A recent article posted on MSN just extolled the wonders of "Beer Pizza."  I have been using beer as a sort of 'secret ingredient' for years now.  Almost everything that I cook based on pork products is either cooked in or marinated in beer.  I use beer instead of water when making my home made chili.  I use beer when baking certain kinds of bread.  At this rate the Internet will give away all of my little trade secrets in the kitchen like liberal use of Liquid Smoke.  LOL

Cooking has sort of become a hobby of sorts for me.  When my late wife came down with Parkinson's Disease I became the chief cook and bottle washer for our household.  The Internet became my favorite source for every kind of recipe.  However I took some delight in adulterating many of the recipes that I found adding my own little personal touches.  One such touch was the use of all of the alcoholic beverages as flavoring agents.  I use bourbon in many of my deserts, wine in my beef and chicken dishes, and beer in my pork and grain dishes.  Some liquors are frequently called for in many candy recipes. 

For those who are concerned about the alcohol anyone who paid attention in high school science class knows that all of the alcohol evaporates off with the introduction of any heat source.  However after it evaporates it leaves behind the distinct flavors of its other ingredients.  It is often those flavors that cause the questions like "what did you put in this to make it so tasty?"  Usually that is where I smile and say "its a secret" but now that is becoming common knowledge.  Oh well.  As long as everyone enjoys the results that is all that matters.

I have found that cooking is like a never ending adventure.  No matter how many recipes you use over and over there are always new ones awaiting your discovery.  The same can be said about the various spices and flavorings.  When I first discovered Curry Powder I went nuts and put it in almost everything for awhile.  The same with Ginger.  It is a really fun way of occupying time when you are more or less confined to your home because of care giving reponsibilities.  It also permits you to sort of travel the world vicariously through different dishes from around the world.  So I guess I will forgive the Internet for letting my little secret out.  HEH HEH HEH HEH  Bon appetit.