Cookin’ on the Coast: A Vibrant Winter Warm-Up
Field House Salted Lime Lager with Sweet Potato Coconut Curry
S14, E9
When the temperature drops and winter evenings settle in, nothing hits the spot quite like a bowl of soup that is equal parts comforting and boldly spiced. For Episode 9 of Cookin’ on the Coast, Chef Heidi is dipping into a legendary vegetarian favorite from her cooking classes: a rich, vibrant Chickpea, Sweet Potato & Coconut Curry Soup packed with wholesome nutrition and layers of complex warmth.
And to pair with a curry this aromatic? We are steering away from heavy reds and pouring an ultra-refreshing craft lager that brings a splash of bright sunshine straight to the table.
The Beverage: Field House Salted Lime Mexican Lager
Brewed in the Fraser Valley, the Field House Salted Lime Mexican Lager is a brilliant reinvention of a classic style. Coming in at a light and crushable 4.9% ABV, this crisp Mexican-style lager is meticulously brewed using hand-zested limes and authentic Vancouver Island sea salt.
In the glass, it pours crystal clear with an effervescent sparkle. The aroma is an instant invitation, bursting with fresh, zesty lime and a clean malt backbone. On the palate, it is ultra-refreshing and crisp, delivering a subtle salinity from the Vancouver Island sea salt that rounds out the bright citrus bite and leaves your palate completely revitalized after every sip.
Behind The Brew
Field House Brewing Co. has built its reputation on being “purveyors of the good life,” focusing on innovating classic beers while deeply cultivating community across the Fraser Valley and beyond. Since opening their East Abbotsford tasting room doors back in 2016 (and expanding to District 1881 in downtown Chilliwack in 2020), Field House has become a beloved local hub.
Known for laid-back patios, beer lawns, farm-to-table canteen programs, run clubs, and weekly live music, Field House constantly pushes the envelope with everything from crushable ales and experimental IPAs to funky barrel-aged sours. Their Salted Lime Mexican Lager reflects that exact dedication to top-tier craftsmanship, local ingredients, and good times.
Ready to pop open a can of crisp refreshment? Head to your nearest Liquor Plus liquor store to pick up a four-pack of Field House Salted Lime Mexican Lager!
The Dish: Chef Heidi’s Chickpea, Sweet Potato & Coconut Curry Soup
This is not your average weeknight vegetable soup. Chef Heidi’s recipe is a masterclass in spice layering, texture, and depth.
It all begins with two distinct spice foundations: a dry mix of cumin, coriander, black pepper, garam masala, turmeric, and paprika, paired with a vibrant wet spice paste made from fresh ginger, garlic, red bell pepper, and jalapeño processed to a uniform smoothness. In a heavy-bottomed pot, whole cumin seeds sizzle before onions are sautéed until translucent and golden. The spices are bloomed in oil, with tomato passata and water simmering until the oil separates and pools on the surface to release maximum flavor.
Next comes rich vegetable stock, diced yams or sweet potatoes, and drained chickpeas, simmered until tender before finishing with velvety coconut milk, tomato paste, brown sugar, a splash of bright lime juice, fresh spinach (or kale), and a generous flurry of minced cilantro.
Grab the full recipe here: Chef Heidi’s Chickpea, Sweet Potato & Coconut Curry Soup
The Perfect Pairing: Why It Works
Pairing beer with a rich, spiced coconut curry can be tricky, but the Field House Salted Lime Mexican Lager hits every single note with absolute precision:
- Lime Meets Citrus & Spice: The soup features fresh lime juice, ginger, and garlic, echoing the hand-zested limes in the lager. The beer’s bright citrus profile amplifies the natural aromatics of the curry without missing a beat.
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Salinity Cuts the Richness: Coconut milk and sweet potatoes add a luscious, velvety body to the soup. The Vancouver Island sea salt in the lager acts as a natural flavor enhancer, cutting through the creamy richness and keeping each spoonful feeling light and balanced.
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Carbonation Cleanses the Palate: With so many complex spices, warm garam masala, and earthy chickpeas, your taste buds need a reset. The crisp, effervescent carbonation and clean finish of the Mexican lager sweep the palate clean, preparing you for the next bite of sweet potato and spice.
- Bridging Earthy and Crisp: The earthy, warming spices of turmeric and cumin are beautifully contrasted by the crisp, refreshing profile of a well-crafted lager, creating a dynamic interplay between warm comfort and cool refreshment.
Time to Defy the Weather Forecast
Who says you have to wait for patio season to enjoy a lime-forward, sea-salted lager? Sure, your neighbors might look at you sideways if you’re rocking a sun hat while shoveling the driveway, but the second they catch a whiff of Chef Heidi’s ginger-spiced, sweet-potato-packed curry drifting out your front door, they’ll be knocking with open glasses.
Forget playing by seasonal rules. This winter, we’re proving that an ice-cold, crisp craft beer and a blazing-hot, soul-warming curry are the ultimate culinary power couple. Head down to your local Liquor Plus to stock up on Field House Salted Lime Mexican Lager, raid Country Grocer for your produce, and tune in to Season 14, Episode 9 to see how it’s all done!
Liquor Plus Sponsors Cookin’ on the Coast
Each week, Liquor Plus sponsors the Pairings segment of Cookin’ on the Coast on CHEK. The show features unique food and drink pairings offered by BC suppliers, with recipes created by Chef Heidi Fink and sponsored by Country Grocer. All of the beverages featured on the program can be found in Liquor Plus stores across Vancouver Island.
