Have you ever tried cooking with Whisky? We know that a good whisky pairs nicely with a juicy steak or a bougie cheeseboard, but you have not lived until you try glazing a pork belly with a tot of Bourbon! Different whiskies each bring a unique flavour to a recipe. From a peaty Scotch or Australian whisky to American-style Bourbon, whatever your taste, it’s up to you to decide which one you want to use.
For anyone looking to dabble in the art of cooking with whisky, you’ve come to the right page. In this article, we’ll bring you the top recipes to try out when cooking with whisky.
1. Bourbon-Glazed Pork Belly
Looking for the perfect glaze for your pork belly? Bourbon whiskey, with its subtle sweetness, is what you’ve been waiting for. Mix up some soy sauce, tomato sauce, honey, star anise and Bourbon, and you will have a perfectly sticky and sweet glaze to dress over your pork roast.
2. Irish Apple Tart
The Irish certainly have a few smooth moves, and their whiskey has been one of their best, thanks to its velvety texture and hints of vanilla. The Irish apple tart is a winner on St Patrick’s Day or any other day when you feel like a dessert that gives you both something sweet and savoury. The recipe calls to simmer the raisins in some whisky to accompany the caramelly sweetness and then a splash over the apples for an extra kick.
3. Caramel and Whisky Sauce
Another way you can use whisky when cooking is to create a thick, boozy caramel and whisky sauce. This deliciously sweet sauce with a kick goes down well, whether it’s on a souffle or the classic vanilla ice-cream. Served hot or chilled, it’s a winner.
4. Roast Grouse with Blackcurrant Sauce
Embrace the taste of Scotch whisky and try your hand at roasting grouse with a rich, blackcurrant sauce. As a game bird, the grouse pairs perfectly with the richness of the berries and whisky. This type of recipe also calls for some creme de cassis, so expect it to be a delightfully boozy hit at dinner parties.
5. Cranachan
A traditional Scottish dessert calls for a good old Scotch whisky. Cranachan is one dish we’d describe as a vibrant and creamy dessert. It’s made with heaps of fresh cream, oatmeal, and fruit, along with some whisky to taste. So, if you want to try a zesty orange cranachan or a seductive berry cranachan, it wouldn’t be complete without a splash of whisky.
6. Whisky Scrambled Eggs
For a brunch that is sure to kick people into gear, whisky scrambled eggs are one meal that you cannot miss out on. All it takes is splashing this classic breakfast with a little bit of whisky, and you’ll find that your bacon and scrambled eggs will have a satisfying, salty kick to them.
7. Bread Pudding with Whisky Sauce
Bread pudding is a classic dessert, and it’s so easy to put your own spin on it, but it goes down sensationally well with a few tablespoons of sweet whisky. For anyone who appreciates a stronger taste of whisky, go ahead and soak the raisins in the whisky for a few hours before adding it to the pudding.
Which Whisky Should I Cook With?
When deciding on which whisky (or whiskey) to use when you’re cooking, at the end of the day, you’re the chef in your own home and can cook with whichever whisky tantalises your taste buds.
However, with its slightly sweet nature, if you’re looking to give your meats a sticky glaze or want to balance a savoury dish and bring in a sweet and boozy twist, then an American-style bourbon is the way to go.
The hints of vanilla that accompany a good Scotch whisky make it perfect for those creamy bakes, sultry sauces and flavour-filled game dishes. Australian whiskies were inspired by the traditional Scotch – minus the tradition. Australian whiskies have a huge range of different flavours, and by using some of the best Australian whisky brands, you’ll find that they work just as well as a good old Scotch when cooking.
Working with Irish whiskey, the traditionalists will tell you to pair it with an Irish whisky, and we couldn’t agree more because its smoothness just complements an Irish dish so well.
Final Thoughts
Every day is an opportunity to discover something new in the kitchen, so take a chance on cooking with whisky. Once you discover all the thrills (and delicious outcomes) of cooking with whisky, you may try to sneak into every recipe.