In my kitchen.

[gfrancie]

My New Years Resolution was to make and eat more cake. It is going fairly well. My next project (once we work out way through the black forest gateau) is a sachertorte. I have been spending time researching the cake's history and various recipes. The original sachertorte recipe is a secret so obviously all of the recipes are just attempts at recreating it. There was a long legal battle between Hotel Sacher and Cafe Demel over who could possess the title of "original sachertorte". The cake was first created by Franz Sacher who was filling in for a sick chef and put this together as kind of an off the cuff dessert. It was well-received.

The short project for next week will be to make Crepes for Fat Tuesday. On Fat Tuesday we eat a ton of meat and then crepes. The next day we fast, have dirty foreheads and look upon fish sticks with disdain.

The other thing I have been doing in the kitchen has been cooking with leeks. I have found a new love for these tasty things and have been trying out different ways of serving them. Maybe I will break down and get Jane Grigson's Vegetable Book. Someone has suggested that I need this book. While I will always love and adore meat and meat products one can still have plenty of fun cooking vegetables.

As for tonight? I am making steak and mushroom pie, roasting some potatoes and probably slicing up some carrots and calling it good.

Comments

[stephaniebird.livejournal.com]

That book looks divine!

[emily-swank.livejournal.com]

That's funny, my new year's resolution was to eat less cake. I think your resolution sounds much pleasanter.

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

I don't eat that much cake in the end, but it does make for a happy tea time.

[rebeccmeister.livejournal.com]

This entry makes it abundantly clear why you are my superhero.

HAVE SOME CAKE IT IS DELICIOUS

I only recently discovered leeks. Do you have any recommendations about how to properly clean them? The ones I bought had a lot of sand in them and so I cut off and threw away a lot of the green parts, but I wasn't sure if that part was edible/salvageable.

Thank you, o kitchen guru.

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

It is one internet meme that is the gospel truth.

As for cleaning leeks my suggestion is to watch this (http://www.cuisinemag.com/main/videos/56-cleaningleeks.php). It is the best explanation and show and tell on how to clean them. I hope that helps.

Leek-o-matic

[rebeccmeister.livejournal.com]

That little instructional video was AWESOME. Now I am a leek expert. Thanks again, o kitchen guru. ;)

[sucrelefey.livejournal.com]

Mmmmsachertorte. I am told by a fine German woman that the cake is the critical part and it bakes a lot like a souffle. One layer. Ganache is a dark chocolate and hazelnut. You warm your jam and brush a glaze of it all over between the cake and the ganache.
I am scare to try this at home.
Cake:
1c flour
1/3c cocoa
1c caster sugar
100grams unsalted butter melted
4 eggs separated. Whites are soft peaked and folded in.

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

I shall have to try this. I may end up trying several versions of the sachertorte and then deciding which one I like best.

[sucrelefey.livejournal.com]

Well of course one must sample them all, only way to be sure; it is such a burden.

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

Thankfully I am willing to suffer. I am Catholic so I can say, "I am offering it up."

dinner tonight

[sahara-harp.livejournal.com]

We are having raclette and pretending that gherkins are vegetables.

Re: dinner tonight

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

YUM! Damn I want that.... maybe this weekend.