Photo by Ashley Foreman Productions

Do you love cooking with wine? Adding wine to your meals can make them more delicious and flavorful. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for cooking with wine. We’ll give you ideas for dishes that are perfect for cooking with wine, and we’ll also share some tips on how to make the most of your wine flavors. So, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cook, read on for some helpful advice on cooking with wine!

Tips for Cooking with Wine

Cooking with wine doesn’t have to be intimidating. If you’re new to cooking with wine, you can start by adding it to simple dishes like pasta sauce or beef stew. In no time, you’ll be cooking with wine like a pro! Here are some tips for cooking with wine:

Use a dry white wine to deglaze a pan after sautéing meat or vegetables

What does it mean to deglaze a pan? Deglazing is a cooking technique that involves adding a liquid (such as wine) to a hot pan after cooking food in it. This helps to release the flavorful bits of food that are stuck to the bottom of the pan. Dry white wine is a great choice for deglazing because it won’t make your dish too heavy or sweet.

To deglaze your pan after sautéing meat or vegetables, simply add a few tablespoons of dry white wine to the pan and cook it for a few minutes. When the liquid starts to bubble a little, use a wooden spoon to scrape up the flavorful bits that are stuck to the bottom of the pan. You can then use this delicious liquid to make a sauce or gravy.

Add a touch of red wine to your sauce for a richer flavor

If you want to add a richer flavor to your sauce, try adding a touch of red wine. Red wine can help to deepen the flavor of your sauce and make it more complex. When cooking with red wine, be sure not to add too much, as it can make your sauce bitter. Start by adding a few tablespoons of red wine and then taste your sauce before adding more. This works best for tomato-based sauces, such as marinara or puttanesca.

The alcohol present in wine actually triggers the release of flavor molecules in the sauce, making every ingredient the wine contacts taste even better. The red wine will also dissolve fats, empowering the sauce ingredients to release nuanced flavors. Just be sure to give the alcohol time to cook off. Once about half of the wine added is cooked away, the sauce’s flavor begins to concentrate and become extra delicious.

Pairing wine with food

When cooking with wine, it’s important to choose a wine that will pair well with your food. For instance, if you’re making a beef stew, you might want to use a full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon. If you’re making a light pasta dish, you might want to use a dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay. And if you’re making a dish with lots of spices, you might want to use a fruity wine like Riesling. As a general rule of thumb, red wines pair well with heartier dishes, while white wines pair well with lighter dishes.

Add a splash of white wine to chicken or vegetable broth

With fall in full swing, this is the perfect time to cozy up with a bowl of soup! To brighten the flavor profile of any stock or broth, a splash of white wine can go a long way. Just be sure to avoid anything too oaky, as it can make your soup taste bitter. Be sure to simmer the broth for a few minutes to give the wine a chance to cook off.

Cook fish in a lightly-sautéed white wine sauce

Looking for an easy weeknight meal? Try cooking fish in a white wine sauce that is lightly-sautéed. This recipe is healthy, flavorful, and takes less than 20 minutes to make. Simply cook your fish of choice in a non-stick pan. Once cooked, remove the fish from the pan. You’ll discard any oil remaining in the skillet, then create a white wine sauce from a dry white wine (such as Chardonnay), lemon, white wine vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, shallot, heavy cream, and butter. Don’t try this sauce with baked fish, you’ll need to pan fry because the fond (the brown particles found at the bottom of pans after browning fish, meat, or vegetables) dissolves into the sauce and adds flavor.

Spike your favorite dessert recipes with wine for an extra special treat

If you’re in the mood for something sweet, why not spike your favorite dessert recipes with a bit of wine? Just a touch of wine can enhance the flavor of your dessert and make it extra special. To do so, simply replace the water in your brownie or cake recipe with red wine. Or, if you’re feeling really adventurous, try cooking with wine in place of water when making pudding or custard. The possibilities are endless!

Cooking with wine is a great way to use up leftover wine

If you have some wine that’s been sitting in your fridge for a while, cooking with it is a great way to use it. Simply add it to your dish in place of water or broth. You can also use it to deglaze pan-seared meats or sautéed vegetables. It’s an easy and tasty way to make use of that leftover wine!

Experiment with different wines to find flavors that complement your food

The best way to find out which wines pair well with your food is to experiment. With so many different types of wine available, it’s easy to find one that will complement your dish. So, next time you’re cooking with wine, don’t be afraid to try something new. You might just find your new favorite wine in the process!

Need Inspiration?

Not sure where to start?  Here are some dishes that can easily include wine as an ingredient:

• Beef stew
• Tomato-based pasta sauce
• Light soup (chicken or vegetable broth with a splash white wine)
• Fish (sautéed in a white wine sauce)
• Pudding or custard (made with wine instead of water)
• Chocolate cake or brownies (made with wine instead of water)
• Deglazed meats or vegetables (cooked in wine instead of water or broth)

There are endless possibilities when it comes to cooking with wine, but this list serves as a great starting point.

Cooking with RayLen Wine

Is your mouth watering yet? Fall is a great time for hearty meals and crockpot dishes that can easily incorporate wine. Cooking with wine is easy and can really improve the flavor of your dishes. So, next time you’re in the kitchen, reach for a bottle of RayLen wine and give it a try. Have you incorporated one of your favorite RayLen wines into a favorite recipe? Be sure to let us know! We might even feature your photo and recipe in our social media or newsletter!