topic Re: Shrimp Bisque: Is there a substitute for cognac or a recipe that doesn't call for it? in Kitchen

Shrimp Bisque: Is there a substitute for cognac or a recipe that doesn't call for it?

house_cat — Sat, 31 May 2014 15:35:13 GMT

I'd like to make a shrimp bisque tomorrow, but the recipe calls for cognac. DH and I don't drink, so I don't want to invest in this. Is there something I can substitute for the cognac? If not, does anyone have a bisque recipe that doesn't call for it?

Thank you.

Re: Shrimp Bisque: Is there a substitute for cognac or a recipe that doesn't call for it?

PinkyPetunia — Sat, 31 May 2014 15:47:05 GMT

The cognac or sherry gives the soup a little extra ""oomph"" in flavor but just omit it from the recipe and it will be fine. You don't need a special recipe.

Re: Shrimp Bisque: Is there a substitute for cognac or a recipe that doesn't call for it?

Pook — Sat, 31 May 2014 15:48:01 GMT

I know you can substitute chicken stock or vegetable stock in place of wines in cooking so this might be the same.

Re: Shrimp Bisque: Is there a substitute for cognac or a recipe that doesn't call for it?

house_cat — Sat, 31 May 2014 15:51:36 GMT

Thanks, so much, ladies! I didn't want this to turn out to be one of my sneakily expensive recipes. I once made a soup, and when I tallied it up, it was more than $30 for four people. I don't have that kind of budget these days.

Re: Shrimp Bisque: Is there a substitute for cognac or a recipe that doesn't call for it?

Tigriss — Sat, 31 May 2014 23:04:56 GMT

I'd like the recipe if you are willing to share.

Re: Shrimp Bisque: Is there a substitute for cognac or a recipe that doesn't call for it?

JustJules — Sat, 31 May 2014 23:28:46 GMT

I agree with PinkyPetunia, the cognac or sherry does give it some flavor, and depending on your recipe you could probably saute the shrimp or leek/onion in the cognac and it would burn off the alcohol content while leaving the flavor. However, since cognac is not inexpensive there are certainly alternatives.

I found this link helpful, it provides non-alcoholic cooking alternatives when wine or spirits are called for in recipes.

homecooking.about.com/library/archive/blalcohol6.htm

P.S. I would also love to have your recipe, shrimp or lobster bisque is one of my favorites.

ETA: For cognac, they say to use peach, apricot or pear juice.

Re: Shrimp Bisque: Is there a substitute for cognac or a recipe that doesn't call for it?

ennui1 — Sat, 31 May 2014 23:37:12 GMT

On 5/31/2014 house_cat said:
Thanks, so much, ladies! I didn't want this to turn out to be one of my sneakily expensive recipes. I once made a soup, and when I tallied it up, it was more than $30 for four people. I don't have that kind of budget these days.

But if it turns out really good and you make it several times, the cognac won't be a waste. You'll already have it for next time.

Re: Shrimp Bisque: Is there a substitute for cognac or a recipe that doesn't call for it?

Desertdi — Sat, 31 May 2014 23:58:55 GMT

just leave the liquor out

Re: Shrimp Bisque: Is there a substitute for cognac or a recipe that doesn't call for it?

VaBelle35 — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 00:00:44 GMT

The sherry and/or cognac are really key.

You can go to a liquor store and buy a little bottle of it (like they sell on airplanes). That's what I do.

I have a ton of little bottles for just these types of recipes. A lot of baking call for things like Kahlua and rum and brandy. I just buy the little bottle for a couple of dollars.

Re: Shrimp Bisque: Is there a substitute for cognac or a recipe that doesn't call for it?

Writer with Flair — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 00:03:56 GMT

We don't drink either. You might check with gourmet stores in your area to see if they have sherry flavoring. I have used that in the past and it works wonderfully.

To save on the cost of this dish, you can mix more expensive seafood (like shrimp, scallops, crab, and lobster) in smaller amounts with a more reasonably priced mild-flavored white fish. I have done that in the past with great success.

All the best,

Writer with Flair

Re: Shrimp Bisque: Is there a substitute for cognac or a recipe that doesn't call for it?

SleeplessinSD — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 00:16:08 GMT

All the alcohol will cook out; you'll just have the delicious flavor. I agree, buy a small bottle. It keeps for a while though. If there's any left, save it for the next time you need it for this or any other recipe that calls for it.

Re: Shrimp Bisque: Is there a substitute for cognac or a recipe that doesn't call for it?

house_cat — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 00:27:35 GMT

I was going to use this recipe from Ina Garten. I decided against it. I had a small crisis with my oldsters today and didn't have time to buy the shrimp.

I'm going to make them panini tomorrow for lunch and decided I'd make a cream of spinach soup to go with it. I don't really have a recipe for that… when I make soup, I pretty much like to make it up as I go along.

Re: Shrimp Bisque: Is there a substitute for cognac or a recipe that doesn't call for it?

VaBelle35 — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 00:29:31 GMT

You can never go wrong with Ina, every recipe comes out perfect.

I would suggest that if it is just for the 2 of you, that you cut her recipes down to at least 1/3 if not 1/4. Her portion sizes are off the charts. I haven't made one of her soup recipes yet that didn't feed 25.

I've learned the hard way. LOL

Re: Shrimp Bisque: Is there a substitute for cognac or a recipe that doesn't call for it?

house_cat — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 00:31:47 GMT

On 5/31/2014 VaBelle35 said:
You can never go wrong with Ina, every recipe comes out perfect.

I would suggest that if it is just for the 2 of you, that you cut her recipes down to at least 1/3 if not 1/4. Her portion sizes are off the charts. I haven't made one of her soup recipes yet that didn't feed 25.

I've learned the hard way. LOL

Thank you. That's good to know, but I cook for hubby and I, plus my elderly mom and dad. Leftovers are good because they eat them all week long.

Re: Shrimp Bisque: Is there a substitute for cognac or a recipe that doesn't call for it?

Tigriss — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 00:35:54 GMT

Thanks for sharing. I saved it for later!

Re: Shrimp Bisque: Is there a substitute for cognac or a recipe that doesn't call for it?

Irshgrl31201 — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 00:36:25 GMT

A small bottle of cooking sherry is only a couple of bucks at the store. It can be used in lots of things too including french onion soup. I don't like wine or liquor either but it really does add something to my french onion soup and when I leave it out I can definitely tell. I have had my cooking sherry for quite a while too. I assume it would be the same for the bisque.

Re: Shrimp Bisque: Is there a substitute for cognac or a recipe that doesn't call for it?

Tigriss — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 00:50:04 GMT

Beer is also one of those things that I don't drink but do cook with. A good dark lager would be good in a bisque.

Re: Shrimp Bisque: Is there a substitute for cognac or a recipe that doesn't call for it?

Deadeye Daisy — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 13:21:40 GMT

NEVER, EVER buy 'cooking' wine or sherry. It's basically salted wine and tastes terrible. The reason they can sell it with other condiments instead of with liquor is because it's been rendered 'UNDRINKABLE' by the addition of salt. Too much salt.

Never put something in your recipe that you wouldn't drink out of a wine glass. You can buy a fifth of dry vermouth for not much more than a small bottle of cooking wine. Because vermouth is a fortified wine, it will store at room temperature for a long time. Dry vermouth can be used in any recipe that calls for white wine, so go ahead and use it in your risotto, sauteed portobellos, carmelized onions. I keep dry marsala, dry vermouth, dry sherry, brandy, dark rum, triple sec, Grand Marnier and cognac in kitchen pantry.

A bottle of cognac will keep for VERY long time. As in YEARS. MANY, MANY years. 50 or more. Alcohol is a preservative. I store the rest of my cooking booze in a dark closet. I don't drink, but cook with all kinds of alcohol. Cognac makes a BIG difference in many dishes, and would never leave it out of a recipe that specifically called for it.

If serving AA friends, I choose another recipe that doesn't rely on alcohol. I can't imagine trying to make bourbon chicken thighs without the bourbon, so the AA people get BBQ or roast chicken.

I use vacuum seal type tops for wines that I store in the fridge.

Re: Shrimp Bisque: Is there a substitute for cognac or a recipe that doesn't call for it?

house_cat — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 14:32:50 GMT

Thank you, Daisy, for some excellent information.

Re: Shrimp Bisque: Is there a substitute for cognac or a recipe that doesn't call for it?

sidsmom — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 15:26:36 GMT

Shrimp Bisque...reminded me of 'Seinfeld'. Hope you enjoy...the best part! :

http://youtu.be/av64gOA9nXM