Questions on Brandy

[lowjax]

First post here in the speakeasy. I'm a newbie in the whole area of "adult" beverages so please take it easy on me.

I've never cooked much with any alcohol and am starting to branch out in what I make. One of the recipes I will be making this week calls for brandy. I have no idea where to start with it. I would like something that would be both good for cooking and also good to drink, so I don't want a low-end cooking brandy. I've never sampled any brandy before, so this would by my first foray into drinking it as well. I also don't want to pay $30 for a bottle I may or may not like.

So... If possible, is there a nice, inexpensive bottle of brandy that would be good for cooking and also good for a newbie to try out? I have only had wine twice and it was low-end stuff I used in recipes and it tasted terrible when drinking it and I don't want to make the same mistake with brandy.

 

[danek]

Stay away from anything labled as "cooking wine/brandy/etc"; dreadful stuff. No need to spend a heap of money, but also don't buy rot-gut. Christian Bros VS (very superior) is great to cook with and drink as well. I certainly wouldn't bother cooking with anything more expensive.

Also, for something a touch different, apple brandy would give a hint of faint apple flavor to your dish; for example, works well deglazing a pan after a pork chop or chicken to build a pan sauce.

 

[OldAF]

Inexpensive California brands I like are E&J XO and Paul Masson VSOP.

 

[The Count of Merkur Cristo]

Stay away from anything labled as "cooking wine/brandy/etc"; dreadful stuff (and most have 'added' salt too).

Dane:

...and I have a saying..."If you can't drink it...don't cook with it.

"Cooking is the art of adjustment". Chef Jacques Pépin

 

[lowjax]

Thanks for the feedback, gents. I will be picking some up tonight to go in my Chicken Stroganoff.

 

[lowjax]

Well, I got some Christian Bros. VS and it is very good. I have made the Chicken Stroganoff which was ok, but the Stir-Fry Ginger and Brandy Beef was wonderful. Thanks for the great recommendation.

 

[danek]

As Julia Child once said, "I love cooking with wine; sometimes I even put some in the food".

 

[ReAndyMator]

As Julia Child once said, "I love cooking with wine; sometimes I even put some in the food".

And as Keith Floyd put it. "Mmm. luvely. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz"