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Showing posts with label Tools. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tools. Show all posts

Friday, 24 February 2012

Tips, Tricks and Tools

Do you want your baked good to be the best they can possibly be? Of course you do, who wouldn't? Well I am here to help you with this goal.

The majority of recipes will always call for eggs, whether it is egg whites for macaroons, egg yolks for cheesecake or eggs in general, you are going to want them to be at room temperature just like your butter. Things will bake better if everything is at the same temperature no matter what ingredient it is. So whenever you are planning on baking something, take a moment and plan ahead a little, take the number of eggs you will need and the butter out of the fridge at the same time.

Now just in case any questions arise from this tidbit of information, this does not mean you should store them on your counter for an extended amount of time. They can be kept on the counter for a day max, but it is best if you continue to store them in the fridge. 

Now if you are anything like me, you always forget to preheat the oven and you always forget to take the eggs out of the fridge. I have a terrible memory I know. So how do we quickly bring eggs to room temperature? Place the number of eggs you will need a bowl and fill it with luke warm water until the tops of the eggs are covered. Set aside on your counter and usually by the time you are done getting everything else ready the eggs have come to room temperature. Usually it takes about 10 minutes to get eggs to the perfect room temperature.

So remember always bake with ingredients that are at room temperature so that your sinfully delicious treats turn out their best!

Sunday, 29 January 2012

Tips, Tricks and Tools

I promised to share some of my best tips, tricks and tools with all of you; so let me fill you in on one of my favourite tools.  Instead of using mass amounts of parchment paper to protect my mother's pans, I have used a Silpat.  A Silpat is the must have non-stick mat for all bakers. Seriously, it will be one of the best investments you ever make.

My 9-year-old Silpat
This is one I have had since I was 12-years-old. It still works just as well as the day I got it. I know it looks battered and abused, but I prefer to think of it as well loved. I have invested in a couple of them so that I can bake on multiple pans.

My 1-year-old Silpat

I bought mine at Cayne's, but you can get them at a lot of different kitchen supply stores. They usually retail for $17.99
so you can all afford this investment. You are bettering the environment by cutting down on waste from parchment paper, and saving yourself a few dollars over the years by not having to buy it either.

I am currently working on my next sinfully delicious creation and I will be using my Silpat. Can anyone guess what it is? Hint: it involves Kisses