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jbates

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Posts posted by jbates

  1. 1 hour ago, Toliver said:

    I was thinking the same....but along the lines of what I know as an "avocado picker" (click).


    I have one of those. I lined it with some inch-thick foam to cushion the fruit (plums would split on the mesh).


    They can be a bit aggressive on softer fruit, or if it's firmly attached. For my Eureka lemon tree I had to really yank the fruit and that sometimes broke the little branch it was attached to.


    I haven't yet got the Fisker I mentioned but it's on my list. Planning to attach a funnel-like collector underneath with a tube that runs down the shaft (either mosquito netting or PVC). I should be able to cut off multiple fruits without moving the blades too far. Not sure what the bottom end of the tube will have but maybe a peg to hold everything back and then just open it over a bucket that's close enough to avoid bruising the fruit.


    (Got this idea from a video of an automatic apple picker)

    • Like 2
  2. 18 hours ago, heidih said:

    I do a single jar of marmalade at a time.. Oranges still on trees though unfortunately all the the easy pickers are gone and can not reach  much higher.  Got in middle of orange  and lemon and got a few. Thin sliced and chopped. Added some craisins for interest, boiled up and let sit after salting just a touch. Then added sugar and more water, got a nice little jar that will  do me for weeks on home made bread. Very empowering. Tastes lovely. 


    Perhaps look into getting telescoping shears? Perhaps attach a little basket underneath to catch the goodies before they fall to the ground.
     

    I was thinking of something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-7-9-12-ExtendableTree-Pruning-92406935K/dp/B00004TBMV/

     

  3. For those that stumble across this thread, the links on the NCHFP site have changed, and the PDF for the paper on garlic from UC Davis has been updated. It's now at https://ucfoodsafety.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk7366/files/inline-files/250352.pdf and via https://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/Details.aspx?itemNo=8568

     

    It now includes details on how to create acidified garlic in oil to avoid the botulism problem completely, using research from the University of Idaho Extension Service.

     

    • Like 3
    • Thanks 2
  4. 2 hours ago, EsaK said:

     

    Thanks @CanadianHomeChef! So the rim (or is there not a rim at all, hard to see from any video/photo?) as pointed out in the below screenshot, shouldn't be an issue? I mean if a pan goes beyond the rim, it should still get contact and heat? 

     

    Quickly checking Modernist Cuisine, I suppose GN pans aren't the greatest conductors with their relative thinness, when comparing to for example regular frying pans. Would be curious to hear still if anyone has used GN pans on their Control Freak. 

    Screenshot 2020-06-27 at 12.40.39.png

    The glass rim is nice and smooth and the steel falls away so an oversized pan will have no issues, but I would recommend placing the pan so the longer side faces the user, so it doesn't cover the control panel.

     

    I have used a large Kuhn Rikon pressure cooker (hotel style) that is over 11 inches in diameter and it worked fine, but it's round and definitely a lot thicker than a GN pan so the sides heated up quite rapidly. (I haven't measured the differential across the surface yet - anyone want to buy me an IR camera? 😁)

     

    I haven't tried a GN pan on mine yet, but I'll do a test for you soon. I think a good start would be a pan full of eggs, starting with a cold pan.

     

    • Like 2
  5. Adding my caramel experiences to this thread.


    Most of my caramel recipes are of the "cook everything except butter" type. I use a probe thermometer for accurate temperatures.

     

    I have replaced up to half the butter with cocoa butter in my firm caramels, they set up with nice sharp edges and have a good mouth feel.

     

    Rather than making slabs and stressing about the cutting process after they're set, I pour into the (somewhat expensive) silicon candy molds from ChefRubber that make perfect little squares or rectangles. I demold them chilled (a few minutes in the fridge) to avoid any deformations when I pop them out.

     

    Be aware that if you're not enrobing them, and if the butters haven't been sufficiently emulsified, you may end up with little white cocoa butter splotches on the edges. To avoid this I always use a stick blender to start the caramel moving, add grated butter (which was left to reach room temperature while the caramel was cooking) and once completely incorporated add the just-melted cocoa butter.


    Hope this helps.

     

    • Like 2
  6. 20 hours ago, jaw said:

    i'm thinking of getting this set: https://anolon.com/collections/nouvelle-copper-cookware/products/nouvelle-copper-luxe-hard-anodized-nonstick-frying-pan-set

    Nouvelle Copper Luxe Frying Pan Set -- 8.5" & 10"

     

    does anyone have that smaller 8.5" pan? i'm wondering if it tips when empty on the CF. the handle looks kinda beefy, so that's why i ask.

     

    i apologize if someone already answered this question, but i scanned this thread and didn't see it.

     

    I got what I believe is the same set (based on the above recommendation):
     

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002QB9TPS


    and the smaller one works fine.

     

    If it's exactly centered on the sensor then it'll lift up on the far side by just a millimeter or so (1/32 of an inch), but if you move the handle closer to the sensor by an extra centimeter or so (½ inch) it balances perfectly.

    • Like 2
  7. 16 hours ago, jedovaty said:

    Sooo... what's the experience level requirement for something like this?  Intended audience?  In another thread I mentioned I was going to look into classes offered nearby, however, after review, they are not for me.  I may have a reason to be on other coast soon, timing would work out well.  I've been eating chocolate bars that I make from scratch for nearly 4 years, have made dipped treats a couple times, and bon bons once 😁

    Any experience level is fine, the more the merrier. The attendees have a range of experience from those who just started to full time professionals.

     

    I attended for the first time last year, and I was very happy that I did. Met a bunch of great people, all of whom are willing to share and help. Learnt some new techniques and shared everyone's creations.

     

    • Like 1
  8. 1 hour ago, Louise nadine brill said:

    Arrrgh. I have the diffraction grating, still in it’s Amazon shipping box....somewhere. I put it “to the side” until after Christmas and now have no idea where it is 🙄🙄. Will update once i locate it. In the meantime, i took a page from Kerry’s (epic)  book and bought some cocoa butter containers...i wonder what the neighbours think.

    26C8649D-73EC-4A7C-A49D-F583B5B3A14D.jpeg


    I have the same problem. Ingredients disappear into the wilderness and are only found 5 minutes after the need has passed.

     

    When I'm mixing up small batches of colored cocoa butter I use one of those battery powered milk frothers, which seems to emulsify the color powders pretty well. I pour it though a fine sieve into the target container to get rid of any air bubbles. Do you have a better method?

     

  9. Had a very successful Xmas charity sale at work today, raising funds for the International Rescue Committee. I donated all the chocolates so all of the proceeds, plus a 100% match from our foundation, will go to the charity.

     

    9BFB8906-8513-48FF-8C02-3B7254877EA5.thumb.jpeg.254ee13c3da117862119072ce15b1149.jpeg

    Yuzu ganache with an almond nougatine base.
     

    ED55EE5A-775E-416E-837B-DE3C1CC4EC39.thumb.jpeg.71579e9c8d5737c2f63ba23814b37e81.jpeg

    From the top, hand dipped raspberry caramels, a sea of blackcurrant/cassis PdF and vanilla ganache, and the mushrooms are a wattleseed and tonka bean ganache.

     

    B7A4710B-9AD8-49F4-90A9-FE28615D05B9.thumb.jpeg.38be1612f2b4a19b3c493465aca86a53.jpeg

    A family sharing bar, this 165 mm (6.5 inch) tree is filled with praliné feuilleté (hazelnut crunch).
     

    I have two almost identical molds, this one is the CW1175 (half of a double mold). The other is from Cabrellon (also 1175) but for reasons known only to them the frame sides are shorter than the thickness of the tree so the mold won't sit flat. Given a choice buy the CW one.

    • Like 9
  10. 6 hours ago, Jim D. said:

    I have returned to baking tiny cookies and have expanded my list of them--besides graham cracker, I now have gingersnaps, basic vanilla shortbread, and spiced shortbread to accompany fillings like apple and apricot.

    Did you need to make any significant variations on the usual recipes for these? Do you portion before or after baking?

  11. 4 hours ago, andiesenji said:

    I haven't purchased anything from Kerekes/Bake Deco for a few years but still get periodic emails with specials.

    I know that some members use molds and etc.   I have always been very satisfied with their products. 

     

    This special runs till August 1.  You just have to sign up for their email which arrive about every three months. to get a valid Promo Code.  

    KEREKES/Bake Deco Supplies

     

    Looks like the link is wrong, points back to eG.

  12. I’m sorry all, I should have publicized louder that I had a couple of spare almost-everything in the bottomless suitcase 😄.

     
    @RobertM do you mean the stiff acetate like report covers, or the floppier guitar sheets?
     
    For me:
     
    10. A full size compressor with either 1/4” or 3/8” fittings to support larger air sprayers. We could bring converters for our own 1/4” sprayers or 1/8” airbrushes if needed (I have spares 😊).
     
  13. Thanks to everyone for welcoming me to the group. I learned a few techniques, shared recipes, drooled over the Selmi equipment (how can I rearrange my apartment kitchen to fit one of those?....), bought an EzTemper (Kerry is psychic and knew to bring it just for me), won a fantastic prize and most importantly, met a bunch of great people. Can’t wait for next year!

    • Like 9
  14. I’ve arrived and can’t wait to meet everyone. 🎉

     

    Unfortunately my checked luggage apparently decided to go on a separate holiday, so my melter, tools, clothes, etc are in limbo (apparently it’s not tracked electronically once it comes off the airport’s conveyor system). Hopefully Southwest will find it and deliver it to me tonight - fingers crossed 🤞. Luckily I hand-carried the Control°Freak 😊.

    • Sad 1
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