Cooking with Oil: Why Motorcycle Oil should be part of your next Winter dish.
Winter is upon us mates, meaning our gloves are firmly gripping the throttle of our Motorcycle Oil Hoppy Porter. The official brew of sessions by the fire, the only thing that warms the cockles quite like a couple of cosy cans of M.O is a winter dish to match. Fortunately, Motorcycle Oil also happens to be a cracking ingredient to elevate your winter cooking. We hit up a couple of our chef mates to learn what makes Moto Oil such a great addition to winter cuisine and how you can use it!
1. Rich, Robust Flavours
For the new riders, our Motorcycle Oil is a smooth, hoppy, black beer with mild bitterness, roughly based on a hopped-up American Porter. Often boasting deep, malty flavour profiles with notes of chocolate, coffee, caramel, and smokiness - there’s a reason they’ve become popular with chefs across the globe. One of those chefs is YH mate and Head Chef at Rising Sun Workshop Nick Smith. Back in 2018, Nick helped launch Motorcycle Oil by developing a ‘blacker than black’ ramen (pictured below) that was named ‘Sydney Dish of the Year’ by none other than Google! Currently working on a new dish for the restaurant incorporating Motorcycle Oil into a yakiniku sauce for some long cooked, wagyu beef short rib, Nick swears by Motorcycle Oil for its versatility and complexity.
“Cooking is all about sending a message, conveying a feeling, sharing an emotion. Time can be against you, so reaching for ingredients that come ready made with loads of depth and story can fast track you to something delicious.” He claims.
2. Try a little tenderness!
The natural acidity and carbonation of the beer help to tenderise meats, making them juicy and flavourful. When used in marinades or braising liquids, it can help break down tough muscle fibres, resulting in melt-in-your-mouth textures. This makes it perfect for slow-cooked dishes that are staples of winter cooking. YH mate and Head Baker at Sonoma Jordan Miller loves slow cooking with Moto Oil, claiming that the beer is the ‘Number 1 flavour component’ of the iconic bakery’s classic beef pie.
Nick Smith with his ‘Blacker Than Black’ ramen. Motorcycle Oil was used in the ramen tare (seasoning), reduced very slowly with black garlic adding depth to the roast pork bone soup. The blood sausages were also given a bit of M.O magic, fried hard then deglazed with beer. Delish!
3. Browning and caramelisation
If you love how Motorcycle Oil looks in a glass, you’ll love how it looks on a roast! The sugars and malt present in the beer can significantly enhance the browning and caramelisation of your dishes, contributing to a beautiful, golden-brown colour and intensified flavours when roasting or grilling.
4. The Balancing act
Hearty winter dishes often feature rich, fatty ingredients that can benefit from a bit of balance. With the addition of Aussie hops, Motorcycle Oil offers a pleasant bitterness that cuts through the richness. According to Nick, the citrus-y, forest fresh vibe of the hops gives lift to deeper tones in his dishes such as pepper, smoke, and toasty caramel. This balance is particularly useful in creamy soups, hearty stews, and rich sauces where the beer can add depth without overpowering the dish.
5. Embrace the sweet stuff
What would a winter feast be without an epic dessert?! While the beer lends itself to those hearty main meals, the dark, malty notes of Moto Oil also complement the sweet stuff from chocolate, spices, and even dried fruits, making it a versatile addition to your baking repertoire. According to Jordan, the robust flavour of the beer and bitter characteristics really cut through.
”Pastries can really drown everything out given the butter, flour and sugar contents, but strong flavours like those from Motorcycle Oil immediately stand out.” He claims.
Among savoury pies that will absolutely melt your soul, Jordan uses Motorcycle Oil as the fruit soak for Sonoma’s annual Christmas pudding.
What about food pairings?
Let’s face it, the colder months call for a lazy night or two here and there. If the kitchen is closed for the evening, Motorcycle Oil is also one reliable compadre to a crazy amount of different foods from grilled and slow cooked meats, to strong cheeses and mushrooms. For Nick, it’s oysters, while Jordan opts for chocolate and berries. For us, it’s all of the above PLUS more Motorcycle Oil. Can you tell we’re revved for winter!?
Ready to cook? Click here for some Motorcycle Oil- inspired recipes.