by Emmie Anderson

Created on: September 10, 2010   Last Updated: September 11, 2010

Cooking is a form of self expression. Cooking can be therapeutic and relaxing. Creating a special meal for the family or for friends could mean that you choose a dish that has a small quantity of alcohol listed in the ingredients. It is far easier to find cooking substitutes for brandy than one would think. Alcohol enriches sauces and many cooks enjoy experimenting with alcohol. However if one or more of your guests abstains, then you could find yourself looking for an alternative.

Finding cooking substitutes for brandy is not a huge problem. Finding a substitute that will produce the unique flavor that brandy can offer is a little more difficult. French chefs adore using a fine cognac to flambé. Brandy sauces complement meat and a brandy jus is perfect served with steak.

Should the recipe state that you use an apricot brandy, then purchase a can of good quality apricots in a thick syrup . Drain the can of apricots and use the thick sweet syrup instead of the brandy. If you have a jar of apricot jam in your store cupboard then you can use a small amount of the preserve as a substitute. Likewise should the recipe state that you require some apple brandy then can substitute the apple brandy with some fresh apple juice.

One of the highly recommended cooking substitutes for brandy is raspberry extract, check on-line for your nearest stockist. Brandy extract can be found either on-line or in specialist stores. It is possible to buy a non-alcoholic brandy extract. Many extracts come in tiny bottles that have a dropper. These allow you to monitor exactly how much extract you use. Extracts are highly concentrated, a few drops go a very long way. Mixing a few drops of brandy extract with a drop of grape or apple juice seems to mellow the strong taste of the extract.

Non-alcoholic brandy essence is inexpensive, again this essence is highly concentrated and you only need to use a few drops at a time. Essences and extracts add taste but they cannot replicate that glorious rich flavor that a good brandy can offer.

In the long run any cooking substitutes for brandy are never going to taste quite the same but they do enhance the flavor and add taste. Brandy butter and brandy sauce is delicious served with hot Christmas pudding but only use cooking substitutes for brandy if you have no alternative.

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