Oct 13, 2009 -
While shopping at Berkeley Bowl, I came across the bargain section of fresh produce. Most of the time I won't glance at this section, but a two-pound bag of ripe red tomatoes caught my eye. At only $0.99 per bag, I couldn't pass them up since I had a hankering for a bowl of fresh tomato soup.
- 8 Comments
Jul 16, 2009 -
While whipping cream for strawberry shortcake the other day, I was reminded of a helpful prep tip that I always employ: stay cool. Using refrigerated cream helps produce stiff peaks, but it's important to chill your mixing bowl and beaters — and even keep the kitchen frigid, if possible. When cream is whipped at a lower temperature, fat globules stick together to support the foam created by whipping in a large amount of tiny air bubbles.
- 7 Comments
May 28, 2009 -
Asparagus is the star ingredient in this delightful pasta dinner. Don't be afraid of the whole milk in the recipe, it's necessary to make the sauce thick and creamy.
Lemon zest, tarragon, and grainy mustard ensure that it's not overly rich but fresh and flavorful.
- 4 Comments
May 02, 2009 -
My guy's favorite dessert of all time is strawberry shortcake, and for weeks now, he's been begging me to make it. Since the beloved berries are starting to turn up at the farmers market, I finally decided to win him over with a luxuriously creamy strawberry layer cake.
Unfortunately, the day I baked this cake, the city of San Francisco had record-high temperatures, something that my cool, whipped cake wasn't so thrilled about — it wound up being a classic case of theirs versus mine.
- 9 Comments
Apr 15, 2009 -
Ganache
A chocolate sauce made from a mixture of chocolate and cream, ganache may be used to fill a pastry, add a glossy glaze to a cake, or form the center of a traditional chocolate truffle. Ganache is typically created by pouring heated cream over chopped dark chocolate, then blending until smooth, although it may also be enhanced with liqueurs or extracts. Cream-to-chocolate ratios vary depending on the application; less cream results in a firmer ganache.
- 7 Comments
Feb 14, 2009 -
Happy Valentine's Day! While some guys have a sweet tooth, I know a few who don't enjoy decadent chocolate desserts. If your honey happens to be a choco-hater, serve him panna cotta, a delicious Italian dessert.
- 8 Comments
Feb 12, 2009 -
Tiramisu is one of my favorite desserts. I especially love to order it at restaurants, but the two times I've made it at home, I was utterly disappointed with the results. The ladyfingers fell apart, the custard was runny, the final dish was a soupy mess, and I vowed never to make it again.
- 23 Comments
Aug 26, 2008 -
Clotted Cream
With origins in Devonshire, England, this thick topping for scones is made by heating rich, unpasteurized milk. The milk is warmed until a thick layer of cream rises to the surface. Once cooled the cream is removed and served atop bread, fruit, and desserts.
- 14 Comments
Aug 14, 2008 -
Crème fraîche
A heavy French cream that has been slightly soured by bacterial cultures. It's similar to American sour cream, but has a thinner texture and less sour flavor, with a higher fat content, lower protein amount, and lower viscosity.
Unlike its American counterpart, crème fraîche can form peaks when whipped, and it can be cooked without curdling.
- 7 Comments
Jun 26, 2008 -
A refreshing take on classic macaroni and cheese, this delicious pasta dinner is a mix of decadent cream, salty cheese, and fresh herbs. Although the sauce is made with cream and cheese, in moderation, this pasta is far from heavy. The fragrant mint provides a tangy coolness and the peas burst in your mouth.
- 7 Comments