The amazing number of ways you can make a dough, form it into a shape, fill it and serve it is beyond counting. The galette is one of those forms. Coming from the Norman word “gale” meaning flat cake, the term galette is usually associated with French cuisine and designates a round crusty baked dough…
An empanada is a baked or fried turnover. These can be savory or sweet. They are found throughout Spain, Southern Europe, Latin America and South America. The name comes from the Spanish word “empanar” which means to “coat with bread”. Empanadas are described in a cookbook in 1520. They are however thought to have originated…
The bolillo is a popular bread made in Mexico and eaten plain or stuffed. It was introduced into Mexico by the French and is similar to the French Baguette. In Mexico it has been claimed that the bolillo comes only second to the corn tortilla.Bolillo’s can be served as bread, made stuffed, as in this…
Brazil has a number of different types of hand pies. The Esfirra that sold as a popular street food. It can be made open faced, Esfirra Aberta (Open Esfiha), or closed Esfirra Fechada (Closed Esfiha). The open faced pies are formed in circles or squares. In Brazil the square shape is the most popular. The…
Shumai dumplings have become very familiar to hungry Americans. In China they can be found in numerous variations, although the Hong Kong variety is the most well known in the west.Shumai originated, from all we know, in northwestern China in Zinjiang from the Uyghur culture. Historical documents suggest that this dumpling originated in the capital…
Chinese chives are used in a number of different dumplings and pies, as well as numerous other dishes. Pies are obviously larger. The Chinese Chive Dumplings are formed in a basic half-moon dumpling shape. These dumplings are also called Chinese Chive Pockets, Chinese Chive Pie (which can be a different shapoe), or Chinese Chive Boxes.The…
Recently I was asked to speak at the Georgetown Kentucky Rotary Club. This club has been in existence for decades. The folks were great and this was a foray into speaking on a topic that is my hobby, Wrapping food. Although I have spoken around the world on medical topics, this was a very different…
Yeasted buns made with cardamom. If you haven’t used the spice cardamom you should become familiar with this wonderful spice that is used in the US in bakery goods. Cardamom has been named the “Queen of Spices”. Cardamom is part of the ginger family of plants and the seeds are contained in trigonal poda. Cardamom…
Flan is a desert frequently seen in Latin cultures, but also in the UK. It contains condensed milk and eggs. Flan can be sweet or savory. Flan is not for the faint of heart when it comes to calories, over 400 per slice. But it is a great presentation and delicious addition to a meal.…
Rugelach is a European/American Jewish cookie that is fairly simple to make and delicious. This dough is made with cream cheese, sour cream and butter which gives it a flakiness and a delicious “tang”. The filling can be just about anything sweet you can imagine. But a fruit jam with a nut filling is easy…