Cooling your baked goods: 3 key tips!

I often remind people that "cooling" your freshly baked goods is part of the baking process. (Cooling = your treats are cold when consuming, not at room temp or warm.) Yes, it is important to stir, portion, and bake your delicious goodies, but cooling them properly will ensure its full flavor.

Not matter what you are baking: cupcakes, cookies, quick breads, brownies, they all need to be cooled before consuming or storage. Why? If you eat one before it is properly cooled, excess steam will release, causing any excess moisture to escape. In all baked goods, steam is necessary to make the sweet treat nice and moist.

If you decide to freeze your baked good, and it is still warm, it will causes excess condensation within the packaging (ex: plastic bag, plastic container, etc) and make the outside super soft and soggy. No beuno!

Follow these 3 key and easy tips for properly cooled back goods:

1) Always cool in the pan you baked your delicious baked good in.
-Why: This, one, avoids any extra pans you have to clean and, especially with loaf pans, holds the shape. With cookies, I always cool the cookies on the sheet pan versus removing the cookies from the sheet pan and putting them on a cooling grid. Slowing cooling down the baked good with also, ensure a nice, soft crust on the bottom.

2) Place the pan on a cooling grid.
-Why: When you evaluate the delicious treat on to a higher surface, the bottom cools down just as fast as the sides and tops. Thus overall, it will cool down faster than on a non-elevauated surface.

3) Make sure it is 110% cooled before consuming/cutting/enjoying!
-Why: This is hard. Really hard. Your place smells like sweetness and all you want to do is stuff your face with sugar-buttery goodness. One: when you cut into a baked good that it is cooled, it will retain its shape versus collapsing. Two: There is no excess steam and moisture, thus your treat is super-duper soft and moist. Trust me on this one, patience is key.
I like to completly cool any large treats, like my loaves and cakes, overnight to ensure it is 100% cool before storing.

Please remember bakers:
-If you do decide to freeze your baked goods, make sure it is in an air tight container and wrapped tightly with plastic wrap. You don't want freezer burn killing your treat.
-Always avoid aersol sprays when greasing your bakeware. It leaves a gross brown film that stains and ruins your gorgeous pans.
-Use good old fashion butter and parchment paper when greasing!

Happy Baking,
Kimm

Seattle Foodies: Feral Feast is happening TOMORROW!

Greeting fellow blog readers. I have been on a foodie heaven vacation: It started with the celebration of my "last-year-of-my-20's" birthday swaray at the very classy Rob Roy in downtown Seattle (http://www.robroyseattle.com/). There are far too many delicious cocktails to pick a favorite one...
Then, the annual Seattle Restaurant Week (http://seattletimes.com/seattlerestaurantweek/) started mid April and you can purchase a 3-course meal for $28. (Hey, that is less than what it cost to fill my gas tank!) It is a killer deal to go out and try new restaurants and foods you would not normally attend or consume.
On top of that, more birthday meals with friends and happy hour cocktail dates have me out and about verus cooking in for one.

Another tempting and delicious event, this month, for anyone and everyone in the Seattle food scene: Feral Feast! What is it? (Be sure to check out my previous blog post for my review!) A secret "pop-up" dinner hosted at GRUB restaurant (http://www.letsgogrub.com/)  in upper Queen Anne. Every month a new and inspiring menu is created for your tasting pleasure.

What is in store for tomorrow's feast?

Check  out the Span-Asian menu:


Course 1
Duck 'salad' served ban chan style;
Turnip greens, pine nuts, pickled currants, sherry vinaigrette, Quacklins'
Tortilla Espagnola; Duck ham, yukon potatoes, sambal alioil
Duck confit, blood orange, rhubarb
Fennel kimchi, pickled cucumber

Course 2
Zaru soba;
Cold soba noodles served with rich meat broth mentsuyu dipping sauce, pickled shiitake, nori

Course 3
Cocido;
House made chorizo, morcilla, braised pork belly
chickpeas w/ baby turnips, baby carrots and mint, roasted fennel, fennel pistou, sambal alioli

Course 4
Dessert
Pineapple coconut milk ice cream, carrot cake w/ cardamom cream cheese frosting, lime zest, molasses


You can purchase tickets here: http://feralseattle.brownpapertickets.com/
Please remember gratuity and alcohol are NOT included.
Follow Feral on twitter: @FeralSeattle https://twitter.com/Feralseattle

See you tomorrow!
Happy Baking,
Kimm

Beautiful Baby Shower Cupcakes!

This past Saturday, the typical Seattle spring rain suddenly stopped and sunshine beamed through the blue skies. It was a perfect and gorgeous day to celebrate Kristina's soon-to-be-born daughter! Close friends and family gathered in her very warm house.

Green and purple colors decorated everything from the balloons, to plates, candy, and table runners. I loved it! We all munched on light appetizers and saved room for my extra special cupcakes.






Peanut butter ganache

 

 

I created 4 delicious flavors: Peanut butter Ganache, Peppermint-Chocolate, Strawberry Swirl, and German chocolate.

 

Kristina's favorite?

 Peppermint-chocolate! (So was mine!)




 

I always loved German chocolate cake, thus made a mini version!

 

 

I truly enjoyed baking cupcakes for Kristina and wishes her and her family the very best with the new baby girl.

 

Happy Baking,

Kimm

dishcrawl Seattle presents: NeighborFOOD in Capital Hill on April 28th!

One of my ways to find out new foodie events in the Seattle community is through social media. Recently, I met Melissa, a kind, young, foodie diehard woman who repesents dishcrawl.
We met at pintxo (http://www.pintxoseattle.com/), a Spanish tapas restaurant in the heart of Belltown, for a small bite and sangaria.

“We started Neighborfood to rejoice and share in the things we love most: food, family, and our neighborhood,” says Dishcrawl Founder, Tracy Lee.

 

 

 

 

 

 



She explained to me what dishcrawl was all about: Creating fun and unique foodie events for the Seattle community. There are dishcrawl ambassadors through the country, thus no matter where you travel to, there will be a delicious dishcrawl event in the city! Melissa, being a new Seattleite, loves her job because it gets her a chance to explore the fresh Seattle food scene.

What is the next dishcrawl Seattle event? "NeighborFOOD' in Capital Hill. On Sunday April 28, from 2pm-5pm, they will merge with the Seattle Humane Society to give the community a tasty, easy-walkable food festival. Particapting restaurants will offer drink specials, so don't worry!

Checked out some featured items and restaurants that will be participating:

Manhattan - Pork belly mac and cheese

Marination Station - Best Taco Ever

Ayutthaya Thai Restaurant- Drunken Noodles with Tofu

95 Slider - Chicken and Waffles

Sam's Tavern - 50/50 Sliders

Plum Bistro - Spicy Cajun Mac ‘n’ Yease (vegan)

Capitol Club - Champiñones Al Ajillo

Cupcake Royale - Cupcake Surprise

Tickets are $40 ($45/day off)  and they can be purchased here -->  https://dishcrawl.com/purchase/event/1049

Be sure to tweet to dishcrawl: @dishcrawlSEA https://twitter.com/DishcrawlSEA

For more information, contact Melissa: melissad@dishcrawl.com

 

 

Happy Cooking,

Kimm

LATEST FOODIE INTERVIEW: With Lee Johnson, Kitchen Manager of the famous Cirque de Soleil show!

At my Bikram yoga classes, in downtown Redmond, (http://www.bikramyogaredmond.com/) I always meet great, unique, and happy people. Many are foodies, health freaks, and Seahawk fans. I recently met Lee Johnson, the kitchen manager of Cirque De Soleil show. We quickly bonded over a love of Korean food, hatha yoga, and kitchen life.



What is Cirque de Soleil? (http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/welcome.aspx) It is a dramatic, ariel-feasted, and visually stunning show that will leave you amazed and breathless! Cirque de Soleil comes, annually, to Redmond and shows sell out...fast.

Before Lee left good old Redmond for his hometown, Toronto, I managed to ask him a few questions about his experience and work with Cirque de Soleil.

Check it out:


1) How did you get started with Cirque de Soleil?

I started with the Cirque du Soleil in July 2005. I was living in Toronto at the time and working in a small 50 seat bistro. I happened to see the job description in the Toronto Star classifieds. I applied but did not expect to hear anything. Two weeks later, I was interviewed. Four weeks after the interview, I was working on tour in New Jersey.

2) What is the best part about your job?

The best part of the job has been the opportunity to travel through the world while working. I have traveled through parts of North America, South America, Australia, Europe, and Asia. It has been a great experience to try the food and meet the local people from these destinations.

3) What is thw worst part of your job?

The worst part is being away from friends and family.

4) What is your favorite restaurant you have ever been to? Why?

The best restaurant I have ever been to is a difficult question. One of my favorites would be the Country House Pecora Nera in Teramo, Italy. In 2008, I drove with two other cooks from Berlin to Teramo. We stayed at this inn set in rolling farmer's fields. The Country House Pecora Nera had a restaurant which served the cuisine of Abruzzo and sourced everything locally. All the vegetables were grown by the chef's family and the pasta made by hand as well. I was never disappointed with what they served. They were good memories.

5) What do you hope to gain from your Cirque de Soleil experience?

In many ways, I have gained a renewed appreciation for home. I am looking forward to getting back to Toronto. I have also gained a bigger perspective of the many cultures around the world. Travel is good education. I have been really lucky to have had this experience.



From this interview, it keeps on reminding me there are many outlets and adventures in the food industry. See what is out there and what you truly like and want to do!

Happy Cooking,
Kimm

Review of Monday's Feral Feast: a delicious secret dinner in Queen Anne!

One of Seattle's newest restaurants is GRUB (http://www.letsgogrub.com/), located in the heart of upper Queen Anne. Open 7 days a week, and serving delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner entrees, it has a warm and simple menu that is sure to delight anyone's palette.




GRUB has been opened 6 months.

FERAL FEAST: Third Monday of every month.

GRUB has a delectable foodie "secret:"The third Monday of every month, 'Feral Feast," takes over with a new menu. The food and selected entrees are inspired by the season and Pacific Northwest cuisine.




Last Monday, the menu was dedicated to my two personal favorites: Spanish cuisine and spring weather.  The rain poured and the sun shined while I munched on seafood, braised chicken, and sipped a bold red.

With 8 dishes to choose from, you can purchase 3,4, or 5 dishes that look the most appealing to you. I , of course, attempted to eat as much as possible. Done and done.






Peas and Carrots.

"Peas and carrots" was one of my favorites dishes, why? It is effortless, light, and made me dream of spring weather. The cured sockeye salmon complimented the spicy pickled carrots nicely.



Pork Belly.

The super cripsy pork belly made me lick the plate clean. Well, before I devoured the mustard greens, clams, and potatoes. Portion size was nearly perfect, I knew I was going to consume more delightful dishes.

Seafood "Pa'ella."

My appetite was slowly being satisified...I pat myself on the back for wearing my soft jeggings and forgetting my belt.

Pa'amb Tomoquet.

Pa'amb Tomoquet was a nice appetizer. The crunchy bread with the sweetness of the tomato jam seem to "butter the Jamon Iberico.
Even the couple sitting next to my was eyeing this dish, too bad I ate it all. Not even leaving a cumb.









I have a confession: I am not a HUGE cold soup person. I like it hot. Pipping hot, during a cold Seattle rainstorm, while watching reruns of some corny high school drama show. But, THIS, white gazpacho, I like. The toasted almonds gave it a crunch, while the grapes and apple added a soft sweet taste.

I ended Feral's feast with a warm, raisin rice pudding. I hope I see more sweet puddings on Seattle's dessert menus...they are soothing, comforting, and a perfect getaway from a sudden burst of rain.

Sherry braised Chicken.

All in all: I was pleased and happy that I tried new and contempary food without spending a fortune. 'Pop-up' restaurants are the latest Seattle trend in food, and I can't wait to see ths success in Feral's Feast at GRUB.

 

Want more information?

 

Follow Feral Feast on twitter: @FeralSeattle https://twitter.com/Feralseattle

Email with any questions: feralseattle@gmail.com

 

Save the date for the next feast: Monday April 15th!

 

Happy Baking,

Kimm

Super secret Seattle pop-up dinners: Check out Feral Feasts!

Not only am I a die hard foodie, I am a die hard foodie event attendee. From the major (like Seattle's Food & Wine Festival and Kirkland Uncorked) to minor (blogger meet-ups and Cupcake Camp), attending food events is a (cheap) way to see what fun and fresh dishes are being served in Seattle. I love the variety of vendors, talkative foodies, and seeing the up-and-coming restaurants.

 

What is the latest, and soon to be greatest, event? It is called "Feral Feast," hosted at Grub in Queen Anne (http://www.letsgogrub.com/). I found out about it through word-of-mouth in the foodie event community. It is held on the third Monday of every month (the next dinner is this coming Monday 18th) and is sure to a success. Tip and adult beverages are not included, but will be available for purchase for your delight.

 

 

Yellowtail Belly from a previous feast.

 

 

Here is a brief description on next week's "Feral Feast" from the host/Chef:

 

Sherry braised Chicken from a previous feast

We are trying a new format for this month's pop up. From the menu below, guests can choose either 3, 4 or 5 dishes for a fixed price of $28, $35 or $44 per person (gratuity and alcohol not included.)

This month's menu is inspired by Spanish cuisine, locally available ingredients and that hope that Spring is just around the corner!

 

Tickets can be purchased at feralseattle.brownpapertickets.com

To make reservations, guests can email feralseattle@gmail.com (include name, party size, desired reservation time and contact phone)

 

 

 

 

The menu for Monday 18th 2013:

 

Arugula salad, radish, blood orange, green garlic vinaigrette

Pa’amb tomoquet; grilled bread, tomato relish, jamon
White gazpacho, almonds, apples, grapes, olive oil
‘Paella’, mussels, shrimp, saffron, peppers, crispy puffed rice, green onion
Sherry braised chicken thighs, rich tomato sauce over chick peas, roasted cauli, crispy chicken cracklins'
Pork belly confit, clams, kale, potato
King oyster mushrooms, potato, fiddleheads, pimenton alioli, parsley      

Espresso flan

Menu subject to change due to availability and pure whim
Location; Grub, 7 Boston st, Seattle 98109 (Upper Queen Anne)

Dinner served from 5 - 9

 

 

Pan Seared Rock Fish from a previous feast.

Yes, I already plan on attending and put in my RSVP, you should, too! Come hang with me and let's chat about food, restaurants, and cocktails.

 

Happy Cooking!

Kimm