Quick and Easy Cider Pairings with Stuart Madany
There are many ways to pair food and cider, from overflowing charcuterie boards to multi-course meals. But for those without the time (or patience!), Seminary Hill's cider maker shares some fast food and cider pairings that take 30 minutes or less.
Linguine Alle Vongole
Why Stuart Likes It: It's a simple, elegant, and satisfying dish, full of aromatics and umami. I like the Fifteen Spatulas recipe.
Cider Pairing: The strong lemon note of Susan's Semi-Dry 2021 and its crisp acidity make a fantastic counterpoint to the rich and earthy dish.
Tarator
Tarator and sourdough with a bit of fresh fruit on the side. There are a lot of variations of Tarator. I'm talking about a hearty spread or sauce made with walnuts, tahini, lemon, and garlic. The recipe is from The Mediterranean Kitchen by Joyce Goldstein. A friend gave me my now well-worn copy of this book decades ago. You can check the adapted version, but I recommend sticking with the toasted walnuts. (How often do you get to eat mauve food anyway?)
Why Stuart Likes It: It's a satisfying vegan meal, and it fits well if you developed a sourdough habit during covid. It's also really versatile. Put leftovers on grilled vegetables or fish.
Cider Pairing: Beechwoods 2021. The very lemony dish brings out the apple character of this low-acid still cider in a beautiful way. It works great. The bitterness from the tannins and the walnuts can build up a bit, making having a little fresh fruit a perfect counterpart.
Autopilot Stir Fry
Why Stuart Likes It: I've made countless versions of this dish. If I've got rice, chicken, onion, snow peas, mushrooms, tamari, ginger, garlic, Szechuan chili oil, chicken stock, or something close to that, I'm set. It's speedy and satisfying, and flexible. You can bend it around what's in the fridge and your preferences.
Cider Pairing: Delaware Dry 2020. The intense fruitiness is an excellent counterpoint to the salty umami of the soy sauce, and the acid and bitterness are great with the aromatic ginger and garlic.