My experience with pie is limited. Other than the fact that I’ve made a fair number, I really only have used the crust recipe on the box of Tenderflake. And although I’m a huge fan of anything that boldly displays ‘pure lard’ – this will be my last time with Tenderflake. Why? Well I plan on making topless pies, to … Read More
Thanksgiving Dinner 2007
Thanksgiving in Canada is actually on Monday. But we’re celebrating it early, due to scheduling ‘issues’. This being our first year with our very own child at home, I’m eager to start our own family traditions. So we spent a leisurely fall day as a family, doing as little as possible. The simple 2 course menu for our thanksgiving dinner: … Read More
More Bread Oven Action
I dug and washed a gazillion kilos of potatoes by myself this evening. The norland, yukon gold, and russian fingerling harvests are done. I’m hurting and tired. So today, I simply offer another cool bread oven to admire. The first was here. I have to admit it would be cooler if this was my buddy’s back yard or something, but … Read More
My Bread Gig
These numbers are in my head: 400g bread flour280g warm water1 tsp yeast1 tsp table salt. Top left. Scaled the water, then add the yeast. Top center. Scaled the flour and measured salt into the same bowl. Top right. I’ve mixed it all up into a crude mess, and dump it onto my counter. I then clean the bowl with … Read More
Beef Vegetable Soup
Sometimes, when you’ve been busy shopping for antique silverware on a cool fall day, you just feel like a bowl of home-made beef vegetable soup with some freshly baked focaccia. Just to be clear, I’ve had focaccia in Liguria that blows your mind. Let’s call mine a humble ‘plain focaccia’, simply sporting some kosher salt and olive oil from a … Read More
This is the best photo I could snap last night before getting in there and eating some plum cake. It really should look more like this. I read The Wednesday Chef’s post and couldn’t resist trying it immediately. I’m a pretty serious advocate of eating seasonal foods, and I’m finding the food blogosphere is a great way to keep you … Read More
Tip: When you’re trying to lose a few extra pounds, don’t make brownies. Late in the day, I went to DeVine’s Bordeaux tasting. Let’s see. Free. Bordeaux. Free. Yeah, I’m in. All the reds were from the Médoc, meaning predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, and I can’t believe how light, delicate, and elegant a cab sauv can be. I know. Shocking. These … Read More
Cake, sleep, and mastering
My first successful scratch cake. Chocolate cake with raspberry jam inside, and a chocolate icing. This is my favorite cake that my mom made for birthdays as I grew up. Not the exact recipe, but you know what I mean. Happily the texture is spot on – very tender and moist. Next time, more jam. Makes pregnant ladies very happy. … Read More
Fresh Yeast
After keeping an eye out for it for, well, years – I finally have a source for fresh yeast. I normally use active dry yeast, which keeps forever in the fridge and is dirt cheap if bought in large quantities. It works fine, but the speed and volume of rise out of this fresh/compressed stuff is incredible. Last night I … Read More