Along with experimenting with spices, one sure way to move towards Cooking to Impress is to experiment cooking with alcohol. There are a few things to remember. First, make sure your guest knows that there is alcohol in the meal. There are several reasons for this. Many people choice not to partake in alcohol. The reasons may be religious, personal, or even medical. Make sure your guest has the choice. Also, while some of the alcohol does burn off while cooking, not all of it does. Your guest show know their intake.
A second item to remember is that a little goes a long way. Many dishes that include alcohol may only have a few ounces. A third item is that different alcohols will add a different taste to a dish. Different wines will add to a meal in subtle but noticeable ways. Try a pasta sauce exchanging the alcohol and notice the difference. White wines and red wines will add a different flavor, and vodka is something totally different.
I used to go to 5-star restaurants occasionally. One of the things I noticed was that most of the time the chef’s specials and signature dishes were prepared with alcohol as one of the ingredients. That point alone should give you a hint on how this simple addition can raise the wow factor of your meals.
If you have not already done so, read the article about cooking with Alcohol to get you started. Then read some of the other articles using alcohol for “Cooking To Impress”.
Improve Your Cooking with Alcohol. I am not saying get your guest drunk before they eat, so they think you are a good cook, but cooking with alcohol. You will see many recipes that call for the use of alcohol. Beer, wine, and even spirits are used in cooking. I am sure everyone has tried […]
Announcing Harvey Mimosa Miss Mimosa is honored to announce the birth of Harvey Mimosa. Baby Harvey Mimosa weighs in at 6 ounces and shares the orange coloring of his mother as well as her sparkling personality. It is also apparent that there is a vanilla and anise taste present. The mother confirmed that there is […]
Picking up the wine glass in front of me, I look at the chardonnay I am about to taste. Following a slight swirl to release the aromas, then a sniff, a sip, and now it is time to savor the depth of this wonderful wine. Over the next few minutes, I continue to take […]
Coq au Vin, rooster in wine is a traditional French meal. This dish was designed to take a tough old rooster and transform it into an amazing meal. Roosters are not found in our modern markets, and hens are not as tough. Coq au Vin using your grocery store chicken does not need as long […]
