Most people are familiar with drink flights– specialty beverage shops often offer them as a way to introduce people to, say, several wine options at once. But did you know that the same concept can be applied to food?
Tasting flights feature a range of closely related items presented in small servings.
These “sampler platters” are a great way to provide novelty, variety, and a whole lot of flavor in just one dish. If you’ve ever enjoyed a charcuterie board, then you’re familiar with the concept!
If you’re reading this, odds are you’re already a pâté lover. So what better way to introduce your family to all the unique flavor profiles and textures of pâté than with a flight?
Here are our tips on how to create an amazing spread that will have everyone asking, “What is this delicious stuff?”
- Start by gathering four to eight different pâtés. Select a variety– for example, include one vegetable-based pâté, one truffle mousse, one creamy pork or duck, and one coarse cut. Plan to have about two to three ounces of pâté per person.
- After making your pâté selection, decide what will accompany your flights. Pickles, French baguettes, olives, crackers, and veggie sticks all make colorful and tasty pairings. And of course, we highly recommend including cheese on the menu. Offer two or three different hard cheeses so that people can mix and match combinations.
- Finally, be sure to pay close attention to your drinks. You can experiment with beer, seltzer, and white wine, but when it comes to pâté pairings, a full-bodied red wine is king. We suggest Bordeaux, Côtes du Rhône, or Pinot Noir as great go-to wines. They’re robust enough to stand up to pâté’s complex profile but not strong enough to overwhelm the delicate layers of flavor.
Those are our tips for getting started, and of course, we’d love to see what you do with this concept! Tag us on social media @alexian_pate to share pâté, your way!
