Rickard's Scores a Football Feast

TORONTO, July 8 /CNW/ - The world anxiously awaits the outcome of the month long global soccer celebration and this weekend we will know which country clinches the golden trophy. In anticipation of the final game celebrations, Chef Michael P. Clive has come up with some delicious, easy-to-execute recipes and ideas to add flavour to your own celebrations at home.

"Theming your menu for a get together like these final soccer games is easy. Have fun with names of dishes and play with colour," explains Chef Michael P. Clive. "With it being summer the grill is an obvious choice especially with three of the final four teams being from countries known for their love of the grill."

Chef Clive has teamed up with Rickard's to come up with some beer-inspired easy-to-execute recipes and tips for preparing your own final four inspired menu.

A Feast for the Finals:
It's the Spaniards versus the Dutch and Chef Clive has come up with some tasty selections that will easily pair together or can also be served apart depending on your loyalties.

Netherlands
The Oranje are proud and now they've clinched an opportunity to play in the final game. Celebrate with an easy Dutch favourite and create your own sea of orange. Celebrate goals with a refreshing Rickard's White, garnish with a slice of orange to show your Dutch pride.

• Vlaamse Frites aka Fries and Mayo

The Dutch eat French fries with pretty much everything so it would be fitting to include them in your Dutch themed feast.

The instructions are simple: Prepare french fries as you like them. The Dutch like to eat their fries in a cone of paper so purchase some cone shaped cups and put the fries in the cups. Create a mayonnaise dip with a bit of kick by squeezing some lime and adding chili powder. Put a dollop of mayo on the fries and you're ready for game time.

• Sea of Oranje

Take orange vegetables like carrot sticks, orange peppers and tomatoes. Arrange them on a plate and include a vegetable dip with a twist of citrus from Rickard's White.

Rickard's White Oranje Veggies and Dip
Simply whisk together the following into a medium sized bowl:
4 tbsp (60 mL) of your favourite ranch dressing
2 tbsp (30 mL) of Rickard's White beer
2 tbsp (30 mL) of sour cream
Squeeze of lime juice
Chill before serving

Spain
There will be no siestas for Spanish soccer lovers this Sunday. To keep the party going create a platter of chorizo, olives, almonds and red and yellow veggie skewers. In Spain they like to eat tapas or small plates, so create a spread of different foods for guest to choose from. To further add colour to your meal offer guests a red beer, such as Rickard's Red.

• Rickard's Dark Veggie Marinade

Mix the following ingredients together:
1 bottle of Rickard's Dark beer
2 tbsp (30 mL) olive oil
2 minced garlic cloves
4 tsp (20 mL) chopped fresh thyme
1 tsp (5 mL) maple syrup
1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) sea salt

Preparation:
Chop and marinate red and yellow vegetables for two hours.
Slide each vegetable onto a bamboo skewer alternating colours.
Grill until fork tender and slightly caramelized.

• Chorizo with Olives and Almonds

Grill Chorizo sausages and arrange onto a serving skillet along with the vegetable skewers.
Drizzle with the remaining marinade and serve with stuffed olives and smoked almonds.

Great Food is the Ultimate Consolation:
Die-hard soccer fans will ensure they are watching as Germany and Uruguay face off for the consolation final.

Germany:
Nothing says Germany like beer and bratwurst sausages. To add a boost to your sausage meal, create an easy dip with hint of Rickard's Dark.

• Brats and Beer Mustard

Grill Bratwurst sausages and prepare the following ingredients for a tangy mustard sauce:
Whisk together equal parts of Dijon mustard & honey
1 tbsp (15 mL) hot mustard powder
3 tbsp (45 mL) of Rickard's Dark
Serve alongside grilled brats and sauerkraut

Uruguay:
Soccer is life in South America and so is red meat. Celebrate Uruguay's 2010 soccer victories with a Uruguayan favourite the chivito, or steak sandwich.

• Rickard's Red Chivito

Rickard's Red BBQ Marinade

Ingredients:
1/4 cup (59 mL) dried tart cherries
3 tbsp (45 mL) balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup (125 mL) cherry jam
2 tbsp (30mL) butter, melted
1 tbsp (15mL) lemon juice
1 tsp (5 mL) kosher salt
1 tsp (5 mL) Dijon mustard
1 tsp (5 mL) Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) dried chili flakes
1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) dried thyme
1 1/2 cup (360 mL) Rickard's Red (1 1/2 cups)

Preparation:
Mix all the ingredients together. Submerge your favourite cut of steak into the marinade. After a few hours place the steak on a searing hot grill. Stack steaks onto a thick white bun. Top with your favourite garnishes and share with your fellow soccer fans.

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information: and to speak with Chef Michael P. Clive please contact:

Ryan Lockhart, Julienne Spence
[email protected], [email protected]
416-969-2749, 416-969-2765

Additional high-resolution images available upon request.