UNDERSTANDING HOW TO COOK AND PAIR WITH RUM

Great spirits contribute to a greater dining experience and in essence the constant awareness of consumers to understanding the different categories of rum has lead to a general rise in the consumption of rum in its full pleasure.However the dining experience can not be complete without have to eat great food as well .It is on this note that i write about this cause essentially food with rum deserves a better understanding and experience as well.

It always great to see chefs create great dishes but my displeasure of minimizing rum in recipes based on the colors saddens me.Simply put recipes that advocate dark rum or gold rum do not place into mind the distinct flavor nuances and notes of the different categories or styles of rhum.It is high time that we start taking this serious and start thinking critically on what we are advocating  when it comes to the dining experience.I hope in the few bars below you will find a better understanding and use of rum in the kitchens of your homes but as well as your hearts.Lets start with

BREAKFAST
The most important meal of the day  and what better way to start the day with amazing breakfast dishes that got rum.The most common breakfast with rum is pancakes which is by far no doubt delicious.During breakfast i normally recommend if you are creating sauces go with the amazing  aged rums from Jamaica that got the in depth layers of banana notes ,chocolate ,vanilla that work well to give off the  sense of decadence  .If you prefer spicy notes i would suggest the laid back spiced agricole rhums that got that nice warm feel that will not only be great in hot chocolate but in breakfast fruit salads as a dressing.

LUNCH AND DINNER

This two categories require more detail as different cuisines seek to highlight different expressions to the client.

lets see something interesting below 

Rum and cheese pairings

•While pairing rum and cheese remember that opposites usually go well.

•Heavy cheeses such as blue cheese go well with light rums.

With heavy cheese my choice of rums where traditional rums that have undergone column still distillation.Savanna intense was my preferred choice here.

•We can also note the warm toffee tones of aged rum go well with Gouda or cheddar.Single blended rums such as Appleton 12 would work well.

•Goat cheese favor citrus warm notes such as found in Agricole rums to be precise my choice was on agricole artisan rhums (Creole still). Try the cheese with bologne ,or montebello for starters

•While sheep’s cheese works well with rum flavored liqueur.My choice of rhums where the chamarel liqueurs especially  there vanilla liqueur.

•It is also great to note semi soft cheese work well with intense rums

Rum cocktails and food

• Rums which provide for sweeter cocktails like the rum and coke call for acidic or salty canapés with great crackers.My choice for rums with canapes where pure single rum that have undergone batch or pot distillation .

•While modern distillation rums such as  young  Cuban rums that create mojitos and daiquiris work well with slightly savory canapés.

•Grilled rare lamb goes will with the same. My choice for lamb was the impressive selection Havana club to don q to barcelo.

Rum and chocolate pairings

•It is usually recommended that you pair the oldest rum with the chocolate that has the highest cocoa percentage while milkier sweet chocolates with young rums.

•As milk or white chocolate has fruitier body it is recommended that you balance it with light bodied ,young  rum.

•60-72% cocoa chocolates work well with rums that exude the darker flavor notes.

•If you love milk chocolates it is preferable advised to pair it in small bits cause of its cloying effect on the mouth. Remember a great pair also cleanses the palate.

Rum in food

    Sweet dishes: this can vary from dishes like banana foster, chocolate frozen yoghurt and tiramisu.Try experiment with the vast array of exceptional rum liqueurs for your desserts.Just remembering your are using it to highlight the dish and not over power.

•Use  spiced rums  to there liqueur when baking for greater flavor.

   Savory dishes: this can be such as chicken kebabs, shrimp tacos.

•In savory dishes young  rums that got citrus notes such as agricole rhums or over proof rums  work well as marinades  as they give room to work well on the tough cuts of meats as well on tender cuts that require short times and black strap rums work well as glazes.Especially when you are looking to finish of your barbecues with intense  flavors that would work well on sweet,sour ,spicy notes.

•Infusions: the infusions can come through as glazes, marinades and artisan liqueurs that match your taste buds

•Use young rums that take up great flavors form its extracts.

Temp conditions

•While working with frozen desserts it’s important to remember to much alcohol kills the ice.

•While cooking the longer the time the high the loss to evaporate.

•Rum can also be used to create sauces, butters for toast and great mop sauces for the barbecue.

In the next few weeks i will try my best to highlight some dishes that i enjoyed that had rum  that had soul ,that had love.Till then lets enjoy the journey.