cooking with wine/alcohol?

ashellypnut

Does anyone know the rule of thumb with this? For example: chicken franchiase made with white wine or penne alla vodka...

I always thought the alcohol cooks out when you let it simmer  for a few minutes but then I read that that's not always true!  Help! 

lovelyday39

I make risotto and a lemon chicken w/white wine and penne a la vodka all of the time and don't even give it a second thought. There's prob less than a tbsp of alcohol per serving and over half of that burns off.

jglenn4

I wouldn't worry about it.  It's such a negligible amount after some of it burns off.  

danuli8

Eh. There's only one dish I won't make because it contains a cup of red wine for only four servings. That seems a bit much even after some of it burns off, but there are dishes I make with, say, a quarter cup of white wine for 6 servings (totally okay) or those with just a splash for flavoring (not even worth mentioning).

I wouldn't worry unless the per-serving amount of alcohol comes out to more than you feel comfortable with.

Abeille

I still cook with alcohol. You gotta live a little.

Millivanilli

I've been having a glass of wine a week since my 2nd tri and think it's the best mindbody pregnancy decision I've made to date. I say cook away!!

mommyof2many

99% of the alcohol is cooked out. I am very sensitive to vodka and I do not taste the alcohol whatsoever in my food. Only the flavor of the vodka. You only usually use a dash of wine/alcohol in your cooking and most of it is all cooked away, so I wouldn't be concerned if I were you. The same goes for cooking away bacteria in raw foods...it may not taste great, but it's harmless since all the bacteria is cooked out.

MT-Head

I am another naughty one who has had the occasional glass of wine during my pregnancy (maybe twice a month since Thanksgiving). 

Actually, if the alcohol is added to boiling liquids then pulled off the heat, 85% will be retained.  If it is a baked dish with alcohol mixed in, nearly 50% will burn off in a half an hour, and only about 5% will be left after 2 hours.  If you are concerned, opt for the baked dishes over the stovetop/flambe ones.

kje120

I wouldn't worry about it.

technigirl

Most of the alcohol burns out after about 10 minutes of boiling.  It's really not anything to worry about.   I always just make sure I can't taste any alcohol before I serve it.

Also, do you plan to never cook with alcohol again?  Because if you're worried about a little being in there while you're pregnant, what happens when your baby starts eating dinner with you?   I've cooked many dishes with alcohol for my now-2-year-old, and she's never gotten drunk off of them.  

ashellypnut

Thanks ladies! I appreciate your advice! Cheers (lol)!

clairmeij

I often deglaze pans with up to two glasses of wine for only two or the servings. The point is you're supposed to cook out the alcohol and reduce the liquid when cooking this way. I am not drinking while pregnant and I'm not worried at all about cooking with booze.

lovelyday39

PS- I also made a delicious beef stew that contained a whole can of beer (it also cooked for 3 hours ) this weekend. Best stuff ever!! Enjoyed every bite, guilt free.

Hollywogg

Oooh. Would you mind sharing the beef stew recipe? Sounds delicious!