Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Halloween Recipe: DIY Candy Bars




These simple candy bars are another take on the popular candy bark. For this version, I melted chocolate candy coating and topped it with rows of candy corn, mellowcreme pumpkins, mini peanut butter cups, and Utz Halloween pretzels.


Since the pumpkins are so bulky, I cut them in half with a paring knife. They are a bit heartier than candy corn and have a slightly different flavor that resembles icing decorations. I also cut the mini peanut butter cups in half so they would be about the same size as the pumpkins.


After spreading the melted chocolate, I added the toppings and gently pressed them in place. The ghost and pumpkin sprinkles didn't work out because they faced the wrong way or landed in clumps. Skip them altogether or use nonpareils.

When the candy cooled, I cut around the toppings to create a variety of squares and rectangles.One batch made about 40 bars.

DIY Halloween Candy Bars

Ingredients:
  • 16 ounces chocolate candy coating (almond bark)
  • 1 packet Utz Halloween pretzels OR 10 mini pretzels
  • Candy corn OR Brach’s Autumn Mix
  • Mini peanut butter cups

Cover a baking pan or countertop with a sheet of wax paper about 13 inches long.
Cut the pumpkins and peanut butter cups in half.
Lay out the bark toppings so they’re ready to apply.
Melt the candy coating according to the package directions.
Slowly pour melted chocolate on the wax paper.
Using an offset spatula or the back of a long spoon, spread it into a thin, even rectangle about a quarter inch thick.
Apply the pretzels and candy toppings in neat rows.
Let cool until the chocolate hardens.
Using a non-serrated knife, cut the candy into individual bars.

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Review: Lay’s Brings Wasabi Ginger to the Masses




Of the four finalists in the 2014 Lay’s Do Us a Flavor contest, the wasabi flavor stands out as a must-try snack. Perhaps that doesn’t seem like much of a compliment when the contenders include a revolting-looking cappuccino chip, but Meneko Spigner McBeth managed to come up with an interesting take on Asian fusion.

Wasabi Lightened for the Masses

Lay’s version of wasabi snacks are mild compared to the spice of wasabi peas. Its wasabi ginger seasoning comes from a long list of ingredients ranging from brown sugar to horseradish with wasabi making a token appearance at the end. The green and white powdery coating on the chips delivers a burst of heat that tastes a bit like powdered onion and ginger while a blend of soy sauce and brown sugar temper the pungency and round out the big flavors.    

The flavor creator’s quote printed on the bag describes her childhood memories of stirring soy sauce and wasabi together to accompany her grandmother’s homemade sushi. Throw in my memories of the aroma of a grease-smeared take-out bag of fried eggrolls, and you have a pretty good idea of how these chips taste. If that imagery doesn’t resonate, think of a strong soy sauce flavor with a bit of heat and sweetness.

Kettle chips are hearty enough to carry the bold flavors, but these chips aren’t exactly snackable on their own. An undercurrent of flavor reminiscent of sour cream and chive potato chips grows very strong after eating about five chips. (Maybe those green flecks are part of the same coating recipe.) Still, these wasabi ginger kettle chips are worthy of becoming a regular in Lay’s roster because they are tasty and novel without getting too experimental. 

Pairing Suggestions

These chips really revitalize a traditional tuna sandwich lunch and they taste great with guacamole. I expect they would pair well with a creamy seafood dip, too. They could add a crunchy, flavorful topping to tuna mac casseroles. Try them on a salad in place of wonton strips or croutons.



Thursday, August 7, 2014

How to Make Molten Lava Cake like a Pro


Molten lava cakes are a novel dessert available at restaurants ranging from pizza joints to posh establishments. After one taste, it is easy to understand why these tiny cakes with a built-in filling are so popular. Simple recipes mean you can re-create this luscious dessert at home. Use these tips to make a picture-perfect cake of your own.

Chocolate Matters

Lava cake recipes rely on different types of chocolate to create different flavor profiles. Chocolate chips are easy to measure, and you don't have to chop them before melting. The resulting cake will taste a lot like the plain chips. Cocoa powder and unsweetened baking chocolate allow you to control the sweetness. Dark, bittersweet, and higher-quality chocolate yield more complex flavors.

Pan Prep

Since presentation is a big part of the lava cake mystique, it is important to thoroughly butter the baking dishes to ensure the cakes do not stick. Ramekins or standard cupcake pans work fine for lava cakes; however, cupcake pans leave less room for error since you have to unmold the whole pan at once.

Baking Time

This is the type of dessert where a minute or two can make a huge difference. Use the recipe as a guide, but keep a close eye on the cakes as they bake. When they are done, the top will puff slightly and the edges will set. The center should be very springy to the touch, but not too jiggly.

Unmolding Tips

The cakes cool briefly before unmolding, but you need to serve them while they are still warm for the most lava. Get the serving dishes and garnishes ready while the cakes are baking. When they are done, use a pot holder or towel to handle the hot dishes. Run a silicone spatula or plastic knife along the edges of the dish to gently loosen the cakes. Place a heatproof plate on top of the ramekin. Carefully invert the ramekin to release the lava cake. If using a cupcake pan, top it with cookie sheet or cutting board and flip it over. Gently tap or wiggle the cupcake pan, if necessary.

Serving Tips

Have you ever noticed how molten chocolate cake recipes often show the cake hidden beneath a layer of toppings? The unadorned cake isn't very pretty on its own. The sunken center looks dark and rubbery before you slice into it and reveal the lava. A spoonful of whipped cream or ice cream boosts the cake's appearance and balances the intense chocolate flavor. You can also use lighter toppings such as fresh berries or a gentle dusting of powdered sugar.

Suggested Recipes
Chef John's Chocolate Lava Cake
Molten Chocolate Cakes
Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes

Thursday, July 31, 2014

4 Easy Ways to Create Swirled Icing with a Piping Bag



swirled pink and white icing
Use swirled icing to create roses with a flick of the wrist.
Credit: murnahan
Copyright: http://www.flickr.com/photos/awebguy/

Have you ever wondered how professional bakers create luscious layers of swirled buttercream icing? It is surprisingly simple and you don't need any unitasker gadgets. There are several decorating techniques to create that cool two-tone effect, but I prefer the basic methods that use only one piping bag. Check out these four cake decorating options to discover the one that best suits you.

1. Layer Two Icing Colors

Add a coupler and cuff the edge of a piping bag. Hold the bag horizontally and use an offset spatula to add small heaps of buttercream icing to the lower side of the bag. As needed, use your fingers to guide the icing and scrape the spatula from outside the bag. Add the second batch of icing alongside the first color.

As you decorate, the two colors will remain separate with subtle blending where they touch. This distinctive two-tone style looks great with deeply contrasting flavors and colors, such as chocolate and vanilla buttercream. It is an easy way to decorate a batch of cupcakes with the colors of your favorite school or sports team.

2. Add Stripes of Color

Attach the coupler and cuff the edge of piping bag. As you hold the bag, use a paintbrush to add one or more thin lines of concentrated icing color along the inside of the bag. Add icing to the bag, being careful not to smear the color stripe.

One line of color will create a nice highlight that works especially well on roses. Multiple stripes will create lines of color that resemble the stripes on a candy cane.

3. Use Streaks of Colored Icing

Attach the coupler and cuff the edge of piping bag. While holding the bag, use a small spatula or butter knife to apply one or more lines of colored frosting inside of the bag. Fill the bag with icing, taking care to avoid sliding the frosting down the colored lines.

This technique also creates highlights and stripes, but the color varies depending on the intensity of the icing lines.

4. Add Scoops of Colored Icing

Add a coupler and place the bag in a tall drinking glass. Cuff the edge to hold it in place. Drop a spoonful of icing into the bag. Repeat for the second color. Continue alternating colors until the bag is full.

This method creates varying swirls of color as you decorate. Use it to create whimsical designs for a tie-dye effect, circus theme, or rainbow-hued cupcakes.

How do you create swirls of colored icing? Simply fill a piping bag with two different colors of icing. This easy cupcake decorating technique is a great way to create an edible version of your favorite sports team's colors.

Credit: kristin_a (Meringue Bake Shop)
Copyright: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kristinausk

 

Tips for Decorating with Two-Tone Icing

The two-tone effect seems to work best with a larger tip, such as 1M. Use a coupler so you can swap tips for different results.

Before you begin decorating, squeeze the piping bag until both colors emerge. You may need to pipe an inch or two of frosting to reach the color swirl.

You can use standard food coloring to streak the bag, but the color will not be as intense or crisp since food coloring's watery consistency makes it difficult to create an even coating on the bag. For more reliable results, consider using the food coloring to tint a small amount of icing and painting icing stripes inside the piping bag.

If the darker color obscures the two-tone effect, rotate the bag so it creates a slightly different blend of colors.