Many of us will catch the NFL Draft from our home screens, which means we can turn this remarkable Pittsburgh occasion into something special for our near and dear. We can also stay 100% devoted to our home teams with a black and gold menu to help you cheer on the Steelers for the best picks. Nourish your loyalties with locavore dishes from Chef Kevin Hermann, whose new restaurant, 408 Heirloom, is incubating on North Side’s East Ohio Street. Plus, we have Burghers brewmaster Neil Glausier on hand to give us the perfect beer pairing for these recipes.
Black and Gold Recipes for Steelers Fans
Black Pepper Crusted Short Ribs
Though incredibly easy to make, this recipe takes a little patience. It cooks low and slow across four hours in a smoker or grill set to medium temperature. The prolonged cook time allows for the tenderizing rendering of fats, and for the simple, forthright flavors of black pepper and coriander seeds to permeate the meat. For the perfect bite, spoon a little Pickled Golden Pepper Salad and some Roasted Corn Hash Relish onto your plate to add their intriguing tang and sweetness. Begin with 100% grassfed beef from Pittsburgher Highland Farm.
Beer Pairing: Roots & Resilience Black IPA
Blackened Cajun Chicken Tostada
A Chicken Tostada is your answer to handheld deliciousness. Blackened Cajun-style chicken, roasted chipotle aioli, and queso fresco are on point with their flavors and textures. This crowd-pleasing dish provides a welcome kick off for any game day or gathering. All the elements can be made beforehand and assembled with the help of game day friends, making it the perfect party dish. We recommend to start with pasture-raised poultry from Footprints Farm.
Beer Pairing: Zelibrator Doppelbock
BBQ Pork Sandwich
Gentlemen: Start your smokers! This gorgeous BBQ Pork Sandwich bathes in smoke for eight to ten hours. That gives you plenty of time to accomplish all your other party prep, as well, perhaps, as a pre-get-together nap. Once it’s ready to serve, a slather of homemade Blackstrap Molasses BBQ Sauce makes this an absolutely unforgettable bite. Savor a sandwich all by itself. Then, experiment with some of Chef Kevin’s delectable sides. Golden Beet Relish, Golden Pepper Salad, Roasted Chipotle Aioli, or Roasted Corn Hash from any of the other recipes here will add to the experience. Look to Lawrence County’s Fallen Aspen Farm for pastured pork.
Beer Pairing: Smoke Control Rauch Helles
Char Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Char Grilled Shrimp Skewers meet their perfect match in Chef Kevin Hermann‘s side dishes. Make the Blue Corn Grits and Golden Beet Relish the day before. Skewer and marinate the shrimp before guests arrive. Put everyone to work warming and grilling and plating. You’ll enjoy the camaraderie as well as the delicious results. The smokiness of the grill adds a dimension to shrimp’s natural sweetness. The beet relish layers notes of honey and vinegar to the affair, akin to what a BBQ sauce would do, but lighter. Charred limes are so simple, but the flavor is gratifyingly complex. While blue corn has deep Lenape roots in Pennsylvania, you’ll have to look out of state for blue corn grits. Stay close to home with golden beets from the 7th generation family operation at Shenot Farms.
Beer Pairing: Cholo Mexicano Amber Lager
Golden Berry Tart
A Golden Berry Tart uses one of our favorite under-rated fruits. Sold as “golden berries” in the produce department of many grocers, these pretty little gems are also known as Cape gooseberries or Peruvian groundcherries. Native to Peru, they pack a lot of mango, pineapple, and strawberry flavor into a small package. They’re also a superfood rich with vitamins A, C, and B. Chef Kevin recommends that you make your own flaky pastry dough for this tart, but if you cheat with store-bought, no one will complain. Layering the strong berries with sweet vanilla custard and shavings of dark chocolate will yield a fantastic dessert. The East End Food Co-op is a good local bet for what you need for this recipe.
Beer Pairing: Farkleberry Tart Blueberry Pomegranate Berliner Weisse
Black Forest Cake
When is the last time you made a cake from scratch? It’s truly not hard: you just have to move step-by-step through Chef Kevin’s recipe. Perhaps you invite a friend over the day before the party to sip something nice. Four hands will make light work of this totally scrumptious layered dessert. How could chocolate, cherries, and cream be anything but satisfying in this Black Forest Cake? Go online to Penn State’s Berkey Creamery to help your grocery shopping process. They’re a great Pennsylvania source for the cream cheese needed.
Beer Pairing: Oat Black Water
Recipes and Styling by Chef Kevin Hermann, 408 Heirloom
Beer Pairing by Neil Glausier, Burghers
Photography by Dave Bryce
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