Sober Celebrations: Lively Entertaining Without the Spirits

I own Chef Scott's first book on the subject (The Sober Kitchen) and use it daily. I also own this book and use it often. I live with and love a recovering alcoholic, and in support of him have decided not to drink or use myself. As a professional cook I do not keep alcohol in my house or use it in my preparations if I can avoid it (read: not following someone else's recipes at work). Chef Scott explains the role of alcohol in a particular recipe, and then shows you how to easily and (without missing it!) replace it with fruit juices, tea, cider, even vinegars. Alcohol may have originally been included in the recipe because it contributed "flavor" or "depth,"; many times it is/was just tradition. The truth is that alcohol does not "burn off" or "evaporate" as most of us had assumed our whole lives; much of it remains and it's not necessary to cook with it to make delicious, comforting meals. Why cook with alcohol when you have kids? Worse, for those in early (and even later) recovery, it can create disturbing cravings and provide unwanted triggers. I have become very sensitive to the taste since I stopped drinking almost 4 years ago and do not enjoy it where it is included in savory or pastry items. Now thanks to Liz Scott I even know to ask if and how it is used in food when ordering out - it takes the pressure off everyone at the table: Something you may not have thought of if you are part of a recovering addict's support system. Since I have implemented Chef Scott's tips (she includes extensive scientific and historical research as well as personal anecdotes throughout both books, BTW) my cooking has reached a new level. Any recipe can be remade non-alcoholic with her instruction, and it takes the worry out of something as basic as our need for nourishment. The Sober Kitchen gives you the framework for a non-alcoholic pantry and refrigerator. It's surprising how many places alcohol exists in our food (preparation, recipes, restaurant menu "classics", even condiments)and how unconsciously accepting our society is of its use and presence. I highly recommend The Sober Kitchen and Sober Celebrations. Sober Celebrations provides menus by various holidays, and can help pull together your sober (and delicious!) entertaining possibilities into one invaluable resource. It puts the power to choose what you expose yourself to in your food back where it belongs - in YOUR hands. I'm grateful to Chef Scott for the heightened awareness she has created in me. This is a fine addition to any cook's/chef's library.

I was recently involved in organizing a recovery walk in Kirkland, Washington and had the pleasure of meeting Liz Scott and purchasing her book Sober Celebrations and Sober Kitchen. She is an amazing chef and an amazing women in recovery who believes that those that don't need or want alcohol in their lives should not have to give up the joy of food, cooking and entertaining. Because there were no other books of this type available when she was early in recovery, she did a lot of research on how to substitute out alcohol in her cooking and catering business without losing the flavor and fun. AS someone who is not in recovery herself, but has a medical condition that makes alcohol use detrimental to her health, I was thrilled to find a cookbook that I could use myself. For anyone who is in recovery, doesn't drink alcohol, or is restricted diet wise, not only are these great recipes but the books are filled with great side bars and information that really helps me to understand the role of alcohol in foods, preparation, entertaining, etc. I couldn't recommend this book any higher. The same for Sober Kitchen. They are both must haves' Thanks LIz for your fondness of food and concern for those of us who love to eat and cook but felt like we had to give up so many dishes because of the alcohol. You are as much a chemist as a chef! Susan Burnash Kirkland, WA