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artisanbaker

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Posts posted by artisanbaker

  1. alanamoana is right

    really though: it must be bleached to support the tremendous ratios of sugar/fat/liquid that are introduced to American recipes

    in France they were astounded to hear me say that "one can not make a cake without bleached flour..."

    it is not legal in France to add chlorine to flour.

  2. I recently hosted an Eisele vineyard tasting where we tasted a 77 Norman Mini Eisele ("garagiste") that was laden with VA. It was the first wine that I had experienced significant VA in, but I was able to see beyond and the fruit was really glorious. I actually rated it very highly. Almost everyone else at the table, including Doug Eisele and Walter Schug, remarked that it was too much and rated it last. Mr. Schug did say that with the right "roast beef" he could drink it!

    As the tasting was blind and my notes had been written, I was married to my positive judgement. I am not a very experienced taster and I could not detect this "fault" of sorts but after this experience I think I am better suited to identify VA and assess accordingly.

    We did taste, later on, a wine in which Tor Kenward identified acetone. It was one of the 90's era Araujos I think. At any rate, sounds like there are various forms that VA can manifest itself, but I think I would prefer that all of it be filtered out whenever possible.

  3. For classic French pastry, I highly doubt that there is anyone in the US doing it better than Michael London in Saratoga Springs, NY. Saveur agrees and this past March called him "America's greatest baker." I know that I haven't had better - anywhere. His apple tarts, cannelle, croissants and brittany's are sheer perfection.

    I saw that and regretfully have never been. Must be an honor. The pix looked great.

  4. To my friends and colleagues:

    I have recently signed on to lead the bakery program for an organic grocery store based in Chattanooga, TN called Greenlife Grocery. I am looking to increase my sources of organic bakery ingredients. If any of you have a moment to send any information my way or post it then I would be most appreciative.

    Warm regards,

    Rob Alexander

    roba@greenlifegrocery.com

  5. we brought some good wine/food and just did the family r&r thing. the family whom I work for own a cabin up there so it's a nice getaway. can't recommend the pastry shop in old truckee and the wine shop on the lake was closed sundays.

    most of the good stories that i tell about the trip involve my initiation to snow chain installation.

    
    
    						
  6. I can confidently recommend the pork belly at REDD. It hit the spot last week. I like to vote with some dollars in Richard's direction.

    Consensus is very positive about ad hoc.

    Skip Napa Valley Grill.

    Etoile at Chandon was nothing short of outstanding in terms of food and service a couple months ago. Ask Mateo for Suzanne serve you; she's been there for over 20 years! Disclosure: my wife worked there when we ate there.

    The terrace at Auberge is one of the most romantic spots in the Valley.

    Try calling Pride Mountain Vineyards and picnic at their summit tables: charcuterie from the Fatted Calf with some newly released Pride wines are a great match. Get the charcuterie at the Copia farmers market on Tuesday AM. You might even be able to track down some decent bread...

    Sonoma: lots of good reports about Mirepoix in Windsor...can't vouch.

  7. Start with great flour and butter. Make an excellent puff pastry. Wait til fall arrives and buy the finest quality apples you can get. Peel and core them. Slice them thinly and cook them in a heavy bottom pot until a thick puree arrives. Very lightly sweeten. Adjust acid with lemon juice.

    Stamp puff ovals, dose the filling well, egg wash the edge to seal.

    Egg wash the top and using the back of a knife make a decorative design.

    Bake in a very hot oven and reduce the heat to medium to finsh the bake. The puff pastry must be baked DRY. That way, you have the crisp pastry and the perfectly textured filling.

    having fun with my new moto Q,

    R

  8. small companies:

    more volatile

    smaller workforce (harder to get time off sometimes)

    less benefits

    less beaucracy

    usually more tight nit

    sometimes you have to be able to wear different hats to succeed

    larger companies:

    can sometimes be better organised

    better benefits

    more corporate feel usually

    change happens slowly sometimes

    in the end you follow your vision, and if you don't have a vision then i suggest varying your experiences with different companies so that you are an easily adaptable employee. your next step must come from you; i am responsible for my career success (not the culinary school i attended or didn't attend).

    that's what i value and what has helped me.

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