Couverture

George Hirsch January 25, 2011

In order to be properly labeled as "couverture chocolate", the percentage of cocoa butter must be between 32-39%, and the total percentage of the combined cocoa butter plus cocoa solids must be at least 54%. Couverture is primarily used by professional chocolatiers for dipping, coating, molding and garnishing.

Making of a praline from couverture is a Neuhaus invention dating back to 1912. The "praline" is a bite-size filled chocolate. Their variety consists of over 60 pralines with different shapes and fillings.

The best chocolate candies made with couverture are from Belgium, which are still hand made today. Unlike most chocolate companies that receive their chocolate in solid form, which then requires reheating to be prepared into candies. The Belgium process is made with the couverture chocolate, delivered in heated tanker trucks soon after the tempering process. Because the chocolate has not cooled, it retains much more of the aroma than the cooled varieties.

Belgian chocolate praline companies such as Leonidas, Neuhaus, Godiva and Nirvana are famous for their gourmet candies. They all use couverture which is used making of pralines for dipping, coating, molding and garnishing.

Meal Monday

George Hirsch January 16, 2011

Getting your oatmeal is a wee bit easier these days. The term Meal Monday originated in old-school Scotland to allow university students to return to their families farms and collect more oats for food. Today, it's as easy as a trip to the market and then the thirty minutes for it to cook. I'd say well worth the time and effort to make a good-for-you breakfast, starting a chilly Monday morning off on the right foot. Oatmeal, not just limited to Mondays.

Steel-Cut Oats are freshly milled from high protein oats and cut into neat little pieces on a steel buhr mill. Steel Cut Oats are one of the healthiest foods you can eat and they make a delightful, full-bodied hot cereal with an appealing texture. Bob's Red Mill

177th Tapping

George Hirsch September 19, 2010

This year marks the 177th tapping of the first barrel of beer celebrating Oktoberfest in Munich. What better way to celebrate than have the party last for weeks - this year September 18 - October 4.

Hofbräuhaus prides itself in being the most famous beer hall in the world. You can expect oompah bands, waitresses in traditional "Dirndls", homebrew beer in one-liter steins, and hearty Bavarian food such as veal sausage with sweet mustard, crackling pork roast and pretzels.

You can join in the celebrations and make yourself some hot baked pretzels. For My Hot Baked Pretzel Recipe.

images: hofbraeuhaus

Fromagerie Rouzairein

George Hirsch August 31, 2010

You know I like to pass along good stuff when I come across it. Today's topic, the ever important wedge of soft cheese - that you don't need to hold on to your hat, when buying, this quality of product. Read more...

rick's picks

George Hirsch August 24, 2010

For those who want authentic homemade-style pickles but just don't have it in you, look no further. Rick's picks is the answer. The Lower East Side (NYC) based company has a national cult following and yet their roots are still attentive to staying local and sustainable. Try the sliced bread and butter, they have a little zing with added ginger and are not too sweet.