Three Things to do with Big Rock Beer

It’s time for the ‘Cooking with Jim’ portion of the show. First of all, we would like to say a great big ‘Howdy, Hello and How the Heck are you Anyhow’ to all of our sick and shut-in friends. The boys are always thinking of our friends who are a little less fortunate than ourselves.

Tonight I am going to be sharing three different uses for Big Rock Beer with you. It’s BBQ season, so two of the ideas have to do with cooking. The other tip is sort of near and dear to my heart.

NUMBER ONE: Marinde

You may not know it, but your favourite Big Rock Beer can be used to marinate meat. 

Beer is slightly acidic – and that makes it an excellent meat tenderizer. This allows you to enjoy leaner cuts of meat that  might otherwise be a little too tough. Beer also won’t alter the meat’s flavor as much as wine and vinegar-based marinades. Poke a few holes in the meat, put it in a Tupperware container or a large re-sealable bag and add your favourite Big Rock Beer. Marinate in the refrigerator for a few hours or, better yet, overnight. Great for beef, pork, buffalo, road kill or what have you. Here is The Bix Mix Boys tip of the month: No matter how tempted you may be - do not drink the marinade!

NUMBER TWO: BBQ Sauce

You can use your favourite Big Rock Beer to make Big Rock Beer Barbeque Sauce

The Ingredients are: 

1 medium Spanish onion, diced
1 medium banana pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp capers
5 ripe tomatoes, diced
1 small can tomato paste
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 Tbsp fresh ground pepper
1 tsp cumin (except I don’t know what the hell that is, so I usually leave it out).
Dash of ground clove           

Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan and boil for 10 minutes. Lower heat and simmer about 4 hours until thickened. Cool and refrigerate for 24 hours so the flavours can meld. Then baste everything but the dog with it.

NUMBER THREE: Pass a kidney stone

This one is very near and dear to me. You can use your favourite Big Rock Beer to pass a kidney stone.

As you’ve undoubtedly noticed, beer is a diuretic - it helps flush the kidneys and bladder. This can be beneficial if you’re suffering from kidney stones. You can drink water or cranberry juice, but beer works better. It helps dilate the tubes connecting the kidneys and bladder, which may help you pass a stone quicker and easier. Plus, the alcohol will take the edge off the pain. Which brings us to the second Bix Mix Boys tip of the month. Don’t drink beer if you’re taking antibiotics or narcotic pain medications. You’ll render the drugs useless and make yourself sick. Take it from me, being sick is not what you want when you have kidney stones. They are too much fun all by themselves!