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Need substitution advice

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

We're having another couple over for dinner on NYE and I plan to make Ina's Easy Coquilles Saint Jacques. It calls for seafood stock or clam juice. One of our guest is allergic to clams, lobster and shrimp (scallops are fine). What can I substitute? Calls for 1.5 cups.

Featured Answer

chloebud

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

Sherry, I think you could use white wine but the flavor will be a bit different. Brandy (or Cognac, a type of Brandy) adds an edge of sweetness that's nice with this recipe. You can always get a small 'airplane size' bottle of Brandy at most liquor stores. Those little bottles usually hold about 1/4 cup of liquor...give or take. Places like BevMo and Total Wine have a great selection of mini bottles.

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Comments (15)

chloebud
7 years ago
I've made Ina's Coquilles Saint Jacques. I would use chicken stock...low sodium.
nhbaskets thanked chloebud
chloebud
7 years ago
A couple suggestions for the recipe. Ina does likes her salt, so start with less and taste to check. I also used a bit less curry in the recipe.
nhbaskets thanked chloebud
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nhbaskets
Original Author
7 years ago
Agree that she tends to be heavy handed with the salt. Thanks for the advice!
deeebert
7 years ago
You can use chcken stock
nhbaskets thanked deeebert
User
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I don't have a problem with the clam juice, but I never have brandy. I googled and most recipes are using white wine. I wonder if that would work the same here?
nhbaskets thanked User
User
7 years ago
Ah, I forgot about the bottles for the bums, LOL! That is a great idea. Even Epicurious was using white wine. I may have to try both ways. Our liquor is only sold in the state ABC stores (Alabama Beverage Control). We might go crazy if we could buy it anywhere!
nhbaskets thanked User
chloebud
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
"We might go crazy if we could buy it anywhere!"

LOL...and people do! I think you should try a recipe using white wine. I'm sure it would be good...just different from Brandy. To be honest, I've only made Coqulles St. Jacques using Ina's recipe. Who knows...maybe I'd like it better with white wine. I certainly cook more with wine than Brandy.

ETA - Those mini bottles can sure be handy. Just recently I needed only a few tablespoons of tequila for a marinade. It's something we normally have on hand for margaritas but were out of it at the time. I remembered a small collection of mini bottles of booze I had in the pantry. Yup...tequila was there. :-) .
nhbaskets thanked chloebud
User
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I think it was about 20 years ago they decided we could buy wine in the grocery stores, but it had to be in a closed section and you had to put the bottle in a brown paper bag. The cashier had to peek in the bag to ring it up. Then it was decided it was okay to just sell off the shelf. There are still counties and towns where alcohol is illegal to sell (dry county), so the people have to make a run to a "wet" county to buy. Some places that sell, still can't sell on Sunday.

I will have to remember those little bottles, because there are several liquors that I don't use enough of to justify the shelf space to keep on hand.
PRO
Anglophilia
7 years ago
Only bear in grocery stores in KY. Kroger has their liquor store 3 stores down from the grocery; Whole Foods has it with a separate entrance, right in the store. Same with Trader Joe's. Makes no sense at all...
User
7 years ago
But "they" (who ever they are) are saving us from ourselves!
nhbaskets
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks for all the comments and recommendations. Just received a text that our dinner guests had to cancel due to illness. Anyone want to come?
chloebud
7 years ago
Hmmm...what time should I be there? :-)
nhbaskets
Original Author
7 years ago
6 pm. Bring dessert!
chloebud
7 years ago
Okie dokie!

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