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Original poster

Replacement for cooking with wine.

27 replies

LRB978 · 14/02/2015 19:35

If a recipe calls for 200ml double cream, 80ml wine, and 12ml lemon juice, what can the wine be replaced with? Or can the cream just be increased to 280ml? Is a prawn and asparagus pasta, but is going to be served shortly before people have to drive home and there are concerns about the alcohol. (Concerns won't be neutralized, so wine needs removing)

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BIWI · 14/02/2015 19:39

If you cook with wine, the alcohol is cooked out. No need to worry. The only way in which alcohol in food would be an issue for a driver is if you make something like a sherry trifle, where the sherry is in its 'raw' state, rather than being cooked.

Don't bother to tell anyone - if they still think the alcohol will be a problem they are the silly ones! Honestly, once you've heated up the sauce/boiled it, you have driven all the alcohol off.

Lweji · 14/02/2015 19:39

If it's a cooked recipe, the alcohol will evaporate, FGS.
If not, the entire meal includes 80ml wine, it's hardly a glass divided by a few people and won't cause any problems anyway.

BananaPie · 14/02/2015 19:39

Water rather than cream I'd say (although concerns are unfounded!)

Lweji · 14/02/2015 19:41

80ml is just over a miniature wine bottle. Tiny.

TheChickenSituation · 14/02/2015 19:41

Gosh, seriously? They're concerned about being over the limit from prawn and asparagus pasta?!

I've heard it all now.

Lweji · 14/02/2015 19:43

Why don't you ring the local police and ask them about it?

They probably need a laugh.

butterfliesinmytummy · 14/02/2015 19:47

Either don't tell them or replace with veggie stock.

Original poster
LRB978 · 14/02/2015 19:51

The one in question is a) the chef, b) not driving afterwards and c) used to work for the police and has seen too many results of drink and driving. Although well aware it is under the limit it is something they prefer not to do, and I fully respect that. ?? As I said, concerns won't be negated thus the wine needs to be. That given, is it water, more cream, not worry about it at all, or something else.

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Original poster
LRB978 · 14/02/2015 19:53

Grrr ?? should be Grin

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MarieJeanne · 14/02/2015 19:55

There will be zero alcohol once it's cooked.

BIWI · 14/02/2015 20:08

There won't be anything to be near any limit! And I'm Shock that a chef wouldn't know that alcohol cooks out quickly!

It will taste totally different without the wine. I'm sure it will taste good, but wine adds a depth of flavour, whereas if you just add more cream, it will become very bland.

You could add more lemon juice as well, that would help. And possibly try lime juice instead of lemon, as it has a rather more subtle flavour.

TheChickenSituation · 14/02/2015 20:09

Seriously, if you're dealing with that level if paranoia, just cook something else. Confused

Lweji · 14/02/2015 20:11

show him the thread? :)

TheChickenSituation · 14/02/2015 20:12

If this was seriously an issue, SS would be getting involved every time a toddler was served up coq au vin.

Methe · 14/02/2015 20:12

Well. Whatever you do you definitely cannot substitute the wine for more cream, it would have absolutely no flavour at all.

Lweji · 14/02/2015 20:12

Distract him and pour wine into it. :)

Pippidoeswhatshewants · 14/02/2015 20:14

I think this might be to save somebody the embarrassment of admitting they are alcoholics, but in any case you can substitute white wine 1:1 with Apple juice.

PrincessOfChina · 14/02/2015 20:14

I've been drinking natureo no alcohol wine while pregnant and have thrown in risotto to good effect. Maybe try that if you can get it?

TheChickenSituation · 14/02/2015 20:14

Look. You can sunstitute with stock. But it's going to completely alter the taste, hence why the recipe calls for wine and not ... a second rate alternative.

Just make yer man a ham sandwich and send him in his not so merry way.

JustTryEverything · 14/02/2015 20:17

Choose another dish - with so few ingredients it will be really lacking without the acidity and depth of the wine. Could you do a prawn and asparagus quiche or tart instead? At a push, you could maybe use boursin cheese with a bit of cream and lemon, that would make a nice sauce.

bonzo77 · 14/02/2015 20:23

Use stock or non alcoholic wine. But the person who thinks that 80ml of wine, cooked and then shared between 4 people is going to impact anyone's ability to drive is an ignoramus.

NightFallsFast · 14/02/2015 20:24

I would get an alcohol free wine or grape juice. I have done this for someone who doesn't have alcohol for religious reasons and it was fine- only marginally different.

DrSeuss · 14/02/2015 20:31

Nightfalls- how does that turn out, flavour wise? I have Muslim friends and so avoid any alcohol when cooking for them. Does risotto still taste good?

Original poster
LRB978 · 14/02/2015 20:40

Well, I've had a laugh at this thread, and am hiding my phone, cos I certainly ain't showing him it Grin, I am currently getting mutterings from the other side of the rom about the 'helpfulness' of the sainted site of mumsnet. My nickname for him is Mr Cautious (outs self to all who know us), it isnt the first time he's seemed to be ott over something most people won't blink at, but I'm not gonna change him, and tbh I don't want to, he wouldn't be him if I did :). Relationship dissection over, thank you to the sensible replies of stock, grape juice, apple juice or non alcoholic wine, whatever he goes with will be lovely because he who doesn't do valentines day (hallmark holiday) is making me a meal he hasn't made before.

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Original poster
LRB978 · 14/02/2015 20:42

Or maybe the door will be shown, he is now muttering about garlic flavoured wine - I am intolerant to garlic as he well knows Hmm. Think I best say thank you all and go snuggle him into forgetting about that particular idea Grin

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