Sunday, May 31, 2009

How To Create a New Recipe


How To Create A New Recipe
By: Karen A. Spencer- Food Information Consultant

Having worked in the food industry creating new product concepts for clients, I learned quickly to think out of the box and try various flavor and ingredient combinations. I didn’t always “hit it on the nail” the first time, but after a little tweaking, I did come up with some combinations that wowed both colleagues and clients. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you are trying to create a new recipe.

Brainstorm Before You Start
I believe good ideas are developed over time. I always say, “Ideas lead you to the idea,” so every idea should be recorded and not thrown to the side because you or others think it won’t work. No, the idea has its place and if you continue with the brainstorming process, you will come up with the idea.

Don’t Be Afraid To Try the Oddest Combinations
You will be surprised how some of the oddest combinations work together and can enhance the overall flavour of a dish. For example a little soy sauce in chocolate enhances the chocolate flavour and if you are a garlic lover try adding an extremely small amount of garlic to ice cream; you will be pleasantly surprised how the ice cream will have a fuller flavour.

Take Notes
As you are creating your new recipe, make notes on the flavour, texture and appearance of your dish. Get a new set of taste buds to evaluate your dish for additional feedback.

Precision
The best results are achieved when you have a consistent recipe to follow. Your friends should get similar results if adequate instructions are given for ingredient preparation and the steps are clear.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Cheesecakes: The Familiar and the Unusual



Cheesecakes: The Familiar and the Unusual
By: Karen A. Spencer- Food Information Consultant

Most of us are familiar with cheesecake; it’s sweet and creamy with lots of cream cheese. There is also another side of cheesecake that uses a variety of cheeses (ricotta, goat cheese, blue cheese) and can produce both sweet and savory desserts. Here are a few familiar and unusual cheesecakes for you to try.

New York Style Cheesecake

Black Pepper Cheesecake

Savory Blue Cheesecake

Red Velvet Cheesecake

Polka Dot Cheese Cake

Craig Claiborne’s Cheesecake

Monday, May 4, 2009

Cooking with Fresh Ginger



Cooking with Fresh Ginger
By: Karen A. Spencer- Food Information Consultant

Ginger root or fresh ginger grows in tropical and subtropical areas. Its flavor is pungent and the flesh color ranges from tan to ivory. Fresh ginger is common in Asian, Indian and Chinese cuisine. In American cooking ginger is used primarily in baked goods in the dried or ground forms. Fresh ginger use is quite versatile, it performs well in beverages and savory and sweet dishes.

How to Buy
Fresh ginger can be purchased in two forms, young ginger also called spring ginger and mature ginger. Young ginger has a thin skin which does not require peeling and a mild flavor. Mature ginger has a smooth tough skin, which requires peeling; its flavor is spicy with a pungent aroma. Avoid purchasing mature ginger with wrinkled skin; this is an indication of a product that is drying out.

Storing Fresh Ginger
Fresh ginger can be stored for up to 3 weeks in refrigerator and up to 6 months in the freezer. To store, leave the skin on and wrap tightly. To use frozen ginger, slice off a piece and put the remainder immediately in the freezer, do not allow to thaw.

Suggestive Uses
Add to fruit or vegetable juice- When juicing your favorite juice, add a bit of fresh ginger.
Replace dried ginger with fresh ginger in baked goods; grate or finely chop. Note: dried products are more concentrated than fresh products.
Add fresh ginger to sparkling water; add a slice of lemon or lime.
Fresh ginger and fresh lime juice added to a fruit salad is very refreshing. Combinations to try: blueberry and banana; apple, banana, kiwi, orange; pomegranate.

Recipes Using Ginger Root
Chunky Ginger Ice Cream

New Potatoes with Ginger and Mint

Stir-Fried Chicken

Steamed Whole Fish

Whole Roasted Carrots with Fresh Ginger