I don't want to buy a whole bottle of wine - what should I do??

[KLynn]

I want to make the baked shrimp with feta tonight, which calls for a 1/2 cup of dry white wine. DH and I are both cutting out alcohol right now for calorie reasons and I don't want to buy a whole bottle that will sit in my fridge and either (a) tempt me...or (b) have to be thrown away.

Will replacing the wine with something else ruin it?? What should I replace it with??

[Grace]

I was just at Walgreens yesterday, and I had to pay for my purchases in the liquor department, where I saw (as I stood in line) a display of very small bottles of wine (if I had to guess, I'd say about a cup of wine per bottle)! I even thought of buying a few myself for cooking purposes, but then I remembered I just got that vacu-vin thing to seal up large bottles of wine. I don't really drink, so the wine sitting there doesn't tempt me, and the vacu-vin stoppers keep it fresh, so I don't have to worry about throwing it away. But I'd go look for the little bottles!!

[Mandy]

I've seen in the past were you can buy small bottles of wine in four packs. You could open one bottle and hide the rest (out of temptation's way) for the next time you need a small amount.

[SusanT]

I buy splits (those little four packs of wine bottles) all the time for cooking. It works well and the wine will keep for a little while if you don't use an entire little bottle.

[browneye]

Those little splits are a good idea, also I keep a regular bottle of dry sherry on hand for cooking. I have used it as a sub for white wine and it has worked well in many situations. I am not tempted to drink it, it is not at all my cup of tea. Plus, I buy the cheaper stuff and it is not as tasty as the expensive stuff.
you can also sub chicken broth with a *tiny* dash of white wine vinegar or very tiny amount of lemon juice.

[tracey67]

KLynn - you could always just buy "cooking" wine in the grocery store. It may not be as wonderful as regular wine, but I doubt that you'd be tempted to drink it, plus you'd have wine on hand the next time you need it for cooking. If you've never seen it, you can usually find it in the same aisle where the vinegars are kept.

tracey

[auntjojo]

Those 4 packs of wine are wonderful, for cooking or drinking. I don't drink a lot of wine at one sitting, and don't have the vacu-vin (I think that's what it is called). But I do not like wine if it doesn't taste fresh. Chardonnay in particular taste better to me when just openned. I buy the Sutter Home Chardonnay 4 pack and can have a fresh bottle on four different nights!

I will use old wine in a recipe though, but not for drinking. Some people use apple juice or cider in place of wine in recipes too.

[Jessica]

I get the little bottles for cooking, and our liquor store will even let you buy just one.

Just a warning--cooking wine is very salty and I don't recommend it. The general rule is not to cook with wine that you would not drink or at least consider drinking.

[AZLorena]

If you can't find those little 4 packs of the "right" kind of wine for your recipe, you can buy a regular size bottle....use what you need....then freeze the rest in an ice cube tray and save the wine cubes for cooking. It works like a charm.

[Lynn B]

I second AZLorena's motion!

I have never personally frozen wine (never need to! :) ) - but I have read several times that it works great!

Lynn

[Little Bit]

Freezing wine in cubes? How neat! Gotta try it!

I do have another question though, about wines for cooking. Has anyone tried those box-o-wine things that supposedly keep the wine fresh? You can just put the box in the fridge use as needed. (I've seen these products in three and five liter boxes.)

I'm reluctant to try the idea, since space in the icebox is precious these days, but wonder if it might be worth it? (Around here you get a better selection of wine if you move up to the boxes.)

I don't drink wine, but like to use it for cooking and hate wasting the stuff in bigger bottles.

[Gail]

Here's the alcohol substitution recommendation page right off CL's site:

Alcohol Substitutions

Here's what can be used in place of alcohol in some of our recipes.



Often we're asked what can be used in place of alcohol in our recipes. Liqueurs add a special flavor to desserts that is difficult to replace, but if you choose to make a substitution, here are some tips. Note, however, that the flavor will change, and it may take some practice to find the flavor you like the best.


If the recipe calls for 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier or other orange-flavored liqueur, substitute 2 tablespoons unsweetened orange juice concentrate or 2 tablespoons orange juice and 1/2 teaspoon orange extract.


For 2 tablespoons rum or brandy, substitute 1/2 to 1 teaspoon rum or brandy extract for recipes in which liquid amount is not crucial. Add water, white grape juice, or apple juice, if necessary to get the specified amount of liquid.


For 2 tablespoons amaretto, substitute 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon almond extract.


For 2 tablespoons sherry or bourbon, substitute 1 to 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.


For 2 tablespoons Kahlua, coffee, or chocolate-flavored liqueur, substitute 1/2 to 1 teaspoon chocolate extract plus 1/2 to 1 teaspoon instant coffee in 2 tablespoons water.


For a 1/4 cup or more port wine, sweet sherry, rum, brandy, or fruit-flavored liqueur, substitute an equal measure of unsweetened orange juice or apple juice plus 1 teaspoon of corresponding flavored extract or vanilla extract.


For a 1/4 cup or more white wine, substitute an equal measure of white grape juice or apple juice.


For a 1/4 cup or more red wine, substitute an equal measure of red grape juice or cranberry juice.

Other substitutions include chicken broth, beef broth, vegetable broth, clam juice, flavored vinegars, fruit juices, apple cider, and nonalcoholic wines. If you use a nonalcoholic wine, you may need to add a tablespoon vinegar (red or white depending on which color wine is specified) to help cut the sweetness of the fake vino.

[tammy/MN]

i didn't think that alcohol could freeze. i have bought those boxes of wine before, but i catch myself drinking more than i should & the calories kill me.

i do love those little bottle of wine though, & sometimes the liquor store sells it individually.