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Question for [livejournal.com profile] cookwitch or <user site="livejournal.com" user="bi

posted by [personal profile] mitchy at 06:43pm on 18/12/2005
So I don't drink wine (apart from champagne but that's a whole nother story), so I never buy it or have it in the house and I know notheeeeng about wines. So whenever I come across a recipe that wants a glass or more of wine or whatever, I'm lost. What sort of wine? Will any old wine do for cooking? Or should you get a decent quality wine? And if so, can I get it in quantities small enough so that I'm not left with a bottle of the stuff that I'll never drink? Any thoughts appreciated :)
Mood:: 'curious' curious
There are 13 comments on this entry. (Reply.)
 
posted by [identity profile] cookwitch.livejournal.com at 11:17am on 18/12/2005
I usually buy one of those mini bottles of white or red. 25cl I think. The rule is, usually, don't cook with what you won't drink but seeing as I don't drink that falls flat! I usually get a French or Italian, if that's any help. Sorry - that's about my limit! Most supermarket wines are pretty good anyway.
 
posted by [identity profile] mitchy.livejournal.com at 11:48am on 18/12/2005
Thaaank you :)
 
posted by [identity profile] smokingboot.livejournal.com at 11:36am on 18/12/2005
I was always told that a cheap thin red wine makes a cheap thin red stew; but I understand from people who can actually cook (ie not me beyond the theory!) that you can buy little bottles or cans of white/red from Tescos etc, that do the job just fine and are spot on for quantity.
 
posted by [identity profile] bibliogirl.livejournal.com at 11:44am on 18/12/2005
This is exactly what I do when I need wine for putting in something but don't want to drink the remainder; I keep a stock of the cans from Tesco. They are 1/3 bottle size (250 ml) which is usually pretty much what's needed. I haven't tried the red, but I wouldn't drink the white through choice ;)

Theoretically the better the wine, the better the outcome, but if you're just looking for something to throw in stew, sauces or that kind of thing, these are what you need.
 
posted by [identity profile] mitchy.livejournal.com at 11:49am on 18/12/2005
Excellent, that's good to know! It is for sauces and/or stews, so suits my needs perfectly :) Thank you, both!
 
posted by [identity profile] cookwitch.livejournal.com at 01:04pm on 18/12/2005
*nods*

Those cans are so useful and the quality isn't bad at all.
 
posted by (anonymous) at 11:37am on 18/12/2005
Well on one hand it's a bit of a waste to use a good quality wine for cooking when really it's unlikely to make all that much difference in taste to the food exactly how good the wine is.
On the other hand if you get something good then not only can you have a glass of it with your food but you can have a drink of it while cooking your food and hell you might as well finish it off after you've eaten :-)
I say you should teach yourself to like wine and your problems will be solved (although you may gain other problems).

As to the sort it depends on what you are cooking but mostly a good strong red 'cause there is usually no point in getting anything subtle.
Have you any recipe in mind?

- Titus
 
posted by [identity profile] mitchy.livejournal.com at 11:51am on 18/12/2005
I don't mind wine, but it doesn't like me - I used to drink it and now I think better of it :)

As I've replied above, I'm thinking mostly for sauces or stews, so the cans sound like a terrific compromise.

Thanks for the answer! Isn't it about time you got an LJ? :D
 
posted by [identity profile] jenni411.livejournal.com at 02:58pm on 18/12/2005
General rule of thumb is to never cook with anything you wouldn't drink on its own. Which doesn't help you, I know. *g* I guess a loose translation woul be, don't cook with anything they actually sell in the supermarket as "cooking wine" - it's vile.
 
posted by [identity profile] mitchy.livejournal.com at 03:02pm on 18/12/2005
*giggles* OK, that sounds like good advice! Thanks :)
 
posted by (anonymous) at 04:17pm on 18/12/2005
They actually sell "cooking wine"?
I thought that was just a phrase used to describe wine you get that tastes really, really bad!

Must get some and save it for guests I want to get rid of.

- Titus.
 
posted by [identity profile] therealsherbs.livejournal.com at 11:08pm on 18/12/2005
since we usually have wine in the house the problem doesn't usually arise but on the whole when wine gets cooked it makes little difference what it was like to start with, and if you find yourself inadvertently left with extra wine either cook something else with it or save it for me when I come to see you :)
 
posted by [identity profile] mitchy.livejournal.com at 10:54am on 19/12/2005
I like the way you think :D

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