Can I please make an appeal on behalf .....

Olliebeak

Could I just make an appeal on behalf of people with an alcoholic to consider when baking for Christmas, please.

I know that most of us adore the taste of sherry/brandy/whisky/rum in our Christmas goodies - but for a recovering alcoholic these things can be pure torment. (Like being on a diet and somebody sticking all gooey, chocolatey, creamy stuff in front of you!:mad: )

Please spare them a thought and offer some things that have not had the fruit soaked in half a bottle of your favourite tipple.

I know that the alcohol evaporates during cooking but, for some people with a problem, the very smell could lead to all sorts of temptations - especially for someone who is only recently 'recovering'.

Dried mixed fruit etc can be soaked in fruit juice (grape juice is nice) or cold tea (or you can put some in a pan with the fruit juice or tea, bring to the boil, simmer for about 20 mins and then leave to soak overnight!) and the cake can be 'fed' with good quality orange juice to keep it moist (maybe grape juice would work as well). But it will not keep as well as one fed with alcohol.

Sorry for butting in with my favourite 'soap box issue' - my OH has been 'dry' for over 10 years and I try to make sure that no amount of Christmas Goodies are going to spoil this for us.

Also keep an eye on 'Luxury Mince Pies' and 'Luxury Christmas Puds' from supermarkets (many of those have the fruit soaked in 'something') - not that I'm insinuating that all you OS'ers would even DREAM of buying such items when you can all probably make them far better and cheaper :T !

There's only the two of us here for actual Christmas Lunch - and I'm the only one who likes christmas pud! So certainly NOT worth making anything. I buy a couple of individual puds - really yummy traditional one for me and a chocolate and chilli one for OH! He may be an alcoholic but he loves his sweet treats at Christmas:j !
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thriftlady_2

Thanks for the reminder Ollie, I'm guilty of pouring booze into nearly everything I cook especially at Christmas. I will try to bear your advice in mind

Those fruit flavoured teas might be good for soaking dried fruit.

Sarahsaver

I would use coffee or spiced tea.
DH's uncle will not eat anything with alcohol in it, but I don't know if that's because he is in recovery or not.
I always think of this anyway as I have Muslim friends and we often celebrate each other's festivals by sharing food.

luxor4t

Thank you for the reminder Olliebeak.

Alcohol in food can be a difficult area for other people too, including those with strong religious belief. Friend's Mil was part of a Christian temperance movement and so could not eat their wedding cake - I think they had a 'dry' tier.

isme_2

Olliebeak can i congratulate your OH.. 10 years is a long time! well done.
MY FIL is a recovering alcoholic (been dry now for nearly 3 years) and i see where you are coming from! thanks for the tip!

nikib_3

thankyou for reminding me, a family member has just admitted to an alcohol addiction and I hadnt thought about cooking with alcohol

Sarahsaver

I am sure that apparently small gestures like this make the world of difference to someone who has been strong enough to admit they have a problem. Thanks to the OP for bringing up a sensitive issue;)

beemuzed

I'd never given this a thought before, but it's a really timely reminder. Your OH is to be congratulated on 10 dry years - a magnificent achievement. I think I'll make a note to have alternatives - in any case some people don't actually like the taste of alcohol. Thanks for the reminder.