Tamarind is a Fruit Widely Known in Cuisines Around the World (Chris Rawstern)

My first experience with tamarind was in Guatemala. While living there, I grew to love the refreshing beverage made with tamarind. As the tamarind pulp is quite tartly acidic, it works similarly to lemons for making lemonade. Once returning to the US in the 1980s, tamarind was unavailable in most places and my interest fell by the wayside.

Tamarind is originally from Africa, around what is the Sudan, today. It grows abundantly in India and the name tamarind comes from the Indian words Tamar Hindi, meaning Indian Date. The tamarind was introduced into Mexico and the Caribbean sometime around the 16th century. The tamarind tree can grow to a height of around 80 feet in its preferred climate. The tree appears feathery, with tiny leaflets down each side of the stems. These leaflets close up at night. The fruit grows as brown pods. The outer casing of the pods is dry and brittle and easily cracked off. The inner fruit is a dark reddish brown, thick, fibrous and sticky. The fruit encases 1 to 12 glossy brown seeds. It is tart and sour when young, sweetening as the pods ripen.

Tamarind was once again highlighted when interest in world cuisines and fusion cooking picked up in the later 1990s. This time the focus was on the pulp used in recipes, rather than solely as a beverage. An amazing flavor, tamarind is both sweet and sour at the same time. It is a potent flavor, best used somewhat sparingly unless you are quite accustomed. It is a wonderful addition to any sweet and sour dishes. It is an ingredient in Worcestershire sauce. In Southeast Asian cooking, it is a flavor often combined with such other ingredients as garlic, dried shrimp, coconut and chilies. Pad Thai is one commonly known Thai dish using tamarind. In India, it is used to make delicious chutney, as well as a Tamarind Rice or South Indian Fish Curry. In the Caribbean islands it is often used in cooking seafood. Small amounts of tamarind paste are used in sauces for dishes containing cassava, chickpeas, potatoes or rice with greens. It can be used to make sweet and sour sauces, mixed into recipes with both sugar and pepper, mixed into barbecue sauces, made into beverages, desserts and candies.

One common use for tamarind is in sauces, which gives control of the amount used. Plain tamarind sauce or paste is available in many places these days, including online. Adding from a teaspoon to many tablespoons of this prepared sauce simplifies making any recipe. It can flavor a marinade for meats. Chicken, beef, pork and lamb are all candidates for a tamarind flavored marinade. The natural acidity can be used in a marinade to tenderize tougher cuts of meat. It can be used in vegetarian dishes, adding wonderful sweet and sour flavors to a vegetable stew. The paste can be cooked into a jam. If making a Caribbean type barbecue sauce with tamarind, some suggested ingredients would be chilies, mango, onion, garlic and a bit of spicy mustard. Sugar may be added to taste. These flavors seem to beg for barbecued chicken.

I plan to try out recipes in the Caribbean or African style. A little tamarind sauce with sweet potatoes and brown sugar would be a great combination. Mixed into a stew with greens and chickpeas and sweet potato is another great application. Find some tamarind, whether in pods, compressed into a cake, or strained into a sauce. Experiment with the flavor. Make it into a refreshing beverage with sugar, to taste. This gives the first indication of the flavor of tamarind. Then look at trying this new flavor out in other recipes. It is so versatile, lending the use to both sweet or savory recipes, and sometimes both together. Put tamarind on your list of new flavors to try if you have not already.

Thank you for taking the time to read my article. I hope it was informative and helped you along your own culinary journey. You will find many more recipes and helpful tips on my web site. I am on Facebook at A Harmony of Flavors and share a recipe or tip each day to the fans that have liked my site. I hope to see you there soon.

My name is Chris Rawstern, I have been on a cooking and baking journey for 42 years. Many people have asked what A Harmony of Flavors means. Have you ever had a meal where the visual presentation was stunning, the smells were incredible the taste was so remarkable that you ate slowly savoring every bite, wishing the experience would never end? Then you have experienced what a truly harmonious meal can be like.
I began my cooking career in Guatemala, in 1970. I moved there as a naive 20-year-old, and set out to learned about cooking in a foreign land. I will pass along special recipes that I have been making for 42 years, and new ones. I will also pass on tips or notes with things to watch for and what just plain works better. I have amassed huge quantities of recipes over the years, and recently have begun giving classes.
My passion is to teach people how to create a Harmony of Flavors with their cooking, and help pass along my love and joy of food simple and exotic, plain or fancy. I continue my journey in ethnic and domestic cuisines, trying new things. I would love to hear from you, to help me continue my journey to explore diverse culinary experiences and hopefully to start you on a journey of your own.
Visit my Web site http://www.aharmonyofflavors.com my Blog my Marketplace at http://www.a-harmony-of-flavors-marketplace.com or on Facebook page at A Harmony of Flavors. I share a recipe or tip each day to the fans that have liked my site.I hope to see you there soon

My first experience with tamarind was in Guatemala. While living there, I grew to love the refreshing beverage made with tamarind. As the tamarind pulp is quite tartly acidic, it works similarly to lemons for making lemonade. Once returning to the US in the 1980s, tamarind was unavailable in most places and my interest fell by the wayside.

Tamarind is originally from Africa, around what is the Sudan, today. It grows abundantly in India and the name tamarind comes from the Indian words Tamar Hindi, meaning Indian Date. The tamarind was introduced into Mexico and the Caribbean sometime around the 16th century. The tamarind tree can grow to a height of around 80 feet in its preferred climate. The tree appears feathery, with tiny leaflets down each side of the stems. These leaflets close up at night. The fruit grows as brown pods. The outer casing of the pods is dry and brittle and easily cracked off. The inner fruit is a dark reddish brown, thick, fibrous and sticky. The fruit encases 1 to 12 glossy brown seeds. It is tart and sour when young, sweetening as the pods ripen.

Tamarind was once again highlighted when interest in world cuisines and fusion cooking picked up in the later 1990s. This time the focus was on the pulp used in recipes, rather than solely as a beverage. An amazing flavor, tamarind is both sweet and sour at the same time. It is a potent flavor, best used somewhat sparingly unless you are quite accustomed. It is a wonderful addition to any sweet and sour dishes. It is an ingredient in Worcestershire sauce. In Southeast Asian cooking, it is a flavor often combined with such other ingredients as garlic, dried shrimp, coconut and chilies. Pad Thai is one commonly known Thai dish using tamarind. In India, it is used to make delicious chutney, as well as a Tamarind Rice or South Indian Fish Curry. In the Caribbean islands it is often used in cooking seafood. Small amounts of tamarind paste are used in sauces for dishes containing cassava, chickpeas, potatoes or rice with greens. It can be used to make sweet and sour sauces, mixed into recipes with both sugar and pepper, mixed into barbecue sauces, made into beverages, desserts and candies.

One common use for tamarind is in sauces, which gives control of the amount used. Plain tamarind sauce or paste is available in many places these days, including online. Adding from a teaspoon to many tablespoons of this prepared sauce simplifies making any recipe. It can flavor a marinade for meats. Chicken, beef, pork and lamb are all candidates for a tamarind flavored marinade. The natural acidity can be used in a marinade to tenderize tougher cuts of meat. It can be used in vegetarian dishes, adding wonderful sweet and sour flavors to a vegetable stew. The paste can be cooked into a jam. If making a Caribbean type barbecue sauce with tamarind, some suggested ingredients would be chilies, mango, onion, garlic and a bit of spicy mustard. Sugar may be added to taste. These flavors seem to beg for barbecued chicken.

I plan to try out recipes in the Caribbean or African style. A little tamarind sauce with sweet potatoes and brown sugar would be a great combination. Mixed into a stew with greens and chickpeas and sweet potato is another great application. Find some tamarind, whether in pods, compressed into a cake, or strained into a sauce. Experiment with the flavor. Make it into a refreshing beverage with sugar, to taste. This gives the first indication of the flavor of tamarind. Then look at trying this new flavor out in other recipes. It is so versatile, lending the use to both sweet or savory recipes, and sometimes both together. Put tamarind on your list of new flavors to try if you have not already.

Thank you for taking the time to read my article. I hope it was informative and helped you along your own culinary journey. You will find many more recipes and helpful tips on my web site. I am on Facebook at A Harmony of Flavors and share a recipe or tip each day to the fans that have liked my site. I hope to see you there soon.

My name is Chris Rawstern, I have been on a cooking and baking journey for 42 years. Many people have asked what A Harmony of Flavors means. Have you ever had a meal where the visual presentation was stunning, the smells were incredible the taste was so remarkable that you ate slowly savoring every bite, wishing the experience would never end? Then you have experienced what a truly harmonious meal can be like.
I began my cooking career in Guatemala, in 1970. I moved there as a naive 20-year-old, and set out to learned about cooking in a foreign land. I will pass along special recipes that I have been making for 42 years, and new ones. I will also pass on tips or notes with things to watch for and what just plain works better. I have amassed huge quantities of recipes over the years, and recently have begun giving classes.
My passion is to teach people how to create a Harmony of Flavors with their cooking, and help pass along my love and joy of food simple and exotic, plain or fancy. I continue my journey in ethnic and domestic cuisines, trying new things. I would love to hear from you, to help me continue my journey to explore diverse culinary experiences and hopefully to start you on a journey of your own.
Visit my Web site http://www.aharmonyofflavors.com my Blog my Marketplace at http://www.a-harmony-of-flavors-marketplace.com or on Facebook page at A Harmony of Flavors. I share a recipe or tip each day to the fans that have liked my site.I hope to see you there soon

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Three quick recipes for cakes without heating in the oven (Chris Rawstern)

When you look at recipes for cakes, there is always the thought of baking time. If you have a convection oven, it usually means baking in many installments, so the oven is on for long periods of time. What happens if the baking was not necessary? As a busy mom on the go, is something that is quick and easy to be the first option. These recipes have been made many times in my years as a MOM, and I hope to pass along these recipes for all with time at a premium.

No Bake butterscotch cookies

In a large saucepan, combine 2 cups granulated sugar, 3/4 cup butter and 2/3 cup evaporated milk. Bring this mixture to a rolling boil, stirring often. Remove the Pan from the heat and place in a small package of instant butterscotch pudding mix and 3 1/2 cups quick-cooking oatmeal. Mix this together and let cool 15 minutes. Drop dough by teaspoon on waxed paper. This will make about 5 dozen cookies.

No Bake chocolate haystacks

There are many existing recipes with this same title, but this is my favorite. In a large saucepan combine 2 cups powdered sugar, 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup sugar free butter. Bring to a full boil, stirring to mix well. Remove from heat and add in 3 1/2 cups quick-cooking oatmeal, 1 cup coconut, 1 1/2 cup chopped walnuts and 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Drop this mixture rapidly from teaspoons on waxed paper and let cool. This should make about 48 cookies, depending on size.

No Bake apricot macaroons

This recipe couldn't be simpler with only 4 ingredients. In a large bowl, combine 2 1/2 cups shredded coconut, a 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk, 2 cups finely diced Dried apricots and 1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts. Mix well and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This dough is very sticky to work with. shape the dough into small balls and roll in powdered sugar. These cookies should be kept chilled.

Apricots can be replaced with another dried fruit selections that raisins, dried blueberries or craisins. Tangy fruits with sweetness of condensed milk make them so tasty. Use of craisins or dried cherries mixed with some green glaceed cherries for Christmas time would make a lovely presentation.

These recipes are all so very easy to do quickly. They are also a great way to get kids learning about how to measure ingredients. They can learn very young about fill a measuring cup or spoon and using a straight-edged table knife to scrape the level. They can learn to measure the cup sizes and how to measure liquid ingredients. The actual combine is something a 6 or 7 year old child can do, and scoop out the cookies on waxed paper. Form them into balls is a simple process for these latest cookies, and with the sticky hands are certainly no deterrent to a child.

Have fun with the kids and grandkids to make some of these cookies. Take pleasure in the time made more enjoyable by sharing and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Thank you for taking the time to read my article. I hope it was informative and helped you along your own culinary journey. You'll find many more recipes and useful tips on my website. I'm on Facebook on a harmony of flavors and share a recipe or tip each day to the fans who have enjoyed my site. I hope to see you there soon.

My name is Chris Rawstern, I have been on a journey for cooking and baking for 42 years. Many have asked what a harmony of flavors. Have you ever had a meal where the Visual presentation was fantastic, the smells were amazing taste was so remarkable that you ate slowly, savoring every bite, that the experience would never end? Then you've experienced what a truly harmonious meal can feel like.
I started my cooking career in Guatemala, 1970. I moved there as a naive 20 year old and put out to learned about cooking in a foreign country. I will pass along special recipe that I have done for 42 years, and new. I will also pass on tips or notes of things to look for and what simply works better. I have collected large amounts of recipes over the years, and recently have started to give classes.
My passion is to teach people how to create a harmony of flavors with their cooking, and help pass along my love and joy of food simple and exotic, plain or fancy. I continue my trip in ethnic and national dishes, try new things. I would love to hear from you, to help me continue my journey to explore the different culinary experiences and hopefully to start you on a journey of its own.
Visit my website http://www.aharmonyofflavors.com my blog my Marketplace at http://www.a-harmony-of-flavors-marketplace.com or on the Facebook page of a harmony of flavors. I'm sharing a recipe or tip each day to the fans who have enjoyed my site.I hope to see you there soon

When you look at recipes for cakes, there is always the thought of baking time. If you have a convection oven, it usually means baking in many installments, so the oven is on for long periods of time. What happens if the baking was not necessary? As a busy mom on the go, is something that is quick and easy to be the first option. These recipes have been made many times in my years as a MOM, and I hope to pass along these recipes for all with time at a premium.

No Bake butterscotch cookies

In a large saucepan, combine 2 cups granulated sugar, 3/4 cup butter and 2/3 cup evaporated milk. Bring this mixture to a rolling boil, stirring often. Remove the Pan from the heat and place in a small package of instant butterscotch pudding mix and 3 1/2 cups quick-cooking oatmeal. Mix this together and let cool 15 minutes. Drop dough by teaspoon on waxed paper. This will make about 5 dozen cookies.

No Bake chocolate haystacks

There are many existing recipes with this same title, but this is my favorite. In a large saucepan combine 2 cups powdered sugar, 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup sugar free butter. Bring to a full boil, stirring to mix well. Remove from heat and add in 3 1/2 cups quick-cooking oatmeal, 1 cup coconut, 1 1/2 cup chopped walnuts and 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Drop this mixture rapidly from teaspoons on waxed paper and let cool. This should make about 48 cookies, depending on size.

No Bake apricot macaroons

This recipe couldn't be simpler with only 4 ingredients. In a large bowl, combine 2 1/2 cups shredded coconut, a 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk, 2 cups finely diced Dried apricots and 1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts. Mix well and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This dough is very sticky to work with. shape the dough into small balls and roll in powdered sugar. These cookies should be kept chilled.

Apricots can be replaced with another dried fruit selections that raisins, dried blueberries or craisins. Tangy fruits with sweetness of condensed milk make them so tasty. Use of craisins or dried cherries mixed with some green glaceed cherries for Christmas time would make a lovely presentation.

These recipes are all so very easy to do quickly. They are also a great way to get kids learning about how to measure ingredients. They can learn very young about fill a measuring cup or spoon and using a straight-edged table knife to scrape the level. They can learn to measure the cup sizes and how to measure liquid ingredients. The actual combine is something a 6 or 7 year old child can do, and scoop out the cookies on waxed paper. Form them into balls is a simple process for these latest cookies, and with the sticky hands are certainly no deterrent to a child.

Have fun with the kids and grandkids to make some of these cookies. Take pleasure in the time made more enjoyable by sharing and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Thank you for taking the time to read my article. I hope it was informative and helped you along your own culinary journey. You'll find many more recipes and useful tips on my website. I'm on Facebook on a harmony of flavors and share a recipe or tip each day to the fans who have enjoyed my site. I hope to see you there soon.

My name is Chris Rawstern, I have been on a journey for cooking and baking for 42 years. Many have asked what a harmony of flavors. Have you ever had a meal where the Visual presentation was fantastic, the smells were amazing taste was so remarkable that you ate slowly, savoring every bite, that the experience would never end? Then you've experienced what a truly harmonious meal can feel like.
I started my cooking career in Guatemala, 1970. I moved there as a naive 20 year old and put out to learned about cooking in a foreign country. I will pass along special recipe that I have done for 42 years, and new. I will also pass on tips or notes of things to look for and what simply works better. I have collected large amounts of recipes over the years, and recently have started to give classes.
My passion is to teach people how to create a harmony of flavors with their cooking, and help pass along my love and joy of food simple and exotic, plain or fancy. I continue my trip in ethnic and national dishes, try new things. I would love to hear from you, to help me continue my journey to explore the different culinary experiences and hopefully to start you on a journey of its own.
Visit my website http://www.aharmonyofflavors.com my blog my Marketplace at http://www.a-harmony-of-flavors-marketplace.com or on the Facebook page of a harmony of flavors. I'm sharing a recipe or tip each day to the fans who have enjoyed my site.I hope to see you there soon

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Making Your Own Bagels is a Delicious, Budget Friendly Treat for the Family (Chris Rawstern)

Making bagels is a little bit of a production. They need to be boiled and then baked, making them more time consuming, but the flavors more than make up for it. The bagels I made are Cinnamon Raisin flavored, but the cinnamon and raisins could be omitted, substituting other things as desired. Think of adding things like walnuts or pecans or other nuts of choice. How about date pieces instead of raisins? Using dried blueberries would mimic another store type of bagel, but why stop there? How about using dried cherries, dried cranberries or even chopped dried apricots?

There are also savory additions to take into consideration. I love grains and seeds in my bagels. Cook some wheat or rye berries until soft and add them to the bagel dough. The same can be done with barley. Add in sesame seeds and sunflower seeds to make the bagels more nutritious and provide texture. Leave the bagels plain and instead use toppings to provide flavors. Brush on an egg wash and sprinkle on some sesame seeds or poppy seeds. Slowly saut? some onions until well caramelized and brush them onto the top of the bagels before baking. These ideas are nothing new, so think up ideas of your own.

Cinnamon Raisin Bagels

DOUGH
4 1/2 cups bread flour
5 teaspoons instant rise yeast, about 2 packets
2 1/4 cups lukewarm water, no more than 110 degrees
3 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
3 teaspoons cinnamon, reserve 1 teaspoon aside
1/3 cup raisins

WATER BATH
10 cups water
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon baking soda

EGG WASH
1 egg white
1 teaspoon agave syrup or corn syrup

MAKE DOUGH. In a mixer bowl combine 1 1/2 cup of flour, yeast, 3 tablespoons sugar, 2 teaspoons salt and 2 teaspoons of the cinnamon. Heat the water in the microwave in 30 second intervals until this mixture is just lukewarm, no more than 110 degrees. Add this to the flour in the mixer bowl and turn on low to combine, then increase speed and beat for 2 - 3 minutes. If using a heavy duty mixer capable of kneading bread dough, switch to the dough hook. If not using a heavy duty mixer, continue by hand. Begin adding the 3 remaining cups of flour. Knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Add in the last teaspoon of cinnamon for the last 15 to 30 seconds of kneading, leaving streaks of cinnamon through the bagels. Set aside to rest in a warm place for 20 minutes.

WATER BATH. In a very large pot, combine the water, sugar and the baking soda. Stir well to combine the ingredients and melt the soda. Place on stove and bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

GLAZE. Mix together the glaze ingredients, have a pastry brush handy and set aside. Prepare 2 large baking sheets by lining them with parchment. Spray the parchment with cooking spray. Set aside. Have some paper toweling handy for blotting the bagels after their water bath.

Turn out the dough onto a working surface. Lightly sprinkle flour over the surface. Divide the dough into 12 or 14 portions. Take a portion of the dough and form a tight ball by continually bringing sides to top and pinching together. Poke a finger down into the center, then using gentle pressure, widen the hole until you can easily fit all 8 fingers inside. The dough will spring back down to a very small hole. Set aside and continue with all the bagels. Allow them to rest for 20 minutes.

If the pot with the simmering liquid is large enough, place 2 or 3 of the bagels at a time into the pot. Time them for 1 minute. Flip and time for one minute more. Remove to the paper toweling with a large slotted spoon or spatula and blot well. Gently place onto the prepared baking sheets. Repeat until all the bagels are on the baking sheets. Brush the bagels with the prepared glaze. Have the oven racks set at the lower and middle positions. Place the two pans in the oven and bake until golden, about 20 minutes.

If using different flavorings than cinnamon and raisins, eliminate these two ingredients and substitute about a half cup of some other nut, seed or grain for flavor and texture. If making plain or savory bagels, eliminate the syrup in the final glaze and substitute egg yolk for the glaze. These are quick to make when using instant rise yeast and so worthwhile. Do give them a try.

Thank you for taking the time to read my article. I hope it was informative and helped you along your own culinary journey. You will find many more recipes and helpful tips on my web site. I am on Facebook at A Harmony of Flavors and share a recipe or tip each day to the fans that have liked my site. I hope to see you there soon.

My name is Chris Rawstern, I have been on a cooking and baking journey for 42 years. Many people have asked what A Harmony of Flavors means. Have you ever had a meal where the visual presentation was stunning, the smells were incredible the taste was so remarkable that you ate slowly savoring every bite, wishing the experience would never end? Then you have experienced what a truly harmonious meal can be like.
I began my cooking career in Guatemala, in 1970. I moved there as a naive 20-year-old, and set out to learned about cooking in a foreign land. I will pass along special recipes that I have been making for 42 years, and new ones. I will also pass on tips or notes with things to watch for and what just plain works better. I have amassed huge quantities of recipes over the years, and recently have begun giving classes.
My passion is to teach people how to create a Harmony of Flavors with their cooking, and help pass along my love and joy of food simple and exotic, plain or fancy. I continue my journey in ethnic and domestic cuisines, trying new things. I would love to hear from you, to help me continue my journey to explore diverse culinary experiences and hopefully to start you on a journey of your own.
Visit my Web site http://www.aharmonyofflavors.com my Blog my Marketplace at http://www.a-harmony-of-flavors-marketplace.com or on Facebook page at A Harmony of Flavors. I share a recipe or tip each day to the fans that have liked my site.I hope to see you there soon

Making bagels is a little bit of a production. They need to be boiled and then baked, making them more time consuming, but the flavors more than make up for it. The bagels I made are Cinnamon Raisin flavored, but the cinnamon and raisins could be omitted, substituting other things as desired. Think of adding things like walnuts or pecans or other nuts of choice. How about date pieces instead of raisins? Using dried blueberries would mimic another store type of bagel, but why stop there? How about using dried cherries, dried cranberries or even chopped dried apricots?

There are also savory additions to take into consideration. I love grains and seeds in my bagels. Cook some wheat or rye berries until soft and add them to the bagel dough. The same can be done with barley. Add in sesame seeds and sunflower seeds to make the bagels more nutritious and provide texture. Leave the bagels plain and instead use toppings to provide flavors. Brush on an egg wash and sprinkle on some sesame seeds or poppy seeds. Slowly saut? some onions until well caramelized and brush them onto the top of the bagels before baking. These ideas are nothing new, so think up ideas of your own.

Cinnamon Raisin Bagels

DOUGH
4 1/2 cups bread flour
5 teaspoons instant rise yeast, about 2 packets
2 1/4 cups lukewarm water, no more than 110 degrees
3 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
3 teaspoons cinnamon, reserve 1 teaspoon aside
1/3 cup raisins

WATER BATH
10 cups water
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon baking soda

EGG WASH
1 egg white
1 teaspoon agave syrup or corn syrup

MAKE DOUGH. In a mixer bowl combine 1 1/2 cup of flour, yeast, 3 tablespoons sugar, 2 teaspoons salt and 2 teaspoons of the cinnamon. Heat the water in the microwave in 30 second intervals until this mixture is just lukewarm, no more than 110 degrees. Add this to the flour in the mixer bowl and turn on low to combine, then increase speed and beat for 2 - 3 minutes. If using a heavy duty mixer capable of kneading bread dough, switch to the dough hook. If not using a heavy duty mixer, continue by hand. Begin adding the 3 remaining cups of flour. Knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Add in the last teaspoon of cinnamon for the last 15 to 30 seconds of kneading, leaving streaks of cinnamon through the bagels. Set aside to rest in a warm place for 20 minutes.

WATER BATH. In a very large pot, combine the water, sugar and the baking soda. Stir well to combine the ingredients and melt the soda. Place on stove and bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

GLAZE. Mix together the glaze ingredients, have a pastry brush handy and set aside. Prepare 2 large baking sheets by lining them with parchment. Spray the parchment with cooking spray. Set aside. Have some paper toweling handy for blotting the bagels after their water bath.

Turn out the dough onto a working surface. Lightly sprinkle flour over the surface. Divide the dough into 12 or 14 portions. Take a portion of the dough and form a tight ball by continually bringing sides to top and pinching together. Poke a finger down into the center, then using gentle pressure, widen the hole until you can easily fit all 8 fingers inside. The dough will spring back down to a very small hole. Set aside and continue with all the bagels. Allow them to rest for 20 minutes.

If the pot with the simmering liquid is large enough, place 2 or 3 of the bagels at a time into the pot. Time them for 1 minute. Flip and time for one minute more. Remove to the paper toweling with a large slotted spoon or spatula and blot well. Gently place onto the prepared baking sheets. Repeat until all the bagels are on the baking sheets. Brush the bagels with the prepared glaze. Have the oven racks set at the lower and middle positions. Place the two pans in the oven and bake until golden, about 20 minutes.

If using different flavorings than cinnamon and raisins, eliminate these two ingredients and substitute about a half cup of some other nut, seed or grain for flavor and texture. If making plain or savory bagels, eliminate the syrup in the final glaze and substitute egg yolk for the glaze. These are quick to make when using instant rise yeast and so worthwhile. Do give them a try.

Thank you for taking the time to read my article. I hope it was informative and helped you along your own culinary journey. You will find many more recipes and helpful tips on my web site. I am on Facebook at A Harmony of Flavors and share a recipe or tip each day to the fans that have liked my site. I hope to see you there soon.

My name is Chris Rawstern, I have been on a cooking and baking journey for 42 years. Many people have asked what A Harmony of Flavors means. Have you ever had a meal where the visual presentation was stunning, the smells were incredible the taste was so remarkable that you ate slowly savoring every bite, wishing the experience would never end? Then you have experienced what a truly harmonious meal can be like.
I began my cooking career in Guatemala, in 1970. I moved there as a naive 20-year-old, and set out to learned about cooking in a foreign land. I will pass along special recipes that I have been making for 42 years, and new ones. I will also pass on tips or notes with things to watch for and what just plain works better. I have amassed huge quantities of recipes over the years, and recently have begun giving classes.
My passion is to teach people how to create a Harmony of Flavors with their cooking, and help pass along my love and joy of food simple and exotic, plain or fancy. I continue my journey in ethnic and domestic cuisines, trying new things. I would love to hear from you, to help me continue my journey to explore diverse culinary experiences and hopefully to start you on a journey of your own.
Visit my Web site http://www.aharmonyofflavors.com my Blog my Marketplace at http://www.a-harmony-of-flavors-marketplace.com or on Facebook page at A Harmony of Flavors. I share a recipe or tip each day to the fans that have liked my site.I hope to see you there soon

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

How to Make Delicious, Inexpensive Soft Pretzels at Home (Chris Rawstern)

While making soft pretzels seems like a lot of steps, they are really simple to make. It takes about 2 hours from start to finish, and once baked, the reason for these steps is apparent. A very short rising time makes quick work of the dough. A quick boil in a pot of water gives them the chewy exterior, and the egg wash gives them the shine. It is my belief that using a beer in the batter and boiling water enhances the yeasty flavor, but it is completely a matter of choice.

Another factor to take into consideration is the size of the pretzel. The ones sold in most places are just huge. In this day and age, that size is far too large for most people in one sitting. If that size is of interest, you may choose to make the recipe into only about 6 pretzels. I believe making them into 8 or 10 is the perfect size. The baking time may need adjusting, should you use the larger size.

Soft Pretzels at Home

PRETZEL DOUGH

4 - 4 1/2 cups bread flour
2 packets of instant or quick rise yeast
1 cup water plus 1/2 cup beer, OR use 1 1/2 cups water
3 tablespoons sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons salt

BOILING LIQUID

7 cups water plus 1 cup beer, OR use 8 cups water
1/2 cup baking soda

EGG WASH

1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon agave syrup
Coarse salt for sprinkling

In a mixer bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of the flour with the yeast. Heat to lukewarm the 1 cup water and 1/2 cup of beer, or all water as desired, along with the 3 tablespoons sugar and the salt. Ensure that the liquid is just warm to the finger and not too hot. Add the liquid to the mixing bowl and starting on low to combine the ingredients. Then increase speed and beat well for about 3 minutes. If your mixer is heavy duty and can knead a very stiff dough, switch to a dough hook and add in 2 1/2 to 3 cups more flour. If you do not have a heavy duty mixer, take the bowl and using hands, incorporate the flour to make a stiff dough. Knead for 8 to 10 minutes. Allow to rest for 20 minutes, while preparing the rest of the ingredients.

In a large soup pot, place the 7 cups water and 1 cup beer or just use 8 cups water. Add 1/2 cup baking soda to the water. If beer is in the mixture, expect the liquid to foam up significantly. Bring this mixture to a simmer.

Mix together in a small bowl the egg yolk, tablespoon of water and the agave syrup. If agave syrup is not available, an unflavored corn syrup could be used. Combine well and set aside. Have a pastry brush handy. Prepare two large baking sheets by lining them with parchment. Spray the parchment with cooking spray. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Turn the dough out onto a flat surface. You may not need any flour on the surface if the dough is quite stiff. Divide the dough into 8 to 10 pieces. Each piece should be rolled into a rope about 24 inches long. Make the rope into a U shape, then bring down and cross the ends to make the pretzel shape. Pinch together the points where the dough intersects. Place 1 or 2 of the pretzels into the pot of simmering liquid. Time for 1 minute, then flip over and time for 1 minute more. Drain well on paper toweling and place them onto the baking sheets. Repeat with all the shaped pretzels.

Brush the boiled pretzels with the egg wash and then sprinkle on the coarse salt. Bake the pretzels for 18 to 20 minutes, until a nice golden brown. Makes 8 to 10 medium sized soft pretzels.

Read the instructions carefully and have everything prepared and handy and you will have wonderful, hot and chewy pretzels in about 2 hours.

Thank you for taking the time to read my article. I hope it was informative and helped you along your own culinary journey. You will find many more recipes and helpful tips on my web site. I am on Facebook at A Harmony of Flavors and share a recipe or tip each day to the fans that have liked my site. I hope to see you there soon.

My name is Chris Rawstern, I have been on a cooking and baking journey for 42 years. Many people have asked what A Harmony of Flavors means. Have you ever had a meal where the visual presentation was stunning, the smells were incredible the taste was so remarkable that you ate slowly savoring every bite, wishing the experience would never end? Then you have experienced what a truly harmonious meal can be like.
I began my cooking career in Guatemala, in 1970. I moved there as a naive 20-year-old, and set out to learned about cooking in a foreign land. I will pass along special recipes that I have been making for 42 years, and new ones. I will also pass on tips or notes with things to watch for and what just plain works better. I have amassed huge quantities of recipes over the years, and recently have begun giving classes.
My passion is to teach people how to create a Harmony of Flavors with their cooking, and help pass along my love and joy of food simple and exotic, plain or fancy. I continue my journey in ethnic and domestic cuisines, trying new things. I would love to hear from you, to help me continue my journey to explore diverse culinary experiences and hopefully to start you on a journey of your own.
Visit my Web site http://www.aharmonyofflavors.com my Blog my Marketplace at http://www.a-harmony-of-flavors-marketplace.com or on Facebook page at A Harmony of Flavors. I share a recipe or tip each day to the fans that have liked my site.I hope to see you there soon

While making soft pretzels seems like a lot of steps, they are really simple to make. It takes about 2 hours from start to finish, and once baked, the reason for these steps is apparent. A very short rising time makes quick work of the dough. A quick boil in a pot of water gives them the chewy exterior, and the egg wash gives them the shine. It is my belief that using a beer in the batter and boiling water enhances the yeasty flavor, but it is completely a matter of choice.

Another factor to take into consideration is the size of the pretzel. The ones sold in most places are just huge. In this day and age, that size is far too large for most people in one sitting. If that size is of interest, you may choose to make the recipe into only about 6 pretzels. I believe making them into 8 or 10 is the perfect size. The baking time may need adjusting, should you use the larger size.

Soft Pretzels at Home

PRETZEL DOUGH

4 - 4 1/2 cups bread flour
2 packets of instant or quick rise yeast
1 cup water plus 1/2 cup beer, OR use 1 1/2 cups water
3 tablespoons sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons salt

BOILING LIQUID

7 cups water plus 1 cup beer, OR use 8 cups water
1/2 cup baking soda

EGG WASH

1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon agave syrup
Coarse salt for sprinkling

In a mixer bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of the flour with the yeast. Heat to lukewarm the 1 cup water and 1/2 cup of beer, or all water as desired, along with the 3 tablespoons sugar and the salt. Ensure that the liquid is just warm to the finger and not too hot. Add the liquid to the mixing bowl and starting on low to combine the ingredients. Then increase speed and beat well for about 3 minutes. If your mixer is heavy duty and can knead a very stiff dough, switch to a dough hook and add in 2 1/2 to 3 cups more flour. If you do not have a heavy duty mixer, take the bowl and using hands, incorporate the flour to make a stiff dough. Knead for 8 to 10 minutes. Allow to rest for 20 minutes, while preparing the rest of the ingredients.

In a large soup pot, place the 7 cups water and 1 cup beer or just use 8 cups water. Add 1/2 cup baking soda to the water. If beer is in the mixture, expect the liquid to foam up significantly. Bring this mixture to a simmer.

Mix together in a small bowl the egg yolk, tablespoon of water and the agave syrup. If agave syrup is not available, an unflavored corn syrup could be used. Combine well and set aside. Have a pastry brush handy. Prepare two large baking sheets by lining them with parchment. Spray the parchment with cooking spray. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Turn the dough out onto a flat surface. You may not need any flour on the surface if the dough is quite stiff. Divide the dough into 8 to 10 pieces. Each piece should be rolled into a rope about 24 inches long. Make the rope into a U shape, then bring down and cross the ends to make the pretzel shape. Pinch together the points where the dough intersects. Place 1 or 2 of the pretzels into the pot of simmering liquid. Time for 1 minute, then flip over and time for 1 minute more. Drain well on paper toweling and place them onto the baking sheets. Repeat with all the shaped pretzels.

Brush the boiled pretzels with the egg wash and then sprinkle on the coarse salt. Bake the pretzels for 18 to 20 minutes, until a nice golden brown. Makes 8 to 10 medium sized soft pretzels.

Read the instructions carefully and have everything prepared and handy and you will have wonderful, hot and chewy pretzels in about 2 hours.

Thank you for taking the time to read my article. I hope it was informative and helped you along your own culinary journey. You will find many more recipes and helpful tips on my web site. I am on Facebook at A Harmony of Flavors and share a recipe or tip each day to the fans that have liked my site. I hope to see you there soon.

My name is Chris Rawstern, I have been on a cooking and baking journey for 42 years. Many people have asked what A Harmony of Flavors means. Have you ever had a meal where the visual presentation was stunning, the smells were incredible the taste was so remarkable that you ate slowly savoring every bite, wishing the experience would never end? Then you have experienced what a truly harmonious meal can be like.
I began my cooking career in Guatemala, in 1970. I moved there as a naive 20-year-old, and set out to learned about cooking in a foreign land. I will pass along special recipes that I have been making for 42 years, and new ones. I will also pass on tips or notes with things to watch for and what just plain works better. I have amassed huge quantities of recipes over the years, and recently have begun giving classes.
My passion is to teach people how to create a Harmony of Flavors with their cooking, and help pass along my love and joy of food simple and exotic, plain or fancy. I continue my journey in ethnic and domestic cuisines, trying new things. I would love to hear from you, to help me continue my journey to explore diverse culinary experiences and hopefully to start you on a journey of your own.
Visit my Web site http://www.aharmonyofflavors.com my Blog my Marketplace at http://www.a-harmony-of-flavors-marketplace.com or on Facebook page at A Harmony of Flavors. I share a recipe or tip each day to the fans that have liked my site.I hope to see you there soon

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Three Cakes with Unusual Names that are Easy to Make and will Delight the Family (Chris Rawstern)

Three different cakes came into my life through various avenues. The Wacky Cake was introduced to our family by my aunt, and it was a hit ever after. At the time, the marvel of the Wacky Cake was that it worked. It actually made a really good chocolate cake, using minimal ingredients. It uses no eggs or dairy. The fun part was the making three wells in the dry ingredients. Two of my sisters and I were allowed to pour in the liquid ingredients and Mom would combine them to bake.

The other two cakes are the Mayonnaise Cake, also chocolate, and the Tomato Soup Cake, which is a spice cake. That the Mayonnaise Cake works is no great surprise. Mayonnaise is made from oil and eggs, two ingredients often used in making a cake. The Tomato Soup Cake is a spice cake. Considering that tomatoes really are a fruit, along with the addition of quite a bit of spices, nuts and raisins, this cake is also delicious.

Following are the three recipes. I hope you will make memories with your family as my mom made for my sisters and I. When kids get involved in the making of something, they become curious to see what it tastes like. The fact that vinegar or mayonnaise or tomato soup is an ingredient in a dessert will be overlooked once the results are tasted. Their young lives will ever after be changed in wonderful ways.

Wacky Cake

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8 x 8 inch square baking pan. Sift together the first 5 ingredients directly into the greased pan. Make three wells in the dry ingredients. Make one well larger, one medium and one small. Have your kids pour the oil into the large well, the vinegar in the medium well and vanilla into the small well. Pour the cup of water over all and combine until just mixed. Bake for about 30 minutes. Cool completely, then frost with your favorite frosting.

Tomato Soup Cake or Mystery Cake

2 cups cake flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 can tomato soup, 10.5 ounces
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease two 8 inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment. Sift together the first 6 ingredients and set aside. Cream the shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Add the sifted dry ingredients alternately with the soup, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Beat well after each addition. Fold in the nuts and raisins. Pour into prepared pans and bake for about 30 minutes. Cool the cakes for 10 minutes before removing from pans. Cool completely and frost with an icing of your choice.

Mayonnaise Cake

2 cups all purpose flour
5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 cup water
1 cup mayonnaise
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour an 8 or 9 inch square cake pan. In a bowl, whisk together the first 5 ingredients. Add in the next three ingredients and beat until smooth. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until cake tests done. Cool completely before spreading with your favorite frosting.

Make some memories today by making one of these delightfully different cakes.
Thank you for taking the time to read my article. I hope it was informative and helped you along your own culinary journey. You will find many more recipes and helpful tips on my web site. I am on Facebook at A Harmony of Flavors and share a recipe or tip each day to the fans that have liked my site. I hope to see you there soon.

My name is Chris Rawstern, I have been on a cooking and baking journey for 42 years. Many people have asked what A Harmony of Flavors means. Have you ever had a meal where the visual presentation was stunning, the smells were incredible the taste was so remarkable that you ate slowly savoring every bite, wishing the experience would never end? Then you have experienced what a truly harmonious meal can be like.
I began my cooking career in Guatemala, in 1970. I moved there as a naive 20-year-old, and set out to learned about cooking in a foreign land. I will pass along special recipes that I have been making for 42 years, and new ones. I will also pass on tips or notes with things to watch for and what just plain works better. I have amassed huge quantities of recipes over the years, and recently have begun giving classes.
My passion is to teach people how to create a Harmony of Flavors with their cooking, and help pass along my love and joy of food simple and exotic, plain or fancy. I continue my journey in ethnic and domestic cuisines, trying new things. I would love to hear from you, to help me continue my journey to explore diverse culinary experiences and hopefully to start you on a journey of your own.
Visit my Web site http://www.aharmonyofflavors.com my Blog my Marketplace at http://www.a-harmony-of-flavors-marketplace.com or on Facebook page at A Harmony of Flavors. I share a recipe or tip each day to the fans that have liked my site.I hope to see you there soon

Three different cakes came into my life through various avenues. The Wacky Cake was introduced to our family by my aunt, and it was a hit ever after. At the time, the marvel of the Wacky Cake was that it worked. It actually made a really good chocolate cake, using minimal ingredients. It uses no eggs or dairy. The fun part was the making three wells in the dry ingredients. Two of my sisters and I were allowed to pour in the liquid ingredients and Mom would combine them to bake.

The other two cakes are the Mayonnaise Cake, also chocolate, and the Tomato Soup Cake, which is a spice cake. That the Mayonnaise Cake works is no great surprise. Mayonnaise is made from oil and eggs, two ingredients often used in making a cake. The Tomato Soup Cake is a spice cake. Considering that tomatoes really are a fruit, along with the addition of quite a bit of spices, nuts and raisins, this cake is also delicious.

Following are the three recipes. I hope you will make memories with your family as my mom made for my sisters and I. When kids get involved in the making of something, they become curious to see what it tastes like. The fact that vinegar or mayonnaise or tomato soup is an ingredient in a dessert will be overlooked once the results are tasted. Their young lives will ever after be changed in wonderful ways.

Wacky Cake

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8 x 8 inch square baking pan. Sift together the first 5 ingredients directly into the greased pan. Make three wells in the dry ingredients. Make one well larger, one medium and one small. Have your kids pour the oil into the large well, the vinegar in the medium well and vanilla into the small well. Pour the cup of water over all and combine until just mixed. Bake for about 30 minutes. Cool completely, then frost with your favorite frosting.

Tomato Soup Cake or Mystery Cake

2 cups cake flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 can tomato soup, 10.5 ounces
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease two 8 inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment. Sift together the first 6 ingredients and set aside. Cream the shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Add the sifted dry ingredients alternately with the soup, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Beat well after each addition. Fold in the nuts and raisins. Pour into prepared pans and bake for about 30 minutes. Cool the cakes for 10 minutes before removing from pans. Cool completely and frost with an icing of your choice.

Mayonnaise Cake

2 cups all purpose flour
5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 cup water
1 cup mayonnaise
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour an 8 or 9 inch square cake pan. In a bowl, whisk together the first 5 ingredients. Add in the next three ingredients and beat until smooth. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until cake tests done. Cool completely before spreading with your favorite frosting.

Make some memories today by making one of these delightfully different cakes.
Thank you for taking the time to read my article. I hope it was informative and helped you along your own culinary journey. You will find many more recipes and helpful tips on my web site. I am on Facebook at A Harmony of Flavors and share a recipe or tip each day to the fans that have liked my site. I hope to see you there soon.

My name is Chris Rawstern, I have been on a cooking and baking journey for 42 years. Many people have asked what A Harmony of Flavors means. Have you ever had a meal where the visual presentation was stunning, the smells were incredible the taste was so remarkable that you ate slowly savoring every bite, wishing the experience would never end? Then you have experienced what a truly harmonious meal can be like.
I began my cooking career in Guatemala, in 1970. I moved there as a naive 20-year-old, and set out to learned about cooking in a foreign land. I will pass along special recipes that I have been making for 42 years, and new ones. I will also pass on tips or notes with things to watch for and what just plain works better. I have amassed huge quantities of recipes over the years, and recently have begun giving classes.
My passion is to teach people how to create a Harmony of Flavors with their cooking, and help pass along my love and joy of food simple and exotic, plain or fancy. I continue my journey in ethnic and domestic cuisines, trying new things. I would love to hear from you, to help me continue my journey to explore diverse culinary experiences and hopefully to start you on a journey of your own.
Visit my Web site http://www.aharmonyofflavors.com my Blog my Marketplace at http://www.a-harmony-of-flavors-marketplace.com or on Facebook page at A Harmony of Flavors. I share a recipe or tip each day to the fans that have liked my site.I hope to see you there soon

reade more... Résuméabuiyad