9 Ways To Cook With Wine That No True Wino Can Resist
The saying “You can’t have your cake and eat it, too” is applied to way too many aspects of daily life. We know for a fact there is one area where it just simply isn’t true, and that’s cooking with wine. You see, there are several recipes we have discovered that will allow you to literally drink your glass of wine, and eat good food at the same time. Because you really do deserve it all, here are nine ways to cook with wine no true wino will be able to resist.
Red Wine Brownies
While these may not get you drunk since most of the alcohol will be cooked out by the time they’re done, they’ll still be the richest brownies you may have ever had in your life. Baking is extremely precise so you need to be careful, but it’s pretty safe to say all you need to do to make these beauties is just use red wine instead of water or milk. Since we can be kind of lazy when it comes to baking, feel free to grab your favorite boxed brownie mix from the store and go to town. If you are looking for a little buzz, these would obviously serve as a great accompaniment to actual red wine.
Beef Bourguignon
The French pretty much run the game when it comes to cooking with wine. There are numerous traditional dishes that involve your favorite booze, and beef bourguignon is just one of them. While this dish is a labor of love, it’s so comforting you won’t mind that it’ll take you over an hour to make. To start, heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven (or other pan that is oven-safe) on the stove. Salt and pepper 2 ½ pounds of chuck roast, cut into cubes, add to the pan, and cook until browned. Once this has been accomplished, remove the chunks of beef to a separate plate. Then, add some diced carrots and onions to the pan, sautee until cooked, and then throw in ½ cup of cognac and light it on fire! This is the fun part. Once the cognac has been cooked off, add the cooked beef chunks, 1 bottle of wine, and enough chicken or beef broth to cover all ingredients. Place in the oven for about an hour and fifteen minutes, or until the beef chunks are so tender they fall apart with the slightest touch of a fork. If you want, add some flour to thicken the mixture, and voila! you have dinner.
Red Wine Pasta
Making red wine pasta is so simple, it’s no wonder people are obsessed with the stuff. All you need to do is go halfsies with water and wine in a large pot, and bring to a boil. Once the liquid is boiling, you add your pasta and cook to its desired consistency, just like any other time you’ve made the stuff. You’ll end up with perfect al dente pasta with a beautiful red hue, which we’re sure will impress your friends. If you’re feeling really ambitious, why not whip up a red wine cream sauce to go with it?
Chicken Piccata
Chicken piccata is a traditional Italian dish and one of the best ways to use up that white wine that’s been sitting in your fridge for God knows how long. To make this dish, first heat some olive oil or butter in a pan. Then, take a couple chicken breasts and pound it with a hammer or rolling pin until it is fairly flat. Coat the chicken breast in a bit of flour or cornstarch, so it will brown nicely. Once the oil or butter has been heated, add the chicken breasts, and sautee until browned on each side. When the breasts are cooked, remove them to a plate. Now it’s time to “deglaze” the pan by adding about ¼ cup of white wine to the mix. Cook the wine until the liquid in the pan is back to its original amount, which means the alcohol is cooked off. Then add butter, capers, and juice from half a lemon and stir until you’ve reached a sauce-like consistency. Place the chicken breasts back into the pan to soak up all that goodness, and then serve over pasta, quinoa, spaghetti squash, or literally any type of carby food you want.
Red Wine Poached Pears
Serving poached pears for dessert is the perfect way to impress any house guest because they’re visually stunning, but pretty easy to make. To start, pour a bottle of red wine and an equal amount of water into a soup pot or large saucepan and bring to a light simmer. Peel however many pears you want to make, and then place them in the liquid along with 2 cups of sugar and whatever spices you’re feeling, like cinnamon or vanilla bean. Let the pears cook in the simmering liquid for about 20 minutes, then turn the heat off or place the entire pot in the fridge until both the liquid and the pears are fully cooled. By this point, you’re pretty much done, so serve those babies up with some homemade whipped cream or ice cream and you’ve got dessert.
Bacon & Sweet Potato Hash
This bacon and sweet potato hash is a perfect way to consume wine with breakfast without it seeming sketchy. To make this easy breakfast dish, peel and dice a sweet potato. Dice a couple slices of bacon and heat in a frying pan. Once the bacon is nearly cooked and has rendered some nice fat, add the chunks of sweet potato and whatever other veggies you want like leeks or asparagus. Cook the mixture for a minute or two, or until the sweet potatoes brown a bit on the outside. Then, grab about ¼ cup of white wine from the fridge and pour into the frying pan. Cook until majority of the wine has evaporated, and serve!
Wine Popsicles
Wine popsicles are the perfect treat no matter the season or occasion. Making popsicles is always fun since they’re a blank canvas – you can put whatever you want in them, and chances are they’ll always be delicious. To make our go-to wine pops, you’ll need one cup of wine (red or white, whatever you want), 2 tablespoons of sugar, and whatever fruit you think will go best with your wine choice. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Then, place the mixture in a popsicle mold, or a few small Dixie cups with a wooden popsicle stick if you don’t have the proper equipment. All you need to do is place the mixture in the freezer until the liquid is frozen, and then you’re free to enjoy.
Red Wine Truffles
You don’t have to be a sommelier to know that chocolate and red wine is one of the best combinations on this Earth. You can eat your little chocolate squares with your nightly glass of wine as much as you want, but we’ve found a way to to combine the two that’s too good not to share: red wine truffles. All you’ll need is eight ounces of baking chocolate, ½ cup heavy cream, and ½ cup of your favorite red wine. Coarsely chop the chocolate and place in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds, and then remove the bowl and stir. Repeat this process until the chocolate is fully melted. While you’re cooking the chocolate, heat the cream in a small saucepan until small bubbles start to form. Add the warmed cream to the chocolate mixture, add your ½ cupe wine, and stir until incorporated. Pour the mixture into a glass baking dish and place in the fridge for about 4 hours. Then, take small scoops and roll into balls. Coat with your desired garnish – like shredded coconut or cocoa powder – and serve!
Red Wine Bread
Making bread can be extremely complex, but there are a few simple recipes out there if you look hard enough. This is one that seems fairly easy to make, and calls for red wine so basically it’s the bomb. In a large bowl, combine 3 cups flour, 1 tablespoon baking soda, and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Slowly mix in 1 ½ cups of red wine and knead for about five minutes on a cutting board or countertop that has been sprinkled with flour so the dough doesn’t stick. This part is important so the sugars in the mixture can get the oxidation process rolling. Once you’ve kneaded your dough, mold it into whatever shape you desire. Then brush with butter or olive oil, and create a slash in the top of the dough so the bread can breathe throughout the cooking process. Place the dough on a baking sheet with parchment paper, and bake for 30-35 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit, or until bread is fully cooked. Enjoy with some cheese and charcuterie, and a glass of red wine for good measure.
