Danger in the kitchen, Will Robinson! Danger!

Maybe I am being a bit of drama queen, though I think not.

Our recent winter storm inspired me to braise short ribs for dinner. Flipped through several recipes, which began with 1-2 bottles of wine being reduced by half or more. In several recipe narratives, they suggested flaming the wine to reduce the alcohol. Frankly given the duration these short ribs would be cooking, I didn't see a reason to flame. Any alcohol would be gone long before it was served.

Of course, I have enough curiosity that I am willing to try something just to see what happens. Initially when the wine was coming up to heat, I put a match to just above the surface: there was a quick self-extinguishing flame-out. Yet the real power of this method had yet to be revealed.

To reduce faster I brought the wine to a rolling boil with steam curling up and disapeering into the stove's ventilation system. I then struck a match to see if the self-extinguishing effect would occur again. Yes, there were flames, though these didn't self-extinguish because the boiling wine kept feeding the fire. I had Dante's Inferno in my Dutch Oven with flames swirling, rotating and reaching at least 8 inches above the pot's rim. In my mind I had visions of the flames sucking up into the ventilation to years of grease clinging to the ducts and flames licking the eaves setting the house on fire. I dropped the curtain by placing the lid on the pot. I looked around hoping nobody but me witnessed this tempest now contained.

No pictures to support this little drama. I'd be nuts to replicate that again!

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:No pictures to support this little drama. I'd be nuts to replicate that again!

What a shame there are no pictures! Might I suggest you try it outside in the turkey fryer (well away from the eaves, of course)?
BTW-- great title to the thread.

Josephine wrote:

Cathy2 wrote:No pictures to support this little drama. I'd be nuts to replicate that again!

What a shame there are no pictures! Might I suggest you try it outside in the turkey fryer (well away from the eaves, of course)?
BTW-- great title to the thread.

Great minds think alike! I did give it a passing thought, but it will be a long before I ever get around to doing the deed. Who knows, maybe someday I will update this thread with a photo.

The potential for a nightmarish situation materializing was just too present at that moment.

(Remember when having a robot like Will's was just the coolest thing imaginable?)

Regards,