Why does the audience applaud when Emeril adds alcohol to a dish?

[tridim]

Some saucy audience members even hoot and holler for Emeril to add more. What the hell?

Does anyone applaud when they add wine to their spaghetti sauce at home? Maybe it's just me...

... Or maybe Emeril is a hack, and a bad cook that uses gimmicks to make people like his show?

[oostevo]

1. They applaud because ...

That staff member in front of the audience holds up the stick that says "Applause" on it.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

2. Yes, that's also why they applaud when he adds pepper and says

BAM!

[Dogmudgeon]

3. Booze in food

I haven't had a drink of alcohol since 1980. I don't have the liver enzymes needed to break it down, so I mainly get sick.

But a few years ago, I began to experiment with cooking wine, and I'm a convinced booze cook. It's not the alcohol that makes the flavor, it's the chemical by-products of fermentation (and distilling, as the case may be). These "chemical by-products" are nothing to be concerned with, and in fact, most of them are very beneficial to the health as well as the taste of the food.

It's easy to start trying adding alcohol to food. Chicken in white wine is especially good, and impossible to screw up. I like to slow-cook chicken in white wine and herbs. Zero hassle, totally tasty!

Marinating beef, pork and other non-poultry meats in booze is also healthy. According to a couple of studies on the "Mediterranean diet," arachidonic acid, which promotes unhealthy fats in the bloodstream, is broken down and leeched out by alcohol.

Why do people applaud Emeril when he adds booze? Well, I think they're going for that Mardi Gras feel on the show. Maybe he can get some of his audience to flash some ta-ta, too. :)

--bkl

[LoZoccolo]

4. I always thought...

...the alcohol usually evaporates pretty easily in a lot of recipes too, right?

[Rowdyboy]

5. I use wine or beer often when cooking certain dishes....

The alcohol burns off; only a delightful flavor is left.

[Ksec]

6. Id say

:beer:

[Heyo]

7. You know....

I bought some of that spice he makes... "Essence"...

The regular flavor..

It's actually damn good.... it's good to add when youre frying up some burgers... and I like to add parmesean cheese.. (there.. my secret is out... I fry my burgers with a sprinkling of parmesean cheese.. that's what gives them that taste and outer texture)

Bam!

Heyo

[HEyHEY]

8. My Dad does

Seriously though..they're trying to be cool