MANNS BROWN ALE RECIPES FOR WINTER

Manns Original Brown Ale, the oldest continuously-brewed beer brand in the UK, is launching a range of recipes featuring the beer as a special ingredient in a wide range of dishes.

Manns is widely available in supermarkets and independent off-licences (Asda, Tesco, Co-op, Sainsbury, Booths) at £1 per 500cl bottle, with strongest distribution in the North West. Manns always receives a surge of sales at Christmas, not just from its regular drinkers but also from cooks using traditional Christmas pudding recipes. Many of these recipes call for ‘half a bottle of sweet brown ale’ and the famous 102 year old sweet brown ale, with over 85% of its market, is the number one choice.

As beer is Britain’s national drink, it is not surprising that cooking with beer has been a tradition both of the home and of large country houses, many of which had their own breweries. The use of beer in cooking also added further benefits in that it converted any polluted water into potable liquid and gave nutrition and flavour to the dishes in which it was used.

In the words of the Beer Academy’s (www.beeracademy.org) new booklet:
“Beer is packed with many of the nutrients the body needs for a healthy diet. In the old days it gained the accolade ‘liquid bread’. Unlike other alcoholic drinks, it is choc full of vitamins and minerals. It has absolutely no cholesterol or fat and contains useful quantities of soluble fibre.”

The flavours of many different beer styles will add complexity and breadth to dishes, with stouts such as Guinness adding a dry, roasted edge and hoppier ales giving bitterness and fruit. But using the soft, chocolate flavours of sweet brown ale such as Manns will add extra fullness to rich fruit puddings, light caramel flavours to creamy stews and a deliciously mellow body to a walnut bread loaf.

Manns recipes will be featured on 250,000 bottles until the Spring:
• The Original Manns Rich Fruit Pudding
• The Original Manns Beef Stew
• The Original Manns Gravy
• The Original Manns Walnut bread loaf

Kate Blazey, brand manager of Manns Original Brown Ale comments:

“We had been receiving so many requests from cooks and chefs for ‘beer’ recipes that we decided this Spring to do some homework and to develop a collection of old and new recipes using sweet brown ale. We are looking forward to receiving further feedback after the launch of these recipes.”

MANNS Original Recipes

The Original MANNS GRAVY

Heat 2 oz butter in a large saucepan. Add 1.5 lbs of onions, thinly sliced, and a pinch of sugar, and cook over a low heat for about 30 minutes until caramelised - stirring occasionally. Add 1tsp plain flour and cook for 1 minute. Add 1 bottle of MANNS Brown ale, 1 pint beef stock, 2 cloves and 2 bayleaves. Bring to the boil and boil vigorously for 20 minutes. Remove the cloves and bay leaves. Add salt & pepper to taste. Serve with BANGERS & MASH, ROAST BEEF, or over traditional chips!

The Original MANNS Rich Fruit Pudding

Mix together the following; 4 oz chopped suet, 2 oz flour, 4oz stoned raisins, 4oz sultanas, 2 oz mixed peel, 2 oz currants, 1/4oz grated nutmeg, 1/4 oz mixed spice, 1/4 oz ground ginger, 1/4 oz cinnamon, 4oz dark brown sugar, 4oz breadcrumbs, 1oz almonds, pinch of salt.

Add the following; 1/2 bottle MANNS Brown Ale, 5 fl oz brandy, 1/2 lemon zest & juice, 1/2 orange zest & juice. Leave the pudding mixture in a cool place for 3- 4days
Add in 2 eggs beaten and place in a greased basin, cover with greaseproof paper and steam for 6-8 hours. Adding a lucky sixpence is optional but always cut the pudding to find it before serving so it isn't swallowed by mistake! This pudding is perfect for Xmas.

The Original MANNS Walnut Bread loaf

Grease a 2lb loaf tin. Combine 3/4 lb flour, 4tsp baking powder, 2 tsp salt, 1 tbsp honey and 2 oz chopped walnuts with 12 oz MANNS Brown Ale, and mix well. Turn into loaf tin and bake at 150ºC for 45 minutes or until browned and a skewer comes out clean.

The Original MANNS Beef Stew

Chunk 2 1/2 lbs if shin of beef and sprinkle with 3 tbsps seasoned flour. Heat 1 oz butter in a pan and fry the beef to brown. Transfer to a casserole. Fry 3 red onions and 2 oz chopped bacon until tenderised, add 3 small sticks of celery, chopped, and a small handful of rosemary leaves. Transfer to the casserole over the beef. Pour in 2 pints of MANNS Brown Ale, and 1/2 pt water. Add 2 parsnips, 2 carrots and 4 potatoes, all peeled and roughly chopped to the casserole. Season, put the lid on and cook slowly for 2 hours, or until the beef is tender

The Original MANNS Brown Ale Batter

Mix 8oz flour with 1tsp baking powder. Add an egg, 1/2 pint MANNS Brown Ale, and 4 fl oz vegetable oil. Beat until smooth.
Any of the following dipped in the Original MANNS Brown Ale Batter and deep fried until brown are absolutely delicious; Cod Fillets, Sausages, chunks of pineapple.