Food Tag: Wine

Build the Perfect Party Spread: Mix & Match Catering Ideas for Every Spring Celebration

spring party catering ideasSpring is when we gather for all sorts of celebrations – from Mother’s Day brunch to graduation parties, wedding and baby showers, and team get-togethers, we all love a great party in these warmer months. But, where to start? Putting on any celebration can feel a little overwhelming. What will you serve, what will the set up look like? Do you even have the time to make it happen? The good news is that you don’t have to do it all. Smart planning that includes catered dishes can save you a lot of time and worry and put you where you belong – with your guests and not stressing in the kitchen.

If you’re planning your own spring celebration, Butcher Boy is the one-stop key to making hosting a breeze. Start with our extensive catering menu featuring delicious appetizers, entrees, platters, salads, sides, roasts, and desserts. Add your favorite beverages from our wide beer, wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic selections, browse locally curated specialty items, and set your table with one of our beautiful Caspari table settings.

Here are a few suggested menus to inspire your celebration. For a full list of items, explore our complete catering menu here.

Mother’s Day Brunch or Dinner: Keep it elevated but effortless with our ‘create your own’ quiche options, including ham, spinach, broccoli, bacon, and more. Pair with a fruit platter and fresh salad and add a decadent sweet finish with our pastry platter featuring French macarons, brownies, and lemon, raspberry, and coconut bars.

If you want to make it an elegant Mother’s Day dinner, we’ve made it simple with our prepared entrees or roasts. Go classic with a hearty meat lasagna or upscale with a dish like our marinated sirloin tips served with a decadent Merlot wine sauce or our tenderloin roast. Choose side dishes such as green bean almondine, rice pilaf, or herb roasted potatoes. Finish with a stunning Konditor Meister cake for a meal to remember.

Build the Perfect Party SpreadGraduation Party: If you’re feeding a crowd in a drop-in setting, keeping it easy and delicious is the key. Opt for dishes that can be left out – great options are finger or wrap sandwiches, antipasto, cheese and crackers, and fruit. Salad and vegetable crudite can also be great side dish options. Think the classic “build your spread” formula – pair 2-3 savory platters with 1-2 sides and a dessert tray such as our house-made whoopie pies, mini cannolis, or brownies.

Sports Teams / End of Season Celebrations: These are all about keeping it fun, casual, and kid-friendly. Mix hot and cold options for variety and set up food in an easy buffet style with plates and utensils to keep everything together for the “grab and go” vibe. Wings, mac and cheese, phyllo puffs, and sausage rolls are real crowd favorites. Don’t forget one of our delicious cookie, brownie, or whoopie pie platters for those sweet tooths!

Build the Perfect Party SpreadShower-Ready Spreads: For zero-stress baby and bridal shower food ideas that feel special, think thoughtfully selected light offerings that look and taste delicious. Pair mini beef wellingtons or boursin and prosciutto stuffed chicken spirals with a shrimp cocktail platter and a variety of salads. Add wine, champagne or craft mocktail ingredients. Save decadence for dessert with our new pastry platter, other sweet platter options, or a Konditor Meister cake. Keep presentation elegant and coordinated with Caspari tableware.

Backyard Parties and ‘Bring Your Own’ Banquet Halls: Whatever the occasion, party size, or location, we make entertaining easy. Chicken or beef teriyaki skewers, steak tips, sides and salads are great options for laid-back mingling at your backyard party. If you’re renting a function hall where you provide your own food, our full trays of Italian meatballs, homemade sausage and peppers, or Mediterranean chicken and antipasto platters are ideal for buffet-style serving. Our catering selections can be scaled up or down depending on your guest count and are designed for easy transport, setup and clean up.

So, spring into your spring celebrations with confidence, knowing Butcher Boy is there to make hosting your next party a breeze. Explore all our catering options online, or come see us for expert help in selecting the menu items for your special gathering.

Deliciously Dry: Perfect Pairings for Alcohol-Free Occasions

After the indulgence-filled holidays, the first few months of the year are the perfect time for a fresh start. Enter “Dry January,” a popular newer tradition designed to help us establish better health in the new year by abstaining from alcohol for short periods of time. “Dry” or “Damp” periods of time for those who would like to reduce their alcohol consumption, bring some real health benefits. These can include lower blood pressure and resting heart rate, better sleep, and improved hydration.

But giving up alcohol for a month or longer doesn’t have to mean giving up what you love about enjoying delicious food and beverage pairings with family and friends. Years ago, going “dry” meant settling for fizzy water or generic alternatives. In today’s more health-conscious climate, there is a wide selection of non-alcoholic beers, wines, and spirits to choose from with more being created every day. Here are some of our favorite go-to deliciously dry pairings:

Speaking of non-alcoholic beers, the tasteless single compromise is a thing of the past. Today, we have a wide selection of flavorful N/A beers including traditional and craft selections, perfect for pairing with casual gatherings and football.

non-alcholic dry january food pairingWhile many non-alcoholic recipes have historically relied on fruit juices and sparkling water, the evolution of non-alcoholic distilled spirits has really raised the mocktail game. Relying on botanical ingredients such as citrus and herbs, these beverages are great substitutes for alcoholic spirits such as whiskey and tequila while bringing their own depth of flavor and unique notes to drinks. We invite you to explore our large collection of non-alcoholic spirits to substitute in your favorite cocktail recipes or to use as inspiration for your own house mocktail creations.

Going dry isn’t what it used to be. Whether it’s a simple sparkling water, non-alcoholic beer, or a tasty mocktail made with dry spirits, we’ve got you covered.

Springtime Wine Pairings

Springtime Wine PairingsSpring is in the air, and it’s a great time to think about changing up the beverages we pair with our favorite springtime meals, specifically wine. This time of year, you might want to move from heavy reds to light reds, rosés, and whites — lighter wines that are perfect for lighter meals.

The possibilities and choices of wine seem to be endless, and if you’ve ever stood in a wine shop trying to choose among them, the task can be overwhelming. Or, if you or your dinner guests just happen to not prefer wine, the decision about what type to drink can be even more difficult. So where to start?

Sparkling wines are an excellent starting point for those who might normally choose a spiked seltzer or fizzy cocktail. Your taste buds will appreciate the chilled bubbles along with the sweetness. Prosecco is the sweet Italian cousin to traditional French champagne. Lambrusco is a sparkling red worth a taste.

Want to try other red wines? It’s the tannins in wine that give that puckering, sometimes drier taste, but there are lighter reds with lower tannin levels that might appeal to a non-wine drinker’s palate, such as Pinot Noir or Syrah.

Now let’s get back to pairing with spring foods. When salad is on the menu, either as an entrée or a substantial side dish, look for white wines with so-called “green” flavors. Vinho Verde, Grüner Veltliner, Verdejo, Sauvignon Blanc, and Albariño will fit right in with leafy greens. Pinot grigio is a good match for pasta primavera.

There are a couple of choices of wine to pair with asparagus, depending on how it’s cooked. Try a Pinot Bianco with grilled asparagus, but a dry rosé would work well with asparagus that is oven-roasted. Artichokes can be difficult to match with wine because they can make it taste overly sweet. To counter that effect, pick a tart white with good acidity, like a Sauvignon blanc.

Let’s get to the meat of wine pairings. Is baked ham on the menu for Easter? Then choose Riesling for its fruity flavors of apple, apricot, and pineapple that will go naturally.

If you’re serving lamb for Passover or Easter, well, then a red wine might be the obvious choice. However, a tender spring lamb needs a wine that won’t overpower its delicate flavors and texture. One popular suggestion: Grenache, which is typically light and has fruit flavors.

When it comes to fruit, in most cases you’re going to want a wine that’s very sweet and bubbly, especially with a dessert. Champagne doesn’t have to be reserved for special celebrations. A sweet Gewürtztraminer is another option, or sparkling rosé.

While you’re shopping with us for your spring holiday meals or weekend dinner parties on the deck or patio, let us show you our wine selection and help you choose the best ones to serve with your menu and please all your guests. Then tell us which ones are your favorites!

Wine Pairing: The Best Selections for Your Favorite Cuts of Meat

Wine PairingWhen it comes to pleasing the palate, there aren’t many culinary combinations that can top a good glass of wine with a delicious steak. Choosing the best wine to go with the right cut of beef isn’t as simple as picking out something red or white. You might be comfortable taking a restaurant server’s suggestion when you’re out for a nice meal, but what about when you’re at home preparing dinner for your family? Sometimes the choices can be overwhelming, or we feel we just don’t know enough about meat or wine to make a confident decision that will enhance the dining experience.

One of the reasons that red wine pairs so effortlessly with steak is because the tannins in the red wine help enhance the beef flavor. Steak, in turn, can make wine taste better too: The fat in the meat brings out the fruit flavors in the wine. While red wine is a classic choice for steak, the acid in white wine produces a similar effect on beef that the tannins in the red wine do. Since whites are generally served best chilled, they provide a great contrast to a hot sizzling steak.

So which wines are best with which cuts of steak? Fear not, we have some suggestions that will make you look and feel like an expert the next time you are planning a steak dinner at home that rivals the highest quality steakhouses.

Rib-Eye or Delmonico – Zinfandel

The rib-eye is arguably one of the most flavor-packed cuts of steak. This cut pairs nicely with the spicy undertones of Zinfandel. The flavors in Zinfandel contrast well with the meatiness of the rib-eye. Try seasoning the rib-eye with the bold flavor of paprika, which will give your steak a smoky spiciness perfect for a glass of Bordeaux or Cabernet Sauvignon.

Filet Mignon – Pinot Noir

The much-admired filet is the most tender, leanest cut of beef that also has one of the most subtle flavors, which is why it’s often served with sauces. It’s important to choose a wine that won’t overshadow the steak. Pinot Noir is higher in acidity but tends to be lower in alcohol content resulting in a light refreshing taste, adding to the flavor of the filet mignon without being overpowering. Feel free to choose a heartier pinot noir if the steak is prepared with a peppercorn sauce or other big flavor accompaniment. Malbec is another nice complement to the texture of a filet mignon.

NY Strip – Cabernet Sauvignon, Champagne

If you are a white wine lover, NY strip is the steak for you. Champagne is the best pairing here because its acidic qualities are similar to that of a red wine. The classic pairing for the NY Strip is Cabernet Sauvignon since its fruit tones work well with the bold flavor of the strip. Looking for something different? A lighter rosé can bring out the natural flavors of the steak when it’s simply seasoned with salt and pepper and served with a fresh salad.

Porterhouse or T-bone – Syrah

As we’ve mentioned, red wine is the best pairing for steaks with higher fat content. The porterhouse calls for a wine that can handle the combined textures of the tenderloin and the strip. Syrah pairs well because it’s not as heavy as a Cabernet Sauvignon, but it’s also not as light as Pinot Noir. The Cabernet will do, however, for a porterhouse that comes with a rich sauce.

Knowing which wine pairs best with various cuts of steak depends not only on the meat itself, but also on the steak’s preparation and any side dishes as well. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you truly can’t go wrong with any wine you choose, but being particularly selective will enhance the flavors.

Now that you have some inspiration and know what to look for, be sure to visit the Wine & Spirits aisle in our store when you are picking up your favorite cut of meat. You can put your expert wine skills into practice and impress your dinner guests.

 

grills perfect match

Sides and Tips for Your Holiday Roast

The holidays have arrived and we’re here to help you prepare. Friends and family are what make the holidays special, the meat is what makes the meal. That’s why our Holiday Order Guide has a variety of roasts, available for order now by calling 978-688-1511.

Last year we featured the five meats of Christmas on our blog, a delicious assortment that satisfies even the pickiest of eaters. Whether you choose prime rib, tenderloin, or rump roast for your meal, our Beef Roasting Guide is the perfect resource to achieve that ideal temperature.

This year, we’ve compiled a of list delicious side recipes and resources for your meal’s centerpiece, so that you can focus your energy on enjoying the holidays instead.

Sauces and Sides

1) Red Wine and Wild Mushroom Sauce

Red Wine and Wild Mushroom Sauce
via Food Network

Our roasts pair well with Butcher Boy Au Jus and Béarnaise. If you’re looking for something a little different, this Red Wine and Wild Mushroom Sauce from Food Network will do the trick. Featuring an array of mushrooms, this creamy sauce is decadent and extremely easy to make.

2) Pan-Seared Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries and Pecans

Pan-Seared Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries and Pecans
via Rachel Schultz on Homemaking

Jazz up your required veggie side with Rachel Schultz on Homemaking‘s pan-seared brussels sprouts. Cranberries add a beautiful pop of color, while pecans add a needed crunch to this versatile dish.

3) Roasted Holiday Potatoes

Roasted Holiday Potatoes
via created by Diane

Potatoes are your meat’s favorite food companion. This side from created by Diane features both baking and sweet potatoes, making this the ultimate potato dish. Beautifully arranged, these holiday potatoes will look fantastic next to your roast.

Quick Hit Holiday Tips

  • Condense shopping trips. We’re open extra hours on Friday and Saturday, so stop in on the way home from holiday shopping.
  • Use a meat thermometer. Use these tips from Kitchn on using and maintaining your meat thermometer.
  • Plan your spirit pairings for your meat. This guide will show you how to pair wines to your favorite meal.
  • Choose appetizers to complement the meal! Consult this post for appetizer ideas, or order from our Holiday Order Guide.

Happy Holidays from Butcher Boy Market!

Want more holiday dinner ideas?

Stop by our store in North Andover. We’re always here to answer your questions.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to get the latest tips and know-how.

How to Pair Wines to Your Favorite Meals

The perfect wine pairing can make your dinner complete, whether it’s a full-bodied red for your Porterhouse or a buttery white for your roasted pork tenderloin. Butcher Boy keeps more than 1,000 varieties of wine in stock, so you can find what you need.

When pairing wines to dinners, your most important consideration is flavor intensity. A rich entree is best matched to a dry, aromatic wine. Lighter foods, particularly chicken, need lighter wines, or they’ll quickly become overpowered. Think of it like finding a dance partner — you wouldn’t match a linebacker to a tiny ballerina.

Here’s a handy guide to wine pairing, created by the team at Wine Folly:

wine-and-food-pairing-chart

While charts like these are a great place to start, it’s important to remember that they don’t take into consideration the marinades, sauces, spices, and rubs you might use to flavor your meal. These elements can radically change the intensity of your dish. Use this guide as a starting point, but don’t be afraid to be your own sommelier. If it sounds like a satisfying combination to you, it’s worth giving a try.

Not a wine person? Beers and cocktails can also pair nicely with your favorite meats. Once you’ve paid a visit to our famous 60-foot butcher counter, take a stroll through our spirits section and see what excites you. We have something for even the most discerning palette.

5_wine_spirits

Whether you’re seeking a spicy Malbec or a crisp Pinot Gris, our store in North Andover has more than 1,000 varieties of wine to choose from.