Absurdly, stupidly basic pastry & baking questions

[TdeV]

In online recipes for pie crust, vodka is added. Google says it adds liquid in a form that does not develop gluten.

 

Can any alcohol be used? I think it's only about a tablespoon. I have a number of bottles of burbon left over from a friend's ex- although I don't like the flavour of burbon. I do have brandy though.

 

Or should I just buy a small bottle of vodka?

[blue_dolphin]

11 minutes ago, TdeV said:

In online recipes for pie crust, vodka is added. Google says it adds liquid in a form that does not develop gluten.

 

Can any alcohol be used? I think it's only about a tablespoon. I have a number of bottles of burbon left over from a friend's ex- although I don't like the flavour of burbon. I do have brandy though.

 

Or should I just buy a small bottle of vodka?

 

This Cooks Illustrated article, Using Alcohol in Pie Dough, suggests you can substitute another 80 proof spirit.  I'm not a subscriber, so I had to read fast before I was blocked but it says they made crusts with rum, whiskey and gin and couldn't taste a difference.  

I'd think brandy might add a bit of sweetness and even though they suggest bourbon is fine, I wouldn't use anything I disliked the taste of, just in case.   

 

Edited to add that this article, How Alcohol Makes A Flakier Pie Crust: The "Proof" Is In The Pie, says:

Quote

It doesn’t have to be vodka; other liquors also work--Alton Brown has made an apple pie with an apple brandy crust, as well as a pecan pie with a bourbon crust. 

 

Edited July 12 by blue_dolphin (log)

[ElsieD]

https://www.seriouseats.com/cooks-illustrated-foolproof-pie-dough-recipe

[pastrygirl]

When buying raw nuts - in this case raw pistachios from Trader Joe's - are they actually raw, never heated or have they been steamed or otherwise pasteurized? 

[AlaMoi]

stumbled over this a while back - veddy interestink snack food . . .

https://nouveauraw.com/reference-library/soaking-nuts-seeds-and-grains/pistachio-nuts-soaking-and-drying/

[ElsieD]

I want to make a caramel sauce and the recipe I plan to use calls for corn syrup.  The recipe is written by an American and doesn't state whether one should use white or golden.  Here in Canada we would use golden if the recipe doesn't specify.  What do you use in the States?

[heidih]

5 minutes ago, ElsieD said:

I want to make a caramel sauce and the recipe I plan to use calls for corn syrup.  The recipe is written by an American and doesn't state whether one should use white or golden.  Here in Canada we would use golden if the recipe doesn't specify.  What do you use in the States?

The white stuff. Never seen golden.

[pastrygirl]

Agree that an American recipe probably means the light/clear corn syrup, but I have used Lyle's golden syrup in caramel candies and think the flavor goes nicely.  You could also substitute honey or leave it out.  I think dark corn syrup would be too molasses-y.

 

What syrups do you have and what's the caramel sauce going with?

 

 

Edited July 22 by pastrygirl (log)

[Darienne]

2 hours ago, ElsieD said:

I want to make a caramel sauce and the recipe I plan to use calls for corn syrup.  The recipe is written by an American and doesn't state whether one should use white or golden.  Here in Canada we would use golden if the recipe doesn't specify.  What do you use in the States?

I would just automatically use the golden syrup.  I seldom have the light variety on hand.  

[ElsieD]

3 hours ago, pastrygirl said:

Agree that an American recipe probably means the light/clear corn syrup, but I have used Lyle's golden syrup in caramel candies and think the flavor goes nicely.  You could also substitute honey or leave it out.  I think dark corn syrup would be too molasses-y.

 

What syrups do you have and what's the caramel sauce going with?

 

 

 

These are the syrups that I have.  The sauce is drizzled over puddings, apple blossoms, various tarts, ice cream,  etc.  Guess you could call it an all-purpose sauce.

[pastrygirl]

@ElsieD go with the white then, it won't add flavor