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View Full Version : awesome pairing-- roast lamb with olive+rosmary paste paired with Petrus Old Brown


studentofbeer
04-06-2005, 11:11 PM
this was a nice dinner tonight-- made this lamb recipe (http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/recipe_views/views/103507?epiSearchPage=http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/find/results?threshold=5800&pageSize=10&resultOffset=11&sort=0&search=lamb+leg) (which was incredibly easy and really tasty), with this orzo side (http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/cda/recipe_print/0,1946,FOOD_9936_891_PRINT-RECIPE-FULL-PAGE,00.html) (using asparagus instead of green beans) and then paired it all with a Petrus Old Brown I had sitting around.

I had no idea what to drink with this meal and almost pulled out my Achel Bruin Extra, Fullers 1845 etc. before settling on the Petrus. Good thing I did.

The lamb and olive paste was awesome, and the slight sour, lactic flavor in the beer really picked up on the pickled olive and meaty lamb. The sweet side of the beer paired well with the tomato in the orzo that after cooking was really sweet but had acidity from the vinegar.

at first i thought the Petrus wasn't going to work, because it's flavor is pretty subtle, even though it's funky. But it was like the beer was made to go with these ingredients.

When I try this dish again I might keep my eyes open for a Flemish brown with a bit more sourness and acidity, but I certainly couldn't go wrong with the Petrus either. Something about it's sweet and sour component really did great things with the slightly herbal and meaty lamb, the rosemary and the olives. highly recommended.

Tweek
04-06-2005, 11:22 PM
sounds awesome! I love it when a good pairing happens.

You know, Stod and I are both close to you and as fate would have it, we both eat food and drink beer! so if you ever need a second opinion I am here for you and I am sure Stodbrew could have his arm twisted :D

chazwicke
04-07-2005, 10:33 AM
YUM!!! We will try that lamb recipe too. I love lamb. Your paring sounds wonderful. Again...YUM!!

davesarman
04-07-2005, 10:51 AM
I've only had lamb a couple times in my life, but I'm thinking I should buy some and try that recipe you've got there. Sounds great!

studentofbeer
04-07-2005, 11:33 AM
just so you know, i didn't actually make 4.5lb. of lamb. at trader joes they had a boneless leg that was about 2.5lb. I would bet it would serve about 4 in that case--my girlfriend and i each ate a good bit and there are plenty of leftovers. especially considering the leftover potential it doesn't cost much either. and as long as you have a food processor or something, it's really easy. make the olive paste, stick it on and in the meat and roast it in the oven. and definitely try an oude bruin or flanders brown with it. i'm not sure there's a style out there that would go better.

chazwicke
04-07-2005, 12:45 PM
I used to make lamb on the grill. Take a boneless leg, pierce it all over with the tip of a sharp knife and push garlic pieces into the holes. Melt some butter and worchester and add spices to baste with and put it on the grill. You'll need to put the charcoal around the outer edges of the grill and use a foil pot to collect the grease and meltings under the lamb or it will flame up. Good stuff. I used to cook in restaurants in my teens and 20s. I told my wife I forgot how to cook now so she has to. I did print out the lamb recipe. I want her to make that.