Let’s face it – not everyone can pound liquor like Anthony Bourdain. But alcohol is useful for more than just memorable (or unmemorable) nights out; see how to intoxicate your cooking in a way that won’t give you beer goggles.

Will using alcohol in cooking lead to bad decisions and a nasty hangover? Not likely. But even though alcohol’s flavor may become milder with cooking, the alcohol is not eradicated after a mere few minutes of boiling or simmering. To remove the majority of the alcohol, a dish must be cooked for three hours. After about 2.5 hours of simmering or baking a dish with alcohol, about 5 percent of the alcohol remains. The bright burst of flavor from the alcohol is what you’re looking to grasp.

Can I get rid of my cheap leftover alcohol by using it in cooking? You can, but it probably won’t taste so great. Cooking concentrates the flavor of alcohol, so the better the quality of the wine or liquor you use, the tastier your dish will be. Of course, that doesn’t mean you have to buy a fancy bottle to use for cooking; just make sure it's a wine you would enjoy drinking, and avoid "cooking" wines, which usually have additives and salt.

Giving you a delicious dose of the weird and wonderful things going on in the world of food . . .  

Starbucks just says no – to corn syrup. The chain’s baked goods are now free of corn syrup. Also check for a new salad to pair with your Frappucino.
Dream of eating meat seductively…for money? Respond to this ad and you just might be the next fast food porn star
Remembering MJ via flour, water and sugar? Are Michael Jackson cakes really a way of commemorating the King of Pop?
Let’s Talk Food. Update your culinary lingo with a dictionary of modern gastronomical terms 

Bringing the farm to the bar. Mixologists prefer organic goods for crafting beverages
Welcome to a good month. Mayor Mike Bloomberg will officially declare July “Good Beer Month” today in front of City Hall
Rock out with more than a Grand Slam. Denny’s hopes to attract the late-night crowd with dishes created by famous musicians, such as Good Charlotte’s burritos.

Photo courtesy of www.flickr.com

Giving you a delicious dose of the weird and wonderful things going on in the world of food . . .

Dangerously Cheesy.  Couple throws cheetos in a fight
Hook it up. Modern shopping cart can help carless city folk, but you can’t ride in it

Bacterial beef. Latest food recall includes 380,000 pounds of beef from JBS Swift Beef Co.

Revisiting the Mediterranean Method.  Eating olive oil, veggies and legumes leads to longer life, study shows
Lunch with Obama.  Obama Deli & Grocery set to open in Brooklyn 
Diners on the Run.  Restaurant owner sends mass newsletter to catch dine-and-dashers
Sushi is forever (diamond sushi, that is).  Jessica and Susan Partain create food jewelry
Keepin’ it local.  Brooklyn’s UnFancy Food Show focused on organic goods

Image courtesy of www.etsy.com

 The Fancy Food Show is always an exercise in pure gluttony—one can test the limits of her stomach via endless samples of cheese, chocolate, crackers, sauces, cheese straws and many more…It’s a hard job but someone has to comb through the mediocrity and determine the best stuff available. This show (going on through Tuesday June 30), like year’s past, offered an array of delicious and not so delicious finds. Either way, there wasn’t much evidence of a recession, people were surely eating like kings. Our favorites:

Garcomex Coffee de Olla (Mexico)

Bovetti Chocolate

An unpredictably heavenly combination: fennel with white chocolate! Made with pure cocoa butter, these are deliciously smooth and earthy.