Sober Celebrations

19 Responses to “Forums”

1. # flygrrrl7on 15 Jan 2008 at 11:33 am

   Hi Chef! I’m excited to talk with you as you are one of my culinary models! I decided to go to cooking school after having read both of your books, and much careful thought and consideration. I am learning the classic recipes, knowing that I can make them without alcohol outside of the classroom.

   I have a few questions I hope you can help with me with at your leisure.

   1. Chef, are starter vinegars “safe” to work with in non-alcoholic recipes? I’m curious about working with wine “mother” vinegars.

   2. What would would be substitutes for madeira wine and franjelico liqueur in a Zabaglione used to make a hazelnut glacee?

   3. How can I flambee without alcohol — is there a way to do it?

   Thank you, and I look forward to the chance to meet you in person one day,

   Sam

2. # Chef Lizon 10 Mar 2008 at 11:05 am

   Hi Sam,

   Thanks so much for your compliments! I’m thrilled you’ll be joining the professional culinary world and am sure you’ll bring great enthusiasm and talent to the field.

   To answer your questions:

   1. Vinegars are completely safe to use in that the fermentation process goes through a further step resulting in acetic acid without the alcohol. Only those who may find the mere “name” of a vinegar problematic should steer clear at the beginning of sobriety. For example, “Merlot vinegar” may be a trigger for some. Be sure, however, that it tastes nothing like Merlot! Having said that, I believe your question refers specifically to home or restaurant made vinegars which contain something called the “mother” - a type of bacteria that consumes the alcohol from the base - such as wine or cider - and results in the actual vinegar after a certain period of time. Commercial vinegars have of course completed this process for you. When making your own, you witness the process first hand. Once the process is completed, the result is the same and safe to use. Until that time, some alcohol may remain and the product may more strongly resemble its base, i.e. wine, in which case it could be a trigger if it is used before its time. If you decide to use these, and are concerned about any residual alcohol or taste of alcohol, I would simply ensure that the acetic acid process is complete, which I believe can be done with test equipment available at home vinegar making websites.

   2. Fortified wines and liqueurs can be replicated by using some excellent products now available to us. Syrups used in coffee flavoring such as those made by Torin, would do well as a base for liqueurs such as Frangelico (hazelnut flavored). You can thin it if necessary or enhance it with an acidic ingredient such as vinegar or strongly steeped tea. In fact tea would be a good place to start when replicating Madeira as it will provide the tannins that are present in wine. Blackcurrant flavored tea with the addition of a simple syrup and a caramel flavored syrup would work for a sweet version of Madeira which has a slight burnt caramel after taste. I would encourage you to experiment with different combinations until you find one that performs the way you want it to in a particular recipe. For other recipes that call for the same alcohol containing ingredient, you may end up using a different version which is better suited to the overall dish.

   3. Unless you create an oil fire or overspill a cream reduction (and I’m not suggesting this at all!!) flambeeing may just be a thing of the past when excluding alcohol from the menu. I haven’t discovered a way to safely do this, but perhaps we will come across one as we continue to cook alcohol-free. Certainly let me know if you have any ideas!

   I hope this is helpful to you. Thanks again for your post!
   Best,
   Chef Liz

3. # Michelleon 15 May 2008 at 4:03 pm

   Just saw your story in the Recovery Today for May 2008. If possible are there plans to make you a permanent fixture to Recovery Today?

4. # kjshack79on 15 May 2008 at 4:15 pm

   HI CHEF LIZ!
   MY NAME IS KORI SHACKLEFORD, AND I AM A 29 YEAR OLD CHEF IN NORTH CAROLINA. I WENT TO JOHNSON & WALES IN CHARLESTON,SC. AND HAVE WORKED VERY HARD TO GET WHERE I AM AS A CHEF. ON THE DOWN SIDE I AM AN ALCOHOLIC WHO HAS ALSO BEEN WORKING VERY HARD TO DESTROY EVERYTHING I HAVE WORKED SO HARD TO ACHIEVE. I RECENTLY PUT MYSELF IN REHAB AND LOST MY JOB AS AN EXECUTIVE CHEF OF A COUNTRY CLUB. I LOVE BEING A CHEF AND COOKING IS MY PASSION. THE PROBLEM, AS YOU ARE WELL AWARE OF, IS THAT THIS IS NOT A VERY SOBER FRIENDLY FIELD. WHICH BRINGS ME TO MY QUESTION. IS THERE ANY PROGRAMS OUT THERE FOR CHEFS? AND IF NOT HOW COULD I START SOMETHING LIKE THIS FOR ME AND SO MANY OTHER CHEFS OUT THERE LIKE ME, THAT WOULD HELP ON OUR ROAD TO RECOVERY? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU.

   SINCERELY,
   KORI SHACKLEFORD

5. # Susanon 22 Jun 2008 at 12:08 pm

   Hi Chef Liz,
   Rumor has it you are working on a new book around mocktails (cocktails without alcohol) Can you tell us something about it? I love your column in Recovery Today. It’s full of lots of great tips for those in recovery and wainting to maintain our sobriety from alcohol and drugs. Thanks for your committment and passion around alcohol and drug recovery.

6. # Chef Lizon 30 Jun 2008 at 9:06 am

   Hi All,

   Have been busy working under book deadlines which always keep me super occupied. Glad you are all enjoying the site.

   Michelle - I have an ongoing column now with Recovery Today. Each month we’ll discuss a different aspect of things we can do in the kitchen to assist our recovery. It will be loads of fun and will always include a recipe or two!

   Susan - Yes its true. I’m working on a book for Ten Speed Press called “What to Drink When You’re Not Drinking”, full of alcohol-free beverage ideas for everything from aperitifs to nightcaps! It will have full color photos and a great resource list. I’ll keep you posted on my progress. Its due out in Spring of 2009.

   Keep coming back and keep cooking!
   Liz

7. # Crequeseron 06 Jul 2008 at 1:43 pm

   spyware blaster software com

8. # Neopresent-newon 11 Jul 2008 at 10:10 pm

   Good day to all

9. # Clerninseceon 17 Jul 2008 at 2:02 am

   BASINGSTOKE, England and CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, July 15, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Shire restricted , the extensive specialty biopharmaceutical retinue, ntes that Jerini AG has announced today that the European Commission has granted thethrong marketing authorization for its tempt a prepare mix FIRAZYR(R) (Icatibant) in the treatment of grave attacks of genetic angioedema (HAE). HAE is a debilitating and potentially flair-sinister genetic bug characterized by instinctual and recurring attacks of edema.

   As announced by Shire on 3 July, 2008, Maia Elfte Vermogensverwaltungs-GmbH, to be renamed “Shire Deutschland Investments GmbH”, a German wanderinmg subsidiary of Shire reduced, has launched a unasked apparent takeover step for all cuts in Jerini AG. Jerini’s managerial and supervision Boards unanimokusly promote the annals and are recommending acceptance of the bid to its allotmentholders. undergo to finalization of invariable cut-price and obtain agreements and regis
   tration of the newly issued allotments, Shire discretion sooner a be wearing rights to around 75% of Jerini’s cut principal in front of the reception of any takeover bid acceptances. It is anticipated that the bid discretion be communicate for acceptance by the residual allotmentholders until the end of Q3 2008 and is contingent upon the implementation of undoubted everyday terms and conditions, including one’s blessing to by applicable blending command authorities.

10. # offigmerion 19 Jul 2008 at 11:49 am

    http://www.hairstylestop.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/claudia.jpg
    The beautiful Claudia Schiffer enjoying a casual day out with her daughter Clementine. Claudia is currently living in London with her little Clementine and director hubby Matthew Vaughn. Claudia is a born supermodel which unfortunately means for the rest of us she is naturally beautiful, and there is little that we can do to come close to matching her flawlessness. However, here she is wearing her long blonde locks loose and free for a casual day out with her daughter. This looks is very retro, making it contemporary this year, and if you have long locks you can achieve this look very easily. It simply takes a little straightening pomade on washed hair, and then a blow dry with a flat paddle brush. If you d like to sleek the lines a little more, use your flat iron for some finishing touches. The end result is sleek, straight hair that requires little to no maintenance throughout the day. If you find some frizzies starting as the day progresses, run some moisturizer on your hands and run it through your hair t
    o smooth things out.
    Welcome to the Hairstyles Top. Here you will find the latest top hair style pictures, and advice for new hairstyles: long hairstyles, short hairstyles, kids hairstyles and formal hairstyles, etc. Lots of celebrity haircuts.

11. # jeniferon 03 Aug 2008 at 7:57 am

    good hairstyles which i have ever seen before. good job.

12. # Uncertintineeon 12 Aug 2008 at 7:18 am

    Olympics 2008 Medal Standings (????? 2008)

    results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/INF/GL/95A/GL0000000.shtml

13. # Accundillunseon 25 Aug 2008 at 2:28 am

    Is this gonna end someday??

14. # dead_drederSon 17 Sep 2008 at 3:21 am

    Priveet!! Medveed!!!

15. # MariaThereseKarlssonon 02 Oct 2008 at 2:28 pm

    Hey!

    I just checked out The Rasmus new Fan Page on Facebook where you can play the latest tunes from the BLACK ROSES album…
    The fifth song “Your Forgiveness” is so much better than the “Livin’ In A World Without You” single… don’t you agree?

    I know everyone has different tastes and all, but seriously,
    the fifth song definitely sounds better than the first!

    Listen (and become a fan) here:
    http://www.new.facebook.com/pages/-The-Rasmus-/28582556661

    PS: You can also win tickets and meet the band on the Facebook page

16. # MariaThereseVonRothon 02 Oct 2008 at 9:54 pm

    Hey!

    I just checked out The Rasmus new Fan Page on Facebook where you can play the latest tunes from the BLACK ROSES album…
    The fifth song “Your Forgiveness” is so much better than the “Livin’ In A World Without You” single… don’t you agree?

    I know everyone has different tastes and all, but seriously,
    the fifth song definitely sounds better than the first!

    Listen (and become a fan) here:
    http://www.new.facebook.com/pages/-The-Rasmus-/28582556661

    PS: You can also win tickets and meet the band on the Facebook page

17. # StefanDorinon 03 Oct 2008 at 12:56 am

    Go-Jamaica hosts marketing seminar on power of the Internet

    Put the power of the Internet to work in your business” was the slogan used in The Gleaner Online’s third annual Internet marketing seminar, held at the newspaper’s North Street central Kingston offices yesterday.

    Dr Felix Akinladejo, lecturer of Internet marketing at the University of Technology (UTech), as well as managers, students, entrepreneurs, representatives from advertising agencies and marketing consultants, were in attendance.

    “Internet marketing is the field of marketing or advertising a business on the World Wide Web. Because the Internet is so dynamic and is always changing, it is important that you keep up to date with the developments and designs that will enhance your web presence,” said Hope McMillan, project manager of The Gleaner Online and seminar presenter.

    Participants for the over-subscribed seminar discussed an array of Internet marketing issues around how to expand your online reach and how the Internet can work for your business.

    Marketing solution

    The Gleaner Online team took the time to walk participants through various types of Internet marketing solutions, in particular, ad formats and properly utilising websites.

    Based on a survey conducted after the seminar, the attendees expressed satisfaction with the venue, the information given, the length and way the information was presented and the level of interaction between the presenter and the audience.

    “I’m sorry I came so late. The information was good and it cleared up many areas of concern,” said one individual.

    The Gleaner Online’s Internet Marketing Seminar 2008, was considered by all a huge success.

    Because of the large number of registrants, some could not be accommodated. However, another seminar of this nature will be held soon.

18. # pefeendeatson 05 Oct 2008 at 3:32 pm

    Hi, everybody!

    I think, that this is a great forum. Very intresting and useful.
    But I can’t find the search function, cause I want faster find the topics that could be intresting for me to express my opinion…
    Please help me with search function on this forum!

19. # AMistyCrissyon 08 Oct 2008 at 7:54 pm

    Hi! I’m Crystal. I am almost 16.
    I guess www.sober-celebrations.com - nice name for this site!
    It is so interestingly here, especially in this category.
    I was surfed about 2 hours before found this forum. I think i’ll be here for a long time! :-*

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