topic Re: Ina's Cognac in Kitchen

Ina's Cognac

philogirl — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 20:16:26 GMT

Hey, I am watching the Barefoot Contessa make pot roast and she is adding cognac. I see her cook with it often. Does anyone know what brand she likes or can you recommend a good brand?

I once bought her favorite Spanish olive oil from William Sonoma and it was good--Olio Santo, I believe.

Thanks!

Re: Ina's Cognac

CLEM — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 20:25:54 GMT

Ina always uses a French Cognac which can be rather costly.

Since Cognac is a brandy made in the Cognac region of France, it is okay to use any brandy you have in the house. That's what I do.

Re: Ina's Cognac

philogirl — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 22:06:03 GMT

Thanks CLEM, but I've never purchased it. I'll just find a mid-priced one.

Re: Ina's Cognac

Kachina624 — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 22:09:26 GMT

For cooking I wouldn't use a "good" cognac since it's very expensive. I'd buy the cheapest brandy I could find.

Re: Ina's Cognac

Campion — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 22:18:18 GMT

You can use a VS instead of a VSOP cognac, but it is expensive any way you look at it. I found that California brandies can be very good for cooking--no way am I sloshing Courvoisier VSOP over the quality of meat we get around here. Christian Brothers Brandy is harsh, the way non-VSOP non-French brandy can be, but in cooking it is acceptable--you get that grapey, sweet flavor. It's about ten bucks a bottle. You can also use it in cookies, cakes and for sidecars and Brandy Alexanders, where the mixers are going to cut the harshness.

Re: Ina's Cognac

momtochloe — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 23:26:10 GMT

For those that may be looking to cook with alcoholic beverages currently not in your home, I always check out the "airplane" size bottles at my local liquor store.

It's a nice way to explore what brands work well with your palate without spending a lot of money in the process (and please ask the folks that work there as they will guide you to the brands that are more refined and have a smoother flavor).

Re: Ina's Cognac

terrier3 — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 23:39:57 GMT

@Campion wrote:
You can use a VS instead of a VSOP cognac, but it is expensive any way you look at it. I found that California brandies can be very good for cooking--no way am I sloshing Courvoisier VSOP over the quality of meat we get around here. Christian Brothers Brandy is harsh, the way non-VSOP non-French brandy can be, but in cooking it is acceptable--you get that grapey, sweet flavor. It's about ten bucks a bottle. You can also use it in cookies, cakes and for sidecars and Brandy Alexanders, where the mixers are going to cut the harshness.

Great post...VERY informative...thank you!!!

Re: Ina's Cognac

philogirl — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 02:07:46 GMT

Thank you, Kachina, Campion and mtc. Great suggestions, all. I will look this week.

Re: Ina's Cognac

KYToby — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 03:44:25 GMT

Find a Cognac in your price range and useit. There is no need to be extravagant.

I like the idea of using the minibottles if you can find them. They are always a good way to try different spirits.

On a slightly related note, since it was mentioned by the OP, Olio santo is not Spanish olive oil; it is actually California olive oil. While I think it is a good brand, I have found the Kalamata olive oil at Trader Joe's to be a good, reasonably priced oil.

Re: Ina's Cognac

Sooner — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 03:47:11 GMT

Don't cook with anything not good enough to drink!

Re: Ina's Cognac

Campion — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 10:34:55 GMT

The Christian Brothers brandy is very good--you can drink it and use it in mixed drinks--it's just got the bit of burn that you find in non VSOP (aged) cognac. I have no trouble using it in cooking and in fact, I discovered my dad stocked it in his home bar when he wanted brandy and soda.

As to olive oil, the Trader Joe oils are really good. They have several very good ones and yes, the Kalamata is excellent. Most oils on the market in grocery stores are blends, and the majority of the oil blended in is probaby Tunisian or Moroccan (huge producers of oil.)

Re: Ina's Cognac

sunshine45 — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 19:59:08 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
Don't cook with anything not good enough to drink!

@Sooner

i feel the same way.......i dont like to go the cheap route when it comes to drinking or cooking with alcohol. i can definitely taste the difference.

Re: Ina's Cognac

NJgirl 1205 — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 19:13:18 GMT

@sunshine45 wrote:
@Sooner wrote:
Don't cook with anything not good enough to drink!

@Sooner
i feel the same way.......i dont like to go the cheap route when it comes to drinking or cooking with alcohol. i can definitely taste the difference.

I would agree except I have had many cheaper wines which are far better than some expensive ones, so it is all about taste and preference. It is not always about price.

I do agree with going with whatever YOU would personally drink and use that in your cooking. NEVER use cooking wine!