Portico Beer Dinner at Grafton Street

Chris got the invite to go to a dinner featuring beer brewed by his friend Alex aka Portico Brewing company.

The dinner, hosted by Grafton Street Cambridge, featured 4 course each paired with a beer, brewed by Portico.

Having been up late, working on photos, the night before I was zombified. To get out of the zombie like state I slipped into a pair of heels, threw on mascara and marched myself out the door.

We started with a beer cocktail that woke me right up.

I've never tried anything like it. A mix of Portico's Fuzzy Logic with applejack brandy, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar and lemon.

The tart drink was great with the first course baby frisee salad.

Maple cured duck bacon, some greens and a beet deviled egg.

Next came the Fuzzy Logic

And a dish of grilled calamari, mussels, and fried calamari tentacles.

Then the main attraction rolled out. A hoppy Black IPA, spiced Lamb belly and spicy chickpeas.

I didn't love the texture of lamb belly, the flavor was buttery, I guess it's just not my thing! The hoppy IPA cut right through the heat of the chickpeas. It was perfect.

The desert round is by far the best. A pairing of Sett Seven Scotch Ale and coffee creme brulee topped with chocolate bacon.

To be honest, I am not a beer person. The taste usually makes my noise squidge up. Portico's line up seems to have converted me to have more than just a few sips.

Hot Pot at Home

Lucky for me I have two friends who know all there is to know about at home Hot Pot. They graciously lugged over all the ingredients and their electric hot pot. It was a perfect cold Sunday meal. 

Here's a little break down of what you need to have Hot Pot at home.

Electric Hot Pot

Mesh Skimmers (a slotted spoon or two would work)

Hot and Sour soup base

Udon Noodles

Variety of dumplings

Tofu puffs

Silken Tofu (sliced)

Thinly sliced meat 1 lb each beef, pork and chicken (we got it frozen at the grocers)

For veggies:

1 head of Napa Cabbage broken up

Lots of Mushrooms (shittake, enoki

1/2 Taro

2 Sweet Potato

Bunch of watercress

corn on the cob

Getting all of this only takes a quick trip to your local asian grocery store. 

While the water heated up we prepped the veggies and meat.

Everyone makes their own shabu sauce. We laid out the ingredients below side by side and each of us got a little dish to make our custom sauce. 

Shabu sauce:

Korean BBQ sauce

4 heads of garlic

4 scallions thinly sliced

soy sauce

4 red chiles (These are HOTT)

Once the water was heated we set the stage

 And dug in.

In cold New England Hot Pot every night doesn't sound like a bad idea!