Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Flip often.....Intriguing.

Very interesting concept here.  No doubt that cooking lore would slap you across the face if it could for even stating such a crazy idea....blasphemy.  This link on RouxBe's Cooking School site appears convincing, but as a declared amateur food scientist I must apply an experimental technique to this claim.  I am particularly excited by the apparent credence ("If texture and moistness are more important, then flip every minute..") given to this method by the great Harold McGee, a true food science god.  But, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.  So calling all chefs, thats you Chef Danjenator and Chef T-Rowe; your mission should you choose to accept it is too conduct this potentially ground-breaking experiment. 

As my team of chefs are true steak connoisseurs, we will be cooking our steaks to an internal temperature of 130ºF (Medium-Rare).  A Kansas City Strip will be the hardware of choice.  Side note here: the name of this glorious piece of meat may have been hijacked by a New York ad campaign in the 70's.  Other names include: top loin steak, strip steak, New York steak, New York sirloin steak, contrefilet, strip loin steak, New York strip, hotel steak, hotel cut strip, ambassador steak, club sirloin steak, and strip sirloin steak.

We need photos (internal and external), cooking times and notes on taste, texture, etc........

I will be using a cast iron griddle, but remember this is the pan method, so griddle, stainless steel pan or cast iron skillet.  Grill need not apply.

This message will self destruct in 5....4....3....2....1....

Flip-Often Method

Harold McGee's take on the Flip-Often





Sunday, February 14, 2010

Dreaded Hollandaise


Dreaded Hollandaise.

A recipe that drives fear into the hearts of many a weekend warrior chef.  Here is a recipe that will git-r-done.....remember to follow the directions carefully and watch the yolks!!!!  Take your eyes off for ten seconds and bam!  You may have a dead sauce on your hands.

Ingredients

  • 3 egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon H2O
  • 1/4 teaspoon sugar
  • 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces (mmmm....)
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • white or black pepper to your taste
Directions

Create a double boiler by adding 1-2 inches of water in a small pot that will allow a mixing bowl to settle right on top, nesting just inside so the steam will condense on it rather than escaping into your kitchen. I use a Pyrex bowl, but traditionally a stainless steal vessel is used. I feel this allows me greater control, but beware as this stuff holds its heat well, cannot get it too hot or, you guessed it, dead sauce. Experiment my friends.....that's what cooking is all about.

Add egg yolks and H2O to your bowl(still room temp), approximately 1 to 2 minutes. Don't worry, your forearm will recover. Then add sugar and continue beatin' that mix for 30 more seconds.

Now place your bowl over the pot and allow it to heat gently while whisking vigorously. Do this until you can see a line in the mix behind your whisk. Then proceed as below

Start adding butter one tablespoon at a time taking it off and on double boiler, just enough to melt the butter. Do not leave on boiler or you will break your sauce!!!!! That is disaster in the culinary world....though you may be able to fix with one or two newly whisked egg yolks....maybe. Once all butter is encorporated, add your lemon juice, salt and pepper if desired. Serve ASAP. Its important to do this last as the longer it stands the more likely it will start to break and that is what I call suboptimal.....

Now you've got the best hollandaise possible. Simple recipe you can amaze your friends with at a moments notice. You will seldom get this kind of decadence even in a 5 star restaurant.

Chef Geoff

Thanks again to the master Alton Brown for his insight into this culinary delight.




Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Alton's Pizza Part Deux

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_-o0q3a2w4&NR=1

The exciting conclusion.  Gotta love this guy.

Remember....
-instant yeast, not quick rise!
-pizza stone...I once lined my entire oven with unglazed quary tiles.....glorious.
-age overnight in fridge
-1 part bread flower to 1 part all purpose(AP)

Pure Deliciousness.

Alton Brown.....your my hero....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BhVPgllLW8

Now this is how you make pizza.  I've used this recipe many times and its fantastic!  Aging is critical! 

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Straight Pizza Hacking

Build a Pizza Oven Out of a Weber Grill - Pizza - Lifehacker

Ahhhhh......pizza hacking........gotta love it.
AH NOM NOM: Pizza Hacker- Best Pizza Food Cart