[Nailing Graham Cracker Crusts]

So am I the only one that adds a bit of flour to graham/oreo crusts? I find it helps hold everything together for me. Just add it by feel, a tablespoon or two should be fine for a home recipe.

[Organic chocolate, which do you like best?]

Have you tried calling TCHO, I've never worked with them, but sometimes smaller companies can be responsive and tweak their product to suit you needs.

[Wheatgerm, the ingredient]

Blether- My point was to give it a good crust using high heat the way you might with a steak in order to give it texture. I didn't mean to start an equipment battle lol, I'm sure what you have is fine. You can cook a sausage through with out crusting it. Another option would be to use caul fat to wrap them, and then you could add additional flavors before wrapping. I think the pork rind crust upthread is a great one and very creative. Btw, a placha is a griddle with usually a thicker metal than a griddle but pretty much the same thing. Think of the Spanish 'Gambas a la plancha'. Just some ideas..

Re: Wheatgerm, how about making your own Grahm Crackers. This recipe is a good example.

http://www.marthastewart.com/282131/homemade-graham-crackers

[Wheatgerm, the ingredient]

Why don't you give it texture by giving it a hard sear like on a plancha or black skillet assuming you are going to be doing the cooking.

[Wheatgerm, the ingredient]

I want to say, just put it in a casing.. but I'm guessing you have a good reason not too. Avoiding pork maybe or just hard to get in Japan?

[Wheatgerm, the ingredient]

Think of it as the 'yolk' of the wheat, It's got the fat and most of the micro-nutrients. I guess that would make the bran the egg shell and egg white the endosperm (white wheat flour). Yep, analogy holds up.

[How to clean stains out of white jackets?]

JHeald's advice is really good. Also a cleaner/degreaser spray like Mr.Muscle works miracles, apply after service, then wash. Hydrogen peroxide is great for blood stains.

[Marcel's New Show On SyFy]

Didn't he work for Jose Andres? what was the deal there.. you can b.s. to get in a good place but it's hard to stay there with no chops..

PS I don't really watch TC or the other show. Just curious as to if he's really that clueless

[Eric Ripert's New Knife Carrier]

He has earned his station, lord knows a the road to become a chef is a hard one, I certainly don't be-grudge him some luxuries. Especially as he does travel quite a bit and chefs and cooks can be crazy about their tools. Some might even say knife nuts, lol.

[Non-stick Pans: How Do You Heat Yours?]

At least at home, I rub all my skillets with a tsp of oil before putting them away. That way they are ready to go. Temper the pan on med for 3 minutes or so depending on the mass of the pan. It does seem to make any pan stick less and clean easier.

[Sherry vinegar]

I wouldn't use PX Sherry for Gazpacho. Too sweet IMO, PX is great as a sub for Balsamic. It's much more complex than any but the DOC Balsamics

I use this one: http://www.laespanolameats.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LEM&Product_Code=6060

[Pâte de Fruits (Fruit Paste/Fruit Jellies) (Part 1)]

You don't need to dilute citric acid or make a slurry. Just add it in. My read is he wants you to use citric acid (prob for consistency) and is listing lemon juice as an optional substitution.

Anytime I read ingredient(XXX) the (XXX) is usually a modifier/substitution. Since its not a modifier ie. Onion (small dice) then it most likely an offered substitution. That's how I read it anyway.

[Tomato Gastrique]

Throwing everything in the pot and reducing is the cheater method. Proportions are a matter of personal taste. I would use verjus and tomato water doing it the traditional way so as not to cook all the aroma out of the tomato water. Make sure to use flavorful overripe tomatoes for the best flavor.

I do think that a tomato gastrique might get lost paired with a big steak unless you are going to slice it and do a more modern presentation with multiple sauces ect

[Pintxos]

I have a book I picked up during my time in the area. I believe you can find it online:

Creative Basque Cuisine - Traditional and Modern

It is part of a series based on the 'Premios Pil Pil' a kindof Basque food Oscars..

the Editor is J.L. Barrena

[Apprentice dealing with pastry chef]

It's hard to know with out seeing it. My guess is that as long as the chef getting the dough is experienced and show through is not too much you'll be okay. Be confident, chefs can smell fear

I might go up the the person who worked the dough and ask them so how was it .. followed up with I was worried because.. and .. do you have any advice for the future. Show you are interested in their opinion with out being too scared..

And take the following advice with a big pinch of salt. But I have found sometimes, when a chef say's to hurry up! (in the nicest possible way of course) you need to say 'Yes Chef!' and completely ignore them and do the job right. Of course you need to read the situation but in the long run if you are doing something the way he/she taught you.. it's better to put your name on a quality product. (after you clock out first of course). You'll end up with more respect than being the person who hurried and did a half ass job.

As always YMMV

[Ravioli Pizza]

Truly a man ahead of your time

Now that's a pizza you need an Amarone for

[Want to help me plan a Tiki Luau themed cocktail party]

This is my glaze for Island flavored wings

Island Marinade

Kecap Manis 100%

Catsup 100%

Shao xing 50 %

Garlic 5 %

Ginger 5 %

For use as a glaze: combine ingredients

For sauce: in a pot over med heat w\ 1T oil add aromatics. Add wet.

Simmer 5 min.

NOTE: SUBS.. Sherry wine for Shao xing. Equal parts, Soy and Brown sugar for Kecap Manis. It's worth trying to find the original ingredients though.

Just prepare wings your favorite way, fry crispy or grill/broil. Then brush or toss in a bowl with the sauce.

Finish with something crunchy..sesame seeds, bubu arare, toasted rice powder ad infinitum..

[Cooking from "Salsas that Cook" by Rick Bayless]

Tomatillo-baked Chicken Breasts (p. 85)

Salsa: Roasted Tomatillo Salsa (p. 28)

That was certainly easy: add cream to salsa verde, pour over chicken, bake until done. I used crema rather than cream since that's what I had on hand: it worked well. The dish isn't much to look at, but it tasted great. I love salsa verde.

mmmm reminds me of my mom's enchiladas suisas. which she used to bake after rolling with the sauce on top. Rice, beans and a salad (lol we are in L.A.) not fancy but a great dinner

[Cooking with Tomatoes out of Season]

@ Dave -Prolly Santa Monica or BH FM.. I'd hazard a guess of Wong farms. Not great but pretty good grown hydroponic in the desert

Arturo

[Poblanos & Chilis Rellenos]

Why would you pull it out? There is really no need in a poblano or anaheim to pull the seed pod out there is plenty of space and they aren't hot..

You wouldn't in a restaurant, except clean up the veins a bit.

[Macaron: the good and the bad]

Don't dispare, Macaron's are like learning to ride a bike. Really hard and frustrating while you learn and experiment. Then you 'get it' and wonder how you ever flubbed it.

[Black Pepper]

Biscuits and gravy I love my sawmill gravy with lots of fresh ground black peeper. mmmmmm and some soft scrambled eggs

[Coke Recipe]

Are you going to try the recipe Paul?

I have to say I don't drink soda, but this sure looks interesting!

[Santi Santamaria dies]

WOW RIP Santi

For those of you that can read Spanish or just appreciate good food..

El Raco de Can Fabes is well worth a read.

Arturo

[Cooking with Diana Kennedy's "Oaxaca al Gusto"]

WoW!

Makes me hungry!