Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

JTibbs t1_itpwfmk wrote

Reply to comment by emkay99 in [Homemade] Pasta with vodka sauce. by ZtephenGrackus

Iirc alcohol will alter the flavor of some foods by dissolving some compounds into solution that are not necessarily water soluable, so some vodka added to a totatonsauce can enhance or bring out new flavors.

1

emkay99 t1_itqa3uv wrote

Okay, thanks. I wasn't aware of alcohol acting as a deeper chemical catalyst. I cook with wine frequently, and I've cooked with rum (though I don't really like the taste of rum from a glass), and those, of course, add an extra taste to the dish -- but it's a taste of "themselves," if you follow what I mean. It's like adding any other ingredient. This is a whole different issue that I hadn't considered.

2

JTibbs t1_itqb3bm wrote

Vodkas used in a tomato cream sauce like that because of the lack of flavor, so it only serves to enhance and not impart a wine taste or additional sugars/caramel/etc.. a dry, very clean tasting white rum might be a substitute though.

Honestly, the purer the better. Ive had some white rums before that were basically indistinguishable from vodka.

1