Nothing compares to the aroma of baked Christmas goodies when coming in from the cold winter weather. Our olfactory sensations (our sense of smell) contribute up to eighty percent to our sense of taste, and thus is a very important part of our ability to recognize and enjoy flavour. The art of holiday baking is a regular activity in many households this time of the year, and some baking tips may be helpful to you.
Flaky pie dough is a pastry that has a mixture of shortening and/or butter that is "cut in" so that there are small chunks still left in the finished product. This aids in creating steam pockets within the crust, which helps with the leavening process and thus creating the flaky texture. It is best to keep pie pastry as cold possible while mixing and rolling to prevent melting the butter and shortening pieces prematurely.
The best way of doing this is to first focus on your ingredients. Make sure you are using ice water instead of cold water, and frozen butter grated into the flour mixture is ideal. The frozen butter particles then are already the required size from the grater and will not suffer from the warm friction of too much mixing or "cutting" in. Secondly, try not to touch the dough with your hands too much, as the warmth from them will melt the butter. It is best to form the dough by folding it over consistently with a chilled metal dough cutter. Once the dough is formed into a flat disk, wrap and place it in the refrigerator until thoroughly chilled. Remove and proceed with rolling, ideally on a chilled marble surface.
Cookies and quick breads are also very popular, and they both rely on baking soda and/or baking powder to rise. Baking soda and baking powder are considered chemical leaveners. Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate and it requires liquid and an acid to make a gaseous reaction. It is usually added to recipes that have a naturally occurring acid in the ingredients, such as buttermilk, yogurt, sour cream, honey, molasses, and fruits.
Baking powder on the other hand is a complete leavener, as it only requires liquid for it to react in the same manner. The reason for this is that it contains a mixture of baking soda and the balanced amount of acid, along with starch to help prevent lumping. This is why you will see some recipes that call for baking powder and others with baking powder and/or baking soda. A good comparison of this would be a pancake recipe compared to a buttermilk pancake recipe.
Whatever desserts you choose to celebrate with, I wish you all the best of health and happiness this holiday season.
Dear Chef Dez:
Could you please tell me how I can make self-rising flour by myself?
Kimie T. Maple Ridge, BC
Dear Kimie:
Yes, by all means. Mix together one cup of flour with one and a half teaspoons of baking powder, and half a teaspoon of salt.
Send your food/cooking questions to [email protected] or P.O. Box 2674, Abbotsford, BC V2T 6R4
Chef Dez is a Food Columnist, Culinary Instructor & Cooking Show Performer. Visit him at www.chefdez.com
The next "Chef Dez on Cooking" column will appear approximately December 21/12.
* Cook Book Release
Chef Dez on Cooking, Volume Three is the third book in the series, following Chef Dez on Cooking Volume One & Volume Two which have received rave reviews. From appetizers to salads, sauces, side dishes, main courses, breakfasts, desserts, and healthy recipes, this book has over 100 of his most popular and favorite recipes.
With food columns, culinary questions & answers accompanying each of the chapters, these cookbooks become valuable kitchen references with a refreshing perspective on the wonderful world of cuisine.
Gordon Desormeaux's nickname became "Dez", and then "Chef Dez" as he entered his culinary career. Most notably known for his bi-weekly food column Chef Dez on Cooking, Dez captures the reading audience of numerous communities across Canada and Washington State. His cooking shows and culinary classes are extremely informative, entertaining and light-hearted, and they also reveal his passion for people, life and food. Born and raised in the lower mainland of British Columbia, his recipes reflect the transformation of everyday ingredients into mouth-watering dishes that anyone would be proud to serve.
"The essential reference for family favorites and specialty entertaining always a crowd pleaser! I can't wait for Volume 3" - Gina S., Abbotsford, BC
"Your fabulous cookbooks have literally changed my life and the way I cook. Your recipes are easy to follow and always a success. Thank you Chef Dez for your always positive attitude and wealth of knowledge, I can't even begin to list the things I have learnt from you. Looking forward to Volume 3" - Tammy C., Mission BC
"Finally a cookbook that 'works' clear instructions and lots of helpful hints doable recipes that taste great and come with a pinch of Chef Dez's talent and passion even I can make food look and taste good!" - Gail M., Maple Ridge BC
