Gentle genetic modification yields a nutty harvest….

Visions of perfection dissolve into shattered crystal and mushy pasta….

Contrary to what most people believe, and that includes most professionals, when using beer, wine or other alcoholic beverages in recipes, a lot of alcohol is left after cooking.
These are the facts from the Agricultural Research Service of the USDA (1989).

Alcohol remaining after preparation:
100% Immediate consumption
70% Overnight storage
85% Boiling liquid, remove from heat
75% flamed

Alcohol remaining: baked or simmered:
40% 15 min.
35% 30 min.
25% 1 hour
20% 1.5 hour
10% 2 hours
5% 2.5 hours

Substitutes for Alcoholic Beverages in Recipes
Choose the substitute considering the sweetness of the dish

White Wine substitutes in recipes
Apple juice or carrot juice.
Vegetable stock or Chicken stock straight or with a little white wine vinegar
1/2 cup rice vinegar and 1 tablespoon white grape juice.

Red Wine substitutes in recipes
1/2 cup of grape juice with 2 teaspoons of red wine vinegar.
1/2 cup water and 2 teaspoons of balsamic vinegar.
Beef stock or chicken stock straight or with a little red wine vinegar.

Champagne substitutes in recipes
Ginger ale, sparkling grape juice.

Brandy substitutes in recipes
Apple juice, peach juice, white grape juice, pear juice.

Marsala substitutes in recipies
Orange, peach or pear juice.

Orange Liqueur substitutes in recipes
Frozen orange juice concentrate.

Beer substitutes in recipes
Chicken broth, beef broth, ginger ale.

2 pounds ground beef
1 cup fresh bread crumbs
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan
1 heaping tablespoon chopped fresh basil
1 heaping tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 eggs
3 tablespoons olive oil.

1. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients except olive oil by hand, using a light touch. Take a portion of meat in hand, and roll between palms to form a ball that is firmly packed but not compressed. Repeat, making each meatball about 2 inches in diameter.
2. In a large, heavy pot heat olive oil over medium-high heat. When it shimmers, add meatballs in batches. Do not crowd. Brown well on bottoms before turning, or meatballs will break apart. Continue cooking until browned all over. Remove meatballs to a plate as each batch is finished. Let meatballs cool slightly; cover and refrigerate until needed.

Yield: About 16 meatballs.