Flambe: burning alcohol vapor
Heated spirits give off alcohol vapor, and the vapor above the pan catches fire. The flame is brief and mostly burns that vapor, so plenty of alcohol stays in the dish.
Flambe safety
Take the pan off the heat before adding the spirit. Never pour from the bottle, because flame can travel up the stream. Measure into a small cup first. Keep a lid handy and hair, sleeves and the range hood clear. Light with a long lighter and step back.
Test yourself
Questions from the interactive lesson, with the answer and the why.
What actually burns in a flambe?
Alcohol vapor above the pan. Warm spirits release vapor, and that vapor ignites.
True or false: Flambeing a dish removes all the alcohol from it.
False. The flame is brief, and a good share of the alcohol stays in the food.
What went wrong? You tip brandy straight from the bottle into a hot pan over the burner. The bottle flares.
Pouring from the bottle let flame run back. Flame can travel up the stream into the bottle.
Fill the blank: Spirits ignite more easily than wine because they contain more ___.
Spirits ignite more easily than wine because they contain more alcohol. Higher alcohol means more flammable vapor.
Which of these is best for a flambe?
Brandy or rum. High-proof spirits give off enough vapor to ignite.