For reasons that aren't quite clear I derive a weird and almost inappropriate pleasure from making a cake that looks like a decomposing log. Essentially, that's what a Buche de Noel is supposed to look like, complete with meringue 'mushrooms'… — Claire Saffitz Copy Share Image
I made my first Yule Log as a culinary student in Paris, complete with the traditional chestnut filling, silky chocolate buttercream, and almost-too-adorable mushrooms. Since then, I've tweaked and updated both the recipe and the process - and I've definitely… — Claire Saffitz Copy Share Image
Replacing white flour with whole wheat generally makes baked goods denser, drier, and more crumbly because the germ and bran in whole wheat absorbs… — Claire Saffitz Copy Share Image
Usually, turkey burger recipes result in something so lifeless and tasteless that drowning one in ketchup (that most perfect and delicious of condiments) doesn't… — Claire Saffitz Copy Share Image
Always bake in the center of the oven. A pan placed too close to the bottom of the oven will receive more heat radiating… — Claire Saffitz Copy Share Image
Lame blades can dull relatively quickly, so after slashing several loaves the blade won't slice through the dough with tremendous ease. (When this happens,… — Claire Saffitz Copy Share Image
Always use liquid measuring cups to measure liquid and dry measuring cups to measure dry. Especially when measuring flour, accuracy is important, so using… — Claire Saffitz Copy Share Image
I've always just operated with the attitude that if I work just as hard as I can, everything will be fine. — Claire Saffitz Copy Share Image
Depending on when vegetables are picked, they might take different lengths of time to cook. — Claire Saffitz Copy Share Image
Poached quince are so tender, aromatic, and rosy that you'd hardly believe the raw fruit is white, fibrous, and hard as a rock. — Claire Saffitz Copy Share Image
True marshmallow - and I'm not talking about those ones from a bag - is nothing more than an Italian meringue set with gelatin. — Claire Saffitz Copy Share Image
The mild creaminess of cottage cheese makes it a perfect blank canvas for almost any flavor combination, savory or sweet. Since it's so soft,… — Claire Saffitz Copy Share Image
One thing I hear a lot is that people feel less stressed out after they watch 'Gourmet Makes.' There's a transference of their stress… — Claire Saffitz Copy Share Image
