Kitchen

[philogirl]

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! 

[CLEM]

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.

[philogirl]

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

[Kachina624]

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

[Campion]

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. 

[momtochloe]

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).

[terrier3]

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@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. 

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

[philogirl]

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

[KYToby]

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.

[Sooner]

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