Pairing meat with the perfect beverage can elevate a dining experience from enjoyable to extraordinary.
Whether you’re an avid diner or a restaurateur looking to enhance your menu offerings, understanding how to match dishes with the right drink can make all the difference.
In this blog post, our commercial meat suppliers explore some classic and popular meat dishes, each paired with an ideal beverage to bring out the best in their flavours.
From grill to glass: explore these meat and drink pairings
Steak Frites
Steak Frites is a classic French dish that combines a succulent ribeye steak with crispy, golden French fries. Originating from French bistros, this meal has become a staple in both casual and high-end restaurants across Melbourne. The simplicity of the dish allows the quality of the ingredients to shine, making it a favourite for meat lovers.
For an ideal pairing, consider a heavy red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon, which complements the steak’s rich, juicy flavour. Alternatively, a Malbec can enhance the dish with its bold, fruity notes.
Roast Duck
Roast Duck is a high-end dish known for its crispy skin and tender, flavourful meat. Duck is often served with a fruit-based sauce, such as orange or cherry, and accompanied by sides like roasted vegetables, steamed greens, and hearty carbs like mashed potatoes or creamy risotto.
The dish’s rich, succulent flavour makes it a favourite, particularly in fine dining settings.
For an ideal pairing, a red wine like Pinot Noir complements the richness of the duck and the sweetness of the fruit sauce. Alternatively, a Shiraz can enhance the dish with its bold, spicy notes.
Chicken Parmigiana
You’d be hard-pressed not to find a classic Parma on the menu at any pub across the country!
The classic Chicken Parmigiana features crumbed chicken breast topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella, often served with a side of chips and salad. Aussies have fully embraced this Italian-American classic, a staple in casual and family dining settings.
An Italian red wine like Chianti offers a nice balance between the rich tomato sauce and cheesy topping. Alternatively, a Pinot Noir can complement the dish with light, fruity notes.
Beef Wellington
Beef Wellington is an elegant yet unassuming dish.
It features a fillet steak coated with pâté and a mince of finely chopped mushrooms, onions, and herbs, all wrapped in puff pastry and baked to perfection. This luxurious meal showcases the tender, juicy flavour of the beef complemented by the earthy taste of the mushrooms and the buttery, flaky pastry.
A red wine like Merlot enhances the dish’s complex flavours with its smooth, velvety texture. Another excellent choice is a full-bodied Bordeaux, which brings out the richness of the beef and mushrooms.
BBQ Ribs
BBQ Ribs are a universal crowd-pleaser! They feature tender pork ribs slow-cooked and smothered in a rich, smoky barbecue sauce.
This dish is a staple at casual dining establishments, offering a hearty and flavourful experience. The meat should be fall-off-the-bone tender, while the sauce offers a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and smoky flavours.
Bourbon enhances the smoky and sweet notes of the ribs. Craft beer, particularly stout, is another excellent choice, providing a robust and complementary flavour profile.
Lamb Ragu
Lamb Ragu is a comforting and hearty dish, featuring tender lamb slow-cooked in a rich tomato and herb sauce.
This Italian-inspired meal is popular in restaurants for its depth of flavour and satisfying texture. Ragu pairs perfectly with wide ribbon pasta like pappardelle or tagliatelle, which absorbs the rich, savoury sauce.
For an ideal pairing, a red wine like Shiraz enhances the dish’s robust flavours with its full-bodied and spicy notes. Another excellent choice is a Chianti, which complements the rich, savoury taste of the lamb with its fruity and slightly tart profile.
5 tips for meat storage and hygiene in your commercial kitchen
Disclaimer
Please note: the information provided in this blog post is intended as general information only. They are simply recommendations and are not endorsed. Please refer to your country’s government guidelines to practise safe food handling, storage, and management in your commercial setting. In Australia, you can refer to FoodStandards.gov.au
1. Maintain proper refrigeration
When storing meat in your commercial kitchen, ensure it’s always at the correct temperature to prevent bacterial growth and ensure freshness. Use a reliable thermometer to monitor fridge and freezer temperatures.
2. Implement the FIFO system
Organise your inventory so that you use older stock before new stock. This helps in reducing waste and maintaining the quality of your meat.
3. Practise personal hygiene
Ensure all staff wash their hands thoroughly before and after handling raw meat. Regular hand sanitising is crucial to maintain hygiene and prevent cross-contamination. Additionally, staff should be trained on protocols, including the use of gloves and hairnets. For more info, refer to our guide to essential kitchen hygiene practices.
4. Clean and sanitise surfaces
Regularly clean and sanitise all surfaces, utensils, and equipment that come into contact with meat to prevent cross-contamination and maintain a hygienic kitchen environment.
5. Properly label and date meat products
Clearly label and date all meat products upon arrival and storage. This process helps track freshness and ensure that no expired products are used.
Enhance your menu with our premium meat suppliers
Selecting high-quality meat from a reputable supplier is crucial to ensuring the best possible flavour and tenderness in your dishes.
Whether you’re an owner crafting a brand new menu from scratch or want to elevate existing menu items with the right beverage pairing, you can enhance the meat’s natural flavours and make each dish shine!
If you’re a hospitality manager looking to switch meat suppliers, get in touch with Australian Butchers Store today. Sign up online and discover for yourself how our premium meat products can enhance your dining offerings!
