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  #1 (permalink)   Report Post  
Richard Periut
 
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Default Vodka sauce question.

Recently I tasted a vodka sauce recipe from a local Italian Ma & Pa
place. The place is very good; byob, quick service, and the best Italian
food in the area.

I ordered a Penne a la Vodka as a side dish, and found it quite good.
However, my questions a

1 Vodka is pretty much tasteless, so what does it give the dish?

2 The ETOH of the vodka evaporates during cooking; and considering that
vodka is 40% ETOH by volume, what is left is H20 and some residual
unfermentable sugars, et cetera.

3 I can see adding a nice splash to a sauce already made; but the
recipes I've seen, don't call for that.

Any opinions on the matter?

Regards,

Rich
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Dum spiro, spero. (Cicero) As long as I breathe, I hope.

  #2 (permalink)   Report Post  
sf
 
Posts: n/a
Default Vodka sauce question.

On Sun, 08 Feb 2004 02:37:07 GMT, Richard Periut
> wrote:

> Any opinions on the matter?
>

I don't think "vodka" sauce is anything special.

I have the same objections to it that I have against most
restaurant tomato sauces served over pasta... it's too bland
to order again.


Practice safe eating - always use condiments
  #3 (permalink)   Report Post  
Rodney Myrvaagnes
 
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Default Vodka sauce question.

On Sun, 08 Feb 2004 03:40:49 GMT, sf > wrote:

>On Sun, 08 Feb 2004 02:37:07 GMT, Richard Periut
> wrote:
>
>> Any opinions on the matter?
>>

>I don't think "vodka" sauce is anything special.
>
>I have the same objections to it that I have against most
>restaurant tomato sauces served over pasta... it's too bland
>to order again.


I am baffled. Is vodka sauce the same at all restaurants?



Rodney Myrvaagnes NYC J36 Gjo/a


"Be careful. The toe you stepped on yesterday may be connected to the ass you have to kiss today." --Former mayor Ciancia
  #4 (permalink)   Report Post  
sf
 
Posts: n/a
Default Vodka sauce question.

On Sun, 08 Feb 2004 21:54:05 -0500, Rodney Myrvaagnes
> wrote:

> On Sun, 08 Feb 2004 03:40:49 GMT, sf > wrote:
>
> >On Sun, 08 Feb 2004 02:37:07 GMT, Richard Periut
> > wrote:
> >
> >> Any opinions on the matter?
> >>

> >I don't think "vodka" sauce is anything special.
> >
> >I have the same objections to it that I have against most
> >restaurant tomato sauces served over pasta... it's too bland
> >to order again.

>
> I am baffled. Is vodka sauce the same at all restaurants?
>


<thanks for asking> A: I have absolutely NO idea!

I live in a big city which is famed for Italian food
(originally, Sicilian - now we have more regions). I tried
it at a local restaurant which is famed for Vodka Sauce but
I didn't think the dish lived up to its mystique. I was SO
dissapointed, it didn't rate a retry (anywhere) for me.

Please don't let my opinion color your thinking, because I
don't like most restaurant produced tomato based sauces
(yes, I'm picky). The mystique of vodka sauce completely
escapes me, but maybe you will find a nuance that I've
missed.

I have my opinion, but you are free to have a different one.

:-)


Practice safe eating - always use condiments
  #5 (permalink)   Report Post  
Wayne Boatwright
 
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Default Vodka sauce question.

sf > wrote in
:

> On Sun, 08 Feb 2004 21:54:05 -0500, Rodney Myrvaagnes
> > wrote:
>
>> On Sun, 08 Feb 2004 03:40:49 GMT, sf >

wrote:
>>
>> >On Sun, 08 Feb 2004 02:37:07 GMT, Richard Periut
>> > wrote:
>> >
>> >> Any opinions on the matter?
>> >>
>> >I don't think "vodka" sauce is anything special.
>> >
>> >I have the same objections to it that I have against most
>> >restaurant tomato sauces served over pasta... it's too

bland
>> >to order again.

>>
>> I am baffled. Is vodka sauce the same at all restaurants?
>>

>
> <thanks for asking> A: I have absolutely NO idea!
>
> I live in a big city which is famed for Italian food
> (originally, Sicilian - now we have more regions). I tried
> it at a local restaurant which is famed for Vodka Sauce but
> I didn't think the dish lived up to its mystique. I was SO
> dissapointed, it didn't rate a retry (anywhere) for me.
>
> Please don't let my opinion color your thinking, because I
> don't like most restaurant produced tomato based sauces
> (yes, I'm picky). The mystique of vodka sauce completely
> escapes me, but maybe you will find a nuance that I've
> missed.
>
> I have my opinion, but you are free to have a different one.
>
>:-)


About the only way I can enjoy vodka is in a spicy bloody mary
or in
orange or grapefruit juice. Otherwise, it simply tastes like
rubbing
alcohol to me and I've never understood it's strong attraction
to so
many. I doubt that I'd have even bothered trying a vodka
sauce. It
certainly doesn't offer the much flavor (apart from the
alcohol taste)
like other liquors.

JMO
Wayne



  #6 (permalink)   Report Post  
sf
 
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Default Vodka sauce question.

On Mon, 09 Feb 2004 06:11:58 GMT, Wayne Boatwright
> wrote:

> sf > wrote in
> :
>
> > On Sun, 08 Feb 2004 21:54:05 -0500, Rodney Myrvaagnes
> > > wrote:


> >>
> >> I am baffled. Is vodka sauce the same at all restaurants?
> >>

> >
> > <thanks for asking> A: I have absolutely NO idea!


>
> About the only way I can enjoy vodka is in a spicy bloody mary
> or in
> orange or grapefruit juice. Otherwise, it simply tastes like
> rubbing alcohol to me and I've never understood it's strong attraction
> to so many. I doubt that I'd have even bothered trying a vodka
> sauce. It certainly doesn't offer the much flavor (apart from the
> alcohol taste) like other liquors .


OH, Wayne... have you bought into the current "alternative"
martinis? They are like the modern daiquiris and
margaritas.

Try Absolute Orange with a "splash" of Grand Marnier (or
Triple Sec, to be frugal). It's Absolutely to die for!!!!!

Alternatively, try Absolute Kurrant with a splash of
Chambord... which you can dilute with cranberry juice, if
you wish. It's not as good as the orange (IMO), but far
better than an appletini.



Practice safe eating - always use condiments
  #7 (permalink)   Report Post  
blake murphy
 
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Default Vodka sauce question.

On Mon, 09 Feb 2004 06:11:58 GMT, Wayne Boatwright
> wrote:
>
>About the only way I can enjoy vodka is in a spicy bloody mary
>or in
>orange or grapefruit juice.


>Wayne


give it a whack with pineapple juice sometime.

your pal,
blake
  #8 (permalink)   Report Post  
kilikini
 
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Default Vodka sauce question.


(snip)

> I am baffled. Is vodka sauce the same at all restaurants?
>
>
>
> Rodney Myrvaagnes NYC J36 Gjo/a
>
>
> "Be careful. The toe you stepped on yesterday may be connected to the ass

you have to kiss today." --Former mayor Ciancia

That's a good question! One of the best cheaper Italian Restaurants here on
Maui (Marco's) has a FABULOUS vodka sauce. Theirs is a pink colored,
tomato-cream sauce with pancetta bits served over a ziti-like pasta. It's
wonderful! They have a lunch appetizer for about $12.00 that I can get two
meals out of. Their dinner portion sells for about $28.00 and I can get 4
meals out of that. It's so rich and good.

kili


  #9 (permalink)   Report Post  
alzelt
 
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Default Vodka sauce question.



Richard Periut wrote:
> Recently I tasted a vodka sauce recipe from a local Italian Ma & Pa
> place. The place is very good; byob, quick service, and the best Italian
> food in the area.
>
> I ordered a Penne a la Vodka as a side dish, and found it quite good.
> However, my questions a
>
> 1 Vodka is pretty much tasteless, so what does it give the dish?
>
> 2 The ETOH of the vodka evaporates during cooking; and considering that
> vodka is 40% ETOH by volume, what is left is H20 and some residual
> unfermentable sugars, et cetera.
>
> 3 I can see adding a nice splash to a sauce already made; but the
> recipes I've seen, don't call for that.
>
> Any opinions on the matter?
>
> Regards,
>
> Rich


Rich,

The vodka is present courtesy of a local contest in Italy where recipes
were to contain some vodka (guess who sponsored the contest?). Stop
trying to rationalize what was never intended. It was never designed to
do anything. And it does it so well!!!
--
Alan

"If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion, and
avoid the people, you might better stay home."
--James Michener

  #10 (permalink)   Report Post  
Frogleg
 
Posts: n/a
Default Vodka sauce question.

On Sun, 08 Feb 2004 04:44:26 GMT, alzelt
> wrote:
>
>Richard Periut wrote:


>> I ordered a Penne a la Vodka as a side dish, and found it quite good.
>> However, my questions a
>>
>> 1 Vodka is pretty much tasteless, so what does it give the dish?

>
>The vodka is present courtesy of a local contest in Italy where recipes
>were to contain some vodka (guess who sponsored the contest?). Stop
>trying to rationalize what was never intended. It was never designed to
>do anything. And it does it so well!!!


This sounds like the most likely explanation to me. I recently read an
interesting article (which I did not bookmark) by a (newspaper?
magazine?) food writer who felt a little guilty about joining a flock
of food writers accepting an all expense paid trip and presentations
sponsored by, I think, olive oil companies. The next month all the
food pages were full of OO recipes and comparisons and suggestions to
taste and compare. Beware when a flood of anchovie recipes and
articles appear!


  #11 (permalink)   Report Post  
Reg
 
Posts: n/a
Default Vodka sauce question.

Richard Periut wrote:

> 1 Vodka is pretty much tasteless, so what does it give the dish?
>


The theory behind using vodka is that it dissolves the alcohol
soluble compounds and disperses them throughout the sauce. I'd
say the jury is still out on this one.

--
Reg email: RegForte (at) (that free MS email service) (dot) com

  #12 (permalink)   Report Post  
John Gaughan
 
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Default Vodka sauce question.

Richard Periut wrote:
> 1 Vodka is pretty much tasteless, so what does it give the dish?


Vodka is not tasteless, what brand do you drink? I do admit it has less
taste than whiskey, for example, but it is hardly tasteless.

> Any opinions on the matter?


I think if you're going to cook with alcohol, use it where it counts and
will be tasted. For example, I cook ground sirloin with a little bourbon
to add flavor. The meat absorbs some of the bourbon, and I can taste it
in the finished product (usually pasta sauce or chili). Vodka in cream
sauce has a unique taste, but it's nothing special, and certainly not
strong enough to matter.

--
John Gaughan
http://www.johngaughan.net/

  #13 (permalink)   Report Post  
Richard Periut
 
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Default Vodka sauce question.

John Gaughan wrote:

> Richard Periut wrote:
>
>> 1 Vodka is pretty much tasteless, so what does it give the dish?

>
>
> Vodka is not tasteless, what brand do you drink? I do admit it has less
> taste than whiskey, for example, but it is hardly tasteless.
>
>> Any opinions on the matter?

>
>
> I think if you're going to cook with alcohol, use it where it counts and
> will be tasted. For example, I cook ground sirloin with a little bourbon
> to add flavor. The meat absorbs some of the bourbon, and I can taste it
> in the finished product (usually pasta sauce or chili). Vodka in cream
> sauce has a unique taste, but it's nothing special, and certainly not
> strong enough to matter.
>

I stand corrected; Vodka has some taste, but very subtle-and forget
about tasting it diluted in a sauce that has been heated (the ETOH
evaporates very quickly, and whatever compounds are left are I think not
appreciated.) I enjoy gray goose & Ketel One (very cold and straight)
every now and then, but I'm a scotch (single malt) guy.

Rich
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Dum spiro, spero. (Cicero) As long as I breathe, I hope.

  #14 (permalink)   Report Post  
Bob
 
Posts: n/a
Default Vodka sauce question.

Richard Periut wrote:

> Recently I tasted a vodka sauce recipe from a local Italian Ma & Pa
> place. The place is very good; byob, quick service, and the best Italian
> food in the area.
>
> I ordered a Penne a la Vodka as a side dish, and found it quite good.
> However, my questions a
>
> 1 Vodka is pretty much tasteless, so what does it give the dish?


The alcohol isn't tasteless. Vodka doesn't have congeners to add
flavor like whiskies, but it certainly can be tasted.

> 2 The ETOH of the vodka evaporates during cooking; and considering that
> vodka is 40% ETOH by volume, what is left is H20 and some residual
> unfermentable sugars, et cetera.


Not much of the alcohol actually evaporates in the short cook time of
most vodka sauces. Here's a pickup from
<http://www.canoe.ca/HealthMayeMuskColumns/011009.html>

There's more info on the page, but this is the crux of it.

Preparation method Percent retained

Alcohol added to boiling
liquid & removed from heat 85%

Alcohol flamed 75%

No heat, stored overnight 70%

Baked, 25 minutes, alcohol
not stirred into mixture 45%

Baked/simmered, alcohol
stirred into mixture
15 minutes 40%
30 minutes 35%
1 hour 25%
1.5 hours 20%
2 hours 10%
2.5 hours 5%

Depending on your method of cooking, expect 45 - 75% alcohol in the
final dish.

Bob

  #15 (permalink)   Report Post  
Richard Periut
 
Posts: n/a
Default Vodka sauce question.

Bob wrote:

> Richard Periut wrote:
>
>> Recently I tasted a vodka sauce recipe from a local Italian Ma & Pa
>> place. The place is very good; byob, quick service, and the best
>> Italian food in the area.
>>
>> I ordered a Penne a la Vodka as a side dish, and found it quite good.
>> However, my questions a
>>
>> 1 Vodka is pretty much tasteless, so what does it give the dish?

>
>
> The alcohol isn't tasteless. Vodka doesn't have congeners to add flavor
> like whiskies, but it certainly can be tasted.
>
>> 2 The ETOH of the vodka evaporates during cooking; and considering
>> that vodka is 40% ETOH by volume, what is left is H20 and some
>> residual unfermentable sugars, et cetera.

>
>
> Not much of the alcohol actually evaporates in the short cook time of
> most vodka sauces. Here's a pickup from
> <http://www.canoe.ca/HealthMayeMuskColumns/011009.html>
>
> There's more info on the page, but this is the crux of it.
>
> Preparation method Percent retained
>
> Alcohol added to boiling
> liquid & removed from heat 85%
>
> Alcohol flamed 75%
>
> No heat, stored overnight 70%
>
> Baked, 25 minutes, alcohol
> not stirred into mixture 45%
>
> Baked/simmered, alcohol
> stirred into mixture
> 15 minutes 40%
> 30 minutes 35%
> 1 hour 25%
> 1.5 hours 20%
> 2 hours 10%
> 2.5 hours 5%
>
> Depending on your method of cooking, expect 45 - 75% alcohol in the
> final dish.
>
> Bob
>

Interesting, I hope my muslim friends never find out about this; I had a
hard time convincing them to eat ; ) Funny that they did not feel it; or
maybe they did and never told me ; )

Rich

--
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Dum spiro, spero. (Cicero) As long as I breathe, I hope.



  #16 (permalink)   Report Post  
Bob
 
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Default Vodka sauce question.

Richard Periut wrote:

> Bob wrote:


>> Depending on your method of cooking, expect 45 - 75% alcohol in the
>> final dish.
>>
>> Bob
>>

> Interesting, I hope my muslim friends never find out about this; I had a
> hard time convincing them to eat ; ) Funny that they did not feel it; or
> maybe they did and never told me ; )


A zillion years ago, a teetotaling acquaintance who took great pride
in never having tasted alcohol ate 5 or 6 creme de menthe parfaits
from a rather elegant dinner we were both at. He became very voluble
and much more cheerful than usual.

Asked me how they were made. I told him I didn't know. Dodged that bullet.

Bob

  #17 (permalink)   Report Post  
Victor Sack
 
Posts: n/a
Default Vodka sauce question.

Richard Periut > wrote:

> Any opinions on the matter?


Posted a few years ago:

Here's what Arthur Schwartz writes at
<http://www.thefoodmaven.com/radiorecipes/penne.html>.

<quote>
This is not a traditional Italian recipe. I know because I was there --
more or less -- at its invention. It was the early 1970s and vodka was a
relatively new spirit to Italians. To promote the consumption of vodka
in Italy, vodka distillers provided restaurants with gizmos that kept
both the vodka and vodka glasses chilled and they held recipe contests
among Italian chefs. This dish was the rage in fashion-conscious Italian
circles in the mid '70s. I never see it anymore in Italy. But Americans
are entranced by the idea, even though it is nothing more than a tomato
cream sauce with hot pepper and a good dose of vodka, which, to be
frank, is hardly detectable in the finished dish.
</quote>

Victor
  #18 (permalink)   Report Post  
Rodney Myrvaagnes
 
Posts: n/a
Default Vodka sauce question.

On Sun, 8 Feb 2004 21:47:10 +0100, (Victor
Sack) wrote:

>Richard Periut > wrote:
>
>> Any opinions on the matter?

>
>Posted a few years ago:
>
>Here's what Arthur Schwartz writes at
><http://www.thefoodmaven.com/radiorecipes/penne.html>.
>
><quote>
>This is not a traditional Italian recipe. I know because I was there --
>more or less -- at its invention. It was the early 1970s and vodka was a
>relatively new spirit to Italians. To promote the consumption of vodka
>in Italy, vodka distillers provided restaurants with gizmos that kept
>both the vodka and vodka glasses chilled and they held recipe contests
>among Italian chefs. This dish was the rage in fashion-conscious Italian
>circles in the mid '70s. I never see it anymore in Italy. But Americans
>are entranced by the idea, even though it is nothing more than a tomato
>cream sauce with hot pepper and a good dose of vodka, which, to be
>frank, is hardly detectable in the finished dish.
></quote>
>

I first saw it on a menu in Quebec City in 1965. I didn't order it
because it didn't make sense to me. The subsequent discussions on this
group lead me to think of trying it sometime.

I don't believe, without further evidence, that a large fraction of
the alcohol remains after cooking. If that were true, stills wouldn't
work in a reasonable period of time.



Rodney Myrvaagnes NYC J36 Gjo/a


"Be careful. The toe you stepped on yesterday may be connected to the ass you have to kiss today." --Former mayor Ciancia
  #19 (permalink)   Report Post  
Karen O'Mara
 
Posts: n/a
Default Vodka sauce question.

Rodney Myrvaagnes > wrote in message >. ..
> I first saw it on a menu in Quebec City in 1965. I didn't order it
> because it didn't make sense to me. The subsequent discussions on this
> group lead me to think of trying it sometime.
>
> I don't believe, without further evidence, that a large fraction of
> the alcohol remains after cooking. If that were true, stills wouldn't
> work in a reasonable period of time.


I had some jarred vodka tomato sauce from Trader Joe's that was definitely potent!

Karen
  #20 (permalink)   Report Post  
Mark Shaw
 
Posts: n/a
Default Vodka sauce question.

In article >,
Richard Periut > wrote:
>1 Vodka is pretty much tasteless, so what does it give the dish?


The idea is to release flavor components in the tomatoes
that aren't water-soluble. The vodka itself isn't supposed
to impart much flavor to the sauce.

--
Mark Shaw contact info at homepage --> http://www.panix.com/~mshaw
================================================== ======================
"Grown men are not comfortable explaining why they want to use the sniper
rifle on fictional dogs with speech impediments." -James Lileks


  #21 (permalink)   Report Post  
Adam Fineman
 
Posts: n/a
Default Vodka sauce question.

Richard Periut wrote:
> Recently I tasted a vodka sauce recipe from a local Italian Ma & Pa
> place. The place is very good; byob, quick service, and the best Italian
> food in the area.
>
> I ordered a Penne a la Vodka as a side dish, and found it quite good.
> However, my questions a
>
> 1 Vodka is pretty much tasteless, so what does it give the dish?
> <snip>


As other people have said, tomatoes contain a few compounds that are
alcohol-soluble. Adding alcohol to a tomato-based sauce will release
those flavor compounds into the sauce. Vodka is commonly used because,
while not completely tasteless, has a fairly neutral flavor. Other
sauces might use white wine. I would avoid red wines as they often are
too complex to just add to a recipe that is already fairly well
balanced, especially if the sauce will be reduced further.

You should try it yourself. When I first heard that tomatoes have
alcohol-soluble flavors, I made a fairly simple tomato sauce and split
it in half when it was done. I added a shot of vodka to one and let
them both continue to simmer for another 5 minutes. I could definitely
taste the difference, and it was not vodka I was tasting. The sauce
just seemed to have a wider range of flavors.

- Adam

--
Adam Fineman

(Reverse domain name to reply.)
  #22 (permalink)   Report Post  
Richard Periut
 
Posts: n/a
Default Vodka sauce question.

Adam Fineman wrote:
> Richard Periut wrote:
>
>> Recently I tasted a vodka sauce recipe from a local Italian Ma & Pa
>> place. The place is very good; byob, quick service, and the best
>> Italian food in the area.
>>
>> I ordered a Penne a la Vodka as a side dish, and found it quite good.
>> However, my questions a
>>
>> 1 Vodka is pretty much tasteless, so what does it give the dish?
>> <snip>

>
>
> As other people have said, tomatoes contain a few compounds that are
> alcohol-soluble. Adding alcohol to a tomato-based sauce will release
> those flavor compounds into the sauce. Vodka is commonly used because,
> while not completely tasteless, has a fairly neutral flavor. Other
> sauces might use white wine. I would avoid red wines as they often are
> too complex to just add to a recipe that is already fairly well
> balanced, especially if the sauce will be reduced further.
>
> You should try it yourself. When I first heard that tomatoes have
> alcohol-soluble flavors, I made a fairly simple tomato sauce and split
> it in half when it was done. I added a shot of vodka to one and let
> them both continue to simmer for another 5 minutes. I could definitely
> taste the difference, and it was not vodka I was tasting. The sauce
> just seemed to have a wider range of flavors.
>
> - Adam
>


I'm gonna give it a try. Thanks for the responses from you all.

Rich

--
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Dum spiro, spero. (Cicero) As long as I breathe, I hope.

  #23 (permalink)   Report Post  
Rodney Myrvaagnes
 
Posts: n/a
Default Vodka sauce question.

On Tue, 10 Feb 2004 13:09:43 -0500, Adam Fineman
> wrote:

>Richard Periut wrote:
>> Recently I tasted a vodka sauce recipe from a local Italian Ma & Pa
>> place. The place is very good; byob, quick service, and the best Italian
>> food in the area.
>>
>> I ordered a Penne a la Vodka as a side dish, and found it quite good.
>> However, my questions a
>>
>> 1 Vodka is pretty much tasteless, so what does it give the dish?
>> <snip>

>
>As other people have said, tomatoes contain a few compounds that are
>alcohol-soluble. Adding alcohol to a tomato-based sauce will release
>those flavor compounds into the sauce. Vodka is commonly used because,
>while not completely tasteless, has a fairly neutral flavor. Other
>sauces might use white wine. I would avoid red wines as they often are
>too complex to just add to a recipe that is already fairly well
>balanced, especially if the sauce will be reduced further.
>
>You should try it yourself. When I first heard that tomatoes have
>alcohol-soluble flavors, I made a fairly simple tomato sauce and split
>it in half when it was done. I added a shot of vodka to one and let
>them both continue to simmer for another 5 minutes. I could definitely
>taste the difference, and it was not vodka I was tasting. The sauce
>just seemed to have a wider range of flavors.
>

Thanks, Adam. You actually contributed something helpful to the
discussion.




Rodney Myrvaagnes J36 Gjo/a

"That idiot Leibniz, who wants to teach me about the infinitesimally small! Has he therefore forgotten that I am the wife of Frederick I? How can he imagine that I am unacquainted with my own husband?"
  #24 (permalink)   Report Post  
Charles Gifford
 
Posts: n/a
Default Vodka sauce question.


"Rodney Myrvaagnes" > wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 10 Feb 2004 13:09:43 -0500, Adam Fineman
> > wrote:
>
> >Richard Periut wrote:
> >> Recently I tasted a vodka sauce recipe from a local Italian Ma & Pa
> >> place. The place is very good; byob, quick service, and the best

Italian
> >> food in the area.
> >>
> >> I ordered a Penne a la Vodka as a side dish, and found it quite good.
> >> However, my questions a
> >>
> >> 1 Vodka is pretty much tasteless, so what does it give the dish?
> >> <snip>

> >
> >As other people have said, tomatoes contain a few compounds that are
> >alcohol-soluble. Adding alcohol to a tomato-based sauce will release
> >those flavor compounds into the sauce. Vodka is commonly used because,
> >while not completely tasteless, has a fairly neutral flavor. Other
> >sauces might use white wine. I would avoid red wines as they often are
> >too complex to just add to a recipe that is already fairly well
> >balanced, especially if the sauce will be reduced further.
> >
> >You should try it yourself. When I first heard that tomatoes have
> >alcohol-soluble flavors, I made a fairly simple tomato sauce and split
> >it in half when it was done. I added a shot of vodka to one and let
> >them both continue to simmer for another 5 minutes. I could definitely
> >taste the difference, and it was not vodka I was tasting. The sauce
> >just seemed to have a wider range of flavors.
> >

> Thanks, Adam. You actually contributed something helpful to the
> discussion.


That sounds like a major put-down Rodney. And after I shared my favorite
recipe with you. Tut.

Charlie

>
>
>
> Rodney Myrvaagnes J36 Gjo/a



  #25 (permalink)   Report Post  
Rodney Myrvaagnes
 
Posts: n/a
Default Vodka sauce question.

On Wed, 11 Feb 2004 10:00:01 GMT, "Charles Gifford"
> wrote:

>> >taste the difference, and it was not vodka I was tasting. The sauce
>> >just seemed to have a wider range of flavors.
>> >

>> Thanks, Adam. You actually contributed something helpful to the
>> discussion.

>
>That sounds like a major put-down Rodney. And after I shared my favorite
>recipe with you. Tut.
>

Sorry, Charlie,

I thanked you for the recipe, but it didn't answer my question, for
the reason you pointed out yourself.

Anyhow, Pastorio pointed to web sites that actually contained an
answer. I know, USDA is not a refereed journal either, except by
lobbyists and congressmen.

If anyone actually knows the reference to Akbar's journal article, I
might be able to look it up.






Rodney Myrvaagnes J36 Gjo/a

"That idiot Leibniz, who wants to teach me about the infinitesimally small! Has he therefore forgotten that I am the wife of Frederick I? How can he imagine that I am unacquainted with my own husband?"


  #26 (permalink)   Report Post  
Victor Sack
 
Posts: n/a
Default Vodka sauce question.

Rodney Myrvaagnes > wrote:

> If anyone actually knows the reference to Akbar's journal article, I
> might be able to look it up.


I don't know who or what "Akbar" is, but see
<http://groups.google.com/groups?&selm=1ewf80l.4y16vq1f6n09hN%25sackv%40uni-duesseldorf.de>

and

<http://groups.google.com/groups?&selm=Xns90DD9A7B6FF5sbhattacatattnet%40204 .127.36.1>.

Victor
  #27 (permalink)   Report Post  
Dimitri
 
Posts: n/a
Default Vodka sauce question.


"Richard Periut" > wrote in message
...
> Recently I tasted a vodka sauce recipe from a local Italian Ma & Pa
> place. The place is very good; byob, quick service, and the best Italian
> food in the area.
>
> I ordered a Penne a la Vodka as a side dish, and found it quite good.
> However, my questions a
>
> 1 Vodka is pretty much tasteless, so what does it give the dish?


Nope - There are many flavors of vodka athough the basic flavor for me is
lemon zest (very subtle).


> 2 The ETOH of the vodka evaporates during cooking; and considering that
> vodka is 40% ETOH by volume, what is left is H20 and some residual
> unfermentable sugars, et cetera.


see above - The et cetra is where the flavor is.



> 3 I can see adding a nice splash to a sauce already made; but the
> recipes I've seen, don't call for that.


IMHO One of the advantages is you can make a tomato cream sauce with a lemon
background withoug breaking the cream.


  #28 (permalink)   Report Post  
Kenneth
 
Posts: n/a
Default Vodka sauce question.

On Tue, 10 Feb 2004 00:21:16 GMT, "Dimitri" >
wrote:

>Nope - There are many flavors of vodka athough the basic flavor for me is
>lemon zest (very subtle).
>


Howdy,

No expert I, but it was my understanding that in Russia, if there were
detectable flavors, the distillate of fermented potatoes could not be
sold as "vodka."

All the best,

--
Kenneth

If you email... Please remove the "SPAMLESS."
  #29 (permalink)   Report Post  
Tim Vanhoof
 
Posts: n/a
Default Vodka sauce question.

Kenneth > wrote:

> On Tue, 10 Feb 2004 00:21:16 GMT, "Dimitri" >
> wrote:
>
> >Nope - There are many flavors of vodka athough the basic flavor for me is
> >lemon zest (very subtle).
> >

>
> Howdy,
>
> No expert I, but it was my understanding that in Russia, if there were
> detectable flavors, the distillate of fermented potatoes could not be
> sold as "vodka."
>

Vodka is not made from potatoes. That's an old wives' tale.
  #31 (permalink)   Report Post  
Richard Periut
 
Posts: n/a
Default Vodka sauce question.

Dimitri wrote:

> "Richard Periut" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>Recently I tasted a vodka sauce recipe from a local Italian Ma & Pa
>>place. The place is very good; byob, quick service, and the best Italian
>>food in the area.
>>
>>I ordered a Penne a la Vodka as a side dish, and found it quite good.
>>However, my questions a
>>
>>1 Vodka is pretty much tasteless, so what does it give the dish?

>
>
> Nope - There are many flavors of vodka athough the basic flavor for me is
> lemon zest (very subtle).
>
>


Sure, if you are drinking Citron : )


>
>>2 The ETOH of the vodka evaporates during cooking; and considering that
>>vodka is 40% ETOH by volume, what is left is H20 and some residual
>>unfermentable sugars, et cetera.

>
>
> see above - The et cetra is where the flavor is.
>
>

Gee, I wish I had your superbuds, that can detect these nuances mixed in
a cream sauce.


>
>
>>3 I can see adding a nice splash to a sauce already made; but the
>>recipes I've seen, don't call for that.

>
>
> IMHO One of the advantages is you can make a tomato cream sauce with a lemon
> background withoug breaking the cream.
>
>



--
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Dum spiro, spero. (Cicero) As long as I breathe, I hope.

  #32 (permalink)   Report Post  
notbob
 
Posts: n/a
Default Vodka sauce question.

On 2004-02-08, Richard Periut > wrote:

> 2 The ETOH of the vodka evaporates during cooking; and considering that
> vodka is 40% ETOH by volume, what is left is H20 and some residual
> unfermentable sugars, et cetera.


OK, I give. What the Hell is ETOH?

nb
  #33 (permalink)   Report Post  
Bob (this one)
 
Posts: n/a
Default Vodka sauce question.

notbob wrote:

> On 2004-02-08, Richard Periut > wrote:
>
>>2 The ETOH of the vodka evaporates during cooking; and considering that
>>vodka is 40% ETOH by volume, what is left is H20 and some residual
>>unfermentable sugars, et cetera.

>
> OK, I give. What the Hell is ETOH?


It's French for HTML.

Bob

  #34 (permalink)   Report Post  
Wayne Boatwright
 
Posts: n/a
Default Vodka sauce question.

"Bob (this one)" > wrote in
:

> notbob wrote:
>
>> On 2004-02-08, Richard Periut > wrote:
>>
>>>2 The ETOH of the vodka evaporates during cooking; and considering that
>>>vodka is 40% ETOH by volume, what is left is H20 and some residual
>>>unfermentable sugars, et cetera.

>>
>> OK, I give. What the Hell is ETOH?

>
> It's French for HTML.
>
> Bob


Oh... Then those aren't Ethel's web pages?

Wayne

  #35 (permalink)   Report Post  
Bob (this one)
 
Posts: n/a
Default Vodka sauce question.

Wayne Boatwright wrote:

> "Bob (this one)" > wrote in
> :
>
>>notbob wrote:

>
>>>On 2004-02-08, Richard Periut > wrote:
>>>
>>>>2 The ETOH of the vodka evaporates during cooking; and considering that
>>>>vodka is 40% ETOH by volume, what is left is H20 and some residual
>>>>unfermentable sugars, et cetera.
>>>
>>>OK, I give. What the Hell is ETOH?

>>
>>It's French for HTML.
>>
>>Bob

>
> Oh... Then those aren't Ethel's web pages?


Good eye. They USED to be Ethel's.

Oh, and she changed the spelling now that she works at Hooter's. It's
Ethyl.

Pastorio



  #36 (permalink)   Report Post  
Wayne Boatwright
 
Posts: n/a
Default Vodka sauce question.

"Bob (this one)" > wrote in
:

> Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>
>> "Bob (this one)" > wrote in
>> :
>>
>>>notbob wrote:

>>
>>>>On 2004-02-08, Richard Periut > wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>2 The ETOH of the vodka evaporates during cooking; and considering
>>>>>that vodka is 40% ETOH by volume, what is left is H20 and some
>>>>>residual unfermentable sugars, et cetera.
>>>>
>>>>OK, I give. What the Hell is ETOH?
>>>
>>>It's French for HTML.
>>>
>>>Bob

>>
>> Oh... Then those aren't Ethel's web pages?

>
> Good eye. They USED to be Ethel's.
>
> Oh, and she changed the spelling now that she works at Hooter's. It's
> Ethyl.
>
> Pastorio
>
>


Heh heh!
  #37 (permalink)   Report Post  
Richard Periut
 
Posts: n/a
Default Vodka sauce question.

notbob wrote:
> On 2004-02-08, Richard Periut > wrote:
>
>
>>2 The ETOH of the vodka evaporates during cooking; and considering that
>>vodka is 40% ETOH by volume, what is left is H20 and some residual
>>unfermentable sugars, et cetera.

>
>
> OK, I give. What the Hell is ETOH?
>
> nb

Ethanol; or the alcohol found in wine, beer, et cetera.

Rich

--
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Dum spiro, spero. (Cicero) As long as I breathe, I hope.

  #38 (permalink)   Report Post  
Bob (this one)
 
Posts: n/a
Default Vodka sauce question.

Richard Periut wrote:

> notbob wrote:
>
>> On 2004-02-08, Richard Periut > wrote:
>>
>>> 2 The ETOH of the vodka evaporates during cooking; and considering
>>> that vodka is 40% ETOH by volume, what is left is H20 and some
>>> residual unfermentable sugars, et cetera.

>>
>> OK, I give. What the Hell is ETOH?
>>
>> nb

>
> Ethanol; or the alcohol found in wine, beer, et cetera.


I like my answer better. Wildly inaccurate, but still better... <g>

Pastorio

  #39 (permalink)   Report Post  
notbob
 
Posts: n/a
Default Vodka sauce question.

On 2004-02-18, Richard Periut > wrote:

> Ethanol; or the alcohol found in wine, beer, et cetera.


That's one of the lamest acronyms ever. Who comes up with this crap?

Help stamp out senseless acronyms. Join CRAP!

-Curmudgeons for the Reduction of Acronym Propagation

nb
  #40 (permalink)   Report Post  
Nancy Young
 
Posts: n/a
Default Vodka sauce question.

notbob wrote:
>
> On 2004-02-18, Richard Periut > wrote:
>
> > Ethanol; or the alcohol found in wine, beer, et cetera.

>
> That's one of the lamest acronyms ever. Who comes up with this crap?
>
> Help stamp out senseless acronyms. Join CRAP!
>
> -Curmudgeons for the Reduction of Acronym Propagation
>
> nb


(laugh!) I'm in, where do I send the membership dues?

nancy


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