Renaissance Culinaire - Top Blogging

Renaissance Culinaire

Blogging my way to Pastry Chefdom. My commentary. All through my eyes, or camera lens.Highlights include - Recipes, Baking theory and food photography.

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Can Elephant Ears do Upscale? Remembering the Circus.

2008-09-21 01:19:30

One of the highlights of my childhood was getting to ride on a huge pachyderm, a.k.a elephant. For my cousins and I, the circus was a frequent part of our childhood. On this occasion, the circus made it's home in the dusty dirt floored arena of a historic fairgrounds, whose fairway had seen many, many generations of eager carnival, concert or rodeo goers. The concessions had a looming presence between the main arena and the white washed wood, gray roofed exhibition out buildings who had welcomed 4-H livestock, various crafts and the eleclectic mix of gawkers whose ages were of a varied range.This was all surrounded by a scenery of ancient Maple, Oak and Locust trees - whose gnarled appearances of lacy leafy canopies gave shade on the hot sultry summer nights and perfumed the air with an ea...

Tables Are More Ethstetic Than Utilitarian

2008-09-20 04:03:30

What is a table? In the world of food, a table was thought to be a key element, not only in the placement meals - but also in the gathering of the guests who invited, would devour it. In current times, the table has taken on a backdrop appeal, more suitable as a place to position the laptop, and very little is discussed there - as digital gadgets have replaced the once lively meal time chatter.Days are becoming far less about meals and more about classes, appointments, events and schedules. Both children and adults have increasingly growing activities to occupy their time, and statistics show that 40% or more, of surveyed families do not sit down to eat meals together on a regular basis.One popular brand know best for canned vegetables, Libby's (can you say pumpkin pie?) has brought at...

Formula: Scratch Italian Puff Pastry

2008-09-20 02:10:52

"Pasta Spogolia Al Vermouth Blanco" is a commercial baking formula, and should be reduced for home usage, down to 1/3 or even 1/4 of the original formulation. This formula requires a 20 QT mixer. It is a Full Developed dough. Ingredients are measured by weight - NOT volume.This is a really lovely puff dough to work with on the bench, it has a nice feel and tastes pleasing.# = pound (US standard)BP = Baker's Percent (disregard if not culinary professional)Formula: 3# 10 oz. Organic Bread Flour Baker's % (80)1# 8 oz. butter (use European style, has better plasticity) BP % (20)1 1/2 oz. salt BP % (2)1 oz. malt BP % (1)7 oz. white wine (boxed is fine for this) BP % (10)1# 4 oz. water BP % (27.5)3 1/2 oz. eggs BP % (3)Butter For Roll-in/...

Encourage Your Little Chef, while Encouraging Listening Skills

2008-09-16 02:09:35

When foodies envision the perfect pizza, the visions are filled with wonderful and exotic ingredients - the texture, the smells and the very process of the pizza production conjure up such great memories and mouthwatering fantasy of new creations.When cooking with children, pizza is often a dish that gets top attention. It is fun to mix and children love to see the dough rise and are thrilled to spread the sauces and cheese or other toppings upon the pizza.But sometimes with younger pre-schoolers or those in kindergarten, it can be quite the challenge to hold their attention and keep them focused.Well that is where Noodleboro Pizza Palace Listening Game comes in handy. This game comes complete with pizzas & real take out boxes, a peel (which doubles as the scoring track /game board) , ...

From Bottles to Bags - Green is both Cool & Responsible

2008-09-14 17:56:10

In keeping with my eco-friendly theme lately on Renaissance Culinaire I have reviewed two great bags. These bags are not from your typical company who creates a few pieces for their product line that cater to the Green market. These are in fact created by Act2GreenSmart who's Owners Tom & Debbie, who once marketed products under the company brand Shoreline which started in 1995, decided in 2007 with guidance from Tom's education in Conservation of Natural Resources at U.C. Berkeley and Debbie’s green oriented background to convert the company into a viable, brand using eco-friendly materials through a special process.According to the companies own research:Plastic bottles (PET #1) are one of the biggest environmental disasters today. In the United States alone, 230 bottles per perso...

Children's Book Review: Sunny's Adventures

2008-08-26 12:51:10

I love to find children's books with a baking tie-in. It gives me such joy to expose children to the wonderful warmth and quiet passion that is following a recipe. In todays world, not as much time is spent watching the skilled rhythms of well versed hands whipping up tasty baked goods in the well used kitchens of our homes, at least not as much as in my childhood or those before me....Kid Mystery?Sunny's Adventures will intrigueyour budding Sleuths...Sunny's Adventures delivers that warmth that onlywhispers of childhood could bring forth. The wordsupon the page awaken the innocent ramblings andromping we all shared with our neighborhoodfriends on bright sunny days. When our back-yard...

When Shopping

2008-08-26 04:39:59

I am constantly pricing everything. Constantly doing a price comparison. When you are a parent that is a given. When the economy has taken a bit of a turn you will expect most people to do this also. In general everyone loves to get a deal.Besides the deals then comes a responsibility. Do I forget deals and purchase brands or with merchants who are eco-friendly? As time goes by I am thinking further about mine and the merchant's global impact on the environment. I am not the only one - green products and services are at the fore front of most retailers minds as this eco-friendly mindset continues to grow into a global movement.With such emphasis on finding ways to be eco-friendly, shopping for name brand companies that are known for quality products that also have eco-friendliness in mi...

This Blog Has A Comment Form

2008-08-14 14:06:08

This blog is still revealing it's self. Slowly emerging into something I can be proud of. If it seems like I have put the food writing and blog writing on hold it is because of all the stuff going on right now. Unfortunately due to the nature of all of it, it is far too personal to throw it out to the web. If you follow me on twitter you might wonder, well you pretty much tweet about everything else in your life - why not shout out what's all happening?These things have no words I think that would encompass what I truly feel, and might come off as cheapened if I blog about them. It would be like setting my troubles on a balance scale and match them against a million much more tragic events happening to the masses.Because of these happenings I will be wo...

Product Review: I-Spy Memory Game

2008-08-05 06:06:24

Many occasions on long car trips you may have played I-spy as a child or now play it with your children or grandchildren. Calling out the familiar phrase "I spy with my little eye...", hoping to baffle those trying to figure out what exactly it is that you do spy. Then the triumphant "I know ..." was sounded, signaling your "secret" spy is no longer a riddle any longer, and all at once you are out a turn at spying, and your role becomes the questioning, searching finder.I Spy Memory Game by Briarpatch captures the thrill of those car games, and magically condenses that spirit into card sized fun.When I first received this game, I opened the box and was surprised that the cards were not pre-cut. There are sheets of thick card stock that you must push the ...

Commercial Baking Formulas

2008-08-05 04:52:09

Here is a list of commercial baking formulas that have been featured on Renaissance Culinaire. These formulas are meant to be used in a professional kitchen or bakery. These formulas include step by step procedure notes with the aid of pictures. The formulas have instructions for reducing the volume for home use. This page will be updated as new formulas are featured. Americanized Pumpernickel Bread Croissant with a starter Wussel Bread Seven Grain Bread Lemon curd /Lemon Tarts/ Authentic Scottish shortbreadCallebaut Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Scones Pumpkin Crunch coffee Cake Pate A Choux , Éclairs & Cream Puffs revisited Tuile Cookies Curls Short Dough Cookies Praline PasteDessert Costing : Banana Strawberry TorteThese formulas are not to be republished or distributed without my permission. All images are copyrighted. | Blogs That Flickr | Renaissance Culinaire | savory | recipe | internet | bread | dessert | pastry | photoblog | professional+baking | ......

Baking Theory Notes: Archived

2008-08-03 16:02:19

Here is a list of archived Baking Theory Notes featured on Renaissance Culinaire. These notes focus on the chemistry and properties of different ingredients and their relationship to baking. This page will be updated as more theory notes are added.Dessert Costing : Banana Strawberry Torte Mixing Geekdom Fermentation Chemistry YeastsProof boxes / Hints for new BakersChemical Leavening &Dough StrengthenersDough Preparation &FermentationFunctions of EggsDairy Products Used in BakingSweetenersOther FloursRyeBread TroubleshootingBread BakingSalt & YeastFatsWheat / Flour | Blogs That Flickr | Renaissance Culinaire | baking+theory | baking+chemistry | internet | bread | dessert | pastry | photoblog | baking+theory | ......

Tutorials

2008-08-03 15:56:00

Here is a list of popular tutorials on Renaissance Culinaire. Here you can learn step-by-step instructions on a variety of foodie related things. This page will be updated as more tutorials are added.Learn How TO: Reverse Macro w/ A Digital CameraProcedure For Tuile Stencil CookiesMake A Simple Proofbox for Home UseUse Greasemonkey Scripts for CulinaryMake Shortbread TartsShape CroissantsMake Chocolate CroissantsMake Great Pate a ChouxBe A Successful BakerFind The Sex of a Dungenous CrabMaintian Your Rolling Pin Sheet Croissant DoughThese tutorials are written by me and are original content. These tutorials may not be reproduced without my permission. | Blogs That Flickr | Renaissance Culinaire | savory | recipe | internet | bread | dessert | pastry | photoblog | flickr | ......

Recipes for Yeast Raised Breads

2008-08-03 15:32:05

Recipes for Cakes and Tortes

2008-08-03 15:23:30

Recipes for Quick Breads

2008-08-03 15:16:31

Recipes for Vegetables

2008-08-03 15:07:49

Recipes for Stuffing

2008-08-03 14:56:35

Recipes for Seafood

2008-08-03 14:36:18

Recipes for Souffles

2008-08-03 13:43:39

Recipes for Savory Salsas and Sauces

2008-08-03 13:28:40

Recipes for Muffins Scones and Pastries

2008-08-03 13:18:24

Here is a list of muffin and pastry formulas that have been featured on Renaissance Culinaire. Some of these formulas are commercial baking formulas that can be reduced for home use. This page will continue to be updated as more recipes are added. Banana - Rum Napoleons Croissant with a starterHot Pepper Gingerbread Muffins with Orange-Maple Butter Gulab Jamun | Indian Sweets Pate A Choux , Éclairs & Cream Puffs revisitedCallebaut Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Scones | Blogs That Flickr | Renaissance Culinaire | savory | recipe | scones | muffins | dessert | pastry | dessert+napoleons | commercial formula | ......

Cookie Recipes

2008-08-03 13:04:28

Recipes for Frostings, Fillings and Icings

2008-08-03 12:33:36

Here are variety of formulas for frostings, fillings or icings that have been featured on Renaissance Culinaire. This page will continue to be updated as recipes are added. Mocha IcingVegan Mocha IcingVegan Chocolate GanacheBanana Scented MarscaponePraline Pasteorange white chocolate sauceKirsch Scented Whipped CreamSpiced Brandy Caramel and Brandy Simple SyrupVegan Spiced Brandy Caramel and Brandy Simple SyrupMeringue Mousseline buttercream.Heirloom Lemon curdOrange-Maple Butter | Blogs That Flickr | Renaissance Culinaire | savory | recipe | internet | bread | dessert | pastry | photoblog | flickr | ......

Vegan & Vegitarian Friendly Recipes

2008-08-03 06:34:58

These recipes have either had vegan/vegetarian conversions or have notations on how to create vegan / vegetarian friendly versions from the recipe provided.This page will continue to be updated as I add more recipes.Sassy Sunflower Cookies (Peanut Butter)Tomatillo - Avocado SalsaPear Chocolate Belle - HeleneSpiced Brandy Caramel and Brandy Simple SyrupWatermelon GazpachoMocha & Chocolate CakeMocha IcingVegan Chocolate GanacheWasabi Asparagus Shitake Spring rollsLime-Ginger Soy Dipping SauceGreen Tea Sesame SauceBanana - Rum Napoleons | Blogs That Flickr | Renaissance Culinaire | savory | recipe | internet | bread | dessert | vegan | vegetarian | flickr | ......

Directory Of Poetry

2008-08-03 06:16:13

This is a listing of all my poetry. These poems are all original, written by me at different times within the last 15 years. The food poems are the most recent. Please read them and if you enjoyed them - please comment. Your comments encourage me to keep creating.This page will continue to be updated with new poems added.ChefSpun SugarDessert PlatingCyber World BondsThe Long FermentEntertaining GlancesOnce The Whistle BlowsAutumn's CurseIcePhlebotomyThese Soulless Times!GrandfatherDeath of a FlowerFallen & ForelornLost In The '90'sSenior CitizenTo the SurvivorsLonely asphaltTruck StopThese poems are NOT to be reproduced in any form - without my permission in writing.Thanks, | Blogs That Flickr | Renaissance Culinaire | savory | recipe | internet | bread | dessert | poetry | photoblog | flickr | ......

Sassy Sunflower Pops Cookies - Healthy & Fun

2008-07-31 14:30:48

Baking with kids can sometimes be challenging. Creating something while keeping kids occupied or interested is no simple feat. Creating a healthier cookies is on not only on parents minds but also on the minds of many health conscience individuals. I would like to introduce you to a great website with some really fun recipes. Sure to please any kid, even that inner child of yours....this willtempt anyonewith visionsof healthylovely treatsto decorate &devourI was so excited to be picked forblogging about the Snackivate website.It came with perks from Kellogg's company -namely 2 full size boxes of Kellogg'sFrosted Mini Wheats used to experimentwith the recipes on the site, and a coollittle plastic gadget that you put i...

Food Poetry : The Secret Life of Chefs

2008-07-28 05:59:40

What is food? it is life giving, nourishing both physically, mentally and sometimes spiritually.Working with food and creating food fosters a keen connection to not only the ingredients, but the kitchen and tools used to create it - the kitchen becomes a safe haven where both chaos and creativity are awakened - the sites, the smells, the sounds become a second skin, and you develop a sixth sense about this culinary world.Your co-workers become a living breathing single entity, each and everyone striving for the same outcome. All dancing in a timed rhythm around the kitchen , hurrying to get your prep done, to get your major courses panned in hotel pans within the steamer or in stock pans and sauce pans upon the stove, whose many squared and blackened burn...

Product Review: Scrubbing Bubbles' Action Scrubber

2008-07-26 02:58:01

Recently My Mom sent me this really cool vintage counter top metal cabinet. It has 4 deep drawers on the top for storage of dry goods, and a bread box on the bottom. I had decided to position it right below my cabinet on the largest counter , which happened to be near a sink.I really didn't think this would be a problem, forgetting that if water over flows from the sink - it tends to collect on the counter (in the area right below my new cabinet). Needless to say water did just that - and caused my beloved cabinet to rust around the bottom edges.When I moved the cabinet - I could see the tell tale signs of a rusted mess, a deep orange rectangular outline had stained my counter top.Needless to say, I have tried using any kind of cleaner I could get my hands on to remove this stain - nothing...

2nd Place for Best Hobby Blog at the 2007 BOBs Awards

2008-07-24 19:20:37

Some of you have been wondering if your vote(s) made a difference for BOBs results. And I would say a resounding, YES! Renaissance Culinaire placed 2nd in the Best Hobby Blog Category.I really am appreciative for everyone who rallied for me on digg and Blogcatalog and stumbleupon, and some of the mom blogging sites I am apart of - your willingness to help another blogger was great! It made being nominated for this award a whole lot sweeter! And for everyone who voted for this site - You are awesome and THANK YOU!I am awaiting my official winner button from them, and once I get it, I will add it to my sidebar. It's cool to think that my relatively small blog had a chance to win a Best of Blog Award.2008 started out very well a...

Family Game Review : The Tuttles Madcap Misadventures

2008-07-24 11:43:05

I am reviewing this The Tuttles PC Game, in hopes to spread the word for a worthy cause. Proceeds of the $20 dollar purchase price is being donated to Starlight Star Bright Children's Foundation. Fifty percent of the retail proceeds from game sales and 75 percent of the proceeds from the downloads at http://www.tuttlesfamilygame.com/ go to Starlight....Play for pleasurePurchaseThe Tuttles MadcapMisadventuresHelp a worthy cause...Game History:This game is a first of it's kind -a game designed specifically witha charity in mind. Starlight Star BrightChildren's Foundation Partnered withLegacy Interactive to come up witha new way to drum up funds for a chari-table cause . Legacy Interactive just gotdone rolling out a Facebook "Friends"promotional contest desig...

Summer Bursting with Strawberries

2008-07-13 06:28:52

Summer brings with it an array of many fruits ,vegetables and herbs - each plant basking and feeding off the warm glow of seemingly endless days. With such an abundance of life giving light - is it any wonder that strawberries thrive in these months?‌picture courtesy of Bahadorjnpicture courtesy of MR+GThe fleshy sweetness invokes heavenly sighs when coupled with special desserts. Biting into the firm, juicy flesh, your tongue first experiences a tang, but that is overcome by the beautiful sugary blast of flavors.Strawberries hold a special place in my taste memory. To me they equal the unbridled innocence of childhood - memories of summers long ago , when the sun was ablaze. Summer days as a child with my friends, I would run out into the hills and fo...

Parents: 5 Tips for having a Safe and Enjoyable Summer

2008-07-04 05:06:26

When you are a child, the summers seems to be an mystical time that taunts you throughout the school days, tempting your thoughts with daydreams of water ponds and Popsicles, and with so much daydreaming comes the literal jump for joy that school is done. The thought that a whole summer of possibilities remains waiting around the corner - all for you!In time school days turn to responsibilities, and you grow into an adult - but there is still something amazing about summer, that makes you believe once again there is a sun filled fun town that may invigorate your hum-drum routine...Eventually you have a family of your own, and your little ones watch the changing seasons and with eyes of wonder they too are alive with the joys of summer...But with summer com...

Food Blogger Blogoversary Calender

2008-07-02 01:10:31

I had an idea I thought would be a fun way to support our fellow food blog authors. And help create a even closer community.I started a calender for listing food blogger blogoversary dates. The date of your food blog's official launch or first post, is your blogoversary.The calender will allow for clickable links in the description, so you can put your blog's title in the event title, and a description of your food blog, then any links you'd like such as : your blog's link, twitter account, face book page etc. If you click on the image below, you can view an example calender event.I used google calender to create it. It's easily searchable in the google calendar database. So your readers ...

Book Review : How to Survive the Real World

2008-07-01 21:36:47

Once the familiar feelings and memories of your college life have started to fade away, replaced with more pressing matters, and the feeling of accomplishment has toned down a bit after graduation - you may find yourself in a panic about leaving your comfort zone and getting out into the world......New Grad?How To Survive The Real Worldhonestadvice will schoolyou...How To Survive The Real World by Hundreds of Heads is a collaboration of tips, stories and quotes by grads who did survive, they give advice on what they learned out in the real world.Book Specs:Paperback: 240 pages Publisher: Hundreds of Heads Books (April 1, 2006) Language: English ISBN-10: 1933512032 ISBN-13: 978-1933512037103 Tips on How to Win a Job and Impress Your New Boss24 Ways to "Get Ou...

Product Review: See Me Read Kit - Complete

2008-06-29 20:07:09

Have you wished there was an educational product out there - one you could add your child's pic to, that would help him/her get better at reading ? See Me Read is a product aimed at helping early readers succeed. After seeing her success from working with her own son - Lori Albert Luke , worked with childhood literacy expert Lynette Frentte to create the See Me ReadTM kit, a program that features personalized whole-word learning tools.See Me Read KitCompletely customizable...The Product Specs:I received the complete kit. The kit includes:Laminated Reader Cards (24 words)Reading Books Level 1 and Level 2Labels (24 words)Writing Pad Parent Guide on encouraging reading andtips for success When you go to the See Me Read site , you have 3 options, or kits, to ...

Baking Theory Notes: Cake Baking and Ingredients

2008-06-28 02:21:43

It all started as...----->Bread dough enriched with butter and spices, leavened with yeast and air was whipped into the dough.----->ca. 1837 : Baking Powder revolutionizes cake industry (allows for consistent leavening)Characteristics of Cakes:*Pound / White / Yellow Batter - high ratio cake (fats) , Chemical leavened.*Angel FoodFoam - Air leavened, uses whipped egg.*ChiffonCombo of Batter & Foam - whipped eggs added to batterIngredients:tenderizersmoistenersflavorers*Flours Used in Cake bakingMainly cake flour (7-9% protein, soft milled)Can use AP, Pastry,Why Specific Protein Count needed, how it forms Gluten Structure:Bleached flour (has carotenes taken out)Flours are Made with M...

My Photographic Mind

2008-06-27 13:29:56

Here are some of my pictures. Bits and pieces of what I see. These are shots I have taken, using nothing more than a little digital point and shoot. I like to recall in certain instances, pictures from my photographic mind. Please Remember to Vote for Renaissance Culinaire Best Hobby Blog at the BOBs awards by following the link below and selecting "Abstract2collective" and clicking vote on the voting widget. Voting ends June 2nd 2008http://www.thebestofblogs .com/2008/05/12/best-hobby -blogvote-here/Please bookmark the link - you can vote once a day in each category. Support your favorite blogs. | Blogs That Flickr | Renaissance Culinaire | savory | recipe | internet | bread | dessert | pastry | photoblog | flickr | ......

Saterday Soul Search : Food Poetry

2008-06-27 13:29:56

In my hopes to re-ignite my poetry writing, I try to find food pictures that will inspire me - then in a creative burst, I try to write out the thoughts that come to mind and type them out immediately. Here are some of my plated desserts shots and the words that became of them...Sugar fired ---extreme degrees render your cube like structure molten.How you boil into a yellow frenzy ---Scorching, throwing your strand like tentaclesgrasping and attachingyour hot intensityslips quietly into a more permanent existence ---Hardening , your exterior smooth,yet fragile inyour mockglass sheen.Related Posts:Soul Search : Saturday Food PoetryPoetry of BakingPoetry : The Long Ferment | Blogs That Flickr | Renaissance Culinaire | plated desserts | food poetry | baking poetry | sugar garnish | dessert | spun+sugar | photoblog | flickr | ......

On Taste Memories and The Economy

2008-06-27 13:21:35

When I experience something of taste worth noting, I archive it within the catacombs of my taste memories. There it is tagged and filed away - until there is new life breathed into it again, on some chance encounter with my taste buds.My palate has slowly matured. I wasn't always one to remark on how great a microbrew was. But now I appreciate the bold, earthy and spicy undertones contained in the hoppy liquid. I appreciate the complexities of each type of brew. And every now and again these same taste memories resurface like amber ghosts haunting me with unequaled sweetness. I begin to ache for another chance - another dance with this foamy goodness.My palate of course has not singled out microbrews exclusively, in it's maturity. I have taken on all...

Guest Post With Kate Jacobs : On Food Memories From Childhood

2008-06-27 13:14:38

I got a chance to ask Kate Jacobs, author of The Friday Night Knitting Club; And her most recent foodie geared novel Comfort Food , a very personal question.RC: How do you feel food memories from childhood shape us into adults? Image © Kate Jacobs. KJ: We all have wonderful memories of meals shared with families, sitting around the table with the Thanksgiving turkey and summer barbecues eating corn on the cob.I love birthday cake, just like the main character Gus in my new novel Comfort Food, and I remember my sister decorating a cake that looked like a pizza with all the toppings for my fifth grade sleepover party. That was the birthday I got a puppy, Pepsi, who was my first S...