carefully fry until they pop. Remove capers and set aside. Turn off heat and let oil cool for 2 minutes.
  3. Roughly chop remaining 1 tbsp (15 ml) capers and place them in frying pan along with garlic, anchovies and pepper. Let cook in residual heat until garlic is soft. Turn heat to low if needed. Once garlic is soft, add chilies, tuna and its oil, cannellini beans and caper brine. Mix, breaking tuna into large chunks.
  4. Once spaghetti is cooked, reserve 1 cup (250 ml) cooking water. Drain spaghetti and add to pan with ¼ cup (60 ml) cooking water. Toss well, adding more cooking water as needed if pasta is dry. Add parsley and lemon zest and juice, and toss well. Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with parsley.
  5. * Tuna canned in olive oil will result in a better taste, but if you only have tuna packed in water, drain water and add an extra 2 tbsp (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil to the recipe.
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Drink Pairings

Prawn Roll

This summer, give a BC twist to the East Coast lobster roll by using prawns instead of lobster. You can use any size prawn you like; just adjust the size of the cuts. You can even use pre-cooked shrimp to make it very easy! These prawn rolls pair beautifully with 33 Acres of Ocean West Coast Pale Ale or Quails' Gate Riesling.

Ingredients

Serves 4
Salt, for cooking, plus more to taste
1 lb (450 g) prawns, peeled and deveined
½ cup (125 ml) mayonnaise
1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
1 pinch lemon zest
2 tsp (10 ml) Old Bay seasoning
2 tsp (10 ml) fresh chives, finely sliced
1 tsp (5 ml) Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp (5 ml) finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
pepper, to taste
4 brioche hot dog buns, unsplit
3 tbsp (45 ml) butter
1 lemon, cut into wedges

Instructions

  1. If using pre-cooked prawns, skip this step. Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil over high heat and season with salt. Add prawns and cook until opaque all the way through and their internal temperature reaches 145 F (63 C); cooking time will vary depending on size of prawns. Remove from water and shock in a bowl of ice water to cool completely; time will depend on size of prawns. Drain and dry well.
  2. If necessary, cut prawns into bite-sized pieces, about 1-in (2.5 cm).
  3. In a medium bowl, combine prawns, mayonnaise, lemon juice and zest, Old Bay, chives, Worcestershire sauce, parsley and pepper. Mix and adjust seasoning to taste. Set aside.
  4. Trim off lengthwise sides of hot dog buns and discard trim. Slice buns halfway down middle (from top to bottom).
  5. Heat a large frying pan over medium heat. Melt butter, then add buns cut-side down. Toast for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Remove from heat.
  6. Divide prawn mix between each bun and serve with lemon wedges.
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Drink Pairings

Firecracker Salmon Bowl

This salmon bowl packs a punch of flavour. We are all familiar with poke, but cooking salmon until just opaque offers a beautiful, rich, and comforting dish. Served over rice with a creamy dressing, avocados, and vegetables, it is sure to keep you satiated and satisfied. This bowl pairs wonderfully with Lago Vinho Verde Rosé and Twin Sails Dat Juice Citra Pale Ale.

Ingredients

Serves 2
SPICY MAYO
¼ cup (60 ml) mayonnaise
1 tbsp (15 ml) sriracha
1 tbsp (15 ml) Thai sweet chili sauce
GOMA-AE EDAMAME
¼ cup (60 ml) white sesame seeds
1 tbsp (15 ml) soy sauce
1½ tsp (7.5 ml) maple syrup
1 cup (250 ml) frozen shelled edamame, thawed
FOR BOWL
1½ tsp (7.5 ml) grated fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, grated
1 tbsp (15 ml) soy sauce
1 tbsp (15 ml) maple syrup
1 tsp (5 ml) sesame oil
2 fillets salmon or steelhead trout (about 1 lb/450 g in total), skin removed, cubed
2 cups (500 ml) cooked black rice or sushi rice (or both)
1 large carrot, spiralized
1 avocado, sliced
¼ cup (60 ml) chopped fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
2 green onions, sliced, for garnish
1 tbsp (15 ml) sesame seeds, for garnish

Instructions

  1. To make Spicy Mayo, in a small mixing bowl, mix mayonnaise, sriracha and sweet chili sauce. Set aside.
  2. To make Goma-ae Edamame, in a small non-stick pan on medium-high heat, toast sesame seeds for 3 to 5 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from heat, place into a small blender or clean coffee grinder and blend into a powder. Pour contents into a medium mixing bowl. Add soy sauce and maple syrup and mix to combine. If mixture is too thick, add water, 1 tsp (5 ml) at a time, until desired consistency. Add edamame and stir to coat. Set aside.
  3. To make Bowl, in a small mixing bowl, combine ginger, garlic, soy sauce, maple syrup and sesame oil. Add cubes of salmon and place in refrigerator to marinate for 30 minutes.
  4. Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C) and line a baking sheet with parchment.
  5. Place marinated salmon cubes on lined baking sheet. Bake for 8 minutes, until salmon is cooked through.
  6. In 2 serving dishes, evenly divide rice, carrots and avocados. Add seasoned edamame and salmon and drizzle with spicy mayo. Garnish with cilantro, green onions and sesame seeds.
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Drink Pairings

Coconut Chicken Bowl with Cilantro Dressing

A coconut-crusted chicken bowl is a great way to spice up a classic dish. The coconut gives great texture while adding some natural sweetness to the dish. In combination with the crunch, tangy pickled vegetables this is sure to be a staple on your summer menu. Pair this bowl with 33 Acres of Sunshine Blanche or Petrichor Sauvignon Blanc.

Ingredients

Serves 2
CILANTRO DRESSING
1 bunch fresh cilantro, leaves and stems
2 cloves garlic, chopped
½ cup (125 ml) mayonnaise
1 lime, juice only
salt and pepper, to taste
PICKLED VEGETABLES
1 cup (250 ml) water
1 cup (250 ml) white vinegar
1 tsp (5 ml) granulated sugar
½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt
2 cups (500 ml) shredded purple cabbage (about ¼ cabbage)
½ red onion, sliced
FOR BOWL
1 cup (250 ml) all-purpose flour
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups (500 ml) unsweetened shredded coconut
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half
salt and pepper, to taste
2 cups (500 ml) cooked brown rice
4 cups (1 L) mixed greens
2 carrots, julienned
fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
lime wedges, for garnish
1 red chili, sliced, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. To make Cilantro Dressing, in a small blender, combine cilantro, garlic, mayonnaise and lime juice. Blend on high speed until smooth. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
  2. To make Pickled Vegetables, in a small saucepan on medium-high heat, bring water, vinegar, sugar and salt to a boil.
  3. In a medium heatproof bowl, combine cabbage and red onions. Pour vinegar mixture over vegetables and mix to coat. Place in refrigerator and allow to pickle for at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Pickled vegetables will keep in refrigerator for up to 1 week.
  4. To make Bowl, preheat oven to 425 F (220 C) and line a baking sheet with parchment.
  5. Place flour, beaten eggs and coconut in 3 separate shallow dishes.
  6. Place a sheet of parchment on a clean cutting board, and place chicken breasts on parchment. Place another sheet of parchment on top and, using a meat mallet or rolling pin, gently beat chicken until half as thick. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
  7. Place a chicken breast into flour mixture and coat all sides. Then dip into egg mixture and finally into coconut. Place on lined baking sheet. Repeat until all chicken is coated and placed on baking sheet. Spray chicken with cooking spray and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until chicken is golden brown and cooked through. If chicken is cooked but hasn’t browned, place under oven broiler for 1 minute.
  8. Remove chicken from oven and allow to cool slightly, then slice into bite-sized pieces while preparing rest of bowl.
  9. In 2 serving dishes, place equal amounts of rice, greens and carrots. Place coconut chicken on top and add some pickled vegetables. Drizzle with cilantro dressing and garnish each with fresh cilantro leaves, a lime wedge and chilies, if desired.
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Drink Pairings

Crab Salad Rolls with Nuoc Cham

These rolls make a lovely appetizer or light summertime meal. Feel free to experiment with the vegetables you use. Fresh bell peppers or even some freshly cooked corn kernels would be delicious additions. When assembling the rolls, make sure to add only a little of each ingredient; the amount of filling adds up quickly, and a roll that is too big will be difficult to assemble and eat. Pair these rolls with Parallel 49 Tricycle Grapefruit Radler or Sumac Ridge Private Reserve Gewürztraminer.

Ingredients

Serves 20 rolls and makes about ¾ cup (180 ml)
4 oz (110 g) vermicelli rice noodles
20 × 8-in (20 cm) round rice paper wrappers
1 lb (450 g) Dungeness crabmeat, picked over and any shells discarded
½ English cucumber, halved lengthwise, seeded and julienned
2 cups (500 ml) shredded purple cabbage
2 cups (500 ml) julienned carrots
2 cups (500 ml) fresh mint leaves
2 cups (500 ml) fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems
½ cup (125 ml) crushed roasted and salted peanuts, plus more to serve
10 green onions, halved lengthwise and trimmed to 10-in (25 cm)
Nuoc Cham, to serve, make ahead, recipe follows
homemade or store-bought sriracha, to serve (optional)
NUOC CHAM
¼ cup (60 ml) fresh lime juice
3 tbsp (45 ml) fish sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
3 tbsp (45 ml) grated palm sugar
2 tbsp (30 ml) water
1 Thai (bird’s eye) chili, finely minced
1½ tsp (7.5 ml) toasted and ground sesame seeds
1 green onion, minced
1 tbsp (15 ml) finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1 tbsp (15 ml) finely chopped fresh mint leaves

Instructions

  1. Place noodles in a medium bowl and cover with boiling water. Set noodles aside until softened, about 20 minutes. Drain well and pat dry with a paper towel.
  2. Fill a dinner plate with room-temperature water. Place a clean tea towel on a work surface in front of you and have all filling ingredients ready at arm’s length.
  3. Working with 1 rice paper wrapper at a time, submerge it in water and place on tea towel. Rice paper will still be hard but will soften as you layer fillings into roll. Top with some crabmeat, noodles, cucumbers, cabbage, carrots, mint, cilantro and peanuts. Tightly fold wrapper, now malleable, over filling, tuck in sides and roll up halfway. Lay a green onion across wrapper with 1-in (2.5 cm) of overhang on both sides and tightly roll up. Transfer roll to a platter and cover with a lightly damp paper towel. Repeat with remaining wrappers and fillings.
  4. Serve rolls with Nuoc Cham, a bowl of extra crushed peanuts and sriracha for guests to add should they like.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk all ingredients until thoroughly combined. Transfer to a serving bowl and let marinate for 30 minutes before serving. Sauce may be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 1 week.
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