Paris-Brest is one of those pastries that’s made from things you probably already know how to make, just assembled in a different way. The proportions are rough because Paris-Brest is not an exact science. Or perhaps I should say that making it an exact science spoils the fun. Like most classic recipes, there are many […]
READ ONNot very long ago, a regular reader asked if I wouldn’t mind demonstrating how to make praline paste. I put it off since I wasn’t sure what I’d make with it. Then Paris-Brest hit the top of the to-do list — perfecto! This is going to be a high-calorie week. Remind me to put some […]
READ ON…it all took place in the comment fields. This is the danger of having those darn things! I’ll do better tomorrow, I promise.
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A few of you were wondering how my birthday cake project turned out this past weekend. Little Jo Pastry, if you remember, is in a cowgirl phase at the moment. Her favorite character is Jesse from Toy Story 2. Well, I was trying to figure out what sort of cake to make for her party this weekend and finally (thanks to some excellent reader input) settled on a hat cake. Specifically, one modeled on Jesse the cowgirl’s flat-top hat.
READ ONGiven his veganism and his politics, there is probably very little upon which writer B.R. Myers and I would agree. However one thing we can agree on is that the foodie world needs and deserves a whole lot more mocking and derision. His article in The Atlantic is an excellent start.
READ ONMaybe nonexistent, actually. It’s little Jo’s birthday this week, friends are coming in from out of town for a basketball game and I’m going to be the best man at a wedding. And did I mention I’m also taking a two-day business trip tomorrow and Thursday? But I’m going to overdose on fun after that! […]
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Bananas aren’t what you’d call a traditional accompaniment to baba au rhum, but it’s February and they were all I had around. I shouldn’t have been so surprised that they worked so well, they’re a natural pairing with rum. I made a separate batch of syrup without the alcohol for the girls, and judging by the action this past weekend, babas are going to become a staple around here. They’re all little Joan wanted to eat, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Begin yours by putting the dry ingredients in your mixer.
READ ONProbably the most popular story about the invention of baba au rhum has to do with one Stanislas Leszczynski. Leszczynski was a puppet king of Poland, installed in 1704 by the Swedes after Leszczynski’s predecessor, Augustus the Strong, overreached himself trying to boot the Swedes out of the Baltic. He failed and was himself booted […]
READ ONRegular contributor Jim Chevalier writes in to observe:
Just like the croissant and the bagel, one myth goes that the kugelhopf was invented at the siege of Vienna by the Turks. Supposedly in imitation of the sultan’s turban.
I’ve heard a number of stories about baking and battles over Vienna, but that’s new one on me. Guess it’s time to chuck the kugelhopf onto the Battle of Vienna myth heap! Thanks Jim!
READ ONWere the members of The Who closet pastry junkies? Or was this song really named for an Indian guru like they claim? I’ll leave it to you to decide.
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