Soda sauce?

[Garband]

Well, for tonight I put it on some vegetables (Carrots, okra, potato, peppers, onion, etc) that I boiled. I got tired of the vegetables (they had some weird taste, and I could hardly taste the sauce) though, so I put the rest of it that I didn't use in the refrigerator. It could be used for a lot (according to my mom lol) though, so whatever I have the urge to try it on. lol

[Jeff G.]

Originally Posted by Garband

Well, for tonight I put it on some vegetables (Carrots, okra, potato, peppers, onion, etc) that I boiled. I got tired of the vegetables (they had some weird taste, and I could hardly taste the sauce) though, so I put the rest of it that I didn't use in the refrigerator. It could be used for a lot (according to my mom lol) though, so whatever I have the urge to try it on. lol

To me it sounds like you were attempting to create two different sauces that got blended together.
I think using sodas as base is OK for some things but I certainly would not attempt to make them into any type of creamed or cheese sauce.

Pepsi with Cream soda would be VERY sweet. I think mixing those with some apple cider vinegar, taragon, basil, garlic, onion boil that down, reducing the volume by at least 50% , let cool then mix with a little olive oil, shake until it emulsifies. You could then put that on greens, vegetables what ever.

[Michael in FtW]

OK - a little history first: using "sodas" in cooking became popular during the war years when sugar was rationed ... but, ironically, soda wasn't. The "soda" provided the missing rationed sugar. It was reduced and used as a glaze for meats, and as a sweetner for cakes, etc.

"Soda" is a mixture of a sugar syrup with flavorings and carbonated water. To thicken soda - you add it to a sauce pan, bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and simmer it uncovered until it thickens - usually a reduction of about 1/8th, or less, the original volume (you cook off the water to reduce it back to a syrup). In the "olde" days this would result in a "simple syrup" (sucrose) with flavorings - with the advent of using HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) you get a flavored corn syrup. In either case - you have to simmer it until it reduces to a thick syrup.

And, yes - as it reduces you have to pay it a bit more attention ... stir more frequently, reduce the heat, etc. if you don't want the sugar to burn/scorch.

If your "soda reduction" didn't get thick - you didn't reduce it enough. This takes time (1-2 hours maybe) - you reduce it and then cook what you want to use it on. Using root-beer, coke or dr. pepper, for a ham glaze which is not reduced first works because it is used as a basting medium as the ham cooks - it thickens over time in the oven.

For cakes, etc. where the soda was not reduced before use - the moisture content of the recipe was adjusted to account for the moisture of the soda.

Of course - I can't think of anyone who would try to make a cream soda and pepsi with flour sauce to serve over vegetables.

[Dave Hutchins]

If you are going to thicken your sauce you should use Tapioca flour.. Take instant Tapioca and run it through a spice grinder and add a little at a time it will thicken up pretty quick.. and it will be clear with no lumps. Now you can make all kinds of Soda sauces

[Maverick2272]

Cool bit of history, thanks! I was thinking you would still reduce it if using it to baste a ham, but you are saying just use it as is?

[Michael in FtW]

Originally Posted by Maverick2272

Cool bit of history, thanks! I was thinking you would still reduce it if using it to baste a ham, but you are saying just use it as is?

Follow the recipe! The root-beer with a ham in a roasting pan will reduce quite nicely ... and if the recipe calls for basting with it ... that will be basting with it as it reduces/thickens. If the recipe calls for reducing first - do that.

Different sodas have different flavors, such as:

Root Beer - sassafras
Dr. Pepper - prune (although it doesn't contain prunes)
Creme Soda - vanilla
Mountain Dew - lemon-lime
etc.

[AMSeccia]

Originally Posted by Maverick2272

That sounds really good! And something other than the usually brown sugar, honey, and pineapple glaze would be cool for a change.

My mom always used Vernor's (really REALLY potent ginger ale). I can hardly find it in Green Bay, but it almost has a bite to it. There are very few fond memories of my childhood, but that "sweet" gravy is one of them.

[kitchenelf]

You can take equal parts of Coke and ketchup, mix and heat and reduce some. This makes a great easy BBQ sauce if you don't have any on hand.

What you need to do is go to the bookstore and sit down with a book on sauces and see what types of things are used and how. Your sodas would make good BBQ type sauces and glazes. When it comes to a cheese sauce you're going to find savory ingredients, not really sugary ingredients, are used.

With a bit of reading you will get a feel of what goes together. Read through some basic instructional cookbooks and it will help you in all aspects of cooking.

[Maverick2272]

Originally Posted by AMSeccia

My mom always used Vernor's (really REALLY potent ginger ale). I can hardly find it in Green Bay, but it almost has a bite to it. There are very few fond memories of my childhood, but that "sweet" gravy is one of them.

I know Vernor's, we still have it around here but I am not a ginger ale fan so haven't tried it.

[Jeff G.]

Originally Posted by Maverick2272

I know Vernor's, we still have it around here but I am not a ginger ale fan so haven't tried it.

It is unlike any other ginger ale. Very strong flavors. Wonderful stuff. Now if you want REAL strong(where it will burn your lips) ginger. Find some Jamaican Ginger Beer!!