Jump to content

Marmish

participating member
  • Posts

    689
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by Marmish

  1. Corn syrup helps keep the sugar mixture from recrystalizing. I think you could use all sugar, but I'm sure the real experts will be here in no time. Or you could search the pastry forum. I'm sure it's been discussed there somewhere.

  2. Some day, when I have the disposable income to do so, I'm going to have this printed on a canvas:

    gallery_11420_2856_368.jpg

    Right now, I've only had it (and some others like it) made into cards.

    We've had things printed on canvas from this site and been pretty pleased with them. A 16x20 on matte canvas, stretched and mounted is about $40.

  3. In my never-ending search for the perfect cup of  coffee I got out my French press again.  My thinking  was to get the water super hot, stir, let it set and plunge.

       The result: not very hot coffee that still seemed like camp brewed with  the grounds in the bottom.  Back to the drip pot.

       To heat the water, though, I saw one of these cheepie ($9.99) Rival water heaters that claims to heat water quicker than a microwave.  It does.

       Bought one, and think that despite abandoning the French press I can use this heater for many things: like heating broth for rissiotto, gravy, milk etc.

       Anyone else putning one these to other uses?

    Dave

    Dave - You need a french press cozy (cosy? sp?). Same idea as an old fashioned tea cozy. Keeps the coffe hot while it brews & then does a pretty good job after you've taken the plunge.

    Unfortunately, I don't know where you can buy one. Ours was made by a talented friend & given to us as a stocking stuffer.

    I'm sure, however, that the eGullet band of intrepid gadgeteers can meet the challenge & come up with a source.

    Othewise its back to the sewing machine.

    yank

    Is it just a cylinder? Can you give us a picture?

  4. gallery_46284_3749_645717.jpg

    I made Fleur De Sel Caramels today. They are Great! Next timeI will dip them in chocolate before sprinkling with salt.

    You've motivated me to finally make these. Share your recipe?

    Thanks! Sure-- It's Epicurious' recipe for Fleur de Sel Caramels. I used twice the amount of salt called for in the recipe (as recommended in the reviews) and organic corn syrup from Whole Foods. I don't know how to do the hyperlink for you---duh!

    Apronstrings,

    I made the fleur de sel caramels this past weekend, coated in dark chocolate. My husband promptly labeled them crack and made me take the rest of them to work where my secretary promptly swooned and the boss and I finished off the rest.

  5. Thanks! Sure-- It's Epicurious' recipe for Fleur de Sel Caramels.  I used twice the amount of salt called for in the recipe (as recommended in the reviews) and organic corn syrup from Whole Foods. I don't know how to do the hyperlink for you---duh!

    this one?

    After clicking the '""reply' or 'add reply' button, you'll be in the reply window. Click on the 'http://' button, paste the url in, click on 'OK' and then type in what you'd like the link to say (in this case, 'this one?'). Click 'ok' again. Then 'Add Reply" - hope that makes sense!

    Yes!! Let me know how they come out. And thanks for the tip!

    Thanks, Apronstrings, and Pam, too, for the link.

  6. A chocolate ganache tart.  I found a mac nut crust recipe on gourmetsleuth.  For the ganache, I added some ground coffee to the cream while it was heating and strained it into the chopped chocolate.  The crust was very crumbly (either overprocessed or underbaked?) but very tasty.  The filling was intense.  My wife thought a little too bitter for her tastes.  Overall, a hit.

    This is my first post.  I really enjoy the forums.

    Michael

    Welcome to eGullet, Michael! You'll soon be as addicted as the rest of us. :biggrin:

  7. The most popular sweets you see at Oktoberfest are decorated gingerbread. Like on this website.

    Also candied almonds.

    I don't think there is anything really special dessert-wise for Oktoberfest, it is more about the beer, grilled sausages and grilled chicken and other meats.

    I would make:

    Schwartzwaelder Kirschtorte

    Apfel Strudel

    Sweet pretzels from puff pastry

    Lebkuchen

    Plum Cake

    I have other recipes, but they are in German.

    Thanks for the links. Strudel is a great suggestion.

  8. My neighborhood is having an Oktoberfest to raise funds for renovating the park. I have been tentatively asked to bake desserts to sell. The planning committee initially intended to purchase desserts, but I'm not sure what they were going to buy. I'm trying to work up some suggestions before the next planning meeting. I would be preparing them at home, and am an experienced home baker with a fully equiped home kitchen. I'd like things that wouldn't be too expensive to make, but would be appealing to adults and kids, could be easily individually served, or individually prepackaged somehow.

    I'm thinking simple decorated cupcakes for the kids, a german chocolate cake, some bar cookies maybe.

    Are there any traditional Oktoberfest desserts, or any fundraiser hits you've had? Any and all suggestions for recipes, cost saving tips, and packaging are welcome.

  9. There's so much to eat, see, and do, especially if you're willing to hop on a train or bus (or taxi). What are your particular interests in food and merchandise? For example, there's a great medium-high-end resale shop just off the Brown Line that Ms. Alex always makes a point of visiting, but I don't know if that's your thing. Others may say a Chicago dog or Italian beef is quintessential Chicago and a must-eat; I say, not so much.  <ducks quickly to avoid a barrage of sport peppers being fired from across the big lake>

    It may not be dockhl's thing, but I sure would like to know about that resale place. Details, pretty please?

    As far as things to do, the Architecture Foundation has great walking, bus, boat and bike tours.

    Chicago Architecture Foundation

    ETA link

  10. First I've ever heard of such a thing.  What's the story behind a Texas Sheet Cake?  The recipes look good and way easy. 

    The only problem is that I'm going to be using the common house sheet pans for cooking fish on.  But I do have a couple at home I could loan...

    Get yer Texas Sheet Cake info here

  11. Idiot with the lighted menu doesn't have as deep pockets as a big corporation like Bacardi, does he?  :hmmm:

    The reminds me of the stupid old bat be-yotch that was driving with McDonald's approximately-the-temperature-of-molten-lava coffee between her legs and sued them for ensuing burns.

    Jack Nicholson voice-overs aside, maybe driving with hot coffee between your knees isn't the brightest move.  Ya' think???!!!???  :wacko:

    If I recall correctly, the stupid bat won the lawsuit though.  And McDonald's has pretty deep pockets.  It's always the best strategy to sue the person/entity that can afford to pay you the most potential damages.

    It's like Willie Sutton said when asked why he robs banks.  "Because that's where the money is". :raz:

    My husband was recently called for jury duty. During the downtime, the baliff told them that the cups in the McDonalds case were known to be defective and were used anyways and that's why the case went the way it did. I assume he knows what he's talking about.

    I'm all for NOT suing for stupid reasons, but that's why there's a judge to throw it out of court.

  12. At the local Lion Thrift, A man was holding a wierd looking Asian statue. He started laughing at it. I heard him tell someone that it was a pepper grinder. I moved closer and closer, looking at the rags pile of used jeans. Perfect timing! As he set it down after his wife yelled at him, it was MINE! :wub:

    It started playing "EDELWEISS" from an internal music box as I scooped it up and admired the satyr & flute on the top, and the crank and gargoyle whose mouth dispenses ground pepper on the side. Not to mention the porcelain circularorma around the side, with many topless maidens. The bottom 1 1/2" is the brass Swiss music box.The overall height is apprx. 11".

    Cost???  :raz:

    50 cents!!  :laugh:

    Enjoyment?!?

    Priceless. :wacko:

    Off to photograph it, research REUGE Swiss music boxes, and learn how to post photographs here.

    Please do post pictures!

  13. Just wanted to follow up. We ate at Tchoup Chop at the kitchen bar. It was interesting to watch the kitchen, but the wall water feature dripped on us occasionally, which was kind of annoying. The crab cake was very good. The Shrimp appetizers were enjoyed by those who had them, as were the fish mains. Two people also had steak and were pleased with it.

    We also ate at Antonio's Sand Lake Rd location. The food was excellent as was the service. However, there was hardly anyone there and they closed early. We had antipasti, bruschetta, mushroom risotto, papardelle Bolognese, the pork, fettucine alfredo, and some type of pasta Rustici dish. The fettucine alfredo was very eggy. We also ordered several desserts which were all delicious.

    Our other meals were unremarkable: Macaroni Grill, Andiamo (in the Hilton), Captain Jack's (?) in Downtown Disney. The hotel did have an excellent french toast in the casual dining room for breakfast, and a nice Greek salad served poolside.

  14. I am going next week to the Disney Hilton for a conference with 6 other people. One is into food, but pretty traditional Italian and steak kind of guy. Two are kind of unknowns; I don't think they have many strong likes or dislikes, and are pretty middle of the road as far as I can tell. One will try anything once. One I don't really know at all. The other is kind of picky, but likes spicy and has no problem ordering something and requesting changes to suit her. And is NOT a snot about it.

    So... after the "food guy" pulled the top 10 fine dining restaurants off of citysearch and said pick one, and knowing that no one is taking a jacket by any stretch of the imaginiation, I went through the FL forum and picked out the restaurants below. In addition, I'd like to go to the Lebanese place mentioned on Sand Run.

    Any updates, comments or rankings appreciated. Portobello is at the bottom of my list, but it is very close by.

    Chatham's Place - 5 miles from Hilton - Continental

    http://www.chathamsplace.com/about.html

    Antonio's Italian - 8 miles

    http://www.antoniosonline.com/SDinner.asp

    Tchoup Chop - Emeril's Asian and Polynesian - 9 miles (shuttle likely available)

    http://www.emerils.com/restaurants/orlando.../directions.php

    Coq au Vin - 12 miles - French

    http://www.10best.com/Orlando/Restaurants/...businessID=3614

    Portobello Yacht Club - 1/2 mile - Downtown Disney, Italian

    http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/dinin...tClubDiningPage

  15. Holy Moly, Marmish.  I don't like sweets, but I need a slice of that mille crepes, and I need it now.  It looks beautiful!  Tell us more about the ease of making the crepes, please, because some of us have seemed to have some trouble making the sweet ones.

    I luckily didn't have any trouble making the crepes. I didn't use a nonstick skillet. I brushed butter on occasionally, but was surprised at how little I needed. Maybe it was because the batter itself has butter in it. The first one, of course, was a disaster, but after that it went ok.

    Here are the ingredients, how do they compare with the sweet crepes that are giving you all fits? (This are the full amounts; I halved it)

    3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces, plus meltedfor pan

    8 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped

    1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

    1/3 cup sugar

    1/2 teaspoon salt

    2 1/2 cups whole milk, room temperature

    6 large eggs, room temperature

    1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

  16. I made the Mille Crepes using the Martha Stewart crepe recipe and the Pastry Cream from the Hesser article. Since there are just two of us, and my usual leftover eaters are gone for the summers (they're teachers), I halved the recipes. 1/2 the chocolate crepe recipe made about 30 5 1/2 inch crepes. I used about 25 for the cake

    gallery_8693_309_15854.jpg

    The finished stack:

    gallery_8693_309_239692.jpg

    I made vanilla pastry cream, which I forgot to halve, then forgot to add the butter to it. It was verrrry thick. Is that the way it's supposed to be? It's the first time I've made it.

    The layered crepes:

    gallery_8693_309_190683.jpg

    Martha uses a chocolate glaze, basically a ganache.

    gallery_8693_309_305006.jpg

    It ended up about 4 inches tall. I don't think we'll have any trouble polishing it off. :biggrin:

    gallery_8693_309_16702.jpg

  17. I just saw em up in the cupboard and it got me thinking. Google returned a kids recipe involving spreading marshmallow cream on the finished pancake, but nothing about actually cooking them inside. I have no idea if it would work or not, but has anyone tried? If not, I may have to tomorrow.

    Furthermore, what would happen were you to drizzle pancake batter into frying oil ala funnel cake?

    I don't see why not. Throw in some chocolate chips and sprinkle with a little powdered sugar.

  18. Whenever I lose the cooking spark, am unmotivated to shop, or just plain ran out of room to shove things, I go through and clean and rearrange everything. While I do this, I make a list, or shout to my husband in the other room, who writes the list, of everything in the house.

    It feels good to cross things off the list, and I can come up with combinations sitting at the table with cookbooks at hand instead of rumaging around and going back and forth. I went almost 3 weeks one time without shopping other than a few things here and there and milk+bread type items.

×
×
  • Create New...