What’s the point of cooking with alcohol?

Question

What’s the goal and why adding something like vodka if you’re just going to cook it out anyway? Why add it if it’s all going to evaporate in the end?

In: Other

Answer 1

In the case of vodka, certain compounds will only dissolve into alcohol, creating a solution and flavour compounds that wouldn’t occur otherwise. In the case of things like wine or brandy, the alcohol burns off but much of the flavour compounds remain, adding complexity and depth to the dish.