If you're alcoholic...

[HangingOver]

Do you cook with alcohol? I'm nearly 5 years sober and just started using red wine in a certain recipe (the little stock pot things aren't as good). Being so near the sight and smell of it is pretty strange. I buy a tiny bottle just for the recipe and put it all in.

Just curious.

That's a good question! Is the alcohol important for the cooking or not? I could definitely try it!

Judging by the aggression on here at my alternative thoughts , I can see who's recovery method I'd want. And that's mine.

I'll bow out now.

More than happy to take my posts off (as I have ) it's no skin off my nose 😀

I will not be contributing further as requested

Happy Friday to all !

I think something like tiramisu where you can taste the alcohol, definitely avoid, but a tiny splash of red wine in say spag Bol, you literally can’t taste the alcohol at all as its burnt off during cooking. It adds a richness and depth to the bolognaise that makes it nicer.

They say dark chocolate (a tiny bit) can also add richness and depth to bolognaise,

Wow. What awfulness on this thread. No one is coming off well.

So 25% of 12% vino is presumably not very much 🤔

I've always found the AF red wines a bit sweet but it's been a looooooong time since I drank one, pre-sobriey. Are they good now @ejmog

Wouldn’t the problem be that you’ve bought a bottle of wine and have it ready available to drink? No matter how small it is, breaking that boundary is presumably the problem?

Yes, probably not loads. I offer that info with zero opinion or judgement.

I don't know if anyone other addicts can relate to this feeling but I would be uncomfortable with an open bottle of red wine in the house because of the "what if I suddenly randomly go psychotic and drink it/sleep walk and drink it/other ridiculous scenarios" thoughts. Which makes me think it's an intrusive thought rather than a real risk.

I understand in a beef Stew ect wine is considered for the taste but honestly alcohol fre works aswell same as tirimisu ect

@Jalapenosplease - wow, I thought your replies were interesting and helpful!

so did I.

I'm so pleased to hear that. Thankyou. I did actually feel a bit shocked if I'm honest at the responses.

I won't go on about it, as the op didn't ask for my opinions on her recovery method, so that wouldn't be fair of me to derail her thread.

But when I see fellow women so disempowered by a 1930s book written by men for men , I can't help but want to say "you don't have to live like that! You aren't this hopeless alcoholic who can't even walk past the wine aisle in Asda! You're a strong woman who's very likely had trauma and can live your life in an empowered way! " There's so many empowering books now on sober women and so many wonderful podcasts breaking down the harms of these stigmatising labels and practices - especially to women. And there's just so many of us - women who've had trauma , who got stuck in a cycle of alcohol abuse or addiction, who are just "humans" that can heal from the trauma and live life like other normal (slightly fucked up! 😁) humans. We're not defective, or immoral, or "different to normies". Anyway, I could go on and on...

But I'm free! And happy and I was once in an extremely dark place. Its hard not to want to "free " others ! I guess that's not my place.

I certainly didn't mean to cause offence.

Anyway, if one woman read my posts (and deleted links 😄) and gains a sense of empowerment then my job is done.

Sorry for my long response and thanks so much for your support 🙂

But if a recipe that requires it for depth and flavour and it’s a small bottle of wine than gets chucked afterwards.

I just add a bit of balsamic vinegar instead of wine.

@Jalapenosplease The OP was not asking for your method of recovery! There is no way you have years of recovery behind you,I do and never,ever tell anyone else which recovery path to follow,it’s nothing to do with me or you either.

The OP wants advice about using alcohol in cooking,she is an alcoholic,you clearly are not!

Do as you said you were going to do and get off this thread and start your own,about how wonderful you are and the over 2 million people worldwide in AA are not.

My brother, sober for 30 years, is very rigid about no alcohol in any food. Makes sense to me so I take great care to comply. But I can see it is up to the individual what works for them.

I do, I’m not triggered by alcohol in things. My issue was sitting in front of the telly with a bottle of wine - 750 ml one

that said I can’t bear the taste of alcohol now, my husband made crepe suzette recently and there was only a spoon of grand marnier in the whole serving for 4 people and I found it too overpowering

but I’d use some red wine in a bolognese or something

I’m 9 years sober. I don’t have alcohol in the house usually, but if I’m cooking and need red wine, I buy it, use what I need and pour the rest down the sink. I also have friends over regularly for dinner - they drink - bring wine and spirits with them and I have no problem with that whatsoever.

Not drinking for me now is a total change of mindset. I stopped because I’d hit absolute rock bottom and had just about destroyed my life and everything good in it. I vowed never to touch alcohol again and I won’t. Having it near me doesn’t bother me, I can pour a glass of wine or mix a vodka for friends without batting an eyelid. I’m strong enough not to even want to touch the stuff and I don’t find it difficult at all.

I suppose it’s very individual. I have no desire to drink any more - 3.5 years sober. There’s a half bottle of wine open in my fridge that my husband and son had a glass of the other day and I’ve got zero interest in it. I think there might be an open bottle of red somewhere too. Not sure

I would be interested in a thread if you wanted to start one

I think that’s a bit unnecessary. AA is an amazing org and has saved many lives but it’s far from the only way for someone addicted to alcohol to get sober

I’ve been sober five years and I happily cook with alcohol. My DP still drinks (although rarely) so we still have alcohol in the house. I also wouldn’t have an issue with sherry trifle. I can’t see myself getting drunk on tiramisu, so for me that’s not a problem. I will also have cough mixture with alcohol in.

I guess we need to find what works for us individually but as long as I’m not actually drinking the stuff, I still count myself as sober.

Having said that, I rarely do cook with alcohol. But if a recipe really needed it I would.

Over 5 years sober here. Personally, for me, that would be too risky, and I'd see it as breaking my sobriety.

Thankyou so much 😀

One poster stated she doubted I had years of recovery. I don't use the word 'recovery' but I do indeed have years of living sober 😀.

I may start a thread at some point. I often help other women in response but have never thought to start my own thread. Food for thought !