IDEAS IN FOOD: Approach to Cooking

Bowl Toppers

Fine dining has finally hit the canine world. Well, at least for those of us that don't actually cook for our dogs on a regular basis. Wellness has come out with "Bowl Toppers" marketed with the slogan "No more boring bowls!" and our dogs love them. It's genius. Sprinkle on some freeze dried crunchies or little tender bites and their dry food is suddenly magical again. It reminds me of my days in fine dining when there was a variety of small garnishes lined up on stations or at the pass to finish dishes just before they headed into the dining rooms. Little herb salads with delicate fried garlic bits, crunchy dehydrated vegetable salts, or a final drizzle of flavorful oil or sauce. It's these small touches that elevate the experience. Seeing the puppies reaction to the bowl toppers was great reminder that we can always reach for that extra something to make an everyday dish even better.

Years Past

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on October 22, 2019 at 03:18 PM in Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes | Permalink | Comments (0)

Looking For Guidance

Years Past

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on October 18, 2019 at 02:23 PM in Approach to Cooking, INSPIRATIONS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Potato Rolls v-Too Many To Count

I have finally come back to our potato rolls. This version I increased the heavy cream in the recipe and reduced the buttermilk. I pulled out some of the potato flakes and increased the salt. I brushed the exterior with whole milk. These adjustments created the potato roll I have been chasing. It has structure but is tender. It has a fine crumb and creamy texture. The roll is potato perfection. For now.

Years Past

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on October 16, 2019 at 04:27 PM in Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes, CULINARY EVOLUTIONS, Curiosity Doughnuts | Permalink | Comments (0)

Everything Bagel Stuffing

Everything bagels are seasoned from the outside in. The combination of onion, garlic, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, salt, and, occasionally, caraway seeds creates an extremely well rounded and savory bagel. We have explored using everything flavoring in everything from noodles to potatoes to curing salmon. We have been lax in using the everything bagel in its entirety. Today we started repairing our mistake. We cut up a few everything bagels and mixed them with mirepoix, cream cooked turkey soffrito, heavy cream, and stock. We roasted the stuffing underneath a chicken. The bagels were savory sponges that retained their texture while becoming pillowy, tender, and rich. The savory seasoning of the bagels added a depth to the stuffing and the texture of the bagels has me looking for many more opportunities to turn them into stuffing.

Years Past

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on October 15, 2019 at 06:16 PM in Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes, CULINARY EVOLUTIONS, INSPIRATIONS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Cotton Candy Corn

The season dictates the form.

Years Past

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on October 14, 2019 at 06:28 PM in Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes, CULINARY EVOLUTIONS, INSPIRATIONS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hot Chocolate Season

Make sure your whipped cream game is solid.

Years Past

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on October 12, 2019 at 02:43 PM in Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes, CULINARY EVOLUTIONS, INSPIRATIONS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Just Swirl It

There was a time when I would have done my best to smooth out the tops of my marshmallows to make perfect squares. These days I embrace the swirl, it makes them prettier anyway.

Years Past

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on October 11, 2019 at 05:45 PM in Approach to Cooking | Permalink | Comments (0)

Caramelized Cream Cooking

We were thrilled to share our caramelized cream cooked eggs with Kristin Miglore, of Genius Recipe Fame, over at Food52. In conversation, she was able to get us to dive deeper into our thoughts as she asked about our process on the eggs, cream caramelized carrots, and potatoes. We discussed the technique's potential overall. She put together a brilliant video on the egg cooking process and mapped it out, step by step. Go check it out.

Years Past

October 9, 2015

October 9, 2011

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on October 09, 2019 at 03:53 PM in Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes, CULINARY EVOLUTIONS, INSPIRATIONS | Permalink | Comments (3)

Practicing Questions

Without the question we have no direction.

Years Past

October 8, 2012

October 8, 2011

October 8, 2005

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on October 08, 2019 at 02:44 PM in Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes, CULINARY EVOLUTIONS, INSPIRATIONS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Driven By Preparation

Years Past

October 7, 2015

October 7, 2012

October 7, 2011

October 7, 2005

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on October 07, 2019 at 06:22 PM in Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes, INSPIRATIONS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Chicken Thigh Nuggets

As we get closer to opening the new shop in Virginia, we have begun revisiting our fried chicken. It dawned on us that we really like chicken nuggets so perhaps we should entertain the idea. Our first run was using buttermilk brined chicken thighs, cut into nuggets, dredged in a blend of cornstarch and rice crumbs, and fried in sunflower seed oil. The first run proved to be an idea avalanche, the result of many first drafts. Besides a want to improve the breading it reminded us of our many staple condiments from cherry pepper caramel sauce to ginger-ketchup as necessary additions to fried chicken.

Years Past

October 5, 2015

October 5, 2012

October 5, 2005

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on October 05, 2019 at 05:00 PM in Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes, Fried Chicken Project | Permalink | Comments (0)

Learning to Roar

Adding a second shop is teaching us a lot about what we don't know. It's hard to toot your own horn and to reach out to people and ask for help. This new project has forced us to do both of those things, sometimes at the same time. It's helped us to own our accomplishments in a way that we may have shied away from in the past. We've never been big on bragging about our achievements but we've realized that acknowledging them can be empowering. It reminds us that even when things get tough we can push through and make things happen. We know that we can create magic because we've done it before. This is very helpful knowledge when we're chasing doughnut unicorns in Virginia and beyond...

Years Past

October 4, 2015

October 4, 2012

October 4, 2008

October 4, 2005

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on October 04, 2019 at 06:21 PM in Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes, Beyond the Kitchen Doors, Culinary Conversations, Curiosity Doughnuts, Food For Thoughts, INSPIRATIONS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Pizza Ranch

Many years ago, when we were working at a private ranch, one of the chefs who worked in the employee kitchen came in from the dining room and threw her hands up in the air. "They're putting ranch dressing on the lasagna! They put it on everything. Even pizza!" She was horrified and we concurred. Now, apparently, putting ranch dressing on everything is so common that they're making it specifically for pizza. Who knew?

Years Past

September 3, 2018

October 3, 2015

October 3, 2012

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on October 03, 2019 at 04:45 PM in Approach to Cooking, At the Table | Permalink | Comments (1)

Caramelized Cream Seared Smashed Potatoes

We revisited our caramelized cream cooking technique. Tonight we put a thick layer of cream in a saute pan and added boiled and smashed potatoes. We cooked the potatoes in the cream, letting it boil and evaporate. As the cream separated and broke the potatoes cooked in the fat and milk solids of the cream. The cream transformed into browned butter which the potatoes absorbed. The exterior of the potatoes were toasty and nutty and the insides were creamy and rich.

Years Past

October 1, 2015

October 1, 2012

October 1, 2011

October 1, 2005

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on October 01, 2019 at 06:29 PM in Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes, CULINARY EVOLUTIONS | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Question is the Constant

How do we improve? That is the constant question. We look at the elements of what we do and see how they perform. We adjust and tinker. We don't always know what needs improvement. It takes breaking what works to see opportunities to explore.

Years Past

September 30, 2018

September 30, 2017

September 30, 2016

September 30, 2015

September 30, 2014

September 30, 2013

September 30, 2012

September 30, 2011

September 30, 2010

September 30, 2009

September 30, 2008

September 30, 2007

September 30, 2006

September 30, 2005

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on September 30, 2019 at 04:52 PM in Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes, CULINARY EVOLUTIONS, Curiosity Doughnuts, INSPIRATIONS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Secret (Fermented Black Bean and Garlic) Sauce

We are huge fans of fermented black beans. Years ago we created Japanese Yams and Cheese, for Maximum Flavor, that we topped with freeze dried fermented black beans. We have made fermented black bean seasoned sausage and beurre monte. Recently I have been leaning on the prepared version of fermented black beans from Lee Kum Kee. It is considered a sauce. I look at it as a cooking condiment. It is a recipe enhancer. It contains fermented black beans, soy sauce, garlic, rice vinegar, oil and modified starch. The condiment is intense and super savory. It is an ingredient that allows us to add character to dishes from tomato sauce to ricotta meatballs. I am beginning to feel comfortable and rely upon having a pantry of purchased powerhouse preparations on hand to improve our cooking and creativity.

Years Past

September 27, 2018

September 27, 2017

September 27, 2016

September 27, 2015

September 27, 2014

September 27, 2013

September 27, 2012

September 27, 2011

September 27, 2010

September 27, 2009

September 27, 2008

September 27, 2007

September 27, 2006

September 27, 2005

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on September 27, 2019 at 04:14 PM in Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes, CULINARY EVOLUTIONS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Blackened Yuzu Zest

We were able to preserve yuzu in their dry and blackened form. It allows as to integrate the aromatic flavor into dishes when we want, seasonally or not.

Years Past

September 26, 2018

September 26, 2017

September 26, 2016

September 26, 2015

September 26, 2014

September 26, 2013

September 26, 2012

September 26, 2011

September 26, 2010

September 26, 2009

September 26, 2008

September 26, 2007

September 26, 2006

September 26, 2005

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on September 26, 2019 at 02:50 PM in Approach to Cooking, INSPIRATIONS | Permalink | Comments (2)

It Takes Time to Improve

In addition to time, it takes repetition and analysis. We are coming up on our fifth year of Curiosity Doughnuts. It is amazing to look back at where we started. Here are the first and second articles that dove down our rabbit hole. When we opened I believed we were amazing and we had put in the work. Now, if you take a look at our updated website for Curiosity Doughnuts you can see where we are today. What is exciting is that I was not really aware of our growth, development and improvement as it happened. But as I stepped back and looked at what we have created, I am thrilled with both where we started and how things have grown.

Years Past

September 25, 2018

September 25, 2017

September 25, 2016

September 25, 2015

September 25, 2014

September 25, 2013

September 25, 2012

September 25, 2011

September 25, 2010

September 25, 2009

September 25, 2008

September 25, 2007

September 25, 2006

September 25, 2005

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on September 25, 2019 at 04:30 PM in Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes, CULINARY EVOLUTIONS, Curiosity Doughnuts, INSPIRATIONS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Discovery

Years Past

September 23, 2018

September 23, 2017

September 23, 2016

September 23, 2015

September 23, 2014

September 23, 2013

September 23, 2012

September 23, 2011

September 23, 2010

September 23, 2009

September 23, 2008

September 23, 2007

September 23, 2006

September 23, 2005

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on September 23, 2019 at 06:44 PM in Approach to Cooking, INSPIRATIONS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Parchment Lined

Lining the sheet pan with overlapping sheets of parchment paper sprayed with pan release allows for liquid based preparations to be baked inside the pastry frames. Cakes are one thing, but with the lining bread pudding both savory and sweet are now easily accomplished in large formats.

Years Past

September 22, 2018

September 22, 2017

September 22, 2016

September 22, 2015

September 22, 2014

September 22, 2013

September 22, 2012

September 22, 2011

September 22, 2010

September 22, 2009

September 22, 2008

September 22, 2007

September 22, 2005

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on September 22, 2019 at 09:04 PM in Approach to Cooking | Permalink | Comments (0)

Flavor Twists

We have blended chocolate and vanilla in our marble doughnuts. We have fused chocolate and vanilla together in our black and white doughnuts. We have even layered chocolate and vanilla for our half and half doughnuts. Chocolate and vanilla are readily available and easy to pair with each other. There visual opposites make striking combinations. Today we began looking at flavor combinations with a twist. We rolled our pumpkin and lemon doughs together and shaped them like our twist doughnuts. The fried finished doughnut does not show the two doughs clearly. When we bite into the doughnut we get the surprise. The lemon and the pumpkin doughs both stand out and up. The lemon compliments the pumpkin adding brightness. The pumpkin adds richness and fullness to the pumpkin. The twist is best when the flavors stand on there own while creating an exceptional experience eaten together.

Years Past

September 20, 2018

September 20, 2017

September 20, 2016

September 20, 2015

September 20, 2014

September 20, 2013

September 20, 2012

September 20, 2011

September 20, 2010

September 20, 2009

September 20, 2008

September 20, 2007

September 20, 2006

September 20, 2005

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on September 20, 2019 at 04:17 PM in Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes, CULINARY EVOLUTIONS, Curiosity Doughnuts | Permalink | Comments (0)

Pivot

An old dictionary can find new life as a bouquet of paper flowers. A series of obstacles can be the impetus to change your perspective. We've got a lot of changes going on right now and they are not all going the way we'd hoped or expected them to. It's time to pivot and change directions. The trick is choosing the right one to turn towards.

Years Past

September 17, 2018

September 18, 2017

September 18, 2016

September 18, 2015

September 18, 2014

September 18, 2013

September 18, 2012

September 18, 2011

September 18, 2010

September 18, 2009

September 18, 2008

September 18, 2007

September 18, 2006

September 18, 2005

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on September 18, 2019 at 07:08 PM in Approach to Cooking | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Opposite Direction

Years Past

September 17, 2018

September 17, 2017

September 17, 2016

September 17, 2015

September 17, 2014

September 17, 2013

September 17, 2012

September 17, 2011

September 17, 2010

September 17, 2009

September 17, 2008

September 17, 2007

September 17, 2006

September 17, 2005

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on September 17, 2019 at 06:38 PM in Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes, CULINARY EVOLUTIONS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Liquid Toffee

I started with the measurements for Stella Park's cream based toffee. I substituted brown sugar for granulated sugar. I cooked the mixture until it reached 225°F. The sauce is nutty and toasty but not intense like a dark caramel. It resembles the lighter character notes of a classic butterscotch.

Years Past

September 16, 2018

September 16, 2017

September 16, 2016

September 16, 2015

September 16, 2014

September 16, 2013

September 16, 2012

September 16, 2011

September 16, 2010

September 16, 2009

September 16, 2008

September 16, 2007

September 16, 2006

September 16, 2005

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on September 16, 2019 at 06:11 PM in Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes, CULINARY EVOLUTIONS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sugared Pumpkin

Our pumpkin doughnut is built on our new fashioned doughnut model. Originally I thought our cinnamon cardamom sugar would be the right coating for this. But the flavor of the doughnut, with its distinct spices, did not need additional aromatics. I landed on simple granulated sugar. The interior pumpkin flavor shines and the sugar adds a delicate sweetness and a crunchy texture. It is not what I planned to do. It is what the doughnut needed.

Years Past

September 15, 2018

September 15, 2017

September 15, 2016

September 15, 2015

September 15, 2014

September 15, 2013

September 15, 2012

September 15, 2011

September 15, 2010

September 15, 2009

September 15, 2008

September 15, 2007

September 15, 2006

September 15, 2005

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on September 15, 2019 at 04:43 PM in Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes, CULINARY EVOLUTIONS, Curiosity Doughnuts | Permalink | Comments (0)

Perseverance

In rock climbing, as in the kitchen, and pretty much everywhere, perseverance makes all the difference.

Years Past

September 14, 2018

September 14, 2017

September 14, 2016

September 14, 2015

September 14, 2014

September 14, 2013

September 14, 2012

September 14, 2011

September 14, 2010

September 14, 2009

September 14, 2008

September 14, 2007

September 14, 2006

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on September 14, 2019 at 05:17 PM in Approach to Cooking, Beyond the Kitchen Doors | Permalink | Comments (0)

Fried Egg Salad

I am not a fan of peeling eggs. Especially if the eggs are going to be chopped up for egg salad. A simpler way is to gently fry the eggs.

Years Past

September 13, 2018

September 13, 2017

September 13, 2016

September 13, 2015

September 13, 2014

September 13, 2013

September 13, 2012

September 13, 2011

September 13, 2010

September 13, 2009

September 13, 2008

September 13, 2007

September 13, 2006

September 13, 2005

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on September 13, 2019 at 04:49 PM in Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes, CULINARY EVOLUTIONS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Pumpkin (Doughnut) Season

I have pushed back against the idea of pumpkin doughnuts for as long as we have had a doughnut shop. This week I had an epiphany. Suddenly the idea that we shouldn't have a pumpkin doughnut on principle seemed as silly as my refusal to serve lobster when we ran a restaurant in Maine. In both cases I stonewalled the item because "everyone does it." I decided that there was no need for me to do it too. As I eventually learned with the lobster situation, it is not whether or not someone else is doing it that matters. It is whether or not we can do it better. Now we are diving into the pumpkin patch with this perspective to motivate us.

Years Past

September 12, 2018

September 12, 2017

September 12, 2016

September 12, 2015

September 12, 2014

September 12, 2013

September 12, 2012

September 12, 2011

September 12, 2010

September 12, 2009

September 12, 2008

September 12, 2007

September 12, 2006

September 12, 2005

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on September 12, 2019 at 05:51 PM in Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes, CULINARY EVOLUTIONS, Curiosity Doughnuts, INSPIRATIONS | Permalink | Comments (1)

Milk Braised Pork

We braised pork shoulder pieces in milk seasoned with soy sauce with miripoix and garlic. It took about 3 hours for the pork to become tender and the milk to curdle and caramelize. The braised meat was tender, soaked in a flavorful sauce of its own juices and caramelized milk. What occurred to me as I was eating the meat was how we could customize this dish. On the front side a dry rub of endless options would add character to the meat. And a flavorful pesto, paste or aromatic condiment added on top of the meat when serving it would transform the dish. Finally, while typing, it dawned on me that the milk and what could be milk would add its own unique characteristics to the dish. Tonight we ate simply. Tomorrow we can begin to explore the potential.

Years Past

September 10, 2018

September 10, 2017

September 10, 2016

September 10, 2015

September 10, 2014

September 10, 2013

September 10, 2012

September 10, 2011

September 10, 2010

September 10, 2009

September 10, 2008

September 10, 2007

September 10, 2006

September 10, 2005

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on September 10, 2019 at 06:38 PM in American Noodles, Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes, CULINARY EVOLUTIONS | Permalink | Comments (0)

A Return to the Roll

We have returned to the roll. We are looking to bring our fried chicken sandwich back from its prolonged vacation. Before it returns we need to go through the elements and make sure they are all crushworthy. My first obstacle is the roll. It is easier and most likely smarter to buy rolls. Thankfully I'm allergic to easy and smart. I started with our own potato roll recipe. Then I dismantled it and started building it back together. The first version was a first draft. It was an idea that needed a lot of work. I made some dramatic changes in hydration that created a gorgeous looking second draft. Looks can be deceiving. I enjoyed the chew the roll had. Everyone else who ate the roll was not into the chew as a feature. Now I need to take these observations into consideration and begin tinkering with a third draft. How long will it take to get the rolls right? Time, tests and tinkering will tell.

Years Past

September 9, 2018

September 9, 2017

September 9, 2016

September 9, 2015

September 9, 2014

September 9, 2013

September 9, 2012

September 9, 2011

September 9, 2010

September 9, 2009

September 9, 2008

September 9, 2007

September 9, 2006

September 9, 2005

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on September 09, 2019 at 06:32 PM in Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes, CULINARY EVOLUTIONS, Curiosity Doughnuts, INSPIRATIONS | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Best Pot Clips Ever

There has never been a great pot clip for thermometers. There have been plenty of adequate at best and multiple hack-able solutions. When Breville-Polyscience introduced the Control °Freak they changed the game with induction burners. But they also had a brilliant solution with there pot clip. It is a round silicone ball that fits over the lip of most pots and has 2 slits for the thermometer. When the Control °Freak was first introduced the pot clips were only available with the induction burner. But in kitchens, sometimes you need multiple pot clips and not every situation calls for the precision the Control °Freak offers. Sometimes you want a pot, a thermometer and a burner. But the damn thermometer does not easily stay in the pot. Thankfully the folks at Breville-Polyscience now sell the pot clip. I don't know what I have done without them for so long. Good thing I just bought 5.

You're Welcome.

Years Past

Septermber 7, 2018

September 7, 2017

September 7, 2016

September 7, 2015

September 7, 2014

September 7, 2013

September 7, 2012

September 7, 2011

September 7, 2010

September 7, 2009

September 7, 2008

September 7, 2007

September 7, 2005

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on September 07, 2019 at 04:45 PM in Approach to Cooking, INSPIRATIONS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ribs and Beans

Taking advantage of grilling season...

Years Past

September 5, 2018

September 5, 2017

September 5, 2016

September 5, 2015

September 5, 2014

September 5, 2013

September 5, 2012

September 5, 2011

September 5, 2010

September 5, 2009

September 5, 2008

September 5, 2007

September 5, 2006

September 5, 2005

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on September 05, 2019 at 06:24 PM in Approach to Cooking | Permalink | Comments (0)

In the Shadow of Pie

While the crisp lies in the shadow of pie it is the master of dessert. The crisp allows for improvisational combinations and is not subject to advance preparation. Crisps are not subject to conventions and size constraints. The key to a crisp is more fruit than you would think appropriate and more thickener to absorb and capture all the amazing juices. Having some vanilla ice cream on hand is a bonus.

Years Past

September 4, 2018

September 4, 2017

September 4, 2016

September 4, 2015

September 4, 2014

September 4, 2013

September 4, 2012

September 4, 2011

September 4, 2010

September 4, 2009

September 4, 2008

September 4, 2007

September 4, 2006

September 4, 2005

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on September 04, 2019 at 07:06 PM in Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes, INSPIRATIONS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Finding Thin Air

Years Past

August 28, 2015

August 28, 2012

August 28, 2005

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on August 28, 2019 at 06:33 PM in Approach to Cooking, INSPIRATIONS | Permalink | Comments (0)

International Inspirations

It is always exciting to come across imported candies. They have a style that is different than what we are exposed to on a daily basis. Aki and I had the good fortune to tour the Cadbury Factory in New Zealand. That experience has stayed with me for years. The exposure to the chocolates has had me constantly searching out confections from outside the USA for new looks, techniques, flavors and ideas. Today I picked up a some bars of delight, featuring honeycomb, air bubbles and pop rocks.

Years Past

August 26, 2012

August 26, 2011

August 26, 2008

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on August 26, 2019 at 06:53 PM in Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes, INSPIRATIONS | Permalink | Comments (2)

Also Known As

Doughnut kouign amann. We use the trimmings from our meltaway doughnuts to make these magnificent marvels. The finished doughnut has a crisp crackling exterior. The interior is full of buttery, sweet and decadent layers of dough. We named them AKA's for also known as. It made sense to me.

Years Past

August 23, 2015

August 23, 2012

August 23, 2005

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on August 23, 2019 at 05:06 PM in Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes, CULINARY EVOLUTIONS, Curiosity Doughnuts | Permalink | Comments (0)

Salt and Grill

I have always thought of ribs as a slow cooked meat. Ribs are time sensitive. They take time to cook. That is the lore I have always been told and believed. Aki came home with a rack of baby back ribs. Her plan was to cut them into individual ribs, salt, rest for a couple of hours, and then do a quick grill over high heat. She got the idea here. I looked at her with serious doubt. I watched her prepare the ribs, making sure to carefully removing the membrane on the back of the ribs, another detail I often scoff at.

When it was time to grill, I jumped in to cook the ribs. If there was a miracle on rib street, I wanted to see it. I put the ribs on a ripping hot grill and let them cook covered for a few minutes. I turned them and closed the lid again. At this point the ribs were sizzling and browning. I flipped them a few more times and poked them as well to feel for doneness. When the ribs were firm and felt juicy I pulled them off and let them rest on a plate for 5 minutes. We sat down to the plate of ribs and went to town. The meat had a beautiful char, a crispy chew, and rich juiciness. We're definitely making these again.

Years Past

August 22, 2015

August 22, 2012

August 22, 2011

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on August 22, 2019 at 05:33 PM in Approach to Cooking, At the Table, Balancing Tastes | Permalink | Comments (1)

Differences

We measure and pay attention to the little pieces, because when they are connected they become memorable.

Years Past

August 21, 2015

August 21, 2011

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on August 21, 2019 at 05:23 PM in Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes, CULINARY EVOLUTIONS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ingredient Exchange

I like recipes that allow me to customize the results. We start with a solid foundation. Then we explore the potential of interchangeable parts. Today we changed the sugar in our shortbread from powdered sugar to maple. The maple sugar shortbread is rich and decadent. It has a caramelized undertone and has a luxurious feel. It is a shortbread that makes you pay attention to it. The plan was to make a maple shortbread for maple crumbs for doughnuts. The result has me rethinking the flavor potential of sugar.

Years Past

August 20, 2015

August 20, 2012

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on August 20, 2019 at 06:25 PM in Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes, CULINARY EVOLUTIONS, Curiosity Doughnuts | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Idea

Years Past

August 19, 2015

August 19, 2012

August 19, 2011

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on August 19, 2019 at 05:28 PM in Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes | Permalink | Comments (0)

Chasing the Chew

The success of an idea is measured on whether it can be brought to life. Our new-don noodles are tender, chewy, and slightly slippery. They have a distinct resiliency. The noodles can withstand the rough dressing of a dry stir-fry style as well as a saucy sauce. They are not like any udon I have eaten. They eat like the udon I wish existed.

Years Past

August 17, 2015

August 17, 2012

August 17, 2011

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on August 17, 2019 at 05:45 PM in American Noodles, Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes, CULINARY EVOLUTIONS | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Simplest Tomato Salad

Freshly picked basil and cherry tomatoes, split, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkled with salt and pepper. This rests happily at room temperature, the flavors mingling and merging, while you make the rest of the meal--even if that just means slicing up a baguette and pulling out some butter. If you love basil, eat it as is. If you like basil, remove the leaves before eating. Their flavor will still linger with subtlety rather than punch. Either way it's the perfect taste of summer.

Years Past

August 15, 2015

August 15, 2012

August 15, 2011

August 15, 2010

August 15, 2009

August 15, 2008

August 15, 2007

August 15, 2006

August 15, 2005

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on August 15, 2019 at 04:38 PM in Approach to Cooking, At the Table, Balancing Tastes | Permalink | Comments (0)

New-don Noodles

Years ago we used a starch paste in making our masa cavatelli. For some reason we did not think to make the connection to apply it to long noodles. Until recently. We are currently exploring thick, chewy, and slurpable udon noodles. We make a starch paste with cornstarch and use that paste to hydrate and make the noodles. The results are tender, chewy and crushable. We shall continue to tinker as we work towards a recipe we can leave alone.

Years Past

August 14, 2015

August 14, 2011

August 14, 2010

August 14, 2009

August 14, 2008

August 14, 2007

August 14, 2006

August 14, 2005

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on August 14, 2019 at 04:29 PM in American Noodles, Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes, CULINARY EVOLUTIONS, INSPIRATIONS | Permalink | Comments (1)

Perfection and Imperfection

Years Past

August 13, 2012

August 13, 2011

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

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Posted on August 13, 2019 at 05:41 PM in Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes, Beyond the Kitchen Doors, CULINARY EVOLUTIONS, INSPIRATIONS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Don't Stop Trying

Years Past

August 11, 2011

August 11, 2008

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on August 11, 2019 at 04:14 PM in American Noodles, Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes, CULINARY EVOLUTIONS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Steal and Stack

Years Past

August 9, 2015

August 9, 2012

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on August 09, 2019 at 05:29 PM in Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes, CULINARY EVOLUTIONS, INSPIRATIONS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Springers

I have taken the name and adapted it to an idea. The caramel apples were delicious. But they did not allow the doughnuts or the apples to shine to my satisfaction. Today we formed strips of our meltaway dough on skewers and fried them. They have a spring-like appearance. They cook up fantastically crisp with a bit of a chew. They are both fun to eat and deliciously satisfying.

Years Past

August 8, 2015

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on August 08, 2019 at 06:04 PM in Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes, CULINARY EVOLUTIONS, Curiosity Doughnuts | Permalink | Comments (1)

Allowed to Grow

Our volunteer basil plant is representative of a forgotten idea. Its initial appearance brought a smile and some attention. We payed attention to it and even watered it a few times. Then we forgot about it again. The basil developed and matured without us. I looked over at the plant one day and appreciated its beauty and growth. I harvested a few leaves and then left it alone again. It's increased size may catch my eye more often earning a bit more attention now. Perhaps we'll even water and trim it as our desire for basil increases in its presence.

Years Past

August 7, 2012

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on August 07, 2019 at 05:17 PM in Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes, CULINARY EVOLUTIONS, INSPIRATIONS | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ripening Under a Blanket

We have found that letting fruit rest under a light cloth at room temperature prevents fruit flies and allows the fruit to slowly become ripe. One unexpected benefit is that when you draw the cloth aside the fruits aroma rushes up at you and makes your mouth water. This is the first summer we have begun using this method. We will continue to test and observe to see if the perceived benefits hold up over the long haul.

Years Past

August 6, 2015

August 6, 2012

Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work

Maximum Flavor: Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook

Gluten Free Flour Power: Bringing Your Favorite Foods Back to the Table

Posted on August 06, 2019 at 05:28 PM in Approach to Cooking, Balancing Tastes, CULINARY EVOLUTIONS, INSPIRATIONS | Permalink | Comments (1)

Pickle Corn and Corn Dogs

We often have a few ears of corn left over from corn on the cob nights. The steamed corn is a canvas for flavors. Aki dressed our most recent batch of corn with spicy pickle juice. I thought it was brilliant and it tasted delicious. She had made pickle corn. It turns out she served the pickle corn with hot dogs. I topped my dogs with a generous amount of the corn, making corn dogs. Simple connections became delicious results.