Ever since the legalization of some brands of Absinthe in the United States in 2007, there have been an Absinthe revolution. Individuals are searching desperately on the Internet for info on Absinthe and ways to use it. Many would now like to expose 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 while in the late eighteenth century as being a medicinal elixir or tonic. The vital herbal component, wormwood (artemisia absinthium) has been utilized for thousands of years being a digestive tonic and also to stimulate the appetite. Absinthe should thus be served as an aperitif before a meal, an appetizer served with some hors d’oeuvres and finger food.
Absinthe has a strong anise flavor plus a slight bitterness therefore it is best to never serve it with a meal. Nonetheless, Absinthe can be used in cooking, exactly like wine. When cooking, the alcohol will probably be shed and you will be left with the anise or licorice taste which happens to be great in marinades. Here’s a recipe for a delicious marinade for chicken or fish.
Ingredients:-
2 tbsp dried tarragon or possibly a handful of fresh tarragon
2 tbsp dried chervil or possibly a handful of fresh chervil
1 cup of Absinthe
1 cup of dry white wine
2 tbsp sugar
A dash of salt and a grind of pepper
Combine all the ingredients inside a large bowl and then leave for a couple of hours, ideally overnight. Marinade chicken or fish in the mixture for a few hours inside the fridge after which grill, barbecue or bake to get rid of off the alcohol.
Additionally you can work with Absinthe in stir fries and when basting meats, but make certain you always blend it with sugar or fruit juice to compensate for the bitterness in the wormwood.
Even the sexy French chef Jean-Christophe Novelli has been known to apply it in his recipes – risottos, Absinthe ice cream and marinades and infusions for vegetables and fish. Absinthe ice cream -yum!
Additionally, there are a lot of recipes online for Absinthe cookies and Absinthe cupcakes with Absinthe frosting. Absinthe has so many uses!
Absinthe is likewise great in cocktails. Ernest Hemingway developed a cocktail called “Death in the Afternoon” where he notoriously mixed Absinthe with champagne, very decadent. 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
Deep freeze a cocktail glass inside the freezer then pour the Absinthe in it, swilling it around to let it coat the interior of the glass.
Put the remaining elements in to a cocktail shaker, shake and pour into the glass. Garnish having a twist of lemon and drink.
You need to know, when you’re mixing Absinthe along with other alcoholic drinks, that Absinthe is a very strong liquor – around 150 proof, 75% alcohol by volume, so don’t get over excited!
So, what food to serve with Absinthe? Serve Absinthe as an aperitif prior to any meal, utilize it in cocktails, marinades, ice cream and cakes. Have fun with the Green Fairy.
