Feeling bogged down by cold weather blues? Then it may be time to head to the kitchen.
When there’s a chill in the air, nothing beats a hearty, comfort meal. Which leads us to ask: What’s more hearty or comforting than pâté? The answer: nothing. Plus, if you’re stuck inside all day— whether due to frigid temperatures or heavy snowfall— you might as well eat some damn good food.
So, without further ado, here are our top three pâté picks for a winter night in.
Grand Marnier
Offering a savory experience that’s hearty but not overpowering, a bite of Grand Marnier pâté will leave your palate with lingering flavors of cognac and fresh orange. In other words, it’s as comforting as a warm blanket.
For a light and quick winter snack, we suggest cubing Grand Marnier pâté and spearing it on a toothpick as you binge-watch your favorite TV show. Craving something a bit heavier? Pick your favorite crusty French bread and add lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles for an effortless sandwich.
Pro tip: Try Grand Marnier with a medium bodied red wine, such as Merlot. Trust us— you won’t regret it.
Full-flavored and easy to spread, Truffle Mousse pâté boasts a delightful mixture of rich flavors and creamy, delicate textures— perfect for cozying up on the couch.
For pairing, enjoy by spreading over a simple baguette or a toasted cracker. Watching your figure? Don’t fret: Truffle Mousse pâté also pairs wonderfully with salads, creating an instantly light and satisfying meal.
If you’re looking for a buzz, opt for a glass of Rosé or Chardonnay which will bring out the earthy tones of the truffle and the best of the wild mushroom flavor.
Vegans, rejoice! Tomato Basil pâté is a totally meat-free option that’s low in fat and calories, clocking in at just 30 calories per serving.
For a quick and refreshing meal that channels Mediterranean cuisine, pair Tomato Basil with a green salad that incorporates balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. If you’re pining for some carbs (aren’t we all?), serve it with sliced whole grain breads and toppings of your choice for a delicious mini sandwich.
Other serving options include: flax crackers, raw pizza crusts, or dip for fresh veggies.
Happy eating!
Our Guide to a Festive Charcuterie Board
The holidays may be a little different this year, with fewer of our family and friends around the table, but you can still keep the holiday spirit alive with a show stopping dish. Two words: Charcuterie. Board.
We know, we know. You’re probably asking yourself: But how exactly do I transform a regular ‘ol charcuterie board into a magically festive meal for the holidays? Don’t fret: We’re here to help!
Here, we lay out everything you need to know about creating a holly jolly (not to mention, delicious!) charcuterie board for the holiday season.
The Cheeses
We suggest keeping it simple and using only three or four of your favorite cheeses. For a holiday charcuterie board, we always opt for a creamy Brie, a sharp cheddar, and a logof goat cheese. Not only are these cheeses well-loved by everyone, they’re also affordable and provide a nice variety..
The Meat
You didn’t think we’d go a whole blog post without mentioning pâté did you? When it comes to our holiday charcuterie boards, our top picks are our Grand Marnier, Chicken & Veal, and Herb de Provence. Also consider adding a smooth, spreadable option like our Truffle Mousse or Duck Liver Mousse with Cognac. Decadent and fulfilling, these pâtés can be perfectly paired with a multitude of cheeses and crackers, and are also always holiday favorites.
Hosting a vegan or vegetarian affair? Don’t panic: There’s pâté for that as well!
The Theme
Preparing a charcuterie board is like decorating: You can put a beautiful platter together with a mix of colors, textures, and shapes– just like you would a home. That’s why when it comes to a holiday charcuterie board, we suggest sticking to a theme; one that includes reds, greens, and whites.
Pears, grapes, and pomegranates are winter fruits that match the Christmas theme, while cranberries also add a dash of holiday spirit. Nuts and olives are a great festive choice as well, as well as some fresh rosemary. Oh, and don’t forget the crackers!
Overall, it’s essential to remember to place the large items like cheese and meats first. Then, fill in with nuts, fruit, and so on.
Happy holidays!
Cheers: Decadent Wine and Pâté Pairings
Much like wine, pâtés are filled with intricate flavors— and when paired, the full flavors of both truly come alive.
Overall, the acidity and refreshing nature of white wines are fabulous with most creamy, mousse style pâtés and vegetable pâtés, while the deep, satisfying flavors of red wines are a tasty companion to the heartier mousse and the traditional country style pâtés. That said, some pâté and wine combinations are more delicious than others.
Here, we lay out 5 of our favorite wine and pâté pairings.
Truffle Mousse can be enjoyed with red or white wines. This lighter bodied mousse calls for lighter bodied red wines, like a Pinot Noir or a Beaujolais. White wines are also a great companion and bring out the best of the truffle flavor and creamy texture. Try this pâté with a lighter bodied, unoaked Chardonnay or a glass of Champagne.
When it comes to Duck Liver Mousse with Cognac, we suggest pairing it with a classic Cabernet or a Port Winter. The sweetness of the Port plays well off of the pâté’s special blend of spices.
Garnished with fresh orange slices, Grand Marnier Pâté features pork, duck, and chicken liver with orange liqueur. Try this pâté with a Rosé wine. Rosé wines are medium bodied and many have the refreshing feel of white wine with a somewhat deep flavor more typical of a red.
OurForest Mushroom Pâté features the deep and earthy flavors of… well, mushrooms. To many wine enthusiasts, mushrooms should be thought of as red meat in terms of wine pairings. Pinot noir or Cabernet are perfect choices for these pâtés, or try a fuller bodied wine like Zinfandel.
Serve Tomato Basil Pâté or our Mushroom Artichoke with a dry Sauvignon Blanc. Sauvignon Blancis zesty and acidic, making it a great complement to foods that feature tomatoes or artichokes.
10 Pâté Enthusiasts Share Their Wishes for the Season
The perfect Holiday wish? Well, it depends on who you ask, of course.
This year, Alexian asked 10 of our most loyal pâté enthusiasts about their wishes for the 2020 Holiday season. The response? Loving, thoughtful feedback that we hope can bring light and cheer to your day— and the 2020 Holiday season.
“My wish for this holiday season? May it fill all Americans’ homes with joy, your heart with love, and your life with laughter.” — Nora S.
“To a healthy, happy, and peaceful New Year.” — Alex D.
“As lovely as the holidays can be for many, they can also make some feel down and blue. I know this can be a difficult time of year, and I want you to know that you’re not alone. I’m sending you lots of love.” — Laura F.
“To an extremely joyful present and a well remembered past. Best wishes for happy holidays and a magnificent New Year.” — Kristin C.
“Whatever is beautiful to you. Whatever is meaningful to you. Whatever brings you happiness. May it be yours this holiday season and throughout the coming year.” — Ronald C.
“Lots of laughter. Lots of good food. And lots of love. What else is there to life, anyway?” — Rebecca A.
“May your holidays sparkle with moments of love, laughter, and goodwill. Oh, and did I mention delicious food?” — Anne S.
“I’m wishing all my loved ones cookies and cakes and spices and cocoa… When it starts to smell like the holidays, it’s hard not to get into the spirit.” — Danielle F.
“Our family wishes everyone a joyous holiday season and a new year filled with happiness and hope for a world at peace.” — Donald N.
“This Holiday season, it’s hard to not wish for health around the world. Times are tough, but together we can all pull through.” — Debra T.
Our Guide to a Perfect Charcuterie and Cheese Pairing
Like cheese, pâté can stand alone, but uniting the two can lead to a match made in foodie heaven.
Accordingly, we at Alexian have decided our early Holiday gift to you is — drumroll, please — none other than to unveil our secrets to the perfect charcuterie (read: pâté) and cheese board. Excited? You should be!
Below, we highlight our guide to a perfect charcuterie and cheese pairing.
As the name suggests, hard cheese is firm and goes perfectly well with our creamy and decadent mousse pâtés. Often savory, hard cheese can be divided into two categories: hard (such as Parmesan), and semi-hard (such as Gouda). We suggest pairing the former with Black Peppercorn, and the latter with Chicken Liver.
Conversely, when it comes to coarse cut pâtés, we suggest opting for soft cheeses. Brie is a spreadable cheese with a buttery flavor and a strong aroma, while Burrata is part of the Mozzarella family and is typically served fresh with salads, fresh tomatoes and herbs, or bread. Both are excellently paired with our coarse cut variety.
A third place winner in our books when it comes to pairing cheese with a coarse cut? None other than Camembert. First made in France, this soft cheese made from cow’s milk is similar to Brie, but softer and more buttery, with an earthy flavor. Pro tip: It’s also best paired with red wine.
Overall, we recommend pairing boldly flavored pâtés— such as Pheasant Rosemary or Duck Liver Mousse with Cognac — with milder cheeses. And when it comes to softer-flavored pâtés, like Chicken Liver or our Vegetable varieties, we suggest opting for a strong flavored cheese of your choosing.
Here’s to happy snacking!
Alexian Presents: Original Stuffing Ideas
Stuffing is, without a doubt, one of the best parts of Thanksgiving. Here at Alexian, we like to put our own twist on things, and this seasonal classic is no different. Read on for some of our favorite pâté-inspired stuffing ideas to try in your own home this season:
Mouthwatering Mushroom-Leek
The warm, earthy flavors of mushroom paired with the mild bite of a leek is a classic combination in holiday cooking. Bring those flavors to life in a new way by incorporating our Wild Forest Mushroom Pâté into your classic recipe.
First, make a classic stuffing base. Sauté chopped onions, shiitake mushrooms and leeks until soft. Add the sautéed vegetables to your base mix and add a hearty amount of our Forest Mushroom Pâté. Serve the stuffing as you would normally.
Apple+Duck Delight
Our Duck Rillette has an abundance of flavor, in part to the special blend of spices we add during the slow-cooking process. First, create a cornbread stuffing base, with celery and onion. Next, peel, core and chop three apples. Then combine it all together and bake until golden brown.
Top the cooked stuffing with a layer of our Duck Rillette, and serve.
Turn it into an Appetizer
With hungry guests eagerly awaiting the dinner of the year, you’re sure to get the occasional wanderer in the kitchen hoping to score a sample. Don’t make your guests wait for the main course! Tease their appetites with a bit of stuffing.
Simply double your classic stuffing recipe (or set some aside if you’re making a lot already), then scoop the uncooked ingredients into a lined cupcake pan. Bake until golden brown.
To make each cup more filling, top with something savory, like our Truffle Mousse or our Black Peppercorn Mousse. Top with a dollop of cranberry sauce for an added bite of sweetness.
Decadent Pheasant Rosemary Stuffing
Thanksgiving is a day of indulgence, and what better way is there to spoil yourself than with a decadent gourmet stuffing?
Create a meal to remember by adding our Pheasant Rosemary Pâté – rich with pheasant, pork, and duck meats, rosemary and pecans – to your stuffing recipe!
Simply cut this coarse-cut pâté into small cubes and mix into your stuffing base, along with garlic, shallot, parsley, thyme and (optionally) mushrooms.
As it cooks, the flavors of pheasant and rosemary will blend into your stuffing, giving your whole meal a heavenly taste.
Tips & Ideas for Hosting a Beer Party
It’s football season and you know what that means: Beer. Rules. All.
While there’s only a handful of ways to drink a beer, there are limitless options for how you can throw a beer party to remember. Here’s a handy checklist that will cover the basics you’ll need. Cheers!
There are thousands of craft beers currently in circulation across the US. Seasonal beers or IPAs are an excellent choice for Fall gatherings, especially if purchased from a local brewery.Pumpkin lagers or Oktoberfest beers are also a fun seasonal addition that will be sure to win over the party.
It’s important to remember that beer parties aren’t just about… well, beer.
Presentation is key. Toss out the red solo cups and opt for 16-ounce growlers or Hefeweizen glasses. If you want to channel Oktoberfest, you can’t go wrong with boot-shaped glasses (but maybe don’t fill them up all the way).
While decorations aren’t too big of a deal when the beer is stealing the show, Fall decor of some sort is a favorable option for a beer party. From haybills and pumpkins (if it’s an outdoor party), to fall wreaths and gourds, Fall decor can truly amp up the spirit of your beer-estivities.
Food is important to all social gatherings (and plus, it’ll prevent most people from getting too rowdy from alcohol). While chips and pretzels are great for snacking, we suggest giving your party goers something a little more savory and substantial with our vast selection of pâté. While no one pâté is a better beer companion than the other, our coarse cut pâté, like our Grand Marnier and Pheasant and Rosemary Pâté, are our favorites!
Lastly, when it comes to your beer party, fun is what people are going to take away from it.
Drinking games are a dime a dozen on the internet (or with the right deck of cards) and are easy for anybody to pick up and learn. Outdoor games, like cornhole, are also an easy to play (but never easy to win) October staple. Additionally, music set to the right playlist or station offers the perfect ambience.
Ultimately, know your audience (if not your beer), offer up the best of snacks (wink wink pâté), and give a toast to make this year’s Autumnal beer drinking season one to remember.
Party of One: How to Solo Snack on Pâté
To quote Three Dog Night: One is the loneliest number— but not with a delicious and savory snack in front of you.
Pâté isn’t just a snack or side, it’s an entire vibe. Not to mention, when experiencing a little bit of solitude, you’ve earned the right to enjoy yourself and indulge.
Ultimately, when snacking on pâté by yourself, there are only a few things you should know to get the most out of your experience. Luckily for you, we’ve gathered them here for your reading pleasure.
Above all, remember this: the best part about solo snacking on pâté is that you don’t have to share!
Our Favorite Autumn Pâté Pairings
The most beautiful season of the year has arrived, and while we’ll all fondly miss the fresh bites and tasty pairings that Summer brings, Autumn has plenty of treats for us.
Enter pâté.
Below, we highlight a few of our favorite Fall foods that go with pâté!
Candy Apples: The ultimate combination of healthy and, well, not so healthy. While an apple swirled with caramel glaze is classic, up your candy apple game with fresh ingredients. After dipping your apple in caramel, try dipping it into a bowl of sugar sprinkled pecans or walnuts for extra crunch on top of your crunch. If you prefer an apple without the candy component,, pair it with pâté and cheeses for a filling snack.
Pumpkin Seeds: Roasted with everything— from salt to cinnamon sugar, to jalapeno cheddar—
you can spruce up a charcuterie board with more than just crunchy crackers. If homemade, you also get a pumpkin to keep (and carve!). There’s no better way to celebrate Fall than with a beautiful charcuterie board with pâté and seasonal accompaniments.
Apple Cider: Beer and pâté are a match made in paradise, so why not apple cider? (Bonus points if your batch includes alcohol.) The sweet and acidic flavor of cider meshes well with the savory taste of most pâtés, especially our Duck Liver Mousse.
When it comes to the perfect Fall pâté, we honestly can’t choose (sorry!). When given the right combination, all styles of pâté can be an ever enjoyable Autumn snack.
The Perfect Burger For The Perfect Pâté
With summer comes thousands of grills– freshly cleaned and ready for igniting. And while grills bring to mind everything, from ribs to hot dogs, one food item stands above all as number one: the hamburger.
While most people buy a 10-pack of patties from the grocery store, the ultimate burger doesn’t come prepackaged. Enhanced with pâté and a number of other savory ingredients, check out our how-to-guide on how to steal the show at your next cookout.
What You Need:
1 tsp of Worcestershire sauce (because flavor is where it counts).
1-2 lbs of ground beef (can be substituted with ground turkey)
1 egg
Salt/pepper
Ground onions
1 clove of minced garlic
1 tsp of Dijon mustard
Buns Pro tip: When choosing the buns, personal preference is a must. Aside from catering to any gluten allergies, your #1 concern should be how fluffy the bread is. Too fluffy and it detracts from the burger. Too thin and it gets soggy.
Truffle Mousse. While we recommend our Truffle Mousse selection for this particular recipe, you can get creative and use just about any other Pâté we have!
What to Do:
Whisk egg in bowl.
Add all ingredients (minus the buns, beef, and Truffle Mousse, of course) and then stir.
Add in ground beef and mix.
Form patties made from between 5 to 6 ounces of ground beef. The patties shouldn’t be wider than your intended buns.
Press your thumb into the center of the meat (this will help the patty stay round while grilling.)
Grill time! Make sure to preheat and cook between medium and medium/high (don’t be tempted to go right to high).
Flip burgers so that they don’t stick, while periodically adding a dash of salt and pepper. (Reminder: if you want a juicy burger, don’t press down on it with your spatula! Doing so doesn’t help the meat cook any faster.)
Put your burgers onto your buns and then, for the ultimate topping, smear your Pâté over the meat or onto the bun.
Enjoy!
Cucumber bites: the perfect healthy snack with plenty of crunch.
As savory as they are fulfilling, there are tons of different recipes for cucumber bites (because like pâté, they can pretty much go with everything). These bites of deliciousness are portable for picnics, easily shareable for group gatherings, and the coolness of the cucumber is particularly refreshing in warm weather.
The best part about cucumber bites? They’re incredibly easy to make! Check out our five favorite recipes below.
Shrimp Cucumber Bites
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Classic Dilly Cucumber Bites
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Prosciutto Cheese Cucumber Bites with Prosciutto
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Cucumber Bites
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Tomato Basil Cucumber Bites
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With much of the country sheltering in place, your evenings may be starting to feel the same. We have just the thing to change them up while you’re streaming movies or playing board games with the family.
Here, we have three fun and (mostly) healthy snack recipes with a focus on simplicity. These snacks are worth the effort, and whether alone or with family, you’ll pass these nights by with extra flavor.
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Chef’s Tip: You can swap out the cheese with pâté for an even more delicious treat!
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While those three delicious snacks can each stand alone, why not get festive and make all three? Better yet, each one of these recipes is delicious with a spread of Alexian Pâté. It’s no secret that pâté is the ultimate combination food and the secret formula to make your ordinary night one to remember.