Eat (Don't Drink) Your Wine: Recipes That Use Up Your Reds and Whites

While we often talk about wine as a pairing with food, it's also a great ingredient to go in food. Cook up these nine recipes that give your favorite whites and reds a different function — braising and simmering included. Whether you use your party leftovers or brand-new bottles, we'll cheers to their newfound purpose in the kitchen. Photos: Nicole Perry and Lauren Hendrickson

Seared Scallops

Seared Scallops

Because of their mild taste, pair scallops with a buttery wine sauce for a recipe that's rich with flavor. Try your hand at more easy-to-follow tips to make a meal that's crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Steamed Mussels

Steamed Mussels

Put your Sauvignon Blancs or Pinot Grigios to use with this steamed mussels recipe from Julia Child. Bring the dry whites (along with parsley sprigs, thyme, pepper, and more) to a simmer for some shellfish goodness. Photo: Nicole Perry

Brie Pasta

Brie Pasta

This pasta dish is all about the creamy brie sauce. But that sauce get its flavor with help from some dry white wine that you can pull straight from your shelf. Photo: Lauren Hendrickson

Ramen

Ramen

A light-bodied red like Pinot Noir added to the broth balances out the richness of the ramen. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Breaded Pork

Breaded Pork

The key to this breaded pork cutlets recipe lies in its punchy sauce. Made from a combination of Dijon mustard and half a cup of white wine, it's something you'll want to drizzle on more than just pork. Photo: Susannah Chen

Beef Brisket

Beef Brisket

This wine-braised brisket recipe comes directly from actress, singer, and cookbook author Gwyneth Paltrow. Combine dry red wine with chicken stock to not only marinate the brisket and vegetables, but also deglaze the pan for a celebrity-worthy meal. Photo: Nicole Perry

Saffron Mussels

Saffron Mussels

Combine dry white wine with saffron, carrots, and more to make a scrumptious broth that you'll pour over cooked mussels. Even though it sounds like an elaborate process, it's actually a dish that requires little cooking time or prep work. Photo: Lauren Hendrickson

Roast Chicken

Roast Chicken

Prepare for this roasted chicken recipe by adding white wine, along with chicken broth, to the bottom of the pan. You'll want to make this dish during this time of year especially, because it calls for plenty of bright Spring veggies. Photo: Lauren Hendrickson

Brazilian Chicken Stew

Brazilian Chicken Stew

Welcome Brazil into your kitchen when you try out this plantain and chicken stew recipe. It calls for half a cup of white wine that will play a major role in getting the chicken so tender that it falls off the bone. Photo: Susannah Chen