To feed my 2 year old and 9 month old beef bourgignon made with a whole bottle of red wine? It will have cooked for 3 hours but can't remember if the cooking off the alcohol is a myth?

[Anotheronesoon]

Am cooking a huge beef bourgignon which has a whole bottle of red in it. My kids love stews but as they are only 2 years and 9 months should I not give them this?

I'd feed it to the toddler. Not so sure about the baby!

Of course. Beef bourginion is the main reason my children love France in winter! Almost more than the snow!

Although we often cook with alcohol. Beef and ale pie Xmas eve, and always add white wine to risotto

I'd give it to them if cooked on the hob. I didn't give the same dish to my then-baby when I made it in the slow cooker... would love an opinion from chefs or chemists about whether alcohol can be 'killed' as I don't really know what happens to it when it evaporates (condenses on kitchen cupboards? Ceiling??! Would I get pissed if I licked my kitchen ceiling above the hob?! Ewwww...)

My 3 yo DD loves beef bourguignon and has never appeared intoxicated afterwards (at least no more so than 3 yo's usually do!)

It'll be fine.

It wasn't until I joined that I became aware of people angsting over feeding their children food cooked with alcohol. The real sin would be to deny your own flesh and blood the joy of a slow cooked boeuf bourgignon.

OP- I now want to eat boeuf bourgignon and my smoked salmon pasta just won't seem the same now. :(

From the link above:

Alcohol Burn-off Chart

The following chart data comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture with information on how much alcohol remains in your food with specific cooking methods. Keep in mind that this is the percentage of alcohol remaining of the original addition.
For more detailed information and explanation, consult the full article on Cooking With Alcohol and Alcohol Substitutions, which includes important information about how much alcohol remains in cooked foods and caution when using alcohol in frozen foods, plus tips and hints to help you make the right substitution choice. For alcohol substitutions, consult the Alcohol Substitution Chart.

Alcohol Burn-off Chart
Preparation Method Percent Retained
alcohol added to boiling liquid & removed from heat 85%
alcohol flamed 75%
no heat, stored overnight 70%
baked, 25 minutes, alcohol not stirred into mixture 45%
Baked/simmered dishes with alcohol stirred into mixture:
15 minutes cooking time 40%
30 minutes cooking time 35%
1 hour cooking time 25%
1.5 hours cooking time 20%
2 hours cooking time 10%
2.5 hours cooking time 5%

I presume the US Dept Ag did the required chemical tests to produce this chart, is that good enough for you?

Sounds lush...can we have the recipe please?

Thanks all it was rather delicious and kids are having it for supper tonight! Never used to worry about these things until I started reading mumsnet! It's the bbc good food recipe and I cooked it for longer than stated - I always find the longer the better for these kind of dishes! Husband is making beef goulash for dinner with friends tonight so may have to lay off the red meat next week! Thanks for advice!

I wouldn't be at all worried about the alcohol, but for the nine month old is it low enough in salt? Did you add much or use stock cubes? Those would be my only considerations. Enjoy

I never worry about alcohol in cooking, it all evaporates off at approx 70 degrees anyway

It doesn't all evaporate off, and it depends on how long you cook it for as stated above.

I would feckin' worry about it too much though ^^

The alcohol would break down with the heat even if the lid is on.

sounds delish, I'd feed it to my kids. Mine also love pears poached in red wine (but are a bit older..)

On my way op to your for dinner. What wine do you like with your meal? On a serious point i dont see a problem but think id give alot of washed potato. Lucky dc!!!!!

I want some.

My DD (7) had some amaretto tiramasu for dessert and a sip of bucks fizz, she was fine.

Recipe please

Sounds delicious. Lucky children. I really love to see children enjoying good food.

Cooking slowly definitely makes for better flavour - with dishes like the beef and casseroles, chilli etc, cooking the day before you eat it also makes the flavour better.

Feel hungry now!