Cooking with Vodka

Vodka Chocolate Sauce (over cashew-coated ice cream balls)

Here's a recipe that's simple and sweet...just like me.  

The fastest way to turn an ordinary dessert into a vodka treat is to add this Vodka Chocolate Sauce.  In this recipe, I use vodka to temper the sweetness of the sauce. I usually drizzle it over balls of vanilla ice cream rolled in crushed cashews as described below.  But you can pour it over anything...or anyone.

Flame On (how to flambé with vodka)

Last week I introduced the vodka-loving world to my Apple Vodka Omelet Flambé.  I immediately got lots of questions about how to properly and safely ignite vodka in foods.  So here are a few vodka flambé tips and hints I’ve picked up over the years.

Use a pan with rounded, deep sides (to avoid the chance of it igniting prematurely from the burner) and a long handle.

Cold vodka will not ignite.  Vodka must be warmed to about 54 degrees Celsius (about 130 degrees Fahrenheit), yet still remain well under the boiling point (boiling will burn off the alcohol in the vodka and it will not flame).  You can do this in the pan, or the vodka can be warmed in a microwave until it is just warm to the touch.   The food to be flamed must also be warm, as cold foods may cool down the warm vodka to a point where it will not light.

Apple Vodka Omelet Flambé

Anyone who has read The Vodka Cookbook or has ever seen my vodka cooking demonstrations, knows I often set things on fire – usually on purpose.  Of course you must take extra precautions when you decide to flambé a dish at home, being careful to remove flammable objects…like small pets and hairy relatives (don’t ask), to a safe distance.  But flaming a dish is really easy and is sure to get lots of “oohs” and “ahhs” from your significant others – raising your stature in the kitchen to new heights.  And don’t we all enjoy getting our stature raised?   Anyway…apple pie meets omelet in this sweet & fluffy egg dish. 

Spiked Cherry Tomatoes

Pop one of these babies in your mouth for a wild burst of flavor (and isn’t that why we’re all here?).  These are great on their own or as a garnish to a Vodka Martini or Bloody Mary.  I use them with my Bloody Natasha recipe (The Vodka Cookbook, p.151).

Russian Vodka Shot Tricks

I've been known to throw back a shot or two of vodka. But the comrades in this clip can throw then back, front...even through a car window. Kid's don't try this at home.